Supporters of closing a tax preference policy that has been extended to oil refineries testified in favor of HB 2465 this morning. Sporting buttons that read, "Choose little kids over big oil," several bill proponents said that the state's paramount duty is to fund education and closing this loophole would add $30 million a year for education..
In addition to Shawn Lewis of WEA, Clifford Traisman, representing the Washington Environmental Council, flagged passing this bill as one of its top two priorities this session. The WEC represents 23 environmental organizations; Traisman said that the bill is about fairness and it was more important to invest in kids over investing in fossil fuel companies.
On the other side of the debate were representatives of oil refineries and business organizations. Company owners said they already made significant contributions to education in their communities and through taxes, and closing this tax preference would have a negative impact on their business.
A similar bill passed the House twice in 2013 and has been targeted by former Gov. Christine Gregoire and by Gov. Jay Inslee as part of a larger package to reach $200 million for investments in education this session..
Updates on the Legislature and state government from the Washington State School Directors' Association.
