Business group looks to repeal Seattle tax
SEATTLE - A coalition of businesses in Seattle has started a campaign to repeal the city's new tax on large businesses to help fund homeless services and affordable housing.
Multiple news outlets reported that the group calling itself No Tax on Jobs began collecting signatures Friday to qualify for a citizen referendum.
Their goal is to get about 18,000 signatures by mid-June in order to get the question on the November ballot. It otherwise takes effect on Jan. 1, 2019.
The group is led by James Maiocco, chief business development officer with Redmond-based tech firm Pushpay, according to a filing Friday with the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission.
On Monday, the Seattle City Council unanimously approved a yearly tax of $275 per full-time employee to be levied on businesses with at least $20 million annually in Seattle revenue, beginning next year.
Feds arrest woman in alleged drug ring
SEATTLE - U.S. authorities have arrested a Seattle woman and conducted raids in an investigation into what they say is an international criminal operation tied to China.
The Seattle Times reported Saturday that authorities are searching for two men who are suspected of leading a crime ring that used hundreds of thousands of dollars wired from China to grow marijuana illegally in 17 homes around Washington and then shipped it to New York's black market.
Agents have arrested 37-year-old Seattle resident Xiamin Huang and are looking for her husband and his brother.
The U.S. attorney said agents also raided homes in the cities of Seattle, Burien, Kent, Tacoma and Renton, and seized more than 3,000 marijuana plants.
Investigators believe a commercial property in New Jersey was also involved in their crimes.
Associated Press
