By Chad Taylor
An unfortunate theme developed in Olympia over the past decade. The theme is “we know better than you.” The theme presented itself recently in a marathon floor session in the state House of Representatives. I am proud to say our legislative delegation represented our community very well during the more than nine hours of debate that began at 9 p.m. on a Monday (Valentine’s Day) and ended at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
Let me help put the theme in perspective.
In 2016, Washington voters overwhelmingly rejected Initiative 732. The initiative, rejected by almost 60% of the voters, tried to impose a carbon emission tax on the sale and use of certain fossil fuels and fossil fuel generated electricity. The public overwhelmingly, and rightfully, saw this policy as a punishing job killer.
Only two years later, Washington voters overwhelmingly rejected Initiative 1631. The initiative, the Protect Washington Act, failed with over 56% of voters rejecting pollution fees on sources of greenhouse gas pollutants. It would have used the revenue to reduce pollution, promote clean energy and address climate impacts, under oversight of a public board.
Instead of listening to the voters, over the past two years the governor and Democratic majorities in the Legislature passed cap and trade (Senate Bill 5126), low carbon fuel standards (House Bill 1091) and a plethora of extreme environmental legislation to the detriment of the…
