The Seattle Metro Chamber, Challenge Seattle, and Washington Roundtable today welcomed key elements of Mayor Wilson’s proposed budget, citing its emphasis on public safety and fiscal responsibility, amid challenging economic and budget conditions.

The proposal addresses the city’s budget shortfall without new taxes, maintains a funded pathway to increase Seattle Police Department staffing to 1,250 officers, and preserving key funding for public safety while advancing a structurally balanced financial plan.

“This budget reflects a thoughtful approach to a difficult fiscal challenge,” said Joe Nguyễn, President and CEO of the Seattle Metro Chamber. “Mayor Wilson has been clear that Seattle must address its budget realities while continuing to invest in the services residents and employers rely on. We appreciate her decision to put forward a balanced proposal with a focus on public safety. These are issues that business leaders, community organizations, and neighborhood stakeholders have consistently raised, and it’s encouraging to see them reflected in Mayor Wilson’s proposal.”

“Seattle residents are demanding a safer city and a stronger economic future. A strong economy and public safety provide the foundation for Seattle to deliver more homes, good jobs, safe neighborhoods, and reliable services,” said former Governor Chris Gregoire, CEO of Challenge Seattle. “Mayor Wilson has listened to different perspectives and approached the difficult work of balancing Seattle’s budget with compassion and pragmatism, addressing competing needs without adding new taxes and prioritizing public safety.”

“I’ve had the opportunity to participate in Seattle’s budgeting decisions from just about every angle: from working in the mayor’s office many years ago, to being a governmental partner while at Sound Transit and King County, to now working as a stakeholder partner on behalf of the business community. It is with that lens that I say that Mayor Wilson’s budget does two important things: one, it embraces common sense budget practices, prioritizes investments, and begins to set city government on a more sustainable path, and two, it recognizes the importance of maintaining a stable and predictable environment for employers by not raising business taxes against a shifting economic backdrop,” said Rachel Smith, President of Washington Roundtable. “Those choices help support confidence in Seattle’s future and provide a stronger foundation for economic growth.”

Addressing the current budget challenge required tradeoffs and sustained engagement with stakeholders across the city. The proposed budget reflects a pragmatic approach that prioritizes core services while positioning Seattle for long-term fiscal stability.

As the budget moves through the City Council process, maintaining its key commitments to fiscal responsibility and public safety will be essential. These priorities are strongly shared by Seattle residents and businesses, and many members of the City Council have been working to advance these shared priorities. The Seattle Metro Chamber, Challenge Seattle, Washington Roundtable, and their members look forward to supporting a final budget that reflects these shared priorities and strengthens Seattle’s future.

For questions or interview requests, please contact: