Democrats pass income tax; Schultz heads to Florida

Washington Democrats passed a sweeping income tax on high earners late Tuesday, delivering on a decades-long progressive priority that Republicans warn will drive wealthy residents and business leaders out of the state. The timing gave those skeptics an immediate and high-profile piece of evidence.

As the passage of the unconstitutional income tax was inevitable following a debate in the House, Starbucks founder Howard Schultz announced on LinkedIn that he and his wife Sheri are leaving Seattle for Florida after 44 years in the state. He’s taking his taxable income with him.

Governor Bob Ferguson is expected to sign the income tax imminently.

Schultz says goodbye to Seattle

The post was warm in tone but unmistakable in its message. Schultz described the couple’s move in straightforward terms, writing that they have relocated for their next chapter.

“We have moved to Miami for our next adventure together,” Schultz wrote. “We are enjoying the sunshine of South Florida and its allure to our kids on the East Coast as they raise families of their own.”

Schultz, who built Starbucks from a single Pike Place coffee shop into one of the most recognized brands on earth, expressed hope for the state he is leaving behind.

“It is our hope that Washington will remain a place for business and entrepreneurship to thrive, creating essential opportunity for those in Seattle and the surrounding areas,” he wrote.

The exodus Democrats keep ignoring

Schultz is far from the first high-net-worth individual to leave Washington for a no-income-tax state. He, alongside Jeff Bezos who left after the passage of the capital gains tax, may be the most famous.

Democrats insist the wealthy will stay. But the wealthy keep leaving. Passing an income tax on the same night the founder of Seattle’s most iconic company announced he was heading to Florida is the kind of coincidence that isn’t really a coincidence at all.

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