Governor Jay Inslee introduced a $200 tax credit program to support low-income households affected by the Climate Commitment Act.
Washington State Governor Introduces $200 Tax Credit Program to Ease Burden of Climate Change Policy on Low-Income Households
On Monday, Governor Jay Inslee introduced a $200 tax credit program to help low- and moderate-income households affected by the state’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA). At a quiet news conference in Seattle’s Yesler Terrace, Inslee said that the $150 million set aside for this program would help cover some of the costs related to the climate policy. He argued that the credit is crucial for those hit hardest by the CCA and pushed back against claims that the program was just a distraction from the CCA’s alleged problems.
Inslee’s announcement comes as critics like Brian Heywood of “Let’s Go Washington” argue that the tax credit is just a way to hide the CCA’s shortcomings. Heywood believes the credit is a temporary fix to make voters feel better while the CCA fails to cut carbon emissions effectively. This criticism is supported by a recent state poll showing many people doubt the CCA’s effectiveness and by high-profile donors like Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates who are funding the campaign to overturn the climate law.
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Inslee Fights to Save CCA Tax Credit, Labels Repeal Effort ‘Reprehensible’ Amid Growing Opposition
With a new ballot measure, I-2117 threatening the CCA’s future, Inslee defended the tax credit as important help rather than a bribe. He said that those supporting I-2117 would take away this crucial support from families and called their actions “reprehensible” and “weird.” As the debate heats up, Inslee faces a tough task in convincing voters that the CCA and the tax credit are worth keeping despite strong opposition and substantial funding for the repeal effort, according to the report of KOMO News.