I-1631, for our children

I am a local pediatric emergency physician and president of the board of directors of The Lands Council.

Living in Washington, we all do our part to keep our state clean.

Initiative 1631 would put a fee on the state’s largest polluters and invest in protecting clean air and building new clean-energy infrastructure across the state as well as investment in healthy communities, sustainable forests and clean water.

35 percent of investments are dedicated to areas impacted by pollution the most, helping the most-affected communities create healthier communities for their children, and their children’s children.

Because the opposition has a hard time crusading against clean air, clean water and healthier communities, they are focusing on misrepresenting I-1631 as a “gas tax” that will be passed directly along to consumers, farmers and small business. Historical evidence proves this wrong.

I-1631 is being supported by many local and statewide individuals and organizations, including multiple environmental organizations, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the Washington chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, numerous tribes, and even Bill Gates.

Vote yes for our children.

Robert T. Truckner, MD, MPH

Spokane