Woke Seattle mayor CHUCKLES when asked about whether her new millionaire tax is causing crime-ridden city's richest residents to flee

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson chuckled when asked about whether her new millionaire tax is pushing the wealthiest residents out of the crime-ridden city. 

Wilson, who's divided the liberal city after announcing a 9.9 percent tax on people who make more than $1 million in annual income, shrugged off the inquiry and doubled down on her belief that the claim is 'overblown'. 

But before that, she laughed when questioned about her being 'dismissive' over millionaires leaving the state in April. 

'I don't remember this,' Wilson told a Fox 13 reporter on Wednesday as she snickered and members of the audience joined her. 

'So, I still think that claims of a large exodus of rich people due to our statewide millionaire tax that the legislature passed this year are overblown. I do believe that,' the controversial politician added. 

Her latest comment comes as two of the city's richest residents, Rich Barton and Howard Schultz, fled Washington State's Emerald City in recent weeks. 

Barton, who co-founded Zillow two decades ago in Seattle, packed up and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, he shared on Friday. 

'Officially a Las Vegas resident. Kids are launched, empty nest achieved, and we're excited to start this next chapter,' the entrepreneur, who is worth an estimated $1.2 billion, shared on X. 

Similarly, Schultz, the former owner and CEO of Starbucks, announced he was ditching the city for sunny Florida in March. 

Schultz, who is worth an estimated $3.5 billion, revealed the big move in a lengthy LinkedIn post. 

He wrote, in part: 'We are enjoying the sunshine of South Florida and its allure to our kids on the East Coast as they raise families of their own.' 

Although neither Barton nor Schultz specifically addressed the tax hike in their farewells, the ex-Starbucks CEO hinted at the state of Seattle's economy in his statement. 

'It is our hope that Washington will remain a place for business and entrepreneurship to thrive, creating essential opportunity for those in Seattle and the surrounding areas,' he wrote. 

The city's progressive mayor, 43, welcomed the departure of the uber-rich population during an event at Seattle University in April, telling the audience: 'I think the claims that millionaires are gonna leave our state are super overblown. And if - the ones that leave, like bye,' Wilson said while waving her hand. 

Even though she doesn't seem convinced that the rich might leave, a new survey by the Association of Washington Business found that 44 percent of business leaders said they are considering moving out. 

The data also showed that businesses are now more than twice as likely to look outside the state to expand, the survey showed. 

Washington State's 'Millionaire's Tax' is set to go into effect on January 1, 2028, but even though it was signed into law by Governor Bob Ferguson, the bill is facing mounting legal challenges. 

While Wilson, who took office in January, continues to push for the increased tax rates on the rich, the socialist mayor has started a new program that involves opening up 'tiny homes' for the homeless population. 

The mayor previewed 50 of the 1,000 planned single-adult units that the city hopes will serve as transitional housing for individuals experiencing homelessness, with an additional 25 units expected by the end of the month. 

The leftist mayor will not require those who will be living there to go through addiction or recovery treatment, KOMO News reported.

'The process of recovery is really complicated and difficult and so, we're not demanding that people be abstinent when they enter this village,' Wilson said.

The plan came as Wilson received criticism from supporters after she failed to show up for a protest against sex trafficking and gun violence in the city. 

The protesters are demanding that the police department create a smaller precinct in an area where gun violence takes place and close streets where shootings happen.

While multiple elected officials were in attendance, Wilson was nowhere to be found.

'I think it's unfortunate that she's not able to be here, but I think the message needs to be to her office that we're ready to see a concrete action plan,' said a woman in attendance.

Wilson's office did not address her absence in a statement to KOMO News but promised they were working on it.

'Every neighborhood should be a place where people feel safe, supported, and able to go about their daily lives without fear. We are actively working with Aurora-area residents, Seattle Police, and the Seattle Department of Transportation to address community concerns,' a spokesman for Wilson said.

The Daily Mail contacted Wilson's office for comment.