If the Seattle City Council is going to bring forward a competing alternative to a proposed new tax to fund social housing on the February ballot, it is going to be a last-minute affair.
Tuesday, the full council took only the required initial steps in considering a resolution required to place Initiative Measure No. 137 “concerning a payroll expense tax to fund the Social Housing Developer” on the ballot.
CHS reported here in August on the council president Sara Nelson opting not to act on the resolution in time for the proposal to be placed on the November ballot when turnout is expected to be at its highest. The council voted 8-1 with District 2’s Tammy Morales standing alone in August as her colleagues agreed to remove the resolution on the initiative from the agenda, a procedural move that delayed the public vote on the proposal.
The Let’s Build Social Housing ballot initiative that would add a 5% tax on companies for every dollar over a million paid to a Seattle employee in annual compensation including salary, stock, and bonuses. After a rush to gather the required signatures and have them approved, organizers were hoping for a fall vote but have now turned their attention to the winter special election.
In February 2023, Initiative 135 to create a Seattle social housing developer won handily with 57% of voters approving the proposal.
But House our Neighbors said the plan came without funding components because of limitations imposed on the state’s initiative process. Meanwhile, Public Development Authorities do not have taxing authority in Washington.
With this week’s session, the procedural introduction of the resolution on the new funding measure Initiative 137 is now complete but there is still time for the council to shape and approve an alternative initiative that could join the tax vote in February.
Tuesday, Morales asked her fellow councilmembers to speak up if they are planning an alternative but, so far, any plans are being kept under wraps.
Under the city charter, the council has 45 days after the initiative’s qualification to take action — or the measure automatically goes to the ballot. The council has two more weeks to come up with an alternative.
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