Gov. Inslee Plans ‘Pollution Tax’ To Pay for Transportation Package

Never mind that cap-and-trade failed miserably in Europe. Let's try it here!

Tuesday, Gov. Jay Inslee announced he will seek a $12 billion dollar package to fix roads, bridges and other "crumbling infrastructure"  (as he calls it) that will be paid for by bonding, and taxing the oil and gas industry for the "pollution" they create.

The definition of what he considers the "oil and gas" industry were not specified, but this is what was released by his Press Spokesman David Postman:

 "...  the plan would be funded largely through fees and bonding as well as on a new carbon pollution charge. Sources of major transportation-related pollution, such as the oil and gas industry, will pay a charge for every ton of carbon they emit into the air."

So, instead of raising the gas tax,  Inslee is going to place a pollution tax on the petroleum industry.   He says his plan will create 50,000 jobs and fix numerous major transportation issues.    Only one of the six biggest projects that would be funded by his plan is in Eastern Washington, however,  in Spokane.

To give you a key insight into how he thinks, Inslee was quoted as saying:

"It's transportation pollution paying for transportation choices..."   That somewhat confusing statement could be interpreted in a variety of ways.  Some critics are already claiming it's his way of saying,  'if you don't drive an electric or hybrid car, you're going to suffer the consequences.'  (Bold lettering added for emphasis).

According to a breakdown of his $12.153 billion dollar plan, at LEAST $1.3 billion is being spent on the following:

• Transit operations support (public transit)
• Special needs transit grants (forms of public transit)
• Bike/Ped Grant program
• Alternative fuel vehicle sales tax exemption
• Toll and ferry credits for electric vehicle exemptions
• Culverts
• Stormwater retrofits (storm drains)

While it's necessary to design roads that don't puddle or pool water, what to these catagories directly have to do with building roads, fixing bridges, and highway improvements?  As you can see, there's considerable environmental pork, especially for the electric vehicles, biking, public transit etc. It's his way of "encouraging" residents to abandon their own vehicles and driving habits in favor of the environment.

The culverts and stormwater projects are purely environmental and have little to do with roads, bridges, and highways.

The project also projects at least $4.8 BILLION dollars will be taken from the petroleum industry from the carbon tax, or cap-and-trade pollution tax.   In layman's terms,  you have to pay a pollution tax to stay in business, to produce your goods and services.  The more you produce, the higher your taxes, due to alleged pollution.   How much tax you pay will be determine by the government.  Their experts will decide how much you "pollute."    You won't have any say in the matter.

No mention is made of what effect this will have on industry that depends upon oil and gas, or how those costs will be passed onto consumers.

Inslee still has to get his through the legislature.  It will probably pass the House, but will likely face stiff opposition in the GOP-controlled Senate.