Washington Democrat Pushes 9.9% Tax as Starbucks Flees State

Starbucks is moving jobs to Nashville, Tennessee, but one Seattle lawmaker dismisses warnings that wealthy residents will leave Washington state. Democrats in Washington are pushing a new 9.9% tax on high earners. The tax targets income over a certain threshold, aiming to raise money for public services. Critics argue the move will drive more businesses and wealthy residents to states with lower taxes, like Tennessee and Texas. State Representative Nicole Macri, a Seattle Democrat, rejects these "exodus" concerns. She says the tax is fair and necessary, claiming the state’s economic growth will offset any losses. However, the debate comes as Starbucks, the coffee giant founded in Seattle, shifts corporate jobs to Nashville. The company says the move will place key roles closer to a major distribution center. Opponents of the tax point to this relocation as evidence of a larger trend. They warn that without competitive tax policies, Washington could lose more companies and wealthy taxpayers, shrinking its tax base. Macri insists the state must invest in services like education and housing to keep a strong workforce. She argues that cutting taxes to keep the rich only hurts the middle class. The tax proposal now heads to the full state legislature for debate.