 Friday afternoon, I was joined by Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson, Redmond Mayor Angela Birney and Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone, in addition to Kent Mayor Dana Ralph and Des Moines Mayor Traci Buxton, to ask the Washington State Legislature for help -- help from our state elected leaders to reject proposed tax measures that would destabilize Washington’s economy and have a lasting detrimental impact on our region’s economic competitiveness, job market and overall fiscal health.
You can watch the full press conference on YouTube.
I’m talking specifically about two new revenue proposals released by the State Legislature as part of the 2025 to 2027 operating budget – a proposed Payroll Excise Tax and increased Business and Occupation tax on large businesses, which the state classifies as any business with more than $7 million in payroll.
These taxes will impact thousands of businesses across the state – including in Auburn. As a city, we’ve worked hard to attract a diverse group of industries, from aerospace and IT, to healthcare, manufacturing and freight services. These companies have choices about where they do business. And the next set of job creators also have choices. These taxes will make attracting great jobs much harder, not only in Auburn, but in cities across the state.
 In Auburn, our largest businesses aren’t necessarily generating the highest profit margins and would be unable to sustain operations without increasing costs – a burden passed on to our already cash-strapped residents. In a high inflation environment, a payroll tax will make goods and services unaffordable for the most marginalized populations.
Higher labor costs will also lead to lower hiring rates and job creation, and will incentivize businesses to either invest in automation, including new tools like AI, or outsource labor entirely. This comes at a time when Cities & Schools (Algona, Auburn, Pacific, Green River College, and the Auburn School District) have committed to reinstating our Task Force on Jobs. We need more businesses and more family wage jobs in our area!
Many of our largest businesses in the White River Valley are warehouses, and with increasing costs, it is becoming more financially reasonable for them to move out of the state altogether to avoid the high business taxes. Reduced revenues in Auburn could mean reduced spending in areas like Public Safety, Human Services and Public Works, areas of city management that no resident wants to see underfunded.
 Washington businesses already pay an average of more than $10,000 per employee in state and local taxes, more than 23% above the national average of $8,200 per employee. The taxes being discussed would make that average significantly higher, putting Washington at a competitive disadvantage for job creation.
In just a few short years, we could see distinctly-Washington industries like aerospace and technology shrink before our eyes, with high-paying jobs moving out of the state completely.
Twelve area mayors and I all share an appreciation for the predicament our state legislators are in -- that's why we also penned a letter to the House and Senate imploring our elected leaders hear our concern. We know how difficult this situation is, and we are sympathetic. But I agree with Governor Ferguson, when he said that new taxes should be a “last resort.”
Above all else, we would like to problem solve together, just as we’ve done at every fork in the road. We know we can be creative in reducing spending and generating revenue through economic development – not new taxes that will squeeze our already-struggling businesses and residents.
Read the full letter on our City of Auburn website or blog.
And if you agree with anything I've written here, please consider contacting your legislator -- they've heard from me and my fellow mayors plenty, and we're just a small drop in the bucket!
Space Needle cam looking south Wednesday, March 26
Space Needle cam looking north Wednesday, March 26
A storm that rolled through the Puget Sound region Wednesday afternoon had the potential to cause widespread damage from lightning, hail and even the possibility of a tornado.
And as you all you know -- we were spared the worst of it! Just a few lightning strikes across the state that started a few small fires, but overall, no large hail and no cataclysmic wind.
I want to thank all of the weather forecasters for getting this on our radar and to our regional partners and city staff for rolling out the warning bells. Being prepared meant that even if the worst had happened, a plan was in place and folks knew how to stay safe. Always prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.
 It's easy to finger point after an event like this and throw your hands up and say "well, the scientists got it wrong." But as the graphic above will show you -- all of the ingredients were there, it just didn't come together like it could have. And that is a great thing.
One of the best ways to think about a storm like Wednesday's is like making tacos at home. You can pull out all of the ingredients, you can have them laid out -- the meat, the beans, the cheese, the salsa -- but until you assemble them, it's not a taco. It has the potential to be a taco, it could even be one major taco, but until it starts coming together, it's all just taco fixings. But once that taco does start to form, or it starts looking like a taco, that's when the preparation really comes in handy.
This video explains it better than I ever could!
 On Wednesday we held our first Youth Forum at Auburn High School! Dr. Spicciati and I, along with some of our staff, had the privilege of joining two classes at AHS: Advanced Placement Government and Civics. Similar to our first Safe Auburn: Community Conversations series, we had students gather in break-out groups, and discuss and answer two questions with their peers. We wanted to gain insight into their perspectives regarding improving the Auburn community.
The first question we asked was "which aspects of our community do you think need improvement?" We received answers as diverse as the students -- from limiting youth weapon accessibility to potholes in the roads! Several students also mentioned the school district needs more funding for after-school activities, and that we should provide more support for people experiencing homelessness and those who struggle with drug addiction.
 We also asked "if together we could take action on one thing to strengthen this community, what would be most important to you?" Some students mentioned more opportunities for community involvement and more community events because these are ways in which people can come together and build relationships. Students also want to see community cleanliness and improvements in our parks.
 We hope to host more Youth Forums in partnership with the Auburn School District soon. We want to amplify the youth’s voices because we value their perspective and want them included in the decision-making process. Not only do these forums foster civic engagement, they empower students and make our city a better place to live.
 Congratulations to the 2nd Annual City of Auburn Employee Chili Cook Off Winners Richie Sanchez, Craig Dobyns and Jim Kleinbeck! Richie took home the grand prize with his "Texas Chili," Craig in second with "Frankly My Deer" and Jim third-place with "Cowboy Chili"!
 Thank you to all of our contestants for cooking up some delicious chilis and kudos to Team Auburn for showing up in droves to "test" it!
 I have been a member of the Sound Transit Board since 2016, and have spent hundreds (if not thousands) of hours studying packets, attending meetings and advocating for South King County and North Pierce County. In the past five months, I’ve also been on the search committee for a new CEO. The search was intensive, and many qualified candidates emerged. After extensive interviews with our board and other regional stakeholders, on Thursday, the board voted to hire Dow Constantine as the new Sound Transit CEO. He will resign from his position as King County Executive on Monday, March 31st, and assume his duties in his new role.
 Wednesday morning, Auburn had the distinct honor of launching the 10th annual Rolling Remembrance relay, a powerful national tribute that kicks off right here in our community. An American flag, once flown in combat, will now trek more than 14,000 miles across the country, passed from one veteran PepsiCo semi-truck driver to the next.
 Their mission: to raise awareness and support for the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, which provides scholarships and educational resources to the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. To date, more than $3 million has been raised.
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs
As a city, we’re proud to be part of something so meaningful and to stand united in this tribute to our veterans. Thank you to PepsiCo for selecting your Auburn facility as the starting point for this remarkable journey!
 Another South King County State of the City address this week – this one by my friend Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone. His address had an amazing light show – it was during the thunder and lightning storm on Wednesday night! Mayor Pavone shared his message – very similar to the other South County mayors – about the need for more public safety, the importance of infrastructure and all the great things that are happening in his city. Next week is Tukwila Mayor Tom McLeod’s State of the City. The mayors will all be there to support him, too. That’s what I love about the mayors I have the privilege of working with – we work together and support one another – and you!
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