Councilmembers propose accelerating big business tax legislation to fund emergency coronavirus relief

SEATTLE — Two Seattle City Councilmembers proposed accelerating legislation taxing big businesses to generate $200 million in emergency funds to help people struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.

Councilmembers Kshama Sawant and Tammy Morales introduced three pieces of legislation that would tax the top 2% of businesses as measured by the size of their corporate payroll.

The tax was originally introduced March 4 to take effect Jan 1, 2021.

The accelerated proposal would instead take effect June 1, 2020. For the remainder of 2020, the funds would provide emergency cash assistance for 100,000 low-income households. The proposal would provide the households with four months of cash payments of $500.

“Working people are facing the twin crises of coronavirus and capitalism,” Sawant said. “Even in this pandemic, the wealthiest corporations are getting bailed out, while many of them, like Amazon, are exploiting their workers by denying them basic protective equipment, paid leave, and hazard pay. Now, more than ever, this city’s politicians need to tax big business to address the unprecedented economic collapse working families are now facing.

Nonprofit organizations, public employers and grocery stores would be exempt.

Beginning in 2021, the taxes would be applied to affordable housing and other projects as was originally intended.

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