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 attorneys office believe there would be a legal fight to make the tax stick. But that isnt 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 higherlower 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 thats 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 Seattles 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.
New York City has had an income tax for years....
And as I understand it. You don’t have to live there to pay it just work in NYC. Nice./s
Seven U.S. states currently don’t have an income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. And residents of New Hampshire and Tennessee are also spared from handing over an extra chunk of their paycheck on April 15, though they do pay tax on dividends and income from investments.
Sad that there is so much hate, envy and jealousy in America today. Sponsored by our government.
I am 100% in favor of the plan (I don’t live there). While this idea has proven to fail in many place, liberals still believe in it, so I support their effort to try it again until they abandon it.
I do think most taxes should be paid to the closest government entity since they can do the most good for those paying. If they could decrease state or federal taxes by the same amount (instead of deducting from income) I’d have high expectations for positive results.
States and cities should be incubators for ideas on how to run a government. Feds should not do anything until it’s been proven effective in a wide variety of smaller governments. US congress usually screws up and passes a failed idea like Obamacare but at least they had prior examples. And they’re getting an example to learn from here as is every other city and state.
Can someone kindly explain to me (an ex-pat) what the problem here is? Don't non-federal bodies (e.g., state governments) who levy income tax simply require one to provide some excerpt from one's federal income tax return - said excerpt stating something like "Mr. Jones had a gross income of $xyz last year?"
Regards,
I call ‘em Seattlunatics.
“I see you have some money. Give it to me.”
Boeing: “Tennessee! Here we come!”
Wherever you find liberals, you find income taxes:
https://www.thebalance.com/cities-that-levy-income-taxes-3193246
Rich is defined as anyone drawing a private sector paycheck.
Well this doesn’t compute. So we don’t pass any legislation we voted for due to fear that it will cost the GOP seats so we keep the GOP seats and still don’t pass legislation that they were voted in to pass?
This is their new excuse?
They should do what Trump said - use their majority to get bills through. But I think the GOP really only wants what the rats want.
Lots of government jobs that’s the same as civilian jobs pay more and with better benefits. Taxing taxpayers to pay taxes.
So Bill Gates, who lives in Medina, WA, would be exempt?
Gives a whole new meaning to “public service”, eh...
So has Philadelphia.
I was completely FLOORED!! What fresh HELL IS THIS???
“Regressive tax means the rate goes down as personal income goes higher...”
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!
Regressive means simply that everyone pays the same rate.
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