Cupertino Mayor Accuses Apple Of 'Abuse' For Paying Low Taxes To City
CUPERTINO (CBS SF) – The Mayor of Cupertino is criticizing Apple, saying one of the world's most valuable companies pays too little in taxes as the infrastructure of its hometown crumbles.
"They're making profit, and they should share the responsibility for our city, but they won't. They abuse us," Mayor and Assembly candidate Barry Chang told The Guardian newspaper.
The newspaper reported that Apple paid $9.2 million in taxes to Cupertino between 2012 and 2013. By comparison, Apple CEO Tim Cook was paid $9.2 million in salary and bonuses in 2014.
Chang also criticized other members of the City Council for being too cozy with the tech giant. The mayor cited his proposal that would have required Apple to pay $100 million more to fix infrastructure, a proposal no one else on the council voted for.
"We are the center of technology, and our public transit system is old and embarrassing," Chang also said. "And the politicians have no backbone. They get scared."
Chang is not deterred in seeking higher taxes from Apple, as he works on a plan that would require companies with more than 100 workers to pay a $1,000 tax per employee.
In the meantime, Chang is facing a recall campaign from residents opposed to more development.
In late 2014, Apple moved past ExxonMobil to become the world's most valuable company, with a market capitalization of $700 billion. Earlier this year, Apple was eclipsed by Google parent Alphabet as most the world's most valuable company.
Last month, Apple reported its first quarterly revenue drop in 13 years, citing a drop in iPhone sales.
