The 2026 session came to an end at 8:24 pm on March 12th and proved to be among the most turbulent in recent years and may help set the stage for a highly competitive election cycle. Debate over the proposed Millionaire’s Income Tax has begun to reverberate beyond the Capitol, with primary challenge 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 statement at the conclusion of the 2026 legislative session: Continue Reading
The Washington Roundtable, Association of Washington Business, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, and Greater Spokane, Inc. today issued the following joint statement in response to the Washington state House of Representatives passing the first-ever income tax. Continue Reading
Washington’s income tax is likely to become law. But the math behind the proposal raises serious questions. The state’s budget challenges are driven by spending growth, not a lack of revenue—and the policy choices that follow will shape Washington’s economic future. Continue Reading
Opposite house fiscal cutoff was on Monday, March 2nd, which means any bill that did not pass out of the fiscal committee in the opposite house by that day is considered dead. Continue Reading
At the Bellevue Chamber’s Transportation Committee meeting on March 6, members welcomed new Chamber leader Diana Leo, heard from Zoox on the future of autonomous mobility in Bellevue, and received a timely update on transportation policy and budget negotiations in Olympia. Continue Reading
The opposite house policy deadline passed this week, and lawmakers are now focused on the next big date: the opposite house fiscal deadline. Any bill that affects the budget must pass this step by Monday, March 2, or it will be considered dead for the rest of the session, unless it is labeled “neces Continue Reading
At the February 27 East King County Chambers Coalition (EKCC) meeting, members heard a frank update on hospitality market conditions and a fast-moving legislative agenda with near-term impacts for employers across the Eastside. Continue Reading
The Eastside Chambers road tripped over to Olympia earlier this month, meeting with a dozen state legislators and Lt. Governor Denny Heck in a jam-packed day of policy. Continue Reading
The Washington State Legislature wrapped up house of origin floor action this week, sending a wave of bills to the opposite chamber’s policy committees. Lawmakers now face a fast-moving timeline to review, debate, and advance bills. One of the sure signs that session is drawing to an end is... Continue Reading
On Tuesday, February 17, City of Bellevue housing staff briefed the Chamber’s Permitting, Land Use, Sustainability, and Housing (PLUSH) committee on the City’s draft Affordable Housing Strategy update and key takeaways from recent Council discussion. Continue Reading
It was a whirlwind weekend in the Washington State Legislature, as fiscal committees heard testimony and voted on bills ahead of the Monday, February 9 deadline for measures to advance out of those committees. That cutoff marked a critical juncture in the session, further winnowing down the... Continue Reading
