5 Things You Need to Know This Week: News in Advocacy, Events & the Community
1. Advocacy Update: From Olympia, the Office, & Across the Lake
Taxes, new hires, the final weeks of session, and some musings from across the lake.
The end is near: Our legislative session is almost over, with the last day on Thursday, March 12!
Read the most recent update from our Olympia lobbyist, Lyset Cadena, here.
The Chamber's new VP of Government Affairs, Diana Leo, officially started with us this week!
She will be easing into committee meetings and such, but if you see her about, say hi!
No Wicked Witches here — just our pal from the Seattle Chamber, Joe Nguyen, with the lowdown.
"The most expensive position for business is silence. [It] does not avoid risk. It defers it."
2. Coming Up @ the Chamber
Because we can just TELL that your calendar misses us. (Feeling's mutual.)
Eastside Real Estate Symposium:
Thursday, April 2
This year’s get-together will feature two panels — one on Policies & Practices, and one on the success of the Wilburton region —and a keynote presentation from Andrew Samwick.
The Mercer Island and Bellevue Chambers are joining forces to host a joint networking night with light bites, drinks, and double the connections at Yuan Ru Art Center.
3. Recently, @ the Chamber
The Chamber has had our hands full with events — read the recaps if ya missed 'em!
Women's Leadership Conference:
The Women’s Leadership Conference was our biggest and best yet!
Read our recap of the festivities here, check out photos from the event here, and see what our friends at Sweeney Conrad had to say about it here.
Thanks again to our presenting sponsor, JP Morgan Chase, for believing in us!
East King Chambers, Chamber Day:
The Eastside Chambers road tripped over to Olympia earlier this month!
Thanks to all who joined, and we hope even more of y’all come next year!
4. Community News: Bellevue Happenings
Being a proud Bellevue-ite is easy when you’ve got a community like ours.
After Bellden Cafe had to close its doors for weeks to revamp and rebuild their space, Claire Sumadiwirya gathered the gang and her City Council counterparts for a Grand Re-Opening Celebration on February 20. (And with a new Workforce Development program!)
Visit Bellevue’s new community give back program, Bellevue Cares, is designed to connect visitors, meeting professionals, and convention groups with meaningful volunteer experiences that strengthen our community and protect our natural landscapes.
The City of Bellevue launched Safe Speeds Bellevue last year with the aim of improving road safety and supporting their Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious-injury collisions on city streets by 2030, and now, they want your feedback!
5. Cop News: Crime is Down, Fundraising is Up (Hopefully)
Wee woo wee woo: BPD’s got good news, and BPF wants you to come to brekky.
Here’s some good news for your week: Bellevue experienced a significant drop in overall reported crime and property crimes last year!
Bellevue Police reported overall crimes for the city declined 27% when compared with 2024, and property crimes dropped by an unprecedented 33%. (Yeah ... that's impressive.)
Speaking of those badged Bellevue-ites ... the Bellevue Police Foundation's annual "Bold for the Blue" breakfast is coming up on March 10!
Registration will be open through this Friday, so be sure to enter your info while you still can. There is no ticket required, however, the suggested minimum donation is $275 per person.
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Bellevue Chamber President & CEO Joe Fain: “In practical terms, this means taxpayers and employers from every corner of Washington would be directly subsidizing the City of Seattle’s budget.”
Read the editorial: https://lnkd.in/g-MttGZa
As we evaluate the legislation, we’re focused on affordability impacts for families and employers, whether outcomes are tangible in communities, and how the policy affects long-term budget sustainability and Washington’s competitiveness.
Chamber President & CEO Joe Fain also flagged several structural issues that need closer review, including treatment of pass-through entities, charitable deductions, a potential marriage penalty, and interactions with other state tax policies.
Read more: https://lnkd.in/g8Uv_wD4