This morning, Mayor Durkan held a press conference to announce two measures to help address the ongoing housing crisis in the city.
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Council passes restrictions on soda tax and AirBnB tax spending
This afternoon the City Council passed, each by a 7-1 vote, a pair of bills that set up separate funds into which the Sweetened Beverage Tax and Short-term Rental Tax revenues must be deposited, along with stricter rules for how the revenues may be spent — despite a threat from Mayor Durkan to veto the bills.
Continue readingFerguson urged by legislator to defend statewide ban on taxing net income
Today Washington State Senator Steve O’Ban sent a letter to Attorney General Bob Ferguson urging him to defend the state law prohibiting taxes on net income, after a Court of Appeals invalidated the law on Monday.
Continue readingCouncil and Mayor hold public spat over “soda tax” and “AirBnB tax” (UPDATED)
In their second major rift this week, today the City Council and Mayor Durkan fired accusations at each other over how to handle revenues from the Sweetened Beverage Tax (aka the “soda tax”) and the Short-term Rental Tax (aka the “AirBnB tax”).
Continue readingState appeals court rules against Seattle income tax, but makes things more complicated
Today the state Court of Appeals released a decision in the appeal of the City of Seattle’s income tax. While it ultimately agreed with the King County Superior Court judge that the income tax is prohibited, it did so on a completely different basis — one that makes an appeal to the state Supreme Court inevitable but messier. Pour yourself a stiff drink; you’re going to need it.
Continue readingThe Sweetened Beverage Tax spending plan is still a mess, and there’s plenty of blame to spread around
This past Wednesday, the City Council met in committee to discuss the Sweetened Beverage Tax passed two years ago. At issue is how the revenues generated from the tax should be spent. To their credit, city officials are at least being honest about the mess they’ve created.
Continue readingSeattle has a rough day in court defending its income tax
The City of Seattle had a key hearing in front of the state Court of Appeals today as it tries to rescue its income tax ordinance, and it didn’t go well.
Continue readingCouncil sends Library Levy to August ballot
This afternoon, the City Council gave its final approval to the $219 million Seattle Library Levy renewal, sending it to the August ballot for voter approval.
Continue readingCouncil moves forward with plans to implement Families, Education, Preschool and Promise Levy
Last fall, Seattle voters approved the Families, Education, Preschool and Promise Levy. Yesterday the City Council gave its near-final approval to the paperwork required to implement it.
Continue readingCouncil adds to Library Levy, then votes it out of committee
This afternoon, the City Council approved three additions to the Mayor’s proposed renewal of the Seattle Library Levy, then advanced it out of committee. It’s now scheduled for final approval on Monday, which would place it on the August 6th ballot.
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