With Washington’s 2026 legislative session already underway in Olympia (a 60-day “short session” running January 12–March 12, 2026), leaders from the East King County Coalition of Chambers (EKCC) met on January 22 to compare notes Continue Reading
You read that correctly: Our typical "5 things you need to know this week" programming is being replaced with a proposed tax rundown! (Riveting ... we know.) 1. For Starters ... Income Tax Based on public discussion and policy signals, a forthcoming Washington state proposal is... Continue Reading
Welcome to the first week of the 2026 Washington State Legislative Session. Continue Reading
At last week’s meeting, the Policy Council voted in support of the upcoming Bellevue School District Levy Renewals. “Now that ballots have hit mailboxes, it is important for us to make our stance clear on both of the Bellevue School District levies that are up for renewal,” said... Continue Reading
The Bellevue Chamber’s Policy Council started 2026 with a full agenda and a clear focus: practical policy conversations that affect employers, employees, and the day-to-day health of our region. Continue Reading
The Bellevue Chamber’s PLUSH Committee (Permitting, Land Use, Sustainability, & Housing) submitted the following letter to the Bellevue City Council in support of the City’s Parking Reform Land Use Code Amendment project initiation. Continue Reading
The Bellevue Chamber’s PLUSH Committee shares a letter supporting Bellevue’s proposed MFTE updates—including the Wilburton “supercharger,” parking reforms, and tools to improve project feasibility. Continue Reading
This year’s 2026 Legislative Kick Off, hosted alongside the East King Chambers Coalition, reinforced something we know to be true across our region: when we show up with a unified voice, we can drive progress on the issues that matter most to employers, families, and communities. Continue Reading
Ahead of Rep. Shaun Scott’s press conference this afternoon regarding the most recently proposed statewide payroll tax, the Bellevue Chamber wanted to reiterate its stance on the proposal, and address some new, startling aspects. Continue Reading
At the Chamber’s Permitting, Land Use, Sustainability, and Housing (PLUSH) meeting on November 18, 2025, members heard from Bellevue’s newest councilmember, Naren Briar, and received an advance look at strike-draft changes to the Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) Continue Reading
At its November 12 meeting, the Chamber’s Policy Council hosted the Bellevue School District for a briefing on two levy renewals slated for the February 10, 2026 special election and reviewed district finances and enrollment trends. Continue Reading
At the Chamber’s Transportation Committee meeting on November 6, members received a focused briefing on the state transportation outlook, WSDOT’s supplemental budget priorities, autonomous vehicle policy dynamics, Bellevue’s curb pricing plan, and federal reauthorization strategy. Continue Reading
