CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to taxation; imposing a payroll expense tax on persons engaging in business in Seattle; adding a new Chapter 5.38 to the Seattle Municipal Code; and amending Sections 5.30.010, 5.30.060, 5.55.010, 5.55.040, 5.55.060, 5.55.150, 5.55.165, 5.55.220, 5.55.230, and 6.208.020 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, the City Council intends to revisit the tax imposed by this new Chapter 5.38 in the event that an organization with overlapping jurisdiction implements a progressive revenue source that provides City of Seattle ("City") funding at levels equivalent to those generated through this payroll expense tax; and
WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is officially a global pandemic; and
WHEREAS, on February 29, 2020, the Washington Governor issued Proclamation 20-05, proclaiming a state of emergency for all counties throughout the state of Washington in response to new cases of COVID-19, and
WHEREAS, on March 25, 2020, the Washington Governor issued Proclamation 20-25, prohibiting all people in Washington from leaving their homes and all non-essential businesses in Washington from conducting business ("Stay Home, Stay Healthy Proclamation"); and
WHEREAS, these actions are appropriate for public health reasons but result in severe economic impacts on families and individuals in Seattle; and
WHEREAS, these impacts are felt most strongly by people with low incomes who have become unemployed or had their work hours severely reduced; and
WHEREAS, federal and state assistance to people with low incomes will not be sufficient to meet their basic needs during this public health and financial crisis; and
WHEREAS, without additional support, many people with low incomes will face severe financial hardship that will have significant negative impacts, including but not limited to public health impacts ...
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