Councilmember Rink said June 30 that she and the mayor have advanced a proposal to rebalance Seattle's business-and-occupation tax to generate approximately $90 million in net annual revenue for the city to backfill critical human services.

"We came forward with a proposal to address this," Councilmember Rink said, describing the measure as a temporary rebalancing of B&O rates with revenues dedicated to housing vouchers, shelter, food and nutrition access, and services for survivors of gender-based violence.

The proposal would change tax thresholds and deductions so that many small and medium-size businesses either pay less or are exempt, Rink said. She said the measure seeks to protect programs at risk from cuts at other levels of government and that the city and the mayor are working to transmit the ordinance and supporting materials to council offices.

Council staff and the Finance, Native Communities and Tribal Governments Committee plan a detailed discussion of the proposal in coming weeks; final approval would require council action and, according to council comments, may ultimately involve voters if the proposal requires ballot approval.

No formal motion or vote was taken at the June 30 briefing; council members were told the administration was finalizing materials and that committee-level hearings will follow.