Microsoft—Microsoft donated $100,000 to oppose Seattle's social housing tax measure
In February 2025, Microsoft contributed $100,000 to oppose Proposition 1A, a ballot measure to fund Seattle's social housing authority through a 5% payroll tax on companies for salaries over $1 million. Microsoft joined Amazon and other corporate donors in spending $780,000 total against the measure. Despite the corporate opposition, the measure passed with 63% voter support.
Scoring Impact
| Topic | Direction | Relevance | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing Affordability | -against | primary | -1.00 |
| Worker Rights | -against | secondary | -0.50 |
| Overall incident score = | -0.443 | ||
Score = avg(topic contributions) × significance (medium ×1) × confidence (0.59)
Evidence (1 signal)
Microsoft donated $100,000 to PAC opposing Seattle Proposition 1A social housing tax in February 2025
Microsoft contributed $100,000 to 'People for Responsible Social Housing' PAC, which raised $445,350 (including $368,000 from corporations) to support alternative Proposition 1B and oppose Proposition 1A. Prop 1A would create a 5% tax on annual compensation above $1 million paid in Seattle. Microsoft vice president Brad Smith personally donated an additional $10,000 to the Prop 1B campaign. A Microsoft spokesperson stated 'Prop 1B will allow the city to address housing needs without raising taxes that would jeopardize jobs or the revitalization of downtown Seattle.' Despite corporate opposition spending over $500,000, Proposition 1A passed with 63.1% voter support on February 11, 2025.