SEATTLE — Come November, Washington state voters will have a lot to decide on, including whether or not to repeal the Climate Commitment Act.
The act was signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee, capping the amount businesses can pollute before having to pay for it.
Initiative 2117 aims to repeal the law that was signed by Inslee back in 2021. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bob Ferguson and Republican challenger Dave Reichert were asked about how they'd vote on the repeal during a debate Sept. 10.
“I’m opposed to repealing the climate commitment act," Ferguson said. In addition to his statement on voting no, Ferguson said he believes it should be expanded.
“That’s helping out a working family’s tax credit, that’s helping out families all across the state. We need to expand the amount of money going to that working family’s tax credit," he said.
The Washington State Office of Financial Management estimates that nearly $924,000,000 of revenue from the Climate Commitment Act is being invested in vulnerable populations and overburdened communities.
Both candidates also addressed the claim that it increased gas prices. Reichert said he would vote "yes" to repeal it because it costs too much.
“We were lied to we were told it was going to be pennies it’s more than pennies, it’s gone up to 50 cents at some points," Reichert said.
KING 5 looked into claims last year.
Weeks before the new law took effect, the Department of Ecology shared its estimate of how it could impact gas prices and said the impact could be around 25 to 27 centers per gallon. The Washington Policy Center said that number is actually higher, and said the tax added about 43 center per gallon and about 53 cents per gallon of diesel in the first year.
"I also support the act but it needs to be adjusted," Ferguson said.
Watch the full gubernatorial debate below