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Transportation Committee Recap: Revenue, Preservation, AV Policy, and Curb Pricing
Transportation Committee Recap: Revenue, Preservation, AV Policy, and Curb Pricing

At the Chamber’s Transportation Committee meeting on November 6, members received a focused briefing on the state transportation outlook, WSDOT’s supplemental budget priorities, autonomous vehicle policy dynamics, Bellevue’s curb pricing plan, and federal reauthorization strategy. Continue Reading

Date posted11/10/2025


10 Races to Watch on Election Night
10 Races to Watch on Election Night

Despite low turnout, tonight's election is a big one across Western Washington. Here at 10 tight races to watch as the returns roll in. Continue Reading

Postedby Joe Fain
Date posted11/4/2025


Tour de Fred Hutch: Board of Directors convene across the lake for October
Tour de Fred Hutch: Board of Directors convene across the lake for October

We traded I-405 for I-5 this month and crossed the lake to meet at Fred Hutch, where big ideas are part of the daily routine. Their team welcomed us with a warm briefing and then led a tour that showcased how research moves from lab bench to real world impact. Continue Reading

Date posted10/29/2025


City Advances Affordable Housing Strategy; Businessed Urge Feasible Incentives and Faster Permiting
City Advances Affordable Housing Strategy; Businessed Urge Feasible Incentives and Faster Permiting

On October 28, the Chamber’s PLUSH group met with the City of Bellevue’s Office of Housing to review the city’s affordable housing strategy update, discuss the mixed-use areas housing rezone, and flag permitting and critical areas issues that directly affect delivery timelines Continue Reading

Date posted10/28/2025


East King Chambers Align on Housing, Transportation, and Budget Priorities Ahead of 2026 Session
East King Chambers Align on Housing, Transportation, and Budget Priorities Ahead of 2026 Session

On October 23, the East King Chambers Coalition convened to refine its 2025 legislative agenda, with housing supply, transportation and last‑mile connections, public safety, energy, and tax policy at the forefront. The coalition emphasized practical solutions that keep the Eastside competitive Continue Reading

Date posted10/23/2025


PLUSH Committee chimes in on MFTE discussion
PLUSH Committee chimes in on MFTE discussion

Ahead of the Bellevue City Council meeting on October 21, the Chamber's PLUSH Committee submitted the following letter regarding the City's MFTE policies, and naturally, made some suggestions along the way. Read the letter below, and meet the PLUSH Committee here! Continue Reading

Date posted10/20/2025


Bellevue City Council removes endorsement of property tax and REET expansion
Bellevue City Council removes endorsement of property tax and REET expansion

If you blinked near the end of last night's (Oct. 14) Bellevue City Council meeting, you might've missed the plot twist. In a last-minute amendment, Councilmember Jared Nieuwenhuis asked colleagues to remove a line in the city's draft state legislative agenda that referenced modifying property tax " Continue Reading

Date posted10/15/2025


Federal priorities, state agenda on the table at Policy Council
Federal priorities, state agenda on the table at Policy Council

At the October 8 Policy Council meeting, the Chamber hosted Paul Graves, President of Enterprise Washington, for an election update before reviewing the East King Chambers Coalition’s 2025 state agenda and previewing our federal priorities. Continue Reading

Date posted10/13/2025


From WSJ: Tech companies can’t get enough of this picturesque Seattle suburb
From WSJ: Tech companies can’t get enough of this picturesque Seattle suburb

Amazon, TikTok and OpenAI are among the firms taking office space in Bellevue, where rents are higher than in the Emerald City. Continue Reading

Date posted10/7/2025


Washington’s tax party starts Oct 1 — You’re Invited! (Whether you like it or not)
Washington’s tax party starts Oct 1 — You’re Invited! (Whether you like it or not)

Heads up: As of 12:00 AM this morning, Washington launched a tax blitzkrieg on services, businesses, and your streaming habit. Continue Reading

Postedby Joe Fain
Date posted10/1/2025


PLUSH Committee discusses mass timber, MFTE updates
PLUSH Committee discusses mass timber, MFTE updates

At the PLUSH meeting on Tuesday, members heard a pragmatic look at where mass timber fits in Bellevue and an update from the City on evolving Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) policy, especially the proposed “supercharger” in Wilburton. Continue Reading

Date posted09/25/2025


East King County Chambers convene on budget headwinds, AI policy, & 2025 legislative priorities
East King County Chambers convene on budget headwinds, AI policy, & 2025 legislative priorities

On September 25, the East King County Chambers Coalition (EKCC) met to align on budget realities, AI policy, and updated position papers ahead of the 2025 session. Continue Reading

Date posted09/25/2025