We accept this major award
We are always proud when honored with a major award.
In his end of the campaign awards, Jim Camden of the Spokesman-Review gave us honorable mention for saying the carbon “fee” in Initiative 1631 was a carbon “tax.” He says this gave off the “powerful odor of mendacity,” because a “fee must be used for something connected to the item or activity being charged.” The money from 1631, he argued, could only have been used to address climate issues.
We admit it is an odd award because Jim himself calls money protected by the 18th Amendment of the State Constitution a “gas tax,” and not a “gas fee.” I’m sure he will correct that going forward. Unlike the fee formerly known as the “gas tax,” money from 1631 would not have been constitutionally protected and could have been used for any purpose the legislature desired.
We are happy to accept the award for pointing out this reality.
Here is the full transcript of our acceptance speech.
“First, we appreciate the recognition. As Jim noted, we write about fiscal issues a great deal and have watched financial games for many years.
Second, although we appreciate the award, modesty obliges us to acknowledge others who inspired our work.
We must acknowledge Sen. Carlyle, who told the Associated Press, ‘The buck stops with the legislature when it comes to spending authority.’ No matter what the initiative says, money can be used for any purpose the legislature decides.
We also have to mention Seattle Times columnist Mark Higgins, who supported 1631 and noted the expenditures, ‘will be scrutinized, fact-checked, scrubbed and monitored for performance by the state Legislature, which ultimately holds the purse strings.’ They sure do, Mark. They sure do.
We would be remiss if we did not mention Governor Inslee’s contribution. He told the Everett Herald that he didn’t trust the legislature because, ‘with all due respect, I’ve seen the legislature sweep all the things in the environmental accounts we’ve previously had.’ Indeed Governor. Indeed. So-called dedicated accounts are routinely used for other things.
Oh…how could I forget? The state Supreme Court, who have ruled repeatedly that the legislature has final authority on all expenditures. You not only rock those black robes, you’ve made sure the legislature knows no bounds when it comes to spending money! Rock on!
We are so pleased that Jim honored our candor and pleased the voters saw through the word games as well.
Now, let’s sweep the MTCA account and have a real blowout!”