Seattle’s socialists are waging a war on jobs and basic economics.
On Monday night, the city council voted overwhelmingly 9-0 to institute a $275 head tax on for-profit companies grossing $20 million per year. The proposal was revised down from $500 per employee. Councilmembers estimate they will raise $47 million annually over the next five years.
Mayor Jenny Durkan has warned that she may veto the bill. One can only hope!
Amazon isn’t pleased, releasing a statement:
“We are disappointed by today’s City Council decision to introduce a tax on jobs. While we have resumed construction planning for Block 18, we remain very apprehensive about the future created by the council’s hostile approach and rhetoric toward larger businesses, which forces us to question our growth here.
The city does not have a revenue problem–it has a spending efficiency problem. We are highly uncertain whether the city council’s anti-business positions or its spending inefficiency will change for the better.”
Starbucks also issued a statement, slamming the city for its waste and inefficiency:
“If they cannot provide a warm meal and safe bed to a five-year-old child, no one believes they will be able to make housing affordable or address opiate addiction. This City pays more attention to the desires of the owners of illegally parked RVs than families seeking emergency shelter.”
It should be interesting to monitor Seattle over the next few years, especially if a recession strikes the nation.
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