Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s “Bye” Remark Fuels Nationwide Debate Over Washington State Millionaire Tax
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said April 14, 2026 at Seattle University that fears millionaires fleeing over Washington’s new 9.9% tax on incomes above $1 million are “super overblown,” adding controversially, “if the ones that leave, like, bye.”
Key takeaways
- Wilson’s quip: At a Seattle University conversation she said claims millionaires will leave are “super overblown” and added, “if the ones that leave, like, bye.” Video of the exchange is available as a video.
- Policy stance: Wilson, a democratic socialist elected November 2025, defended progressive taxes and praised the state 9.9% millionaire tax, while exploring city revenue options on her campaign page.
- Backlash and defense: Business groups and conservative outlets criticized the tone and warned of capital mobility; supporters argue the tax corrects a regressive state system (coverage in a report and commentary in the National Review).
- Fiscal framing: Wilson emphasized Seattle’s structural budget deficit and said city staff are evaluating revenue efficiency and program effectiveness to avoid unduly raising employment costs.
What happened at the Seattle University event
During a public conversation on April 14, 2026, Mayor Katie Wilson was asked whether progressive taxes are an easy fix to Washington’s tax structure. She said she never thought progressive taxation was “easy,” and defended the recently approved state surcharge of 9.9% on annual income above $1 million.
Addressing concerns about wealthy residents and firms departing the state, she remarked:
“I think the claims that millionaires are going to leave our state are, like, super overblown. And if — the ones that leave, like, bye.”
The exchange drew laughter and applause; the clip has since circulated online (see the video).
Context: the Washington state millionaire tax and the wider debate
This year the state legislature approved a 9.9% levy on income above $1 million intended to raise revenue from high earners to fund public services. Supporters — including Mayor Wilson on her campaign page — argue the measure helps correct what critics describe as a regressive tax system.
Opponents warn that high marginal rates may prompt relocation, income shifting, or reduced investment, potentially affecting job growth and downtown economic activity.
Reactions from business, media and political watchers
Local tech and business leaders reacted sharply to the mayor’s tone; a GeekWire report captured unease among some in the industry. Conservative outlets framed the comment as evidence that leaders might prioritize progressive goals over jobs and investment (see commentary in the National Review).
Supporters counter that most wealthy residents are not highly mobile over marginal tax rate changes and that revenue could fund widely used services such as libraries, parks and emergency response.
Wilson’s fiscal approach: balancing progressive revenue and business competitiveness
Wilson emphasized targeting wealthier households and corporations while trying to avoid policies that would substantially raise the cost of employing people in Seattle. She noted options at the city and county level and signaled a willingness to end programs that are not delivering results as part of closing a structural budget deficit.
She was an architect of the JumpStart payroll expense tax, which aims to require larger employers to pay more based on payroll; supporters say it broadens the tax base, opponents say it risks being passed on to workers or driving relocations.
Comparisons to other progressive mayors
Commentators compared Wilson to other young progressive officials — including New York’s progressive leaders — noting a national trend of mayors who favor higher taxes on the wealthy to expand services. Critics use those comparisons to argue such policies may undermine economic competitiveness.
What the video evidence shows
Video of the Seattle University conversation captures the exchange and the “bye” line; critics have clipped and widely shared the segment (watch the video). Coverage ranges from policy-focused analysis to tone-focused criticism.
Implications for the United States of America
Economic impact: The Seattle debate is a flashpoint for national discussions about taxing high earners and the mobility of capital and talent. Cities adopting aggressive progressive taxes may prompt businesses to reassess location strategies.
Political consequences: The controversy may energize both voters prioritizing economic growth and those backing redistributive policies, shaping state and federal campaigns.
Practical guidance: Policymakers should commission economic impact studies, consider phased implementation or targeted credits, and engage business communities. Companies should factor tax-policy risk into site-selection and contingency planning.
Sources and reporting note
This article draws on the video of the April 14 event, local reporting including a GeekWire report, commentary in the National Review, and Mayor Wilson’s campaign page. Video and multiple reports corroborate the quoted remarks.
