This summer, we’ve spent a lot of time talking about the three harmful ballot initiatives that you’ll see on your ballot this November. During that same time, multimillionaire Brian Heywood managed to add yet another harmful initiative to your ballot. Here’s what you need to know.
What is I-2066?
I-2066 is a broad, misleading, and dangerous initiative that would cause widespread harm to Washingtonians. The initiative repeals common sense programs and standards that have saved Washingtonians thousands of dollars on their energy bills and reduced stress on our state’s electric grid. It would also gut standards that ensure energy efficiency in new building construction, raising monthly energy bills for future homeowners and renters.
This initiative would make energy bills more expensive, raising costs for Washingtonians across the state. It would jeopardize energy efficiency programs and reduce access to efficient, cost-saving appliances. It would strip local leaders of the ability to determine their communities’ energy future. It would keep our state dependent on fossil fuels, taking Washington off the path to clean energy. It would weaken policies that protect clean air and threaten public health protections against harmful pollution.
Like the other three ballot initiatives, it is a clear attempt to lower prices for the wealthy few at the expense of climate protection and raising prices for everyday Washingtonians.
Wait, so what’s going to be on my ballot?
I-2066 joins a slate of 3 other harmful, misleading initiatives on your ballot. All four of these initiatives would impact our state’s budget, raise costs for everyday Washingtonians, and have devastating effects on environmental protections in our state.
- I-2109 would repeal the capital gains tax, a 7% excise tax on stock market profits greater than $250,000. In its first year, the capital gains tax raised $900 million in yearly funding for school construction, childcare, early learning, and K-12 education in our state. Only 0.2% of Washingtonians pay this tax, but the revenue it generates benefits children, parents, and communities across the state.
- I-2117 would repeal the Climate Commitment Act, which sets a cap on total carbon emissions in our state and fines those who pollute egregiously. The revenue from the Climate Commitment Act funds public transit, wildfire prevention, weatherization and rebates on energy efficient appliances to help families make their homes more energy efficient, air pollution mitigation, and more. This funding helps our state switch to lower-cost, more sustainable infrastructure, providing well-paying jobs to many across the state in the process.
- I-2124 would eliminate funding for WA Cares, a program that provides guaranteed, affordable access to long-term care. 70% of us will require long-term care as we age, and WA Cares provides guaranteed, affordable home care, access to residential treatment, meal support, and more to those who need it.
- I-2066 would repeal energy efficiency programs and standards that save Washingtonians money on their energy bills and ensure that new buildings are being built to keep our state on the path to clean energy and reduce harmful pollution. This initiative tries to repeal a nonexistent ban on natural gas but would actually raise energy costs for Washingtonians and threaten public health protections against air pollution.
The passage of any of these four initiatives would be devastating to the overwhelming majority of residents in our state, who benefit from education, childcare, climate protections, transportation infrastructure, long-term care, and more. These initiatives would cut costs for our state’s wealthiest few and directly harm everyone else.
This November, vote NO on all four initiatives to protect funding for education, climate protection and sustainable infrastructure, and access to long-term care.