Apple is the reason why most non-locals know the name Cupertino. Just in case free international advertising wasn’t enough, however, the company just sent a letter to the Cupertino City Council, outlining all the nice things Apple does to benefit its hometown.
Although it doesn’t mention it, the letter conveniently arrives on the eve of a discussion on whether to impose a “head tax” on Apple employees in the area.
Apple’s love letter to Cupertino
The letter, received Monday, was written by Kristina Raspe, Apple’s vice president of global real estate and facilities. She touts the company’s various investments in the city, ranging from sidewalk and crosswalk improvements to efforts to boost local transportation.
The letter goes on to describe how Apple has contributed more than $70 million in “public benefits” during the construction of its glorious new Apple Park headquarters. She also said Apple works to reduce local traffic, and that more than 25 percent of its employees take “alternate transportation options” to work.
“When deciding where to build our new headquarters, we had many options, but worked hard to secure enough land to build in Cupertino,” Raspe wrote in the letter.
“For Cupertino and Apple to thrive we need to partner on both long-term and short-term solutions that will move our residents and employees more efficiently and effectively,” Raspe concludes.
A possible ‘head tax’ for Cupertino
On Tuesday night, the Cupertino City Council will vote on whether to put on the ballot a measure taxing large employees according to how many people they employ.
Similar measures have been introduced elsewhere in the United States. Earlier this year, Amazon’s hometown of Seattle introduced a tax charging large companies in the area a total of $275 per employee. In Silicon Valley, the cities of San Jose, Redwood City and Sunnyvale also have similar headcount taxes. Mountain View is also considering implementation of such a tax, which could cost Google $5 million.
The suggested Cupertino tax could raise around $10 million from Apple. Funds raised would supposedly go toward local initiatives, such as reducing traffic congestion.
Those opposed to the tax have suggested it could serve as a disincentive to employers from working in certain parts of the country.
Source: MySanAntonio
