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 10, 2019

Ontario building first to achieve zero-carbon designation by Canada GBC

Geothermal heating, living wall among notable features.

Codes and Standards | Jan 9, 2019

Policymakers need to act to alleviate affordable housing crunch

Moody’s economist says costs including mortgage rates worsening situation.

Codes and Standards | Jan 7, 2019

Program uses low-cost sensors to monitor impact of stormwater mitigation systems

University/municipal partnership in Philadelphia aims to improve green infrastructure design.

Codes and Standards | Jan 7, 2019

Washington, D.C., to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2032

Includes measures to reduce emissions from buildings and transportation.

Codes and Standards | Jan 4, 2019

Canada’s National Building Code will include climate change obligations

New durability requirements for new buildings in the works.

Codes and Standards | Jan 4, 2019

LEED v4.1 beta registration begins in January

First releases are O+M, BD+C, and ID+C.

Codes and Standards | Jan 3, 2019

U.S. Appeals Court says general contractors can be cited for subcontractor violations

Ruling will prompt review of OSH decision that said GCs cannot be held liable for subs’ violations.

Codes and Standards | Jan 3, 2019

Tall mass timber code changes receive final approval

New provisions to be included in the 2021 International Building Code.

Codes and Standards | Jan 2, 2019

ASHRAE’s Low-Rise Residential Buildings standard update now available

Performance measures are at least 50% more efficient than 2006 IECC.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




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