News

Tuesday April 8th was the last day for bills to be passed out of the opposite house fiscal committees. The days leading up to that cutoff were filled with marathon committee meetings where bills and amendments were briefed, caucused on, and then brought to a vote. There were several bills that... Continue Reading

The Bellevue Chamber was among dozens of partners across the state who recently sent the letter below to WA state government officials. Continue Reading

Last week was another busy week with budget action, a key cutoff, and long hours for legislators, staff, and lobbyists. Wednesday, April 2nd was the last day for bills to be passed out of their opposite house policy committees. With many bills dying due to the challenging fiscal climate, a lot of... Continue Reading

Despite record investments in Washington’s K-12 schools over the last decade, student test scores have been in free fall, according to new analyses released Friday by the Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University. And while many states are seeing post-COVID improvements in student achievement,... Continue Reading

Washington’s small & mid-sized businesses know tax proposals from lawmakers in Olympia will impact them, potentially leading to changes in business models, increases in customer prices – and even closures. Since 2000, Washington has seen the greatest tax increases of any state in... Continue Reading

Montana State Chamber of Commerce Acquires Bellevue Chamber in Landmark Deal Helena, MT – In a largely unexpected move that is turning heads across the business community, the Montana State Chamber of Commerce today announced its acquisition of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, marking the... Continue Reading

Having this pragmatic philosophy in the Governor’s mansion will serve our state, its most vulnerable, and our economic engine well. Continue Reading

Last week, a coalition of King County mayors put together a last-minute press conference on the slew of proposed tax policies that would be detrimental for our region. Held at Auburn City Hall on Friday, March 28, Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, Kent Mayor Dana Ralph, Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson,... Continue Reading

This week was filled with policy hearings and executive sessions as the Legislature worked toward the opposite house policy cutoff on April 2nd. While moving bills along trying to get them out of committee by policy cutoff was a big focus, a lot of attention was shifted to fiscal activity as both... Continue Reading

Bellevue City Councilmembers were unified and adamant at last night’s meeting as they adopted a letter to state legislators establishing that the City strongly opposes the Business & Occupation tax hike, and the creation of a statewide "Jump Start-style" Payroll Excise Tax — both... Continue Reading

The most recent letter submitted by the Chamber’s PLUSH (Permitting, Land Use, Sustainability & Housing) Committee landed in the Bellevue Planning Commission’s hands this week, as the City is considering an upzone in Wilburton. Read the letter below: Continue Reading

As we approach the final few weeks of session Washington’s major employers will learn their fate and be faced with a difficult decision about their future. Continue Reading