flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Seattle City Council repeals controversial new per-worker tax on large employers

Codes and Standards

Seattle City Council repeals controversial new per-worker tax on large employers

Measure was aimed at raising $50 million for homeless services, affordable housing.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | June 18, 2018

The Seattle City Council voted 7 to 2 to repeal the recently enacted per-worker tax on large employers aimed at raising money for homeless services and affordable housing.

The tax, which the council passed unanimously, was crafted as an answer to the city’s housing affordability problem that many attribute to rapid growth in the technology industry by the likes of Amazon.com Inc. The council’s reversal comes after a spirited effort to gather signatures to put a repeal question on the November ballot.

The council’s original measure called for a $275 per employee tax. The region reportedly has a homeless population of more than 12,000 people.

Amazon, the city’s top private employer, halted its expansion plans in the city pending the outcome of the vote. Some homeowners were reportedly frustrated by the city’s response to homelessness, which included tents and RVs moving into residential neighborhoods.

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Jan 24, 2020

Fenestration Rating Council earns ANSI certification

FenStar Certification Program ensures windows, doors, and skylights meet Energy Star specifications.

Codes and Standards | Jan 23, 2020

Rent control policies backfire on goal of boosting affordable housing

Natl. Apartment Assn. study says rent control decreases housing supply, harms condition of housing stock.

Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2020

Potential energy savings from smart meters is largely unrealized

Most utilities underuse the technology that can help customers save money.

Codes and Standards | Jan 21, 2020

Contractors pay practices reviewed in new database

Fastest and slowest paying GCs revealed.

Codes and Standards | Jan 17, 2020

Several states with ambitious climate goals will have to restrict natural gas as a fuel

Buildings would have to heat and cook with electricity.

Codes and Standards | Jan 16, 2020

New solar-ready mandate affects commercial and residential buildings in St. Louis

All new buildings must have reserved rooftop sections for PVs.

Codes and Standards | Jan 14, 2020

L.A.’s expedited permitting process credited with faster approvals on $1 billion project

Parallel Design-Permitting Process includes flagging elements for correction during conceptual design.

Codes and Standards | Jan 13, 2020

Kansas City is first in nation to offer free public transportation

Aim is to increase mobility to spur more economic activity.

Codes and Standards | Jan 9, 2020

Dept. of Defense will require beefed up cybersecurity standards in January

All contractors will have to demonstrate secure practices.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Reconstruction & Renovation

Movement to protect historic buildings raises sharp criticism

While the movement to preserve historic buildings has widespread support, it also has some sharp critics with well-funded opposition groups springing up in recent years. Some opponents are linked to the Stand Together Foundation, founded and bankrolled by the Koch family’s conservative philanthropic organization, according to a column in Governing magazine.




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021