Lars Larson asks, ‘when Governors Kotek and Ferguson tax all the billionaires and millionaires out of the Northwest, who do you think they’re coming for next?’
Lars Larson
The Northwest Nonsense
One of the most familiar billionaire names here in the Pacific Northwest is packing up and moving thousands of miles away.
Howard Schultz took a tiny Seattle coffee shop and grew it to more than 40,000 Starbucks worldwide.
Schultz and his wife have lived in the Northwest for decades and by their own account, they love it here.
This morning, on Linked-in they announced they’re leaving.
The reason? The unrelenting greed of the government.
Both Oregon and Washington have state budgets that grew more than 100 percent in the last decade.
Now, I don’t know about YOU, but my paycheck ain’t growing ten percent a year.
So, did the state government decide to limit its own spending to make life easier for citizens? Perish the thought.
Washington has a massive new millionaires tax that comes on the heels of the biggest tax hike in history and with the government warning they’ll be short of cash again by next year.
So, Howard and Sheri Schultz of Starbucks are decamping for a Miami Penthouse that cost a cool $44 million bucks. If that sounds like a lot, it most certainly is.
But without even knowing Howard’s finances, I’ll bet moving out of the new Evergreen State Tax Hell likely saves the Schultz family at least that much.
My question for you, when Governors Kotek and Ferguson tax all the billionaires and millionaires out of the Northwest, who do you think they’re coming for next?
Also read:
- Opinion: Brandi Kruse and I are feeling discouraged but we’re planning to continue advocating for political change. Will you?
Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance reflects on a discouraging week in Washington state politics, echoing Brandi Kruse’s frustrations over Democrats’ state income tax victory and local decisions on transit and ICE while urging conservatives not to give up on advocating for political change. - Opinion: ‘My thoughts on yesterday’s tragic state income tax’
Leslie Lewallen argues Democrats passed an unconstitutional “millionaires tax” on March 10, 2026, rejected more than 70 Republican amendments, and set Washington on a path she says will harm jobs, schools, and families statewide. - Opinion: Starbucks founder flees the new NW tax hell
Lars Larson argues that Howard and Sheri Schultz are leaving the Pacific Northwest for Miami following Washington’s new millionaires tax and rapid state budget growth in Oregon and Washington. - After marathon debate, WA House advances income tax
The Washington House approved a proposed income tax on households earning more than $1 million a year after more than 24 hours of debate and dozens of amendments. - C-TRAN: Light rail funding addressed again; changes are coming to C-TRAN board composition
C-TRAN approved new language tied to the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program that shields smaller cities from light rail operating costs while shifting potential financial responsibility toward Vancouver and the urban growth area.
