How To Support Or Oppose The Seattle Head Tax

SEATTLE, WA - Did you think the battle over Seattle's head tax was over? Nope - it's just getting started.

On Monday, a campaign aiming to repeal the tax, No Tax On Jobs, received its first round of contributions. A new group supporting the head tax, Bring Seattle Home, registered as an entity on May 31.

Besides, of course, voting, the best way to either support or oppose the head tax might be with your wallet. There are a lot of consumer-facing businesses involved here, giving Seattleites the chance to ally with or shun their favorite local brands.

Here's a list (so far) of some businesses and where they stand on the head tax.

Fremont Brewing

Seattle's own little Anheuser-Busch. Fremont Brewing owner Sara Nelson has said in the past she opposes a head tax. The brewery was also the site of an anti-head tax organizing meeting (until the meeting was moved to a different location). So either dump out your Interurban IPA or, you know, drink more of it.

BMW Seattle

In the market for a new Beemer? BMW Seattle has donated $2,100 to the anti-head tax campaign.

WinCO, QFC, SuperVALU

The Northwest Grocery Association has donated $50,000 to the anti-head tax side. The association's PAC has been supported by the above grocery stores.

Anthony's Restaurants

Another donor to the anti-head tax campaign. Anthony's - with 20 locations between Coeur d'Alene and Tacoma - has given $3,500 to the campaign.

Dick's Drive-In

The grandson of the founder of Dick's, Saul Spady, is one of the main movers behind the anti-head tax effort. Dick's has also given $5,000 so far to the anti-head tax campaign.

International Parking Management

The operator of 32 parking lots across Seattle has given $5,000 to the anti-head tax campaign.

The Space Needle

The Space Needle is part of the Seattle Hospitality Group holding company. The chairman of that group, Howard Wright, has given $25,000 to, yes, the anti-tax campaign. Other members of the hospitality group: Sheraton Seattle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Cedarbrook Lodge (SeaTac), and the Emerald City Trolley.

Metropolitan Market

The president of Met Market, Ron Megahan, is on the board at the Washington Food Industry Association, which has donated $30,000 to the anti-tax campaign. Other local food distributors and markets are part of the WFIA, too.

Amazon

Has pledged $25,000 to the No Tax On Jobs campaign.

Uwajamaya

Has pledged $5,000 to No Tax On Jobs.

Starbucks

Has pledged $25,000 pledge to the No Tax On Jobs campaign.

CenturyLink

Has pledged $10,000 to the anti-tax campaign.

The head tax is an extremely divisive issue and many small businesses are opposed to it, too. Before the Seattle City Council passed the measure last month (which by the way will charge businesses that earn over $20 million per year $275 per year per employee), hundreds of small Seattle businesses signed a letter asking the Council NOT to pass the head tax, according to the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. Here's a map of all those businesses:

Images via Google Maps