☕ Did Mayor Wilson alienate Starbucks?

Did Mayor Wilson Alienate Starbucks?

An off-the-cuff comment about millionaires made by Mayor Katie Wilson a few weeks ago has become the center of a conversation around whether Seattle is “business friendly.” Even the New York Times is getting in on the action with the sensational headline: “Seattle’s Socialist Mayor Taunts the Rich as Rift With Starbucks Widens.” [NYTimes]

• 💬 What did Mayor Wilson actually say? In a talk at Seattle University back in April, Mayor Katie Wilson was asked if she thought progressive taxes were an ‘easy and promising solution.’ She gave a detailed answer to the question, discussing her experience in 2017 running a campaign to push the Seattle City Council to pass an income tax on high-income households. That campaign failed, but this year, a millionaires tax passed the state legislature.
• ☕ Starbucks exodus? Back in March, we reported on the news that Starbucks is getting a significant amount of office space in Nashville, though CEO Brian Niccol said the company had no plans to move. Just last week, the company laid off 61 Seattle-based employees, and announced another 252 layoffs in Seattle on Monday.
• 👫 Wilson and Starbucks: Earlier this month, former CEO Howard Schultz criticized Wilson in a WSJ op-ed, but according to Wilson, her office has a good relationship with the company, which is sponsoring a newly-announced tiny house shelter in South Park. Since the New York Times framed this story as a battle between “anti-business” Seattle and “pro-business” Nashville, we invited Whitney Pastorek, executive producer of City Cast Nashville, to explain how Tennesseans are responding to Starbucks’ move. Pastorek explains that the move is related to Tennessee’s lack of state income tax (which Washington also has), right-to-work laws, and a cheaper cost of living.

🏡 What’s the future of KCRHA? For The Stranger, City Cast Seattle contributor Guy Oron reported on the future of King Country’s embattled Regional Housing Authority, and how its dissolution could lead to larger financial woes and people losing their housing. [The Stranger]

🏕️ Cuts to DNR: Washington’s Department of Natural Resources has seen cuts of $8 million in less than two years, and it’s showing: Four campgrounds are closed, and others will see reduced seasons. Additionally, they have lost their Conservation Corps, who help get sites and trails ready. As of now their staff is just seven, and it could get worse next year. [KUOW]

🚂 PNW gets Amtrak upgrade: Big news for train lovers: The new Airo train has started running the Amtrak Cascades route. It offers panoramic windows, better ADA seating, big bathrooms and up-to-date charging ports. It will seat at least 300. With gas prices and traffic being what they are, it’s a good time to take the train. [KING5]