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City Must Use Comprehensive Plan to Increase Housing, Affordability
The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce submitted comments on the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan environmental impact statement on Aug. 22. You will find our comments below highlighting what the Chamber would like to see studied in the environmental impact...
Seattle City Council Passes Police Staffing Legislation – A Win for Public Safety
The Seattle City Council on Aug. 16 approved legislation (Council Bill 120389) from Mayor Bruce Harrell to boost efforts to recruit and retain Seattle Police officers. The final vote was 6-3 with Councilmembers Teresa Mosqueda, Kshama Sawant, and Tammy Morales...
City of Seattle, Sound Transit Committee Take Important Steps Forward on West Seattle and Ballard Light Rail Extensions
Extending light rail to West Seattle and Ballard requires timely decisions to stay on the current schedule of opening the West Seattle extension in 2032 and Ballard in 2037. That is why it was important that both the Seattle City Council and Sound Transit System...
Seattle Amends Payroll Tax Legislation
Last week, Seattle City Council unanimously (8-0) passed legislation amending the payroll expense tax, a new tax that Seattle passed last year on employers with payrolls over $7...
Week 13 Legislative Update: Opposite House Cutoff
Week 13 is now complete, and the 2021 Legislative Session is winding down. Last week, was filled with floor action in both chambers that often went late into the night. Sunday, April...
Take Action: Urge Your State Legislators to Pass a Comprehensive Transportation Revenue Package
A comprehensive transportation package this session would promote economic recovery and create jobs across the state and region at a critical time. The pandemic's impact on our...
Week 12 Legislative Update: Budget negotiations ramp up
 Today, Monday, April 5 marks the 85th day of the 105-day legislative session. Friday, April 2 was the opposite house fiscal cutoff when all bills that are still in play needed to be...
Week 11 Legislative Update: House and Senate Democrats Release Budget Packages
Friday, March 26, was the opposite House policy committee cut-off when all bills that passed the House needed to be out of their Senate policy committee and all bills that passed the...
Week 10 Legislative Update: Revenues Bounce Back
Throughout the legislative session, one of the most significant questions has been the how much revenue the state expects to collect over the next several years. On Wednesday, March...
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Need Help Navigating PPP
The COVID-19 relief bill that passed in December included additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERC). PPP provides loans...
Introducing our newest program: Recalibrate
We're pleased to introduce Recalibrate, the new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program at the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. Through Recalibrate, we aim to provide...
Moving forward to Phase Two
Last week, Governor Jay Inslee announced that he is modifying the requirements for regions to move from Phase 1 to Phase 2 of the Healthy Washington. Roadmap to Recovery Plan. Regions...
Honoring Black History Month in 2021
February's Black History Month was first started by Carter G. Woodson, a founder of the Association for the Study of African American History. This year's theme is Black Family,...
Reopening Our Economy
Last week, Governor Jay Inslee released an updated roadmap to reopening our state's economy. This roadmap, which takes effect today, January 11, is based on four metrics that reflect...
Welcome, Rachel Smith!
Hi Seattle Metro Chamber members, Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed, as much as possible, a healthy and safe holiday season, fueled by food, beverages, gifts, services, and...
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