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Answering your questions on the proposed Head Tax

caption: Homeless encampment under Seattle bridge.
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Homeless encampment under Seattle bridge.
KUOW Photo

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan is not ready to support the proposed employee head tax. This is the proposal for a per-employee tax on the city's highest grossing businesses.

The money would pay for low-income housing and services for homeless people. Amazon would be the number one payer of this tax and they are so opposed to it that they've halted construction on a new tower in Downtown Seattle. Also opposed to this head tax are local companies like Starbucks, Alaska Airlines and Dick's Drive-In.

In favor of the tax is a majority on the Seattle City Council. They say the $75 million a year it would raise would help make Seattle a place where people who are low-income and experiencing homelessness can get the resources they need.

Should the city pass the tax when they vote on it next week? We asked listeners to call in with questions for our reporter, Amy Radil and Seattle City Councilmember Lorena Gonzalez.

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