Once again we have corporate money trying to drown out the voices of Washington voters.
Five major oil companies have raised $16 million trying to defeat state Initiative 1631, the Clean Energy Initiative.
They’re trying to convince voters that this comprehensive plan to move toward clean energy and healthier communities is too expensive and won’t work.
Imagine if instead they put all that money toward helping to make this plan work.
Meanwhile, soft drink corporations are the lead sponsors of the “Yes to Affordable Groceries Initiative,” I-1634, which would prevent cities from taxing sugary soft drinks.
Despite its misleading title, I-1634 would not affect taxes on food, since Washington law already exempts all grocery foods from sales tax except for soft drinks and some prepared foods.
In 2017, Seattle passed a tax on soft drinks to raise money for healthy food and education programs.
Now corporations are sponsoring this misleading initiative to take this option away from cities and towns in Washington.
Most of the corporate money going into efforts to influence these initiative campaigns is coming from out of state.
It overwhelms what individuals and local groups can give to counter their advertising.
These corporate interventions are an assault on the efforts of citizens and their representatives to combat environmental degradation and improve public health.
Don’t let corporate money influence your vote.
Vote yes on I-1631 to support clean energy and reduce pollution.
Vote no on the misleading I-1634.
Judy D’Amore,
Port Townsend