Seattle Mayor’s Remarks on Billionaires and Taxation

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson recently expressed a rather lighthearted stance on the notion that billionaires might be leaving Washington state, emphasizing her support for progressive taxation during a discussion earlier this month.

During an event at Seattle University on April 14, she remarked, “I think the claim that billionaires are leaving the state is a little overblown. And if you’re leaving, say goodbye,” which drew both laughter and applause from the crowd.

When asked about the effectiveness of progressive taxation as a potential fix for the region’s tax challenges, Wilson acknowledged it wouldn’t be simple but shared her enthusiasm for the millionaire tax recently enacted in the state.

“In general, we still have a very regressive tax system in our country,” she explained, adding that her office is actively exploring various options related to progressive taxation. She mentioned that local governments now have greater flexibility regarding their taxing authority. However, she did express concerns about the business climate in Seattle, noting that operational costs in downtown were significantly higher than in neighboring Bellevue.

Wilson is weighing progressive tax options that won’t negatively impact employment costs in Seattle.

“We have a substantial structural budget deficit, and we need to find ways to tackle it in the coming budget cycles,” she stated. “My budget team is diligently looking for effective ways to utilize revenue. We aren’t hesitant to cut programs that fail to deliver anticipated results,” she said.

“Being progressive doesn’t necessarily mean continuously increasing spending or never stopping certain initiatives,” Wilson added. “This is essential, and I think we might not require new revenue.”

The mayor, who was elected in November 2025, has garnered comparisons to New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani, as both identify as democratic socialists. Wilson overcame incumbent Bruce Harrell in her election, championing forward-thinking proposals, including government-operated grocery stores, even in light of criticism from the Washington Post regarding their past performance.

Recently, it was reported that Seattle could potentially lose around $750 million in tax revenue as companies like Starbucks expand operations in Tennessee instead of Washington.

In a recent announcement, Starbucks revealed plans to invest $100 million in Nashville, which would create about 2,000 new jobs.

Following her election, Wilson joined a picket line in solidarity with Starbucks workers, declaring, “I don’t buy Starbucks, and neither should you.”

According to the Tax Foundation, Seattle currently has the highest combined state and local sales tax rate at 10.35%. The tax burden increased further when King County implemented an additional 0.1% sales tax aimed at funding nonprofits that provide cultural programming, surpassing the sales tax rate of Tacoma.