The Bellevue Chamber joined Washington Roundtable, Association of Washington Business, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, and Greater Spokane Inc. in responding to an income tax measure introduced in Olympia. While framed as a personal income tax, the proposal has clear implications for business activity, and deserves careful review.
As we evaluate the legislation, we’re focused on affordability impacts for families and employers, whether outcomes are tangible in communities, and how the policy affects long-term budget sustainability and Washington’s competitiveness.
Chamber President & CEO Joe Fain also flagged several structural issues that need closer review, including treatment of pass-through entities, charitable deductions, a potential marriage penalty, and interactions with other state tax policies.
Read more:
https://lnkd.in/g8Uv_wD4
Chamber provides comments on the cruise industry to the Port of Seattle
Vice President of Government Affairs for the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, Jodie Alberts, provided comments to the Port of Seattle Commission Tuesday afternoon regarding the importance of the cruise industry to the region and the city of Bellevue.
Alberts conveyed the chamber’s support for the cruise industry and the benefits it provides to the region’s local businesses. “Pre- pandemic, economic indicators show the cruise industry generated upwards of $900 million annually in local business revenue, with each ship generating an average $4.2 million to the state’s economy and supporting more than 5,500 local jobs”, stated Alberts. During the pandemic, the cruise industry was deeply affected and at the bottom of recovery.
The cruise lines for the region are incredibly vital for generating millions into the local economy and supporting businesses as they begin to open back up to full capacity. They also provide an economic link between local business sectors (retail, hotels, restaurants, etc.) which directly and indirectly supports the region.
Alberts concluded her remarks by thanking the Port Commission, Executive Director Steve Metruck, and Managing Director for Maritime Jones Stebbins for their leadership on this issue.
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Bellevue Chamber President & CEO Joe Fain: “In practical terms, this means taxpayers and employers from every corner of Washington would be directly subsidizing the City of Seattle’s budget.”
Read the editorial: https://lnkd.in/g-MttGZa
As we evaluate the legislation, we’re focused on affordability impacts for families and employers, whether outcomes are tangible in communities, and how the policy affects long-term budget sustainability and Washington’s competitiveness.
Chamber President & CEO Joe Fain also flagged several structural issues that need closer review, including treatment of pass-through entities, charitable deductions, a potential marriage penalty, and interactions with other state tax policies.
Read more: https://lnkd.in/g8Uv_wD4
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