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UW students watching head tax debate with an eye toward their futures

SEATTLE — Seattle's head tax is being debated across the city, including on campus at the University of Washington.

For students, in different ways, it's personal.

Benjamin Backer is a business student.

"I came here because of all the companies that are around here," Backer said.

But he says potential employers have told him they might cut back their Seattle hiring.

He worries that will affect his prospects after graduation.

"It's really disappointing for a college student thinking, OK, there are all these amazing businesses in Seattle but will those jobs be there?"

Justice is a UW student who supports the head tax.

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"I hope it is extraordinarily successful and helps the people I walk by on the street who are struggling out there," Justice said.

Justice is active in the UW's International Socialist Organization and has worked in a youth shelter.

"The overwhelming amount of people who need assistance and yet the overwhelming wealth of Amazon and other major businesses, it's just unacceptable," Justice said.

And then there's Iris Thatcher, who grew up in Seattle and has watched the city's explosive growth.

"I understand why they're taxing big companies, just because this has been happening," Thatcher said. But, "I don't really think it tackles the issue at hand which is homelessness."

Thatcher is skeptical about the head tax, but sees such a problem with affordability, she's worried about being able to stay in Seattle herself.

"I don't really know if it’s going to be a place that I'll be able to live the rest of my life in," Thatcher said.