Seattle leaders repeal Amazon 'head tax' passed one month ago

The tax, which would have assessed $275 per employee on Amazon, was not considered a 'winnable battle' by officials

A month after Seattle leaders applauded themselves for landing a small blow against big business in the form of an "Amazon tax", on Tuesday they hurriedly abandoned it to avoid what they called "a prolonged, expensive political fight".

The tax, which would have assessed a $275-per-employee "head tax" on Seattle's largest private employer, was slated to pay for new public housing and homeless services in the booming city. Passed unanimously on 14 May, the tax was also an unsubtle demonstration of the company town's disaffection with its unofficial patron, Seattle-headquartered Amazon.