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Washington State Sales Tax Expansion – Effective October 1, 2025
During the 2025 legislative session, state leaders passed a $9.4 billion revenue package, the largest tax increase in Washington state history. This package included bills that made changes to a myriad of existing state taxes, including ESSB 5814, which expanded the...
New Taxes, Employment Law, Alcohol and Childcare Regulations Start July 27
The following bills were passed by the Washington State Legislature in 2025 and will impact Washington’s business community. The laws go into effect on or before July 27. Business & Individual Tax Increases ESHB 2081: Modifying the Business and Occupation Tax...
New Federal Budget Impacts Seattle Business Community and Their Priorities
On Friday, July 4, President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The bill includes tax cuts for businesses and high income earners and significant increases in defense and border spending. The bill also includes work requirements and cuts to...
End of Small Biz PFML Exemption, Unemployment for Employees on Strike + More
Legislative Report In week two of the state legislative session, the legislature held public hearings on several high-profile pieces of legislation including policies on firearms,...
Unemployment Benefits for Employees on Strike, Rent Control & More in Week 1
Legislative Report The state legislature kicked off its 2025 legislative session on Jan. 13. Last week policy committee chairs brought new members up to speed by hosting several work...
2025 Session Kicks Off With $12 Billion+ Budget Deficit
Session Preview The 105-day legislation session and first half of the biennial budget cycle begins today, Monday January 13, 2025. The legislature will pass the state’s Operating,...
Welcome to The Index
The Index is the Seattle Metro Chamber’s research project to surface what voters believe so that debates on key issues unfold in a way that more accurately reflects how voters and our...
Session is Done | FIFA World Cup 2026 Gets $21M
The 2024 legislative session adjourned Sine Die at 5 p.m. on March 7 after lawmakers worked long days and nights to wrap up the budgets, address bills necessary to implement the...
Unemployment Benefits for Striking Employees Does Not Advance
Legislators worked long hours last week to ensure priority support legislation survived two key deadlines on Feb. 26 and March 1. The final cutoff date will be Sine Die (last day of...
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Update Your Member Directory Listing
We have brought our new website online that will add value to your membership, modernize technology and showcase our forward-thinking, regional business community, especially our...
Member Feature: Vlack Media
Today's featured members, Andrea Gonzalez, Head of Business Development, and Mau Tellez, Head of Business Development & Marketing, of Vlack Media say the company is a full-service...
Member Feature: House of Smith
Today's featured member, Lee Seeger, Virtual Tasting Specialist, Wine Educator and Event Specialist for House of Smith, says House of Smith's Jet City Tasting Room is the largest...
Nominations For New Chamber Board Members Now Open
Trustees advise, govern, promote and oversee policy and the overall direction of the Chamber in support of the mission to help members thrive in an equitable and inclusive regional...
Member Feature: Ouwezo
Today's featured member, Erika Nang, Program Director of OUWEZO says Ouwezo is a train-to-hire service for industries to recruit women of color with the latest technology talent. Tell...
New Chamber Website is Here
We have brought our new website online that will add value to your membership, modernize technology and showcase our forward-thinking, regional business community, especially our...
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