State legislators preview upcoming session, remain hopeful for 2025
To ring in the New Year, we joined ten of our fellow Eastside chambers of commerce to host our annual EKCC Legislative Kick Off breakfast, ultimately platforming a handful of the electeds representing us in Olympia. There were three panels — which are hashed out a bit further below — and we covered all of the not-so-easy issues facing our state.
Business Climate & Transportation Panel
The Moderator: Colleen Kerr, Microsoft
The Electeds: Rep. David Hackney, Rep. Davina Duerr, Rep. Amy Walen
The Questions: Competitiveness as a state, the CCA, emissions standards, & road use charges
Workforce, Housing, & Public Safety Panel
The Moderator: Neil Strege, Washington Roundtable
The Electeds: Rep. Shelley Kloba, Rep. My-Linh Thai, Rep. Roger Goodman, Rep. Debra Entenman
The Questions: Rent control, education funding, middle housing, & affordability mandates
Budget & Taxes Panel
The Moderator: Guy Palumbo, Amazon
The Electeds: Rep. Drew Stokesbary, Sen. Manka Dhingra, Rep. Larry Springer
The Questions: The budget deficit, payroll taxes, B&O, REET, & the failed ballot initiatives
