This year’s election was good for Washington State progressives. Democrats increased their majorities in both the senate and house of representatives in Olympia. Now that we’ve given them the power, the Democrats need to grow a spine in 2019 and pass these long-promised progressive policies.
1. Put a price on carbon emissions.
It’s because of your leadership, Governor Jay Inslee—well, lack thereof—that this hasn’t happened yet. Your plan to fight climate change with electric vehicles is nice, but it’s not as effective as actually charging polluters for their carbon emissions. You’re clearly running for president, so you may as well get your shit together so you can brag about something truly progressive on the campaign trail.
There are plenty of ways to do this. You could use your 2014 plan to create a cap-and-trade system, which sets a limit on carbon emissions and incentivizes going green with a carbon-trading system. Or there’s your 2018 carbon tax. Or you could create a carbon fee, which dumb voters rejected but legislators could still pass on their own; it would charge heavy polluters and invest that money in renewable energy. All of those work! We just need one. At least one.
2. Pass single-payer health care.
Democrats in Olympia have the power to fight against Republican attempts to make health care unaffordable by creating a system that gives every Washingtonian affordable health care. A bill that would create a single-payer system has bounced around Olympia since 2013, and lawmakers spent $100,000 studying the idea last year. Enough studying. Do it.
3. Pass a public records law.
Legislators tried to shield themselves from public disclosure requirements last year, but Inslee thankfully vetoed their terrible bill. Democrats spent this fall’s campaign profusely apologizing for being so shadowy, but we will only forgive them if they quickly pass a public records law that subjects their offices to the same disclosure requirements that every other state agency follows.
4. Tax the rich.
Our state has the most regressive tax system in the country. That means poor people pay way too much in taxes, while billionaires like Jeff Bezos pay comparatively almost nothing. Democrats need to change this. They should start with a capital gains tax, which would tax rich people when they sell stocks and investments. Then they should pass an income tax on the highest earners. Rich people got an enormous tax cut from Trump. Where’s the tax cut for the rest of us?
5. Update our cannabis policy.
Washington is no longer a leader in pot reform. Our cannabis laws are conservative compared to nearly every other legalized state in the country. State legislators need to give us the right to grow pot at home, legalize pot cafes, and improve our pot-testing requirements.
6. Save the orcas.
Southern resident killer whales are so desperate for help, they’re parading their dead around on top of their heads. There is a significant risk they will be entirely extinct within 100 years; there are only 74 of them left. A state task force just told us what we need to do to save them. The legislature should quickly implement those orca-saving recommendations and take additional steps (like removing the lower Snake River dams). From curtailing whale tours and aquatic disturbances to increasing dam spill levels and reducing chemical pollution in Puget Sound, the only thing standing in the way of implementation is a lack of will. Democrats have the power to save the endangered killer whales. Let’s see if they care enough to do it.
