The Seattle City Council last month voted 5-4 against a head tax that would've levied large employers $100 per full-time employee to pay for homelessness services. The top 10 percent of businesses would have been affected. Some council members who voted "no," including Lorena González and Debora Juarez, said they wanted to see clearer guidelines for how the revenue would be spent. Others, including Sally Bagshaw, said they'd like to consult more with local businesses first.
So instead of passing the tax, the council voted to create a task force tasked with studying new progressive revenue sources, including an employee hours tax, to tackle the city's homelessness emergency.
A resolution gives the council and Mayor Jenny Durkan until December 11 to select the task force members, including two council members and two community members to serve as co-chairs. The task force is expected to deliver recommendations by February with a goal of passing a new tax by late March.
The deadline to apply for the Progressive Revenue Task Force on Housing and Homelessness was December 4. The city received 40 applications.
Here is everyone who applied to serve on the task force:
Jennifer Adams, a case manager at the Bridge Care Center in Ballard. Adams says in her application that she lived in her vehicle for 5.5 years and uses that experience with the Scofflaw Mitigation Project to help current vehicle-dwellers.
Cheryl Berenson, a registered nurse who works with the King County Public Health Reserve Corps Medical Reserve Corps. The group often provides medical care for people experiencing homelessness.
John Burbank, executive director of the Economic Opportunity Institute, a progressive think tank that has done numerous studies on wages, taxes and economics in Seattle.
Daryl Campbell, President and CEO of Seattle Goodwill Industries. He has a background in law.
Terry Clinch, pharmacy manager at Bartell Drugs. His employer was one of the most vocal opponents of the proposed head tax during last month's budget sessions.
Andrew Coak, information and referral case manager at the Downtown Emergency Care Center. He also serves as a delegate for SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.
Ishbel Dickens, former executive director of National Manufactured Home Owners Association. Her resumé says she now works as a consultant for manufactured homeowners. Of the applicants, her name is the most Victorian.
Margaret Diddams, policy researcher for SEUI 775, which represents home care and nursing workers in Seattle. She helped organize homeless people with Washington CAN and last year helped develop a number of tenant protections.
Ian Eisenberg, owner Uncle Ike's, the pot shop.
Alison Eisinger, Executive Director of Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness.
Chloe Gale, social worker and Co-Director for the REACH Program at Evergreen Treatment Services. Her program works with Seattle's Navigation Team to attempt to connect homeless people with shelter and services.
Ryan Glant, President of Pacific Iron and Metal, Pacific Fabrics and Seattle's Doorhouse, three businesses he says employs some homeless people.
Samantha Grad, political and legislative organizer for UFCW 21.
Kirsten Harris-Talley, program director for Progress Alliance of Washington who recently served as an interim city council member. Harris-Talley voted for the head tax.
Katie Harris, owner of Crossroads Trade who previously served as a budget analyst for King County.
Emily Johnston, communications coordinator and board president for 350 Seattle, the environmental group.
Meron Kashun, executive director of Ethiopian Community in Seattle who in his application emphasized the impacts homelessness has had on Ethiopian and East African immigrants and refugees.
Andrew Kashyap, senior attorney at the Public Defender Association who has worked on homelessness issues.
Matthew Lang, organizer with the Neighborhood Action Coalition who says he has experienced homelessness.
Brianna Little, organizer and advocate with Real Change. Says in her application, "I would be a voice for queer Black women as well as Real Change vendors."
Daniel Malone, executive director of Downtown Emergency Services Center.
Tom Mathews, owner of Walsh Construction Company, which has built multiple affordable housing projects.
Patrick Mazza, community solutions workgroup co-facilitator for 350 Seattle, the environmental group.
Tiffani McCoy, lead organizer for Real Change.
Fernando Mejia-Ledesma, Washington State Director for Main Street Alliance, the progressive policy advocacy group.
Jessica Mogk, research specialist for Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute who is working on a thesis on the connection between incarceration and homelessness.
Tammy Morales, organizer for Rainier Beach Action Coalition who also works as a Seattle Human Rights Commissioner. Morales unsuccessfully ran for city council member Bruce Harrell's seat in 2015.
Courtney O'Toole, board member of SHARE (Seattle Housing and Resource Effort) and external affairs coordinator for Nickelsville.
Ethan Phelps-Goodman, founder of Seattle in Progress who runs a program called Seattle Tech 4 Housing.
Graham Pruss, executive director of WeCount, an app that helps coordinate the donation of essentials to homeless people.
Eliana Scott-Thoennes, a homemaker and Neighborhood Action Coalition member.
Shaun Scott, columnist for City Arts Magazine who worked on the campaign for city council candidate Jon Grant.
Keaton Slansky, a student and community organizer with the Housing For All Coalition.
Sean Smith, an unemployed organizer with the Housing For All Coalition.
James Tjoa, a real estate broker who attached a 20-page Re/Max portfolio to his application.
Tony To, executive director of HomeSight, a community development corporation.
Terence Vogel, community partnership director for Meadowbrook Community CARE, a Lake City service provider.
Katie Wilson, campaign coordinator for the Transit Riders Union, an organizing group that has pushed numerous public policy initiatives, including the income tax passed by Seattle City Council last year.
Neil Wilson, a Beacon Hill rental property landlord.
Maiko Winkler-Chin, Executive Director of SCIDpda (Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority).
