Councilmember Jean Godden
Council President Richard Conlin
City Council set to vote on final passage of economic stimulus legislation Tax relief for small businesses, stimulus dollars for youth employment and senior nutrition programs on the way
SEATTLE - Today the City Council’s Finance and Budget committee voted to support small business, workforce development and senior programs.
The committee unanimously passed three pieces of legislation to boost the economy by:
- Raising the B&O Tax exemption to $100,000 from $80,000,
providing relief to small businesses.
- Accepting Federal Stimulus grant money (American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009) to fund summer youth employment and senior nutritional services.
“This is another step forward in fulfilling our Economic Recovery goals by providing relief and jobs for our citizens” said Council President Richard Conlin.
“While I’m concerned about declining revenues, I’m committed to supporting small businesses wherever we can,” said Councilmember Jean Godden, Chair of the Finance and Budget Committee. “Their success is crucial to the success of our city and local economy.”
Council Bill 116574 adjusts the B&O Tax exemption, while Council Bill
116582 and 116582 authorize the city to accept Federal Stimulus grant money. These funds will provide up to 245 additional summer jobs for youth ages 16 to 24 and funding for 76,000 meals served to more than 1,500 seniors.
“There is no better way to discourage youths from joining gangs than giving them hope in the future through employment opportunities. The Federal Government should be investing more in our youth, hopefully this is just the beginning of that effort,” said Councilmember Nick Licata.
All three measures will be taken up at the Full Council meeting on Monday at 2 p.m. and are expected to pass. This legislation further advances the Council’s Economic Recovery Action Plan, which was adopted in May.
Earlier this year, the Council also passed legislation exempting small live music venues from the city’s admission tax.
“Seattle’s eclectic live music scene is not only popular to people of all walks of life and ages, it’s also feeds other businesses and that means more jobs,” said Councilmember Sally J. Clark.
The Council’s economic recovery work will continue at the Budget Committee meeting on Aug. 17 when they will discuss the proposed repeal of the Business Transportation Tax, sometimes referred to as the “head-tax.”
Archives of previous meetings, news releases and copies of legislation are available on the Council’s website at www.seattle.gov/council
. Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21 and webcast live at www.seattlechannel.org/viewer_live.asp
. Questions about Council news releases can be directed to Debra Carnes, Council Communications, at 206-684-8159, or by e-mail at debra.carnes@seattle.gov.
-30-
City Council
|
