Posted on 06/01/2017 7:35:12 AM PDT by PROCON
An overwhelming number of people spoke in support of a citywide income tax in Seattle on Wednesday at City Hall.
People in support of taxing the richest residents cited everything from “simple justice,” to the untapped pool of money that could be used to deal with pressing problems like homelessness and drug abuse.
The proposed tax would be 1.5 percent on adjusted gross income over $250,000 per year. Councilmember Lisa Herbold says there are still many undecided details, chiefly how that income level would be calculated.
The legal basis for such a selective tax is shaky and whatever the final form, legal analysts and the city attorney’s office believe there would be a legal fight to make the tax stick. But that isn’t quieting support for such a tax.
“They stole from the workers, so rise up and tax the rich, please,” one public speaker said.
The Seattle Democratic Socialists of America, the Seattle Transit Riders Union, and other groups encouraged people to pack City Hall.
Stewart with Trump Proof Seattle told a packed house that by taxing the rich, Seattle “truly” has a chance to be a sanctuary city.
“So you know the saying, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer? Well in Seattle, this is not just a truism, but an acute reality,” another speaker said.
According to KIRO 7, citing a report, Seattle has the most regressive state and local tax system in the country.
Regressive tax means the rate goes down as personal incomes go higher–lower income earners pay higher tax rates than the highest earners. The proposal would reverse that and create a progressive tax where the wealthiest pay the highest tax rate.
Proponents say it would create a more even playing field in a city that’s becoming too expensive for low to middle-income taxpayers to afford.
However, others say the majority of the wealthiest taxpayers in the city are small business owners, managers, and professionals with incomes of $250,000 or more.
Some, including former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, has warned of an income tax and what it could do to business in the city.
“In Seattle’s case, it is a beautiful place to live,” he said. “It is a place, now, that is a center of talent in the tech industry, and success and talent will breed startups and more of that sort of thing. What are the things that can undo it? Unfavorable business climate.”
An income tax would be included in that “unfavorable business climate.”
Residents there call it Freeattle.
The sad part is that the rich in Seattle are fairly liberal. So this will cause them to move to more conservative areas and start screwing them up.
And when there’s no more “rich” around who’ll they tax then? Also, define ‘rich’ - someone making more than you?
Inmates running the asylum known as Freak-attle.
Never underestimate the sheer stupidity of the left.
When the “rich” vote with their feet, the definition of “rich” will become much lower and bite these clown in the ass.
A city with income tax ?
Oh my gosh now Chris Collins the Republican was on Varney and Company a few minutes ago saying we need by Bipartisan votes on any bill that needs to go through passage! I just about threw up my breakfast what part of we gave you both houses don’t they understand I am so pissed I cannot believe it!!The stupid party at it again!! He said if nothing is past then the house will have a 50-50 of losing some seats upcoming election! I am beyond pissed...fill in the blank ________!!
These brilliant people should observe the flight of people from Northeastern states south to states with a much lower tax burden.
Great idea. If the rich of Seattle want to move here, we’ll welcome them.
of course 95% of people agree - tax someone else to give me free sh**!!
Its a perverse cycle. The mob demands higher taxes, to grow government to supply bread and circuses.
As government grows, the small circle of connected insiders, lobbyists, racketeers, bankers, and crony-capitalists who can game the system become richer. The mob sees that there are a few people getting very rich and powerful, but think its simply “failure of the market.”
The middle class shrinks, leading to more calls for bread and circuses.
New York City has had an income tax for years.
Typical libs. No self-realization that targeted people will refuse to put up with their nonsense, and simply leave. A person with the skills to be a successful businessman in Seattle, will do just as well in Oklahoma.
Maybe better, there are fewer business headwinds in Oklahoma.
Does peoples commune of Seattle still have a taxpayer funded crash pad for alcoholics and winos?
Taxing a certain income group is against the State Constitution, but Seattle already violated the Constitution by imposing a “gun and ammo” tax awhile back.
Yes. Or, someone who simply has something that you want. That's why stories like this, frankly, worry me.
It is a tax paid on earned wages and business profits but not on Social Security or pensions. The average annual earnings tax paid in Kansas City is about $340, and the average business profits tax paid is about $2,050.
Nearly 50 percent of the tax is paid by people who don’t live in Kansas City but work within the city limits; about 20 percent comes from Kansas residents and 30 percent from residents of the Missouri-side suburbs. Those taxpayers do not get a vote, because taxes are generally decided on by residents of the city that imposes them.
About seven years ago....Maryland passed some get-rich-off-millionaires type tax. About two years into this...the state noticed lesser money coming in and started an audit. What they noticed is that a fair number of people just relocated across to Virginia. They might have retained their house or rented it out....but they were officially listed in Virginia.
Same thing would happen in Seattle. You could live 60 miles away and easily drive in....or use some ferry deal and live across in Vashon Island. Frankly, even now....why would anyone want to live within the city itself? It makes no sense. I’d be over in Kingston and just boat over each morning.
That’s why the Bolsheviks understood that the only way for the “Revolution” to succeed was if it were worldwide.
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