Latest news with #Prop1B
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Seattle Special Election: Early results showed strong lead for the payroll tax proposition
Supporters of the payroll tax subject to Proposition 1A in Seattle's special election say they are encouraged by early results, showing a 13,124 vote lead after the Tuesday night update. Prop 1A and Prop 1B both relied on a yes or no question in order to be passed. More than 68% of people voted 'yes' and 57.55% supported 1A, the citizen-led petition. Both questions asked voters to fund the social housing developer that was created in a previous election. 1A creates an 'excess compensation' tax of five percent when a business pays someone more than $1 Million. 1B, an alternative supported by the body of Seattle City Council and many in the business community, would fund $10 million a year for the next six years from an existing payroll tax. Supporters of 1A say the new tax's lead represents the 'power of the people.' 'This will help lower rents across the board.' said Areesa Somani, with House Our Neighbors, 'There is no social housing model in Seattle yet, and this will aid us in following in the footsteps of great international cities and creating mixed-income housing for working families who deserve to live in the city they work in.' Supporters of 1B haven't called it quits after Tuesday night's results. Around 19% of the vote had been counted by this posting in an election King County Elections officials expected 33% turnout. The Seattle Metro Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Rachel Smith said she is waiting for all votes to be counted. 'When considering this ballot initiative, we wanted to see social housing done right, and we believe Proposition 1B is the smart move.' 'It establishes the support and accountability of the city's Office of Housing – which has a 40-year track record, and it makes sure the affordable units get funded using public money – while not compromising the agency getting grants, loans, or other financial resources.' Smith continued in a statement. Somani says she expects legal challenges to the measure, assuming the lead holds. See results and learn more about ballot measures here.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What is Prop 1, Prop 2? A look at Seattle's special February election
SEATTLE - Tuesday, Feb. 11, is the deadline for Washington's special election, with a total of 81 measures on the ballot—most focusing on school funding. People in Seattle are focusing their attention on Prop 1 and Prop 2, which focus on funding for Seattle schools. Not to get confused with Seattle Prop 1A and Prop 1B, which concern funding for affordable housing in the city. As of Tuesday at 9:30 p.m., both propositions are leaning towards passage, with 77.71% (71,996) of voters voting yes on Prop 1, and 71.91% (66,656) voting yes on Prop 2. About 19% of ballots have been counted. Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones issued the following statement regarding Tuesday night's election results: "I want to thank Seattle voters for renewing both Proposition 1, the Educational Programs & Operations Levy, and Proposition 2, the Building Excellence Capital Levy. Your continued investment ensures our students and schools have the resources they need, including staffing, technology, and safe, healthy learning environments. "We deeply appreciate our community's ongoing commitment to public education in Seattle. Once again, parents, families, neighbors, and the broader Seattle community have stepped up to sustain essential funding for our students and schools. "Now, our focus shifts to the Washington State Legislature. It's time for state leaders to meet their responsibility to fully fund basic education. Our students are counting on them to do their part." Keep reading to learn more about each of the propositions. Proposition 1 Seeks to replace an expiring levy to maintain funding for educational programs in Seattle Public Schools. The levy would fund programs that are not fully covered by state funding. If approved, the new levy would collect taxes on taxable property in the district for three years, starting in 2026. The estimated levy rate would be: 2026: $0.78 per $1,000 of assessed property value, raising $250 million 2027: $0.75 per $1,000 of assessed property value, raising $249 million 2028: $0.72 per $1,000 of assessed property value, raising $248 million The funds would support ongoing educational programs in the district. Proposition 2 Proposes a new capital levy to fund the Building Excellence Program (BEX) VI, which supports safety, security and energy efficiency projects in Seattle schools. The levy would also fund construction and renovation at five schools, major building maintenance and technology upgrades. If approved, the levy would replace an expiring one and collect taxes on taxable property in the district for six years, starting in 2026. The estimated levy rate would be: 2026: $0.93 per $1,000 of assessed property value, raising $300 million 2027: $0.90 per $1,000 of assessed property value, raising $300 million 2028: $0.87 per $1,000 of assessed property value, raising $300 million 2029: $0.84 per $1,000 of assessed property value, raising $300 million 2030: $0.81 per $1,000 of assessed property value, raising $300 million 2031: $0.79 per $1,000 of assessed property value, raising $300 million The funds would go toward improving school facilities across the district. The Source Information for this article came from King County's Official Special Election Ballot. Politics:WA Senate passes changes to parental rights in education Local:Japan Airlines plane clips tail of Delta plane at Sea-Tac Travel:Here's when you'll need REAL ID to get through US airport security Food:New restaurants coming to Seattle in 2025 To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily Fox Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
