Tech entrepreneur flees Washington due to companies being 'villainized'
Washington’s newly signed 9.9% “millionaire’s tax” is colliding with visible business pullbacks, as Seattle leaders insist elite departures won’t happen. - (Mar 30, Source: FOX News) Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the law; it won’t take effect until **Jan 1, 2028** and first payments aren’t due until **2029**, signaling planned legal battles. - (Apr 14, Source: FOX News, Seattle University) Mayor Katie Wilson laughed off claims of wealthy flight, saying “if — the ones that leave, like, bye.” - (May 6, Sources: FOX News, KOMO News/Wall Street Journal via FOX News) Starbucks was reported laying off Seattle tech-support staff while criticizing city rhetoric in Schultz’s op-ed. - (May 12, Sources: FOX News, FOX 13 Seattle) Sen. Jamie Pedersen dismissed “tax exodus” fears, pointing to sales- and estate-tax adjustments. > How it looks like: Businesses and high earners appear to be repositioning before the tax even starts collecting.
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