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Statement from the Front and Centered Steering Committee on I-1631

As leaders working in communities of color, Initiative 1631 represents an important opportunity for us. This initiative  places our communities’ health and well-being front and center in the face of climate change and pollution. Recognizing that we are disproportionately harmed by climate change, I-1631 aims to reduce pollution where it does the most harm while also investing in solutions that will make our neighborhoods cleaner and more prosperous. And it ensures that we have a seat at the decision-making table. Most importantly, I-1631 will build a brighter future for our families and our children. We hope you will join us in endorsing this initiative.

We support I-1631 because it will make our state stronger and healthier by lifting up our communities. The initiative will protect the air we breathe and water we drink — while investing in a just transition towards clean energy jobs and infrastructure. It ensures that those with the least don’t have to pay more for energy.

For too long, we’ve have watched as the largest corporate polluters in our state dumped toxic waste into our air and water. Our kids face increased rates of asthma and our workers are becoming more and more exposed to life-threatening conditions. It’s become harder to feed our families as fish and farm land are killed off. And those of us who live in or near polluted neighborhoods face lower life expectancy. Our communities have been paying for the pollution created by big corporate polluters. This initiative is an opportunity to hold them accountable to us and the health of our kids.

As a matter of policy, we know that I-1631 will work for us — because we helped make it. Over years, dozens of listening sessions across the state, and countless conversations with community, our insight and ideas are fundamental to the innovation of this policy. We the undersigned — representing organizations rooted in our communities — have shaped and continue to lead I-1631.

We know all too well the urgency needed to fight back against climate change and pollution. It was a long, challenging process, but the policy we have before us is equitable. I-1631 represents both what is right and what requires immediate action. It is for those reasons — and without reservation — we urge all of our member organizations to endorse I-1631 and for you to sign the petition to put it on the ballot and, eventually, vote yes.

In solidarity,

Front and Centered Steering Committee

Aiko Schaefer | Front and Centered
Rosalinda Guillen | Community to Community
Jill Mangaliman | Got Green
Kim Powe | Puget Sound Sage
Mary Nguyen | Washington CAN
Rich Stolz | OneAmerica
Tony Lee | Asian Pacific Islander Coalition (APIC)
Peter Bloch Garcia | Latino Community Fund
James Rasmussen | Duwamish River Clean Up Coalition
Susan Balbas | 
Na’ah Illahee Fund