This morning, Council member Kshama Sawant unveiled her proposal for a new payroll tax in Seattle, independent of (and possibly on top of) one already proposed for King County. She said that her proposed tax would raise $300 million annually, of which 75% would be used for affordable housing and social services, and 25% for converting existing homes from oil and gas heat to electric systems.
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King County judge upholds Initiative 976
This morning, King County Judge Marshall Ferguson handed down his ruling in the legal challenge to Initiative 976. In all but two of the issues, he upheld the constitutionality of the initiative — and the other two issues he postponed a ruling on until after additional discovery could be completed.
Continue readingCouncil hand-wringing over HB 2907 and the threat of preemption
While the state legislature is preparing to meet with stakeholders to hammer out the details of House Bill 2907, which would grant King County authorization to impose a payroll tax, Seattle officials continue to fret over whether the final bill will preempt the City of Seattle from imposing its own tax on top of the county’s.
Continue readingUnderstanding Amazon’s income tax bill
It’s become a common meme in political circles to claim that Amazon pays nothing, or next to nothing, in income taxes. But is it true? Let’s dig in.
Continue readingCatching up on HB 2907, the proposed new county-wide payroll tax
On Friday, HB 2907, which would authorize a new payroll tax in King County on companies with employees earning more than $150,000, passed out of the Washington State House Finance Committee. But the road ahead is still long and bumpy, and what lies at the end is still far from clear.
Continue readingDueling motions filed in legal challenge to Initiative 976
With a preliminary injunction now in place, the fight over Initiative 976 has moved on to the next step. Yesterday, both the plaintiffs and the defendants filed motions for summary judgment, asking the court to weigh the legal issues and find in their favor.
Continue readingSupreme Court denies stay of injunction, Initiative 976 remains on hold
By a 6-3 vote, this evening the Washington State Supreme Court denied the Attorney General’s emergency motion for a stay on the preliminary injunction blocking the implementation of Initiative 976, the “$30 car tab” law.
Continue readingCity, County respond in fight over I-976
If not for the preliminary injunction imposed by King County Superior Court Judge Marshall Ferguson last week, Initiative 976 would go into effect on Thursday. But as SCC Insight reported last night, the state Attorney General’s office has filed a motion with the state Supreme Court to stay that injunction pending further review. This afternoon, the City of Seattle, King County, and the other plaintiffs filed their response.
Continue readingState Attorney General files emergency appeal of I-976 injunction
Yesterday afternoon, the state Attorney General’s office filed with the Washington State Supreme Court an emergency appeal of last week’s preliminary injunction blocking implementation of Initiative 976.
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Judge grants preliminary injunction blocking implementation of Initiative 976
This morning, King County Superior Court Judge Marshall Ferguson granted a preliminary injunction blocking implementation of Initiative 976 while the court determines whether it violates the state Constitution.
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