https://www.siliconvalley.com/2022/08/09/palo-alto-business-tax-measure-negotiations-break-down-days-before-election-deadline/

PALO ALTO — Palo Alto leaders have until Friday to place a new business tax ballot measure after negotiations with business leaders broke down during Monday’s city council meeting days before a county elections deadline.

For years the city has flirted with a tax on businesses, but has backed off each time — once in 2008 right before the economic recession, then in 2016 and again in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. To this day, Palo Alto remains the only major Bay Area city without a business tax.