The latest & greatest on all things Bellevue, Eastside, and Chamber-member-related.
Nineteen new businesses joined the Bellevue Chamber in April 2026, spanning hospitality, healthcare, professional services, home services, and the arts. Meet the newest members of the Eastside business network. Continue Reading
Inside the EKCC Legislative Wrap Up at Bellevue College: a recap of what the 2026 session left behind, with seven Eastside lawmakers and Microsoft on the structural deficit, the tax conversation, public safety, the AI shock, and the new state transmission authority. Continue Reading
The Bellevue Chamber's PLUSH Committee submitted recommendations to City Council on May 4, identifying five frequently departed code provisions as barriers and requesting targeted amendments as part of Downtown Livability 2.0. Continue Reading
Washington's exempt salary threshold hits $80,168 in 2026 and climbs toward $93,000 by 2028, by far the highest in the nation. What employers need to know about the three-part test, the multi-state comparison, and the steps to take now to stay compliant and competitive. Continue Reading
Inside the April PLUSH Committee meeting: opposing the proposed 1,500-unit cap on Bellevue's MFTE catalyst program ahead of the May 5 Council study session, permit timeliness up from 72 to 83 percent in Q1 2026, and the Bel-Red zoning overlay's public-versus-private street debate. Continue Reading
Amazon unveiled "The Meadow," a new public green space in downtown Bellevue. The site will eventually be built out and up, but in the meantime, Amazon is opening it to the community with rotating pop-ups and installations through the warmer months. Continue Reading
Joe Fain breaks down the March 2026 UI Trust Fund Forecast: Washington's average employer UI tax rate is projected to jump 37% over three years. The driver isn't rising unemployment but a solvency surcharge and changing claimant behavior, and the assumptions may not be conservative enough. Continue Reading
Salt & Straw opened its new downtown Bellevue scoop shop with a weekend of giveaways and a line around the corner. The Chamber was on hand to welcome them at a ribbon-cutting, and to recognize their funky flavors, community building, and philanthropy. Continue Reading
The East King Chambers Coalition heard from US Chamber's Chris Seiler on tariff escalation and HR1 tax provisions, and from the Washington Tax Policy Center on Washington's structural budget gap and new 9.9% income tax. Continue Reading
The Bellevue Mobility Coalition sent City Council a framework for a potential Transportation Benefit District: five funding categories anchored to the growth centers, with property tax and vehicle fee tools reserved for neighborhoods. Signed by Chamber CEO Joe Fain. Continue Reading
The Bellevue Chamber's Permitting, Land Use, and Sustainable Housing (PLUSH) Committee submitted formal comments to the Bellevue Planning Commission ahead of the Commission's April 23 work session on the Bel-Red Subarea Code Update. Continue Reading
Washington's March collections missed forecast by $71.2M, the two-month shortfall is now $113.8M, and lawmakers left just a $231M ending balance. CEO Joe Fain on why this isn't austerity, why even healthy revenue growth won't save a budget built on aggressive assumptions, and what comes next. Continue Reading
