Say ‘NO’ to mega-millionaire’s initiatives

Join PSARA’s Pierce County Organizing Committee for a forum on state-wide initiatives on the ballot in November

TACOMA, WA (October 8, 2024) — On the ballot this year are mega-millionaire funded initiatives to dismantle key programs and policy wins that support working families, policies that Washington’s labor movement has fought hard to secure. But with misleading language, proponents claim that passing these initiatives will lower costs while glossing over the real, negative impact these regressive initiatives will have on working families.

The Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action’s Pierce County Organizing Committee is hosting a forum on October 17 in Tacoma to raise awareness about these anti-worker initiatives.

The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, representing more than half a million workers, has endorsed a ‘NO’ vote on I-2109, I-2117, and I-2124.

I-2109 would repeal the capital gains tax that provides $2.2 billion for education, childcare, and early learning. It’s a tax paid by only about 4,000 ultra-wealthy households — including a fair number of the folks who paid for this initiative. Repeal is an attempt to put the tax burden back on working people.

I-2117 would repeal the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), a polluter tax paid by businesses that in turn funds the clean energy, union-made infrastructure we need for climate resilience. The CCA brought in more than $549 million this past legislative session for zero emission school busses, utility rebates for working families, indoor air quality retrofits and more. I- is a job killer.

I-2124 would repeal WA CARES, a modest tax that funds a state-run longterm care insurance program. Repealing WA CARES would send more working people into debt when faced with expensive longterm care bills and private insurance premiums.

All of these initiatives are attempts to allow big corporations and the ultra-wealthy to avoid paying what they owe, shifting the bill to working families.

Join PSARA to learn more about these initiatives at 5pm on Thursday, October 17 at the IBEW 76 Hall in Tacoma (3049 S 36th St., Tacoma, 98409. Featured speakers include WA State Senator Yasmin Trudeau and Pierce County Central Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer Nathe Lawver.