Initiatives 2117 and 2124 go up in smoke

OLYMPIA –– It looks like the carbon tax is here to stay.

As of the end of counting in the Tuesday, Nov. 5, general election, Initiative 2117 was going up in smoke.

The measure that would have ended the state’s cap-and-tax program on carbon was failing with 1,566,065 votes (61.69%) opposed and only 972,623 (38.31% in favor).

The ballot measure aimed to dismantle Washington’s current climate legislation requiring high-emission businesses to either reduce greenhouse gas emissions or purchase allowances to offset them. Supporters of the repeal argued that the law imposes financial burdens on busin...