Despite low turnout, tonight's election is a big one across Western Washington. Here at 10 tight races to watch as the returns roll in. Continue Reading
News
The latest & greatest on all things Bellevue, Eastside, and Chamber-member-related.
We traded I-405 for I-5 this month and crossed the lake to meet at Fred Hutch, where big ideas are part of the daily routine. Their team welcomed us with a warm briefing and then led a tour that showcased how research moves from lab bench to real world impact. Continue Reading
We are thrilled to celebrate the grand opening of the BelRed Arts Studio. The community showed up in force, and the excitement in the room could have powered its own light installation. Continue Reading
On October 28, the Chamber’s PLUSH group met with the City of Bellevue’s Office of Housing to review the city’s affordable housing strategy update, discuss the mixed-use areas housing rezone, and flag permitting and critical areas issues that directly affect delivery timelines Continue Reading
On October 23, the East King Chambers Coalition convened to refine its 2025 legislative agenda, with housing supply, transportation and last‑mile connections, public safety, energy, and tax policy at the forefront. The coalition emphasized practical solutions that keep the Eastside competitive Continue Reading
On October 16, 2025, the Bellevue Chamber hosted a fast-moving King County Executive candidates forum with Councilmembers Claudia Balducci and Girmay Zahilay. Moderated by John Carlson (Kemper Development Company), Sahar Amini (Habitat for Humanity Seattle–King County), and Chris Daniels (KOMO News) Continue Reading
Ahead of the Bellevue City Council meeting on October 21, the Chamber's PLUSH Committee submitted the following letter regarding the City's MFTE policies, and naturally, made some suggestions along the way. Read the letter below, and meet the PLUSH Committee here! Continue Reading
If you blinked near the end of last night's (Oct. 14) Bellevue City Council meeting, you might've missed the plot twist. In a last-minute amendment, Councilmember Jared Nieuwenhuis asked colleagues to remove a line in the city's draft state legislative agenda that referenced modifying property tax " Continue Reading
On October 9, 2025, the Chamber’s Executive Business Roundtable opened the 2025 to 2026 season with a full house, fresh coffee, and a countdown clock. Seattle’s Fifa World Cup CEO, Peter Tomozawa took the mic alongside Seattle Sounders alum Brad Evans, and the room got a first-hand look Continue Reading
A full room of new executives joined us to meet the people who help set the rules of the road in our region. Bellevue City Councilmember Mo Malakoutian and State Representative Osman Salahuddin, who represents the 48th Legislative District, compared notes on city and state roles Continue Reading
At the October 8 Policy Council meeting, the Chamber hosted Paul Graves, President of Enterprise Washington, for an election update before reviewing the East King Chambers Coalition’s 2025 state agenda and previewing our federal priorities. Continue Reading
At a Chamber-hosted discussion moderated by Kevin Wallace, regional experts examined whether Washington’s recent tax increases are delivering outcomes for residents, students, and employers. Continue Reading