Seattle City Council members mostly mum on Amazon's big Bellevue plan
Many people and groups have voiced opinions about Amazon's recently announced plan to add another 10,000 jobs in downtown Bellevue, but don't count most members of the Seattle City Council among them.
The Business Journal last week reached out to the nine members of the council and Mayor Jenny Durkan to ask whether they think the city's new corporate payroll tax had anything to do with Amazon's decision. Are they concerned the news portends an exodus of the 700 Seattle companies that will be taxed?
Only one council member, Alex Pedersen, responded to the Journal, saying City Hall needs to create an environment that is "more friendly" to employers whose operations generate tax revenue to address public safety, homelessness and other urban challenges plus fund infrastructure.
Durkan reiterated her support for a regional payroll tax. Seattle's passed by a veto-proof majority, and she declined to sign the bill.
In a statement to the Business Journal, the mayor noted Seattle and the rest of the region is "a nationwide hub for innovation" and will continue to be the home to Amazon.
"Talent begets talent, and the commitment for more jobs in our region is a good thing for Seattle and a good thing for Bellevue. The more jobs we have in the region and the more they are diversified then the better it is for our regional economy," Durkan said.
https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2020/09/08/seattle-city-council-silent-on-amazon-moves.html