Re: “A budget ‘rat hole’? Political fight over WA climate money intensifies” (Jan. 8, Local weather Lab):
Gov. Bob Ferguson’s proposing spending practically 15% of the Local weather Dedication Act funds towards working household tax credit is disappointing, not solely in its abuse of the supposed function of the fund however due to its political calculation. Working households in Washington are affected by the excessive value of dwelling generated by each federal and state coverage, from what they pay on the grocery retailer to their utility payments. We desperately want that assist. However the voters of this state have spoken: The folks of Washington want funds devoted to local weather motion, and we’d like them now.
The CCA is likely one of the few state budgets within the black due to to date accountable stewardship, not by happenstance. Brief-term features by means of tax credit will hobble the long-term protections that cash is supposed to assist. The CCA just isn’t a wealth redistribution scheme, nor does it have the funding mannequin to assist such an effort. Washington can assist working households by making transportation greener and cheaper, supporting inexpensive and dense housing, and catastrophe reduction.
One thousand FEMA staff are about to be fired by the Trump administration. Let’s take into account that earlier than fortunately spending funds earmarked for local weather motion on different priorities.
Adarsh Parthasarathy, Seattle
