'Don't Take The Clothes Off My Back'

'Don't Take The Clothes Off My Back'

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Story Published: Sep 8, 2003 at 8:06 AM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:09 AM PDT

By KOMO Staff & News Services

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SEATTLE - In a little more than a week, a latte could cost you an extra dime.

Next Tuesday, Seattle voters decide whether to approve a new 10-cent tax on espresso drinks. It's designed to raise money for early childhood education.

But some opponents of the measure say the tax will knock your socks off -- at least.

"I'm a small business owner, and this (tax) would be an extra burden to my business."

Sarah Betts, owner of the Purple Cow Espresso shop in Ballard, took to the busy corner of Elliott and Denny in Seattle during the Monday morning commute wearing just pants and a bra while holding a sign that read "No Espresso Tax -- Don't Take The Clothes Off My Back" to make her point known.

"I just bought a small business in October and I've really gotten to know the tax system. I work 60 hours a week and this would be another thing to send to the government," she said. "The people who are going to pay the 10 cent tax are the business owners and the baristas -- people aren't going to put that 10 cents in the tip jar."

Supporters say the initiative could raise more than $6.5 million a year. But a City Council estimate puts the benefit at between about $2 million and $3.5 million.

"I love children, and I think child care is very important," Betts said. "But I think there are other ways to raise money for them, such as starting a foundation for them or people donating money to the cause."

Betts' campaign came one day after some 200 coffee roasters, espresso bar owners and ordinary caffeine lovers turned out against the tax staged what they called a "Modern Day Tea Party" on Sunday.

Dressed in colonial garb, they marched to Green Lake, then tossed coffee bags filled with balloons into the water.

"I'm here on behalf of my wholesale customers who cannot afford this unfair tax," said Neal Brown, wholesale director for Zoka Coffee House, at Sunday's protest.

A coalition of business owners, led by Seattle-based Starbucks, is fighting the tax.

"They see the espresso business as some sort of cash cow to be milked for this particular issue," Brown said Sunday. "The next thing, who knows what? They'll be taxing orange juice for another issue."

The tax would not affect plain old diner coffee - just "any beverage prepared for immediate consumption containing half an ounce or more of espresso regardless of caffeine content, whether served hot or cold." Such drinks are luxury items, initiative backers say.

At last count, both sides of the latte tax debate have raised about the same amount of money for their campaigns -- $125,000.

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