Zonta North Puget Sound endorses a no vote on ballot initiatives I-2117 and I-2124
Advocacy Committee
Background:
Anti Tax activists have forced the WA legislature to put 4 initiatives on the ballot this fall to REPEAL ALREADY PASSED LAWS. Repealing these laws will have significant consequences. Zonta Club of North Puget Sound’s advocacy committee reviewed these initiatives, and two directly impact Zonta’s mission for Climate Action and Building a Better world for Women and Girls.
WA State Elections
WHEN: Oct 18, 2024–Nov 5, 2024
We recommend that Zonta members advocate NO on these two initiatives:
Inititiative 2117 to repeal WA Carbon Taxes, which fund state wide environmental programs
The ballot reads: “This measure would prohibit state agencies from imposing any type of carbon tax credit trading, and repeal legislation establishing a cap and invest program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This measure would prohibit state agencies from imposing any type of carbon tax credit trading, including ‘cap and trade’ or ‘cap and tax’ programs, regardless of whether the resulting increased costs are imposed on fuel recipients or fuel suppliers.” It would repeal sections of the 2021 Washington Climate Commitment Act as amended, including repealing the creation and modification of a ‘cap and invest’ program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by specific entities.
WHY: The climate crisis—excessive heat, floods, wildfires, declining diversity, air pollution—is caused by excess greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere. It is essential, if the planet and all the life that lives on it is to be healthy, that we reduce GHG emissions everywhere. We have made a start in Washington State, which is a leader in climate legislation, with a series of laws, including:
- 2020 Clean Energy Transformation Act
- 2020 Act limiting Hydrofluorocarbons
- 2023 Clean Fuel Standard
- 2023 Climate Commitment Act (CCA)
The CCA sets up a cap-and-invest program where the major GHG polluters must reduce emissions by 95%, which is the state 2050 goal. Through annual auctions, polluters can buy permission to continue emissions while they work to limit them. The funds from these auctions are used to mitigate effects of the climate crisis and to limit the burdens of climate crisis on already burdened communities. The “commitment” in the Climate Commitment Act is to address the crisis while taking major steps toward environmental justice. Those who oppose CCA argue that the cost of the program is too high, but they don’t offer an alternative to the looming crisis of a too-hot planet.
In the context of Zonta Says NOW: The Zonta Club of North Puget Sound believes that CCA, and Initiative 2117 to repeal it, are not only a matter of environmental justice, but they are central to equity for women and girls. Women are especially vulnerable to effects of climate disasters on their health, especially reproductive health. They are also a majority of the poor in overburdened communities. Climate change hurts women probably more than men and certainly in different ways. Extreme weather and pollution are linked to pregnancy complications and increased domestic violence. Effects of rapid climate change exacerbate existing inequalities. It is no wonder that women express more support for climate mitigation and adaptation measures than men.
Here is a list of projects that will be reduced or eliminated if I-2117 passes:
- State projects to improve air quality in schools
- Urban tree planting efforts
- 100% clean school buses
- Utility bill discounts for low-income households
- Rebates that make high-efficiency home heating appliances affordable
- Funding to restore salmon habitat
- Funding to replace the aging ferry fleet
- Clean energy construction projects
- $30 million in funding for making communities less vulnerable to wildfire
Download the No on I-2117 FactSheet
For more information see https://no2117.com/ Zonta club of North Puget Sound is a member of the No on 2117 Coalition of over 450 organizations.
Initiative 2124 to repeal Washington State’s long Term Care Insurance program
The ballot reads: “This measure would amend state law establishing a state long term care insurance program to provide that employees and self-employed people must elect to keep coverage under RCW 50B.04, allow employees to opt-out of coverage under RCW 50B.04 at any time, and repeal a current law governing exemptions for employees who had purchased long term care insurance before November 1, 2021.” I-2124 would effectively eliminate long term care coverage for Washington’s seniors by slashing funding for the Washington Cares Fund (WA Cares).
WHY: Caregiving is primarily unpaid labor by Women. The WA Cares fund creates an insurance pool to offer long term care insurance at an affordable cost to all Washington workers.
“Washington’s long-term care insurance program is a safety net, like Social Security or Medicare, set up to allow seniors, and disabled or severely ill adults, to live with dignity and stability.
Lawmakers have steadily strengthened Washington’s long term care benefit—first making near retirees eligible, even if they work part-time. Thanks to new changes, Washingtonians who have paid into the program can keep their benefits even if they move out of state for work, family, or retirement.
The need for long-term care is a scary event we all hope to avoid, but the fact is 70% of uswill need help with daily living activities as a result of a serious injury, illness, disease or other challenge that can happen at any age. The vast majority of us do not have a way to pay for support like home care, home modifications, medical equipment, or residential care facilities.
Most people don’t realize their long-term care expenses are not covered by traditional health insurance or Medicare, and for most people, income from Social Security isn’t enough to cover this expense.” – from Noon2124 FAQ’s
NO means we support maintaining the state long-term care program, WA Cares Fund, as a mandatory payroll tax deduction to ensure equitable access to benefits which are often unaffordable or unavailable to most Washingtonians. Long-term care is a gender equity issue.
Download No On I-2124 Fact Sheet
For more information see https://www.noon2124.org Zonta club of North Puget Sound is a member of the No on 2124 Coalition of over 300 organizations.
