LEGISLATIVE NEWS FLASH: HB 1718 to Reduce Greenhouse Gases, and the Thickness of Your Pocketbook!
The State Legislature is in session, so we all need to watch out for our livelihoods! Governor Gregiore put out an Executive Order Setting Greenhouse Gas Emissions Goals. That order has been embodied in House Bill 1718.
It’s also known as “Cap & Trade” and is supposed to reduce Washington’s carbon footprint to 50% below 1990 levels by 2050. Whether or not you believe that CO2 is a threat, this bill would change your life if it passes.
Here are some of the highlights according to an analysis by Representative Matt Shea:
- New Taxes, lots of them!
- Tolling the I-90 bridge with the fund going to reducing greenhouse emissions, not transportation infrastructure.
- Mandates reduction in vehicle miles driven for both commercial and private vehicles (pay as you drive/don’t drive).
- Creates what appears to be stringent rent control regarding new buildings.
- Fully incorporates “green building codes” at an enormous upfront cost to builders and new home buyers.
- Implementation of “complete street principles” increasing the cost of transportation projects.
- Severely limits use and disposal of real property.
Those are just some of the highlights of this bill. Certainly this bill would impact real estate as well as almost every other aspect of trying to live and make a living in the State of Washington. A hearing was held that started already, at 8:00 a.m. this morning. However, you can still provide feedback to your legislature and others. You can phone call the legislative hotline number at (800) 562-6000 to call and express your viewpoint. The website to find your legislator’s contact information is at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx
I met with Ron Tate and Mary Pat Scofield at 
