Seattle University Hosts Debate on Initiative 2117

The latest Conversations event of Seattle University’s Department of Public Affairs and Nonprofit Leadership will be a debate between opposing sides of Initiative 2117, which will be put to the voters on November 5.

The debate is Thursday, October 10, from 4–6 p.m. at Pigott Auditorium. Register for this free event and get your tickets today.

“Initiative 2117 is complicated,” explains Joni Balter, professional-in-residence at SU who, along with Seattle University student Sophia Hampton, will interview Heywood and Carlyle. “We expect attendees will feel wiser about the true costs of the new cap-and-invest program, the long-term benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and what happens if voters keep—or dismantle—the new system.”

Initiative 2117 would repeal the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), Washington’s cap-and-trade law implemented last year that puts a tax on CO2 emissions from energy sources. The initiative is sponsored by the group Let’s Go Washington and its leader Heywood, who will argue on behalf of the passage of Initiative 2117. Opposing Heywood will be former state Sen. Reuven Carlyle, one of the authors of the CCA that passed Washington’s Legislature in 2021. 

“As a student moderator, I'm looking forward to sharing the perspective and questions of young people who want to know more about this initiative and how it will impact Washington,” says Hampton, who studies environmental science and public affairs. “It's exciting to have the opportunity to delve into a matter that relates to many of the concepts I've studied in my public policy, economics and environmental studies courses.”

Initiative 2117 is one of four Let’s Go Washington initiatives for November’s ballot.