Policy Positions

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Policy Council Recap: Federal Wins for Bellevue and a Vote to Back New Education Funding
Policy Council Recap: Federal Wins for Bellevue and a Vote to Back New Education Funding

Inside the June Policy Council: Bellevue's federal agenda wins including a $2M Grand Connection earmark, the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit's $700M-a-year potential for Washington schools, and our vote to join the Washington Student Success Coalition. Continue Reading

Date posted06/10/2026


Council Backs a Four-Year, No-Cap MFTE Catalyst to Jump-Start HOMA Housing
Council Backs a Four-Year, No-Cap MFTE Catalyst to Jump-Start HOMA Housing

Bellevue City Council directed staff to draft a four-year, no-cap MFTE Catalyst for the HOMA areas, with a two-year look back and an automatic sunset, choosing the most production-forward option to spur housing in a tough construction market. Continue Reading

Date posted05/19/2026


Policy Council Recap: Challenge Seattle, Tax Competitiveness, and the Sound Transit Vote
Policy Council Recap: Challenge Seattle, Tax Competitiveness, and the Sound Transit Vote

May Policy Council heard Challenge Seattle and BCG on the regional economic-development project, the governor's office on permitting and tax competitiveness, Diana's BMC TBD framework update, and approved the Sound Transit Enterprise Initiative letter. Continue Reading

Date posted05/13/2026


Policy Council Recap: Sound Transit Funding Gap, World Cup Prep, 2026 Session
Policy Council Recap: Sound Transit Funding Gap, World Cup Prep, 2026 Session

The April Policy Council meeting covered three pressing topics: Sound Transit’s $35 to $40 billion ST3 funding gap and the East King sub area equity debate Continue Reading

Date posted04/8/2026


Policy Council Recap: Bellevue’s Growth Agenda Comes Into Focus
Policy Council Recap: Bellevue’s Growth Agenda Comes Into Focus

Last week’s Bellevue Chamber Policy Council meeting made one thing clear: Bellevue is still thinking big. At a time when cities across the region are navigating economic uncertainty, housing demand, infrastructure needs, and public safety concerns Continue Reading

Date posted03/16/2026


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


After new proposals, Chamber doubles down on opposition to statewide payroll tax
After new proposals, Chamber doubles down on opposition to statewide payroll tax

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

Date posted12/2/2025


Policy Council Recap: BSD Levy Briefing and Advocacy Agendas Approved
Policy Council Recap: BSD Levy Briefing and Advocacy Agendas Approved

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

Date posted11/12/2025


Policy Council endorses mandatory minimums for repeat theft
Policy Council endorses mandatory minimums for repeat theft

The Bellevue Chamber’s Policy Council has formally urged the City Council to adopt Ordinance #25-588, which would establish mandatory minimum sentences for repeat theft offenses. The Council’s position reflects the business community’s need for stronger deterrence, predictable enforcement, and safer Continue Reading

Date posted09/23/2025


Chamber reassesses state policy goals post-policy cutoff
Chamber reassesses state policy goals post-policy cutoff

Down in Olympia, the house of origin fiscal cutoff was last week, which means it is about time we review what bills are still alive, where they are in the process, and how the Chamber advocacy team is feeling about everything. As a reminder, we publish weekly legislative updates courtesy... Continue Reading

Date posted03/6/2025


East King Chambers Coalition releases 2025 policy positions
East King Chambers Coalition releases 2025 policy positions

The East King Chambers Coalition, a group of eleven Eastside chambers of commerce, recently released their policy positions for the 2025 state legislative session. Check them out below, or on the EKCC website here. Continue Reading

Date posted01/13/2025


Chamber advocacy team heads to DC, tackles “What’s Next?” for new year & administration
Chamber advocacy team heads to DC, tackles “What’s Next?” for new year & administration

The most involved of our advocacy members have officially touched back down in the PNW this week after a jam-packed fly in to the nation’s capital, and we can’t wait to share the photos and how it went. With a new — and very different — administration and cabinet moving... Continue Reading

Date posted12/9/2024