In response to the release of a revenue forecast from the city of Seattle regarding the city’s payroll expense tax, the Association of Washington Business, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and Washington Roundtable issued this joint statement:
“No one should be surprised that Seattle’s payroll expense tax is exactly what economists said it would be: volatile – because it is tied to the stock market, unpredictable – because businesses are making decisions on how to keep their payroll costs down, and precarious – because it intentionally relies on a small group of businesses that can easily move employees to a more welcoming environment.
We have always believed it prudent that Seattle uses all its available tax revenue to fund voter priorities. We have also encouraged policymakers to consider the economic consequences of their decisions and address the root cause of budget challenges – principles that Seattle lawmakers have accepted and endeavored to achieve, but that Washington state budget writers are ignoring. In fact, lawmakers in Olympia have proposed the greatest tax increases in recent state history, including a payroll expense tax that is at least two times higher than Seattle’s. And they are knowingly doing this against a backdrop of national uncertainty with trade wars, tariffs, and cuts to government programs that are at best cooling the economy and at worst plunging us into a recession. And all of this threatens jobs while simultaneously increasing the cost of everyday goods.
The fact that state lawmakers are ignoring these realities, dismissing voter concerns about affordability, and disregarding employers’ repeated warnings is alarming.”
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About Our Organizations
About the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
The Seattle Metropolitan (Seattle Metro) Chamber of Commerce is the regional business advocacy organization that engages the innovation and entrepreneurship of its 2,500 members to promote inclusive economic prosperity. Founded in 1882 by local business leaders, the Chamber today is an independent organization representing a regional workforce of approximately 750,000. For more information, visit seattlechamber.com.
About Washington Roundtable
Washington Roundtable is a nonprofit organization comprised of senior executives of major private sector employers in Washington state. Roundtable members work together to effect positive change on public policy issues that they believe are most important to supporting state economic vitality and fostering opportunity for all Washingtonians. For more information, visit waroundtable.com.
About the Association of Washington Business
Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association representing all sectors of business. AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturers association. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing and Microsoft, 90% of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about AWB, visit awb.org.
About the Bellevue Chamber
With hundreds of members representing tens of thousands of employees, the Bellevue Chamber is the relationship, policy, and business development hub for organizations throughout the Puget Sound region. We connect businesses with potential employees, sales opportunities, and social engagement, and provide our members access to industry experts and real-time information impacting our city and the Eastside. Learn more at bellevuechamber.org.