‘Seattle Shield Initiative’ aimed at addressing City budget deficit, ensuring funding for emergency shelters and homelessness prevention, supporting food access, addressing gender-based violence, and aiding small business and worker’s rights

This afternoon, the Seattle City Council unanimously approved sending the ‘Seattle Shield Initiative’ to the November 2025 ballot for voter consideration. The legislation proposes cuts to Business and Occupation (B&O) taxes on small-and-medium size businesses while restructuring B&O taxes on the largest businesses with the goal of protecting Seattle’s critical social and human services including food access, gender-based violence programs, and emergency shelter. This proposal was led through the legislation process by Chair of the Select Committee on Federal Administration and Policy Changes, Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Position 8).

“Today the City Council proudly took meaningful action to help protect critical programs that working families, and our most vulnerable neighbors depend on, by sending the Seattle Shield Initiative to voters for the November ballot,” said Councilmember Rinck. “Now, voters have the choice this November to give small businesses relief and help them stay open. These are the coffee shops where they get your oat milk latte just right, the family restaurants where they know you want 3 stars on your Pad Thai, the bookstore that has staff recommendations on what you should read next. In turn, this measure will ensure the largest corporations contribute more to safeguard our city and residents from the cruelty and chaos created by the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans.”

The news comes to light as City officials grapple with taxes and budget challenges for state and local jurisdictions after the passage of the federal budget under the second Trump Administration. The Seattle Shield Initiative aims to raise $80 million dollars, with $60 million going to address the $147 million deficit over the next two years.

Key aspects of the Seattle Shield Initiative proposal include:

• 90% of Seattle-based businesses would pay less Business and Occupations (B&O) Tax,
• Federal backfill for programs such as emergency housing vouchers and food assistance,
• A $2 million standard deduction for all businesses when they pay less B&O taxes, and
• Mitigation of the impact of federal funding reductions by ensuring City investments in social and human services.

The Seattle City Council will kickoff the budget process in late September 2025 following transmission of Mayor Harrell’s 2026 budget adjustments.

What’s next

Legislation is sent to Mayor Bruce Harrell for review and possible signature.

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