In a referendum conducted in Seattle, voters decisively supported a corporate tax to fund the city's social housing authority, with 63% approval. This followed significant financial opposition from major tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft, each contributing $100,000. Despite their efforts to derail the tax with a collective expenditure of $780,000, the electorate chose to implement a new 5% payroll tax on high individual compensation, facilitating $52 million in annual funding for mixed-income housing. This reflects a community-driven commitment to addressing the housing crisis despite corporate resistance.
"Frankly, Amazon donating was a godsend for us. We capitalized on the fact that Amazon and Microsoft were dumping in $100,000, and we made clear to voters how out of touch they were with the housing crisis in Seattle."
"Despite the massive spending from tech companies to oppose the measure, the corporate tax to fund social housing won with 63% of the vote, signaling a strong public will for affordable housing solutions in the city."
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