It's not a drastic, radical move. In fact, it's a very conservative move; a move Margaret Thatcher did when she instituted the Poll Tax as a replacement for property taxes.

If Sam wants money for these initiatives, he should do it the proper and equitable way, as part of the property tax assessments, not as a tax that will enable me to pay as much as a Schnitzer.

Large corporations can get benefits from these taxes for things they already do, like subsidize transit and locate themselves near the Max and streetcar (and especially the TRAM!). No wonder they're for it - they get to stick people with their bill.