Seattle’s City Council Votes To Tax the Rich

FEATURING KSHAMA SAWANT – The Seattle City Council earlier this week passed a historic legislation to tax incomes of wealthy residents of their city. The measure to raise income taxes from 2 percent to 2 and a quarter percent passed unanimously. It affects individuals making more than $250,000 a year and couples making more than half a million a year.

How did such a measure, modest as it is, get passed in these times when politicians fear raising taxes on anyone especially wealthy people? Can other city councils follow suit? To find out we’ll turn to one Seattle City Council member who is credited with being the main force behind the tax increase.

Kshama Sawant, Seattle City Council member, first Socialist councilmember to be elected, affiliated with Socialist Alternative party.