Democrats to use pollution to save education

Some Washington lawmakers believe they have a plan to fund education by taxing companies for pollution emissions.

A Cap and Trade plan being revised by House Democrats could be the answer to the state’s problems of education funding, State Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon (D-Burien) explained to KIRO Radio’s Jason Rantz.

The idea behind the plan adds new charges on carbon emissions that could raise billions for the state’s budget. The state needs to find an estimated $1.3 to $1.4 billion in additional education funding.

“This is in response to concerns we’ve heard in the environment committee and appropriations committee,” Fitzgibbon said.

But if this plan is approved, the state will essentially be relying on pollution to pay for education, Rantz pointed out.

“So you end up relying on bad behavior in order to fund something that we all agree needs funding,” Rantz added. “Why tie funding to something you want to go away?”

The plan is a “market-based” approach, Fitzgibbon responded. If the state just forced companies to reduce carbon emissions without an incentive, some could afford it, others couldn’t, he said.

Under the plan, companies that are “energy-intensive” have an easier path to compliance. The state would set a cap on emissions and require the largest polluters, such as refineries, to buy pollution permits.

But what happens when the state can’t bill companies for pollution? Where would the funding for education come from?

“That’s a problem we would love to have,” Fitzgibbon said. “We would find another approach and revenue source like we have over the years when other revenue streams are diminished.”