The same week that Shift highlighted the news that Jeff Bezos will save about $600 million in taxes because he moved out of Washington state before a big sale of Amazon stock, activists in the city of Seattle are proposing a new tax to drive even more people (and their jobs) outside the city limits. That’s the news from Crosscut about an initiative to “levy a 5% ‘excess compensation’ tax on employer payroll expenses for each Seattle-based employee paid over $1 million in annual compensation.”

Leave it to the Far-Left know-it-alls in Seattle to decide that $1 million is the magic mark at which more compensation becomes “excess.” They are not basing their decision on economics but rather on the feelings of the people who will make money off this proposal. As one of the activists explains, “I deeply believe that the implementation and strong funding of social housing is going to be the only way in my lifetime we’ll be able to meet our affordability needs at scale.” She bases her strong belief on the successful experiments of her policy in Vienna and Singapore.

You can read on to learn that opposition may actually rise up against this wallet-raiding idea, with one opponent pointing out “(T)his tax proposal hits a familiar refrain: tax first, plan later, and hope for results.”… Shift, Crosscut.

Republican State Representative April Connors (8th LD) joined us to discuss top priorities for the 2024 legislative session, including addressing overregulation of housing, ensuring energy access, and safeguarding the Lower Snake River dams. Rep. Connors expressed her disappointment in Democrats’ refusal to hear Let’s Go Washington Initiatives, and emphasized the importance of citizen-driven change. She also discussed how over-regulation has led to the housing crisis and highlights the solutions her bill (House Bill 2464) presents. Optimistic about its passage, Rep. Connors also discussed her bill proposing a $200 gas rebate to offset the Climate Commitment Act’s impact (House Bill 2040). Read more.

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