Progressive leftists have enjoyed some media success in branding anyone who doubts that humans are causing planetary doom as a “climate denier.” [emphasis, links added]
But perhaps they’ll have a tougher time coming up with a catchy smear for people who doubt that progressive climate policies are worth the cost.
New polling suggests this growing population may soon make a majority in a reliably Democratic state.
Sensible skeptics may have varying levels of confidence in contemporary climate science, but they seem to be uniting in opposition to junk economics advanced in its name.
Regular readers of this column know about the deceptive effort by Gov. Jay Inslee (D., Wash.) to pretend that his “cap-and-invest” climate plan wouldn’t impose heavy costs.
When the truth was exposed by spiking gasoline prices, the governor blamed businesses instead of acknowledging fault.
Now a state whistle-blower who tried to sound the alarm before the consumer suffering is pursuing a lawsuit.
Along with the legal reckoning, there may be a political reckoning, too.
The Inslee program imposes increasingly draconian caps on carbon emissions, makes industries pay for the use of fossil fuels, and then spends the money on inefficient green projects.
But voters aren’t liking the results of this 2021 law, nor another Inslee special enacted this year to discourage the use of natural gas appliances. Amanda Zhou and Claire Withycombe report for the Seattle Times:
A new statewide poll suggests the state’s carbon-pricing program and recently passed energy regulations could be in trouble this November.
If two initiatives are approved by voters, they could imperil some of the state’s leading environmental policies.
Initiative 2117 would shut down the state’s carbon-pricing system that launched last year and has raised over $2 billion from the state’s largest greenhouse gas emitters. Initiative 2066, which has not yet qualified for the ballot, would explicitly protect the use of natural gas and threaten recently passed energy regulations and laws.
In the new WA Poll, among 708 likely voters, 48% said they were certain to vote in favor of the initiative to repeal the carbon market. (bold added)
A full 54% say they are certain to vote for a repeal of the Inslee natural gas law, according to the WA poll, which is sponsored by the Seattle Times, KING-TV, and the University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public.
Perhaps the governor has been seeing similar polling. Even though he’s not running for re-election, he has suddenly jumped back into campaign mode to protect his legacy of regulatory insanity.
Hallie Golden reports for the Associated Press from Silverdale, Wash.:
Standing at a transit center near four new wireless bus charging stations in a small community west of Seattle, Gov. Jay Inslee told transit and city leaders where money to pay for them — more than $1 million — came from.
“It’s possible only because of the Climate Commitment Act,” Inslee said, citing a program that works to cut pollution while raising money for investments that address climate change. “That was the source. It’s the only way we’re able to do this.”
Inslee made similar remarks as he visited a salmon habitat restoration project and then test-drove a car from an all-electric co-op rideshare company’s fleet, part of a blitz by the three-term Democrat in recent months to defend the biggest climate achievement of his tenure amid a fierce repeal effort led by conservatives. Inslee, who isn’t seeking a fourth term, has appeared at more than a dozen projects funded by the law and on his personal time put his name to a flurry of emails, texts and calls to voters.
Is this another Inslee climate deception? Ms. Golden reports:
State law prohibits the governor’s office from setting up political or campaign events, so Inslee has been careful to say he would have appeared at projects funded by the climate law with or without the repeal vote.
Hmm.
As if Mr. Inslee needed another blow to his credibility, Jerry Cornfield reported last month for the Washington State Standard:
A state revenue forecast released Wednesday shows collections will be nearly $500 million less than lawmakers counted on earlier this year, driven largely by a tumble in capital gains tax receipts and less consumer spending.
Washington’s economy is projected to generate $66.5 billion for the budget cycle that runs through June 30, 2025. That’s down $477 million from the February forecast lawmakers and Gov. Jay Inslee relied on to pay for new spending. (bold added)
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Top image of Gov. Jay Inslee via YouTube/screencap
Read rest at WSJ
