Apple's presence generates a ton of revenue in the form of sales tax. Highly paid Apple employees spend money on wining and dining and other luxury goods. New businesses move into town to support Apple and they pay business licenses, insurance, and buy goods and employ even more people. Cupertino just needs to budget better, sell bonds, cut waste, etc if they want to improve their infrastructure.
I believe it was a horrible mistake to build "The Spaceship" in California where liberal government practices "Government Greed" on a daily basis. Apple should have built the "Spaceship" at the new campus in Austin, Texas.
Nope. Steve was very proud of Apple's California roots.
Make sure you read the full Guardian article. Not only is this mayor an idiot, but the article is biased in the extreme. Every stat and quote is wrapped in language that implies Apple is a selfish, evil tax cheating company who should pay it's "fair share." There is no counterbalance, no discussion of what causes corporate inversion, no talk of the positive things Apple SURELY does for its home City, no discussion of the economic benefits of having the juggernaut that is Apple live in your town...nothing. It's just more left-wing crap. Apple should publicly respond to this windbag like this:
We at Apple are aware of recent criticisms and policy proposals put forth by Mayor Chang. As a responsible corporate citizen, Apple has made its home here for more than 30 years. We are proud of our relationship with our City.
Apple currently pays over $9m per year to the City of Cupertino in income taxes. This represents over 18% of the City's entire budget. Many of our employees live in and around Cupertino, and pay personal income, sales and property taxes as well. Apple is one of the largest employers in the world, located right here in Cupertino. The economic benefits of Apple's presence alone are nearly indescribable. This is to say nothing of our corporate efforts in philanthropy, which are extensive. Put simply, Cupertino would be unrecognizable without Apple.
While we are always willing to discuss ways to solve problems and improve our community, Apple will not be berated by an elected official who is clearly attacking us for political gain. We will engage in no further discussions with Mr. Chang. Should a new mayor be elected, Apple will enthusiastically collaborate and cooperate with those who seek to improve our home.
No, they shouldn't respond like that. That response is small, passive-aggressive, insecure, vindictive, condescending, and just plain petty. Beneath Apple in every way.
This argument is little different than the argument that the rich in general don't pay enough taxes, when in reality the richest 10% pay the majority of federal income tax...in fact the bottom 50% of earners pay almost no federal tax at all.
The rich also take in 90% of the financial gains over the last 2 decades and actually end up paying a lower effective tax rate than most citizens. And the comment that 50% pay no federal tax is crap. Unless you are making close to minimum wage, you are paying federal taxes. If you are you are in extreme poverty and can barely afford to eat and have shelter.
Isn't people who works for apple making good money lives in Cupertino also pays city/county taxes and sure spend at retail paying sales tax ? I thought Steve Jobs mentioned to council that don't forget, Apple brings good paying jobs to Cupertino.
Frankly would it kill Apple to support its local community a bit more. It can afford it.
Apple supports the local community enough with all the jobs it creates and tax revenue it generates for local communities. I'm so sick of the entitlement people wanting everyone else to pay for everything except themselves.
Frankly would it kill Apple to support its local community a bit more. It can afford it.
How do you know what Apple does or doesn't do for its local community?
BTW, do you have a job and do you make any money? Cause if you do, then you probably can give just a little bit more to your local government. Surely it wouldn't kill you to send a cheque for $100 to your councillor, so you can be a better citizen. I am sure you can afford it.
That is true. This whole thing was decided many, many years ago, and I remember watching that video of Steve Jobs making his presentation to the city council.
I bet that a lot of Apple employees are Bernie supporters who have contributed to the campaign and they support higher taxation!
Now pay up what you owe! Put your money where your mouth is!
Apple only contributes nearly 20% of the city's tax revenue? It should clearly be much higher!
Down with the rich! Down with greedy corporations! The rich are evil! And Apple has plenty of money! It's absolutely disgusting that any company should make that much money.
Let's dismantle Apple and nationalize it! Power to the people! Crackhead lives matter!
Cupertino is the 11th wealthiest city with a population over 50,000 in the United States - they are the rich
Wait - Isn't this the same mayor and same city council who approved the Mother ship campus? What about the big new Cupertino Downtown plan under construction? Isn't that generating all the noise and traffic issue also. I am any other city in Bay Area would love to have Apple in their neighborhood and the revenue it will bring. Apparently, Apple has been slowly slowly getting away from being dependent on Cupertino. They have been occupying lot more office space in Sunnyvale, Mountain and in San Jose. I am sure San Ramon, Pleasanton, Dublin would love to be have Apple campus in these cities/town.
It is. In fact on his campaign page, he lists negotiating the Apple Campus 2 project as a major success.
Make sure you read the full Guardian article. Not only is this mayor an idiot, but the article is biased in the extreme. Every stat and quote is wrapped in language that implies Apple is a selfish, evil tax cheating company who should pay it's "fair share." There is no counterbalance, no discussion of what causes corporate inversion, no talk of the positive things Apple SURELY does for its home City, no discussion of the economic benefits of having the juggernaut that is Apple live in your town...nothing. It's just more left-wing crap. Apple should publicly respond to this windbag like this:
We at Apple are aware of recent criticisms and policy proposals put forth by Mayor Chang. As a responsible corporate citizen, Apple has made its home here for more than 30 years. We are proud of our relationship with our City.
Apple currently pays over $9m per year to the City of Cupertino in income taxes. This represents over 18% of the City's entire budget. Many of our employees live in and around Cupertino, and pay personal income, sales and property taxes as well. Apple is one of the largest employers in the world, located right here in Cupertino. The economic benefits of Apple's presence alone are nearly indescribable. This is to say nothing of our corporate efforts in philanthropy, which are extensive. Put simply, Cupertino would be unrecognizable without Apple.
While we are always willing to discuss ways to solve problems and improve our community, Apple will not be berated by an elected official who is clearly attacking us for political gain. We will engage in no further discussions with Mr. Chang. Should a new mayor be elected, Apple will enthusiastically collaborate and cooperate with those who seek to improve our home.
The Gurdian never misses an opportunity to bash Apple - just a theme I've noticed
Don't to slam the debate on this subject, but if the Major wants to base taxes on the annual profitability of a firm, it can do so with the appropriate legislation and also accept the counter-argument and reality that as firm lose money or are less profitable, then their income taxes paid will be reduced commensurate with said losses as well as those applicable gains!
I sure do wish that a pre-requirement of every elected offical would be a mandatory course in economics.
I believe it was a horrible mistake to build "The Spaceship" in California where liberal government practices "Government Greed" on a daily basis. Apple should have built the "Spaceship" at the new campus in Austin, Texas. Texas is a much more business friendly state that California will ever be. Building in California was a huge mistake. The Cupertino offices should have been closed and moved to Austin, TX. http://www.wired.com/2012/12/apple-austin/
This began under Steve. Apple's vision is to have all staff in the same area - with as many under one roof as possible. Also the Bay Area is second to none when it comes to tech talent. There's no controversy here. Just a mayor trying to cash in while running for Assembly.
Frankly would it kill Apple to support its local community a bit more. It can afford it.
Posts like yours proves that ignorance is in abundance in society. Why don't YOU pay a little more to support your local community? You can afford it!
Apple not only pays a boat-load of taxes per year (as it rightfully should) but they also employ (directly and indirectly) a gazillion workers. Workers that they themselves pay taxes, purchase goods (that then are taxed), and with lots of disposable income that then gets taxed more.
That spaceship building?? How many hundreds of millions of dollars are being spent to pay the construction workers, who then pay their own taxes??
That asshat-Mayor had zero problem approving the building when he on the city council when Steve Jobs made his case to build it in Cupertino. Was he the jerk that joked to Steve about getting free stuff, to which Steve countered with Apple paying a lot of taxes? He saw dollar signs when Steve wanted to build in Cupertino. Now, he wants more.
And now, after the ink just barely being dry after coming on as Mayor, he's already looking to jump ship by focus on a run for an assembly-seat? Typical politician. Get elected and then jump ship.
Comments
No, they shouldn't respond like that. That response is small, passive-aggressive, insecure, vindictive, condescending, and just plain petty. Beneath Apple in every way.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/45-of-americans-pay-no-federal-income-tax-2016-02-24
BTW, do you have a job and do you make any money? Cause if you do, then you probably can give just a little bit more to your local government. Surely it wouldn't kill you to send a cheque for $100 to your councillor, so you can be a better citizen. I am sure you can afford it.
The Gurdian never misses an opportunity to bash Apple - just a theme I've noticed
https://www.apple.com/pr/pdf/apple_economic_impact_on_cupertino.pdf
Apple not only pays a boat-load of taxes per year (as it rightfully should) but they also employ (directly and indirectly) a gazillion workers. Workers that they themselves pay taxes, purchase goods (that then are taxed), and with lots of disposable income that then gets taxed more.
That spaceship building?? How many hundreds of millions of dollars are being spent to pay the construction workers, who then pay their own taxes??
That asshat-Mayor had zero problem approving the building when he on the city council when Steve Jobs made his case to build it in Cupertino. Was he the jerk that joked to Steve about getting free stuff, to which Steve countered with Apple paying a lot of taxes? He saw dollar signs when Steve wanted to build in Cupertino. Now, he wants more.