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 | Aug 12, 2019

New curtain wall design guidelines released

AAMA document includes mandatory language, optional language, and detailed technical commentary.

Codes and Standards | Aug 9, 2019

Cities modify density zoning to spur more affordable housing projects

Solutions include eliminating single-family zoning and allowing taller apartments in higher-density zones.

Codes and Standards | Aug 8, 2019

More designers focusing on acoustic properties of buildings

Recognition that structures should be acoustically satisfying.

Codes and Standards | Aug 6, 2019

New technology, aligning training with local trends among keys to workforce development

Construction industry must also invest in training, recruiting high school students.

Codes and Standards | Aug 1, 2019

Planners, city official rethink parking requirements on new projects

Reducing number of parking spots frees up land for ‘more purposeful’ uses.

Codes and Standards | Jul 31, 2019

USGBC-LA chooses first ‘Net Zero Accelerator’ technologies

Wide range of solutions address numerous environmental challenges.

Codes and Standards | Jul 30, 2019

Solar brokerage will provide financing for small/medium businesses

First to fund solar for smaller-scale commercial operations.

Codes and Standards | Jul 29, 2019

ASCE group unveils structural safety database

Confidential reporting on structural failures, near misses, and other incidents.

Codes and Standards | Jul 26, 2019

Floating landscape infrastructure wins top ASCE innovation prize

Climate resiliency a key theme of entrants.

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