It's not what you're thinking. Instead it's a form of value-added tax, with elements of an income tax, with strong appeal to business. It's kinda NEAT.
Why didn't the Seattle mayor and the City Council get together on Proposition 2? Welcome to the politics of special levies and the artful shaping of each year's big ask.
Running on global warming issues proved "hard to sell and easy to hammer," but leave it to our neighbors to figure out this urgent new politics. Plus, why arts funding matters (at least in Canada).