This is worth watching, an interesting discussion of options for a business tax that might target successful tech companies to help the city fund transportation and low income housing, two problem areas that have been exacerbated by the success of big tech.

From Patrick Boone 2018 City Council Candidate
A business tax was the main focus of my campaign in the last election. I was the loudest candidate promoting the purpose and reasoning of why this is a benefit for Palo Alto. I’m glad the business tax is now getting the real attention it deserves, I’m also shocked PA Online didn’t interview me on this topic as well.

I as well am shocked that PA Online did not interview me for this piece. Palo Alto’s soul lines have been in turmoil due to the digital upheaval and the clash of times — the old and burning new, charring the land and refreshing it in all the same sweep. I feel like a pine nut, ready to hatch. This tax is will rout through the boughs like a squirrel and burry its nut in the grass. Fillets and the council have yet to weigh in .... Let’s pray

Meg

I mean to say Filseth* not "fillets." Don't know what that is. Can anyone tell me how to turn off autocorect?

Love, Meg

No doubt any tax at all would cause Palantir to relocate to South Carolina, and it would probably depopulate the downtown office park as well. No more free ride.

Go for it!

>> The retail giant Amazon reported $11 billion of U.S. income and claimed a federal income tax rebate of $129 million.

Have to guess that palantir doesn't pay much, either.

Collect it here and do some good. Tax them!!

I never understood why other cities have taxes on business to help pay for things in their community and why Palo Alto, as progressive as it is, has none. It is time for business to pay their fare share - not more, not less.

We need some basic facts and figures. How many employees are in Palo Alto?

Burt said SF has a tax near $2000 per employee. How much revenue could a similar tax bring into Palo Alto?

He also said there is a square footage tax that was done in East Palo Alto. How many sq. feet of office space does Palo Alto have and what would that bring in for revenue? And what happens to the smaller businesses?

It seems to me the City ought to make some kind of chart laying out the various tax measures done by other cities and explaining how much a similar tax would bring in for our City. Where are our current City council members on this issue? Is anyone taking the lead?