The third week of the 2026 Washington State Legislative Session marked a transition in the legislative process, as committees began moving beyond the preliminary stage of holding public hearings on newly introduced bills. This period, known as the “executive session” phase, is a... Continue Reading
At our January 27, 2026 PLUSH meeting, the City of Bellevue shared a preview of a working draft for the BelRed Land Use Code Amendment (LUCA), alongside near term updates related to HOMA, parking reform, and changes to the Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program. Continue Reading
The Bellevue Chamber’s PLUSH Committee submitted the following letter to the Bellevue Planning Commission regarding the City’s Housing Opportunities in Mixed-use Areas (HOMA) code update. Continue Reading
Week two of the 2026 short legislative session was marked by intense activity as lawmakers worked within a highly compressed short session timeline. In a short session, bills have only 24 days to be introduced, heard in committee, potentially amended, and voted on before they can be advanced to... Continue Reading
The Washington Roundtable, Association of Washington Business, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and Greater Spokane Inc. issued the following joint statement today opposing HB 2100, legislation that would expand a Seattle-style payroll tax statewide. Continue Reading
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
