Carbon tax initiative subject of Oct. 20 panel discussion

Washington’s Carbon Tax referendum is the subject of a panel discussion at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Walgreens Auditorium at WSU Spokane, 205 E. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Speakers will present opposing views of Initiative 732, which would put a carbon emission tax on the sale or use of fossil fuels and fossil fuel-generated electricity.

Initially set at $15 per ton, the tax would rise to $25 per ton after six months and increase annually to a cap of $100 per ton. The initiative proposes to reduce the sales tax rate by 1 percentage point over two years, increase a sales tax exemption for low-income households and reduce manufacturing taxes.

The discussion is sponsored by WSU’s Howard D. and B. Phyllis Hoops Institute of Taxation Research and Policy and Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service.

This story was updated to correct the date of the event.