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 | Nov 21, 2019

Number of LEED commercial building projects surpasses 100,000

More than 2.6 million sf of space being certified each day.

Codes and Standards | Nov 19, 2019

Most U.S. voters support licensing standards for architects

NCARB survey shows strong support for architecture as a licensed profession.

Codes and Standards | Nov 18, 2019

Cambridge, Mass., teams up with utility on energy retrofit program

Buildings large than 25,000 sf targeted in initiative to further carbon neutrality goal.

Codes and Standards | Nov 14, 2019

Resistance to Toronto’s ‘smart city’ reveals pitfalls of such ambitious projects

Concerns over data privacy, governance, feasibility prompt criticism.

Codes and Standards | Nov 13, 2019

Heat pumps, strategic energy management could be next major focuses for efficiency

After lighting, efficiency experts look to new opportunities to boost energy efficiency.

Codes and Standards | Nov 12, 2019

National Infrastructure Performance Council to address ‘national security crisis’

Coalition wants to double annual level of infrastructure investment.

Codes and Standards | Nov 11, 2019

Major cities are adopting new building performance standards

Initiatives can include multiple standards.

Codes and Standards | Nov 11, 2019

U.S. hotel construction pipeline continues its year-over-year growth

In its eighth consecutive quarter of growth, projects currently under construction stand at 1,729 projects/235,278 rooms.

Codes and Standards | Nov 11, 2019

New retrofit design guide for metal roofing published

Metal Construction Association document provides best practices for re-roofing with metal.

Codes and Standards | Nov 8, 2019

New York City among the top hotel construction pipelines in the United States

Hotels presently under construction are at 102 projects/17,504 rooms.

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