On July 16, the Seattle City Council’s Finance and Budget committee voted to support small business, workforce development and senior programs and unanimously passed three pieces of legislation to boost the economy.
The following was approved by the committee and will be taken up by the Full Council July 20 at 2 p.m.
● Raising the B&O Tax exemption to $100,000 from $80,000, providing relief to small businesses.
● Accepting Federal Stimulus grant money (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) to fund summer youth employment and senior nutritional services.
“This is another step forward in fulfilling our Economic Recovery goals by providing relief and jobs for our citizens” said council president Richard Conlin.
“While I’m concerned about declining revenues, I’m committed to supporting small businesses wherever we can,” said council member Jean Godden, chair of the Finance and Budget Committee. “Their success is crucial to the success of our city and local economy.”
Council Bill 116574 adjusts the B&O Tax exemption, while Council Bill 116582 and 116582 authorize the city to accept Federal Stimulus grant money. These funds will provide up to 245 additional summer jobs for youth ages 16 to 24 and funding for 76,000 meals served to more than 1,500 seniors.
“There is no better way to discourage youths from joining gangs than giving them hope in the future through employment opportunities. The Federal Government should be investing more in our youth, hopefully this is just the beginning of that effort,” said council member Nick Licata.
According to council staff, all three measures are expected to pass.
Earlier this year, the council also passed legislation exempting small live music venues from the city’s admission tax.
“Seattle’s eclectic live music scene is not only popular to people of all walks of life and ages, it’s also feeds other businesses and that means more jobs,” said council member Sally Clark.
The Council’s economic recovery work will continue at the Budget Committee meeting on Aug. 17 when they will discuss the proposed repeal of the Business Transportation Tax, sometimes referred to as the “head-tax.”
