SEATTLE — The Seattle City Council on Saturday voted 9-0 to send the “Seattle Shield Initiative” to voters in the November 2025 election.

The proposal would raise an estimated $80 million, with $60 million directed toward closing the city’s projected $147 million deficit over the next two years. It would cut Business and Occupation (B&O) taxes for about 90% of Seattle-based businesses while increasing rates for companies with more than $5.7 million in gross receipts.

The initiative is aimed at protecting funding for emergency shelters, homelessness prevention, food access programs and gender-based violence services, while also providing relief for small and mid-sized businesses.

“This measure will ensure the largest corporations contribute more to safeguard our city and residents,” said

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