Seattle mayor shrugs off millionaire-tax concerns – Business News
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson stated concerns about rich residents and companies leaving Washington over rising taxes are “overblown” during an interview on Wednesday.
“So today, do you still feel the narrative of the rich leaving is still overblown,” FOX 13 Seattle co-anchor Hana Kim requested Wilson.
“So, I still think that claims of a large exodus of rich people due to our statewide millionaire tax that the legislature passed this year are overblown,” Wilson responded with a chuckle. “I do believe that.”
In March, Washington state Democrats handed the millionaire’s tax, a 9.9% income tax for households that make over $1 million a 12 months, which Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson signed on March 30. It’s the state’s first-ever income tax, pushed by progressives and opposed by conservatives.
Wilson pushed back, saying that she is building good relationships within the business neighborhood.
“When I think about the last five months and the things that I and my administration have done to build bridges with the business community, the narrative that was spun around those things is very, very out of step with the reality.”
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson says fears of wealthy residents fleeing Washington over new taxes are “overblown.” Facebook / Your City
Wilson stated corporations like Starbucks, T-Mobile and Microsoft are donating funds towards a 90-unit tiny home village in South Park Cloverleaf to be opened “later this summer.”
“And so these are all like — so this narrative that it’s like Seattle socialist mayor versus Starbucks, like well, then why are they donating a million dollars to our shelter site?” Wilson requested.
A survey discovered 44% of Washington business leaders are contemplating shifting their personal residence out of state. Tommy – stock.adobe.com
“So, you know, the attitude that I have tried to come in with into office toward the business community is, ‘Look, we’re not going to agree on everything,’ right,” she stated.
A current survey by the Association of Washington Business reported on by The Center Square discovered that 44% of business leaders stated they’re contemplating shifting their personal residence out of state, with companies additionally saying they’re now more than twice as prone to increase exterior of Washington than within it.
Fox News Digital reached out to Wilson for remark however didn’t instantly obtain a response.
