Gov. Jay Inslee delivered his State of the State address yesterday, touching on many topics but driving at just one main point: Inslee wants a broad new energy tax.
The address is one of the few bits of pomp and circumstance on Olympia’s annual calendar – and shows why no one is clamoring for more (‘We’re honored to have the distinguished honorary consul of Savrola here with us today’). The fluff – introductions, battalions of lawmakers ceremonially escorting statewide officials, etc. – takes longer than the speech itself, which clocked in at about 29 minutes.
And the speech was exactly what you’d expect from Jay Inslee. He ran down the leftist wishlist for the 2018 session: a “voting rights act,” automatic voter registration, allowing Election Day registration (and immediate voting), banning bump stocks, eliminating the death penalty, and adding further abortion protections in insurance regulations.
He reiterated his calls to spend $1 billion of reserve funds on teacher salaries this year, along with more mental health spending.
Just 59 days!
That the biggest chunk of Inslee’s speech was environment-focused is the least-surprising fact of all (though it continues to rank low when voters name their most important issues). His speech mentioned “clean” nine times, referenced “carbon” 16 times, and was complimented by his “friend” Al Gore.
It included heaping doses of Inslee’s trademark over-the-top optimism – referring to “Washington’s can-do spirit of confidence,” appealing to lawmakers that “this is who we are,” and foreseeing that “it is our state’s destiny – because of who we are – to defeat climate change.”
The speech loaded up on the climate alarmism, too:
“We have just 59 days to do our part to save our children from an endless cycle of crop-killing droughts one year and rivers spilling their banks the next. To save salmon from dying in ever-warming rivers and our forests from being reduced to plumes of ash.”
No wonder Al Gore loved it!
“Energy tax” and other things Inslee didn’t say
While he referred to it often, Inslee didn’t spell out for legislators the details of his “carbon pricing” plan, as he did for reporters Tuesday morning. He also didn’t call it an energy tax, even though that is precisely what it is.
It would mean higher gasoline prices, among other things, but unlike the gas tax it wouldn’t go to fund roads and highway improvements. Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center wrote of its effect on gas prices, “The tax would start at 20 cents per gallon and increase about six percent per year (3.5% plus inflation). In 2029, the tax would be about 36 cents per gallon.”
Home electrical and natural gas prices, too, would rise under Inslee’s plan. NW News Network reported that the governor’s staff estimates “a 5 percent average increase in residential electricity prices and a 10 percent increase in residential natural gas prices.” Much of the revenue would be dedicated to subsidies for electric cars and solar panels, which overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy.
Inslee talks up the potential of clean energy jobs (and always mentions the carbon fiber plant in Moses Lake, as he did yesterday, but doesn’t note that it’s there because of clean, low-cost hydropower from dams, which his enviro allies want to rip out). He doesn’t acknowledge that his energy tax will cause job losses (but it will). Rep. Drew Stokesbary (R-Auburn) called it another example of Inslee picking “winners and losers.”
Rural Washington not so much ignored as directly insulted
Also notably unsaid by Inslee Tuesday was any call for lawmakers to fix the Hirst issue that is holding back the economies of Washington’s rural areas. The dispute left the capital budget unpassed last year, with Republicans refusing to vote for it unless Democrats offer rural residents a worthwhile Hirst fix. Since issuing bonds requires a 60% vote, Democrats do need Republican votes to pass a capital budget.
Inslee implored lawmakers to pass a capital budget, calling it “absolutely crucial” and “one of the first orders of business this session.” But he made no mention of the water rights dispute that led to the situation or appreciation of how Hirst is hurting rural Washington.
“If you want to help rural Washington…then do something about it and send this capital budget to my desk now,” Inslee said. And what about a Hirst fix, Jay? Inslee’s omission of any Hirst mention was intentional – and it was a poke in the eye to rural Washington. So much for “One Washington,” huh?
Why does it say “Tax Rates effective July 1st, 2016”?
Photoshop + WA Dept of Agriculture Gas Tax Sticker
http://q13fox.com/2017/11/23/washington-state-is-helping-you-see-exactly-how-much-you-pay-in-gas-taxes/
Yeah, Mr. Inslee… how about instead of that you use the revenues you already have that you’re diverting to provide sanctuary for illegals. How about that?
Exactly, we have money from marijuana and yet roads are still in need of repair and the schools are overcrowded.
You don’t think for one minute that the WEA really wants smaller class sizes do you? Then what would they be able to hold over our heads to push higher and higher property taxes because “it’s for the children”?
Wow governor Nazi back at it again!! This socialist liberal scum is purposely trying to destroy Washington State while at the same time giving free handouts to illegals and criminals. Oh wait he is one, he is also trying to force unconstitutional gun law’s on law abiding citizens!!! Time to take this Nazi trash out!!!
King and pierce county keep voting for him.
Don’t Count me in that comment!!!
National Office is his goal.
I can find no other articles that verify this, and the date on the “proposed” tax is for ’16. Articles do states Comrade Insley want’s to institute an carbon tax, but the article makes no mention of increasing gas taxes. Help me out here.
The info with the date given as July 1, 2016, matches info from this page, part of the state’s Dept. of Revenue–https://dor.wa.gov…. The date and tax rates are accurate for gasoline. The federal tax rate on diesel is higher.
Just vote them out.
WTF! All of this BS funded on the backs of the poor and middle class. Governor Inslee…you must HATE your constituents. Well done, Sir!
So that would make the sales tax rate of about 50% if gas was at $2.58 so gas price $1.72 + 50% sales tax.
Did all those MILLIONS from Cannabis Taxes just disappear into somebody’s pocket? They said “It will fund schools”. Maybe it was just the appetizer and now they are HOOKED like Heroin on Stealing More Money from the people.
he back at it #1 whats happening tp the money we put into the state already #2 he complains about drought but the governor’s of this state sell water to California every year and its done with out voters giving the ok #3 stop supporting illegal sanctuary cities that would save millions heck wanna help them how about allowing them to go fix abandoned homes
Every time I turn around that sob has his hand in my pocket
For me, this is NOT an invitation to move back to Washington.
I’m considering Idaho.
Socialist-progressives are beginning to figure out that their advocacy of high-mpg and electric cars have resulted in a decreased need for stops at the local gas station…so they are trying to raise gasoline taxes to mitigate the “problem” they themselves created.
Democrat scum is the root of so much evil. I hate them all.
Recall Inslee!
Any gain we see due to the federal tax cuts will be gobbled up by the Progressives. They’re literally just like locusts, completely consume and destroy one good thing then move on to the next. The worst part about it is they aren’t funding anything that’s even needed. They tax FIRST – then look for something to do with the money.
Still paying for big bertha, it’s why our tabs and plates went up. Bs the whole state getting screwed cause a seattle project
How do people not see what is going on, and keep voting for this guy??!!
If this moron was such a tree hugger, why is he avoiding hemp? Thats right cause logging is a big business here.
We need to set up an electoral college system for voting in a governor.
WHY don’t ignorant libtard WA state voters vote him and his gang of corrupt thieves OUT?!?! I pray they come to their senses once this BS hits them hard, as no doubt it will.
We try to vote the commie libtard out and his but suckers with him, the 2 counties that control have the most people in it keep them in place, Rural Washington that is getting the most screwed doesn’t have much population along with the rest of the state, those 2 counties get the most free stuff.
Because every major city in Wa is ruled by a Leftist .
Voter fraud is canceling our votes.
Has anyone noticed since Washington is using mail in ballots, every destructive leftist law passes.
The insane leftist commie politicians and policy makers stay in office no matter what harm they do.
Stalin quote, It’s not the peoples vote’s that count but the people who count them. So true!
Jay Inslee family tree must be a telephone pole from his rhetoric.
Is this article, dated? the picture shows “Tax rates effective July 1, 2016” Yet, you published it on the 10th of this month. I’m puzzled?????
This is appalling, these continuing raising of taxes is running the retired families out of the state.On fixed incomes one can not afford to live here.What can we look forward to in 5 to 10 years. If monies were helping our seniors(or making a difference anywhere) it may be different, but these constant elevation of taxes seem to just dissipate into nothing. Why should you receive more money when you have clearly shown that the monies already received is misused. This will not encourage people to drive less, it will encourage people to drive out of the state and not come back!
The info with the date given as July 1, 2016, matches info from this page, part of the state’s Dept. of Revenue–https://dor.wa.gov/motor-vehicle-fuel-tax-rates. The date and tax rates are accurate for gasoline. The federal tax rate on diesel is higher.
It’s difficult to find well-informed
people on this subject, however, you sound like you know what you’re talking
about!
Thanks