Open Letter — Business Leaders Speak Out On the Seattle “Head Tax”

Over the weekend a movement began with Seattle technology and innovation leaders. They felt it was critical to weigh in on this rancorous debate. This group of leaders represent tens of thousands of Seattle jobs. It’s a diverse list of leaders including many women and people of color. It’s a list of CEO’s, investors, and other tech leaders. Small companies and large companies. Democrats and republicans.

Since the list includes many WTIA member companies, we are publishing the open letter and full list of signatories here. It’s time for the rhetoric in our council to stop and the action to start. We are all willing and even eager to help the homeless, but that requires political leadership not just more money.

It’s time for action from ALL of us. I hope you will join us and put shoulder to the wheel.

Open Letter to Seattle Citizens and City Council

Author

Michael Schutzler
Michael Schutzler is an entrepreneur, engineer, science geek, and first generation immigrant. He is the CEO of the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA). Before joining the WTIA, Michael led the merger of Livemocha – a community of 17 million language learners – with the popular education software company Rosetta Stone. He also built Classmates.com into the first profitable social media application, transformed online marketing at Monster.com, and grew the online gaming business at RealNetworks to become a global leader. He teaches part time at the University Of Washington Foster School of Business, serves on several boards, and is an investor in Flowplay, YouSolar, Koru, Moment, 9 Mile Labs, Alliance of Angels, Keiretsu Forum, and Social Venture Partners. As a successful Internet entrepreneur, lead angel investor, and veteran executive coach, Michael has personally invested in twenty-four companies, served as coach and advisor to more than 100 executives, and has raised over $50M in private financing.
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