MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Kshama Sawant to defy council order pausing Amazon tax discussion

May 15, 2020, 11:34 AM | Updated: 1:04 pm

Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant announced Friday that she will be holding a committee meeting next week to discuss her “Tax Amazon” proposal, defying a directive from Council President Lorena González to table the proposal.

Sawant: Council decision to pause debate on Amazon tax is ‘Orwellian’

Last week, González halted debate on the business tax, after concerns were raised that it violated the governor’s proclamation mandating that city councils only meet to discuss COVID-related legislation.

Sawant objected Friday during a virtual press conference, claiming Gov. Inslee’s directive is “illegal,” while pointing out that the proposal is designed to raise money for COVID-19 relief.

“My office and our movement totally reject the alleged legal reasons from Councilmembers Gonzalez and Herbold and others in the establishment,” she detailed.

The proposal would levy a 1.3% tax on the top 2% of Seattle businesses, and then distribute a series of $500 checks to city residents hit hardest by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. After the outbreak is over, the tax would then fund affordable housing and Green New Deal policies.

The tax wouldn’t actually start to raise money until 2021, and in the short term would be borrowing funds from existing city programs to fund COVID relief.

Sawant will move forward with plans to discuss the bill in the Sustainability and Renters’ Rights committee she chairs. The bill’s co-sponsor, Councilmember Morales, co-chairs that committee.

Kshama Sawant: Amazon tax ‘only thing’ that can rescue Seattle economy

“Our movement cannot wait or accept this attempt to stymie our momentum,” Sawant said.

The meeting will take place over a Zoom live stream next Thursday, May 21 at 6 p.m., with “full public oversight and involvement to continue important discussions on the ‘Tax Amazon’ legislation.”

“We look forward to full participation from members of the committee,” Sawant said.

Also sitting on the committee are Councilmembers Debora Juarez, Andrew Lewis, and Alex Pedersen. It’s unclear at this time whether they plan to participate.

MyNorthwest News

Image: Brightly colored eggs are set on a table on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington,...

Ted Buehner

Expect good Easter weekend weather for egg hunts, chilly evening Mariners games

Both Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend will feature temperatures warming to around 60 degrees across much of Western Washington.

8 hours ago

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

9 hours ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

10 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

11 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

12 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

15 hours ago

Kshama Sawant to defy council order pausing Amazon tax discussion