Unprecedented Statewide Coalition Opposing I-2117 Grows to Over 350 Organizations

July 29, 2024 – No on 2117 (no2117.com), the campaign to defeat Initiative 2117, today announced that its unprecedented statewide coalition of firefighters, small businesses, Tribal Nations, doctors and public health leaders, labor unions, and environmental groups has grown to over 350 members. Since its public launch in April 2024, the coalition has more than tripled in size.

Organizations recently endorsing the No on 2117 include: Washington Education Association, Washington State PTA, Washington & Northern Idaho District Council of Laborers, Forterra, Rivian, Hoh Tribe, Washington Prescribed Fire Council, Washington State Council of Fire Fighters, Communities for a Healthy Bay, Tulalip Tribes, Columbia Pacific Building and Construction Trades Council, Food Lifeline, and the Squaxin Island Tribe. The full list of organizations endorsing No on 2117 is available here.

Grassroots support for No on 2117 continues to also grow statewide; the campaign has recruited 850 volunteers in 24 counties across Washington state and has launched a robust field organizing program, including a youth organizing committee. On July 16, the campaign hosted a virtual statewide volunteer kick-off that was attended by 275 people.

“Our 350 coalition members and their communities know how costly I-2117 would be for Washington: More pollution and worse traffic, and fewer protections for clean air and water, forests and farmland, and jobs and transportation investments,” said Wellesley Daniels, Campaign Manager, No on 2117. “We hope Washingtonians will join our coalition, volunteer, and pledge to vote no on I-2117 to help ensure Washington stays a beautiful and healthy place to live, work, and do business.”

I-2117 would devastate Washington’s transportation and infrastructure programs by taking away billions in funding, jeopardizing efforts to fix roads and bridges and reduce traffic congestion. It would threaten our clean water, allow more toxic air pollution and wildfires, and result in more kids and adults with asthma and illness.

What New Members of the No on 2117 Coalition Are Saying

“The Squaxin Island Tribe understands firsthand the costly impacts of I-2117. Over the last several years, we’ve made significant progress on our environmental priorities, oftentimes as close partners with the state. I-2117 threatens all of that progress by allowing more pollution and making environmental restoration work more expensive for Tribes. We are proud to stand united with other Tribes across the Pacific Northwest in opposing I-2117,” said Chairman Kris Peters, Squaxin Island Tribe.

“We have relied on fish, shellfish and other wildlife since time immemorial, and right now they are under an existential threat,” said Chairwoman Teri Gobin, Tulalip Tribes. “I-2117 would eliminate essential funding for Tulalip biologists to study changes in the conditions of the Salish Sea and North Cascades, and how these vital species are affected by changing temperatures and ecosystems. The Tulalip Tribes proudly support the No on 2117 campaign, because we can’t afford to wait any longer when it comes to protecting our state’s wildlife.”

“Firefighters know firsthand the devastating effects wildfires have on our communities and our lands. In recent years, we’ve seen wildfires grow in scale and impact. Initiative 2117 would mean our state’s forests are less resilient to wildfires and local communities are less prepared,” said Dennis Lawson, President, Washington State Council of Fire Fighters and a firefighter in Washington state for 35 years. “I-2117 would put more families, communities, and rural firefighters in harm’s way. The Washington State Council of Fire Fighters is proud to endorse No on 2117, and we urge communities across our state to join us in rejecting this harmful initiative.”

“I have been a wildland firefighter for 26 years, and I know without a doubt that any efforts to roll back investments that reduce wildfire severity and increase forest resiliency will put our communities at risk,” said Sami Schinnell, Co-Chair, Washington Prescribed Fire Council and veteran wildland firefighter. “Initiative 2117 cuts public programs that protect our forest health and air quality, which make all of us safer from the negative impacts of catastrophic wildfires. The Washington Prescribed Fire Council is proud to join community members from across our state in supporting the No on 2117 campaign.”

“Washington State PTA members support mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change, which pose a direct threat to the health and well-being of all children and youth,“ said Angela Steck, President, Washington State PTA (WSPTA). “Initiative 2117 would cut funding for community-wide investments in the places our children live and learn. If passed, it would leave families, school districts, and communities vulnerable to escalating negative health impacts. WSPTA encourages all local PTAs and councils to oppose I-2117 and for our 84,000+ members to vote NO on 2117.”

“We oppose I-2117 because it would hurt quality of life, economic growth, and consumer freedom for millions of Washingtonians. I-2117 would slash investments needed to keep energy affordable, protect clean air and water, modernize transportation and infrastructure, and much more,” said Hannah Steinweg, Public Policy Manager for Rivian. “As a company committed to advancing carbon-free transportation and energy to support thriving communities in states like Washington – and in support of our growing network of Rivian employees and customers in Washington – we are proud to stand with this broad, statewide coalition to defeat I-2117.”

By The Numbers: The Effort to Defeat 2117

Over 350: Number of Washington organizations endorsing No on 2117

850: Number of volunteers working across Washington to defeat I-2117

Over $12.8M: Amount raised or pledged to defeat I-2117

Nearly 4,000: Number of grassroots donations to No on 2117

95: Percent of No on 2117 donors contributing $100 or less