Seattle may pull ‘head tax’ after Amazon, Starbucks cry foul

Fox Business ^ | 6/11/18 | By Thomas Barrabi

[NohSpinZone]

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and city council members on Monday said they would consider legislation to repeal a “head tax” on the city’s large businesses, just weeks after the measure’s passage drew public criticism from Amazon, Starbucks and others.

[SNIP]

Amazon vice president and spokesman Drew Herdener said last month that the bill’s passage forced the company “to question our growth” in Seattle.

"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," Herdener said at the time.

[NohSpinZone]

Bingo on the Amazon guy's statement. That's exactly the problem with most government bodies - they are out of control in their spending because they are addicted to spending other people's money. Exhibit A - The United States Congress.

[ExTexasRedhead]

Everyone, and I mean everyone, must shove Liberal insanity back at insane, unhinged, deranged Liberals and do it 24/7!

[robroys woman]

Sure, it was a huge mistake. And it must be noted that it was a unanimous decision. They were idiotic in lockstep. If I were Amazon, I’d get out of town even if they repeal it. They’ve exposed that they are a bunch of ignorant buffoons. Things never go well for a city run by ignorant Buffoons.

Think Detroit. It had its day too. That day has passed and doesn’t to appear to be coming back for a generation or three.

[vette6387]

“That’s exactly the problem with most government bodies - they are out of control in their spending because they are addicted to spending other people’s money.”

Yes, and Amazon is a big part of Seattle’s “other people’s money!” If Amazon ( and the other “biggies” in Seattle), decide to move to greener pastures, The city will be left with 100% of nothing. In all these Liberal $hithole cities, the “homeless” and the “non- citizens needs” seem to be far more important than the lives of their legitimate residents.

[rktman]

Me too. But I'd lead them on first to make sure they pull it then tell 'em "We're leaving anyway so tax this!" But, bezos may not be a vindictive assclown like I am. 💸👹

[WKUHilltopper]

Can’t piss off or disadvantage their fellow commies.

[mewzilla]

Rantz: Seattle spent thousands on ‘fake’ head tax survey they ignored

[gr8eman]

Agreed...Anyone with money and brains will stay the heck out of Seattle...regardless of what happens. they’re liberals...they are insane and just enact other taxes! That’s all they know how to do!

[RayChuang88]

Amazon, Starbucks and Nordstrom are headquartered in Seattle, and Microsoft likely has offices in downtown Seattle. No wonder why the Seattle City Council is backing down on the head tax.

[BlueLancer]

In the comments section to the article, many people are calling for an anti-panhandling law and saying that that would help resolve the issue. I don't understand how, but I sure hope that they never pass an anti-panhandling law in my area ...

... how can I fry eggs if I can't handle the pan ...?

[carmen2017]

Take a chance on Funding the Murder of a Child or Grandchild by MS-13. VOTE DEMOCRAT.

[deadrock]

Liberals wrong? I am shocked.

[Pearls Before Swine]

Foul?

What Seattle is worried about is that Amazon and Boeing and others might cry, “Bye!”.

[gaijin]

Go to Texas or North Carolina.

[bert]

Boeing has the Headquarters in Chicago and makes planes in South Carolina

Boeing already left with a lot of the company

[nuke_road_warrior]

The Seattle City Council has demonstrated their willingness to back off of stupid actions under pressure and then change again to do the socialist/progressive tax and spend thing. I wouldn't trust them to keep their word for more than five minutes. If I were Amazon, Starbucks, etc. I'd pull a Baltimore Colt's disappearing act before the city figures out you're gone.

[rjsimmon]

Seattle tried this a while ago by imposing an income tax on high-earning residents. The State shot it down quickly. The City of Seattle may call this a “head tax”, which they may try and disguise as a Business and Occupancy tax, but under that mantel, it is an additional tax, which may face a rather difficult legal challenge.

Seattle has yet to learn from its numerous socialist mistakes.

[Buckeye McFrog]

If I were Amazon, I’d get out of town even if they repeal it.

Me too. Hardcore Communist Kshama Sawant is almost certainly going to be their next Mayor, and she will not be backing-down.

[Robert357]

Shhh......if you are quiet....you can hear the liberal politicians head exploding as they realize that their political careers are over because their is a limit to buying votes with other people's money!

Reality is harsh at times.

[SaxxonWoods]

The Liberal agenda is falling apart everywhere. Leftys are making utter fools of themselves.

It’s delicious and it’s going to get better.