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2026 Legislative Update: Week 7
2026 Legislative Update: Week 7

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

Postedby Lyset Cadena
Date posted03/1/2026


East King Chambers head to Olympia for Chamber Day 2026
East King Chambers head to Olympia for Chamber Day 2026

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

Date posted02/24/2026


2026 Legislative Update: Week 6
2026 Legislative Update: Week 6

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

Postedby Lyset Cadena
Date posted02/22/2026


City briefs PLUSH on affordable housing strategy update: Priorities, preservation, & next steps
City briefs PLUSH on affordable housing strategy update: Priorities, preservation, & next steps

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

Date posted02/17/2026


2026 Legislative Update: Week 5
2026 Legislative Update: Week 5

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

Postedby Lyset Cadena
Date posted02/15/2026


2026 Legislative Update: Week 4
2026 Legislative Update: Week 4

The Washington State Legislature has now passed the first major cutoff of the session, the deadline by which bills must be voted out of their respective policy committees in their house of origin. Legislation that failed to advance by this point is generally considered stalled, while bills that... Continue Reading

Postedby Lyset Cadena
Date posted02/8/2026


Policy Council takes formal position on proposed state income tax
Policy Council takes formal position on proposed state income tax

The Bellevue Chamber’s Policy Council convened this week to take a formal position on the proposed state income tax legislation, SB 6346. Read for yourself below. Continue Reading

Date posted02/5/2026


Sound Transit briefs Chamber on cross-lake opening, enterprise initiative
Sound Transit briefs Chamber on cross-lake opening, enterprise initiative

At the Chamber’s Transportation Committee meeting on February 5, Sound Transit previewed the March 28 launch of Link light rail’s cross-lake connection. Continue Reading

Date posted02/5/2026


Joint Statement: Chamber, business partners raise concerns on tax legislation
Joint Statement: Chamber, business partners raise concerns on tax legislation

The Bellevue Chamber, Washington Roundtable, Association of Washington Business, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and Greater Spokane Inc. issued the following joint statement in response to an income tax measure introduced in the Legislature today: “As leaders representing... Continue Reading

Date posted02/3/2026


Washington's Long Sordid Saga With Income Taxes
Washington's Long Sordid Saga With Income Taxes

Washington State has one of the richest histories in the nation when it comes to passing an income tax. Continue Reading

Postedby Joe Fain
Date posted02/3/2026


Housing strategy front & center in PLUSH Committee letter to Council
Housing strategy front & center in PLUSH Committee letter to Council

The Bellevue Chamber’s PLUSH Committee recently submitted the following letter to the Bellevue City Council ahead of its February 3 meeting. Take a look below! Continue Reading

Date posted02/2/2026


FAQ - Washington's Millionaire's Tax Explained
FAQ - Washington's Millionaire's Tax Explained

Washington's latest attempt to impose a statewide income tax is moving fast. Find out what's in the bill and what comes next with our FAQ. Continue Reading

Postedby Joe Fain
Date posted02/2/2026