Seattle’s Socialist Mayor Dismisses Millionaires Leaving Washington State: ‘Like, Bye’

Seattle Mayor’s Comments Amid Exodus of Wealthy Residents

Seattle’s socialist mayor appears quite focused on leftist policies, seemingly indifferent to the fact that billionaires are reportedly leaving Washington state due to tax pressures.

During a recent event at Seattle University, Mayor Katie Wilson remarked, “The claims that billionaires are leaving the state are so far-fetched that I think the claims that they are leaving are goodbye,” as reported by Fox News. Her remarks drew laughter and applause from the audience. Additionally, she mentioned her office is exploring options for a “progressive tax.”

Some social media users criticized Wilson’s comments. One user remarked on Twitter, “I like how liberal mayors think their cities don’t need rich people. If we keep chasing them away, who’s going to collect the money?”

Jason Mercier of the Mountain States Policy Center echoed similar sentiments, referencing Beatles songs in his critique, saying, “A few Beatles songs come to mind, first being ‘Taxman,’ then Seattle’s ‘Goodbye,’ and then Idaho’s ‘Hello, Hello, Hello,'” as reported by Seattle Red.

According to Breitbart News, Wilson’s comments were in relation to the state’s new “millionaire tax,” which imposes a 9.9% income tax on households earning over $1 million and is set to take effect in January.

Business owners in Washington express concern about the implications of this tax, fearing that it may also impact those with lower incomes. Seattle barber Matt Humphrey shared his anxiety, stating, “We have a lot of fear about what’s going on within the government in relation to taxes. This new billionaire tax is definitely going to affect us. We’re afraid… They’re treating us like an ATM when it comes to paying taxes as small businesses.”

Moreover, research from the Washington Economic Institute indicates that the situation could be serious. According to MyNorthwest, since the introduction of the billionaire tax, the number of companies contemplating leaving Washington has almost doubled. The housing market in Washington is also showing signs of strain, with a 29% increase in active listings compared to last year, while closed sales are stagnating. Experts suggest this trend is a direct result of affluent buyers exiting the market.

After Wilson’s election, the editorial board of a major publication cautioned that Seattle might undergo a “real-time experiment in radical governance” under a democratic socialist mayor lacking substantial management experience. Wilson unseated incumbent Mayor Bruce Harrell last November and has been likened to New York City’s Mayor Zoran Mamdani.