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Three Things to Know About CarbonWA’s Revenue-Neutral Carbon Tax
Washington House Democrats recently threw a ball by failing to include badly needed carbon revenue in their proposed budget. There may still be time to get carbon revenue back on the table, but a relief pitcher is warming up, just in case. In March, CarbonWA, a grassroots group, filed ballot language with the Secretary of State, and now supporters are out gathering signatures and raising money to put it on...Read more » -
Coal, Oil, and Gas Spent $3 Million on Washington Politics in 2014
Washington state legislators have a lot on their plates. A state Supreme Court mandate to increase education funding dramatically hangs like an ominous black cloud over this year’s session. It’s a problem that is only compounded by dire transportation system maintenance needs—the state transportation commission calls for a mind-boggling $175 billion in transportation funding over the next 20 years. Governor Inslee’s flagship bill, the Carbon Pollution Accountability Act, aims to...Read more » -
Which Washington Legislators Take the Most Coal, Oil, and Gas Money?
The 2015 Washington legislative session promises to be one of the more contentious in recent memory. Governor Inslee is advancing bills to reduce carbon emissions and better regulate oil transport, while the Republican-dominated Senate vows to obstruct his agenda. Both issues will pit fossil fuel companies—and especially Big Oil—against the governor. It is, then, an opportune time to daylight the fact that the major opponents of the proposed legislation are...Read more » -
All I got for Christmas Was the Washington State Carbon Tax Swap Calculator
Congressman Tip O’Neill famously said that “All politics is local.” Climate politics is no different. So it is with great enthusiasm that I link to the Washington State carbon tax swap calculator, a snazzy tool that allows you to evaluate how one particular carbon pricing policy—the revenue-neutral Carbon Washington tax shift—will affect your own individual household. The Carbon Washington proposal uses carbon tax revenues to reduce sales taxes and B&O...Read more » -
The New Oregon Carbon Tax Report is Out
We are already paying a high price for fossil fuels: strange and severe weather, asthma and cancer cases, a Northwest economy weakened by huge bills for importing coal, oil, and gas, and the political vice grip that Big Oil has on our democracy. Last year, Portland State University (PSU) gave the Oregon legislature a teaser about how to face those problems with a carbon tax. Intrigued by the possibility of holding...Read more » -
The #1 Question from Progressives about Revenue-Neutral Carbon Taxes
Last time, I shared the #1 question from conservatives about revenue-neutral carbon taxes like the Carbon Washington proposal to implement a BC-style carbon tax and use the revenue to cut sales taxes and business taxes: How do you know it’s going to stay revenue-neutral? This time I’d like to share with you the #1 question from progressives about revenue-neutral carbon taxes: How do you know it’s going to stay revenue-neutral?...Read more » -
Is a Land-Value Tax Illegal in Seattle?
As we’ve discussed before, land-value taxation is a smart tool for revitalizing cities. By raising the cost of land speculation, a land-value tax (LVT) would create clear financial incentives to develop underutilized properties near the urban core—helping to create new homes and businesses in the very places where demand is greatest. The basic idea of LVT is to tax land at a higher rate than buildings. But there’s a significant...Read more » -
Poll: Are Voters Warming to a Carbon Tax?
The pollsters themselves seemed surprised by new findings that majorities of Americans would support a carbon tax. They start their report saying that “conventional wisdom holds that a carbon tax is a political non-starter.” But they end with the note that “there may be more support for a carbon tax than is commonly believed.” Indeed, what they found may indicate a narrow political opening. Support for a carbon tax with...Read more » -
Why Washington State Should Adopt a BC-style Carbon Tax
Editor’s Note: Washington’s Carbon Emissions Reduction Taskforce is on the job, weighing alternative carbon-pricing proposals. Some members of the panel have asked what our ideal policy would be for Washington State. Yoram Bauman shares his thoughts today. Alan Durning will share his argument for a California-style cap-and-trade system, with key modifications, another day. If I had my druthers, Washington State would push for a BC-style revenue-neutral carbon tax. Full disclosure:...Read more » -
South Korea’s All-New Tax on Imported Coal
South Korea’s new tax on coal imports, under discussion for over a year and announced this past January, went into effect today. Importers will now pay an additional 17 won per kg for coal under 5,000 kilocalories per kg, and 19 won per kg for coal over 5,000 kcal/kg. In more familiar terms, that’s a tax of $16 per metric ton for lower-calorie coal, and about $18 per metric ton for higher-calorie coal....Read more »