SEATTLE, August 19, 2016 – Senator Joe Fain (R) joins an expanding group of Republican legislators endorsing Initiative 732, the country’s first revenue-neutral carbon tax initiative. Economists across the political spectrum agree that the most important thing that we can do to take action on climate is to put a price on carbon. I-732’s revenue-neutral approach to carbon pricing, which encourages clean energy solutions by shifting the tax burden onto carbon pollution and away from regressive and burdensome taxes that hurt families and businesses, has proven to be an attractive model for legislators and concerned citizens with a variety of political views. Sen. Fain’s support builds on recent endorsements from Sen. Mark Miloscia (R), Sen. Steve Litzow (R), former State Senator Bill Finkbeiner (R), former Secretary of State George Shultz (R), and legislators on both sides of the aisle.

“Washington will eventually take action to lower our state’s carbon footprint. The question before us is whether that decision should be about sound environmental policy or merely a backdoor to increasing taxes and growing government,” said Sen. Fain. “Initiative 732 uses the revenues gained through lowering our state’s greenhouse gas emissions to provide sales tax relief to working families and business tax relief for middle-class employers. While no policy is perfect, I-732 is the best framework for environmental protection that won’t break the bank.”