Giant corporations are investing big in a campaign to mislead voters so they don't have to pay taxes to support affordable housing and services for homeless people. Let us know what you're hearing.
The big business campaign to cut their taxes is totally grassroots.
Here's some of the nonsense that's been reported to us already:
- Paid signature gatherers are making the false claim that grocery stores have closed because of the tax. In fact, a corporate spokesperson specifically said their decision had nothing to do with the tax.
- Paid signature gatherers are making the false claims that the tax is $500, paid out of employees' wages and healthcare. In fact, the tax ins $275, paid by the largest 600 or so corporations in the city. No worker will pay the tax.
- Paid signature gatherers are making the false claim that the tax is already in effect and small businesses are paying it. It takes effect on January 1, 2019, and only applies to the few hundred largest businesses in the city, with more than $20 million in revenue.
- Paid signature gatherers are making the false claim that workers will pay the tax. Only large corporations will pay the tax — not fast food workers, not construction workers, and not you.
- Paid signature gatherers are making the false claim that businesses are moving to Tacoma because of the tax. Nope — businesses don't pick up and move over $275, which is the size of the tax.
- Paid signature gatherers are making the false claim "that no one who worked could be unhoused with a $15 minimum wage." This is false. We have an affordable housing crisis in Seattle — last year, you need a full-time job paying $24.02 an hour to afford a one-bedroom apartment in the city. It's also worth knowing that the same business groups fighting this tax also fought against the $15 minimum wage
- Paid signature gatherers are making the claim that this is a statewide tax on all businesses. This is false. The big business tax only applies to the largest 600 or so businesses in Seattle.
What are you hearing from paid signature gatherers? Let us know!