Council president blocks Kshama Sawant’s big business tax

Seattle’s proposed tax on big business is blocked, at least for now, and the coronavirus pandemic is getting the blame.

“I’m completely stunned and scandalized by this decision,” said Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant.

Council president Lorena Gonzalez and Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda pushed pause on any debate on the business tax after concerns were raised that it violated one of the governor’s emergency pandemic proclamations.

Read Gonzalez’s full memo here.

“The Democratic establishment is not adverse to using laws — twisting and turning them – to serve their own purposes, to serve big business interest,” Sawant said.

Gonzalez put the measure on hold through at least the end of May. Sawant found out about the move just minutes before a news conference she called to tout the benefits of the tax.

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