Last week, we hosted our annual Public Officials Reception, connecting with nearly 500 Chamber members and leaders. It boosted my spirit and my sense of optimism for the year ahead by reminding me how much we’ve done in 2022 and how much we have to look forward to in 2023!
Looking into 2023, I’m excited to champion a continued transformation of our region with projects like the expansion of the Seattle Convention Center and re-opening of Coleman Dock, as well as activities like the Major League Baseball All-Star Game hosted by the Mariners and the release of “The Boys in the Boat” movie – a celebration of an important historic moment at the University of Washington.
And these aren’t just building upgrades, infrastructure replacements, and one-time events – they are new assets that will enhance the Seattle area for everyone living in and visiting our community, and moments that will put our region and values on display here at home and more broadly. One of our jobs here at the Chamber is celebrator-in-chief of big milestones like this, and we’ll be sharing these opportunities for you to participate throughout the year!
In January, the year will start fast with a 105-day state legislative session where we plan to focus our advocacy on the issues we hear most from both our members and the voters, including pushing legislation to increase housing supply for more people across all income ranges throughout our region. There is a ton of energy from multiple stakeholder groups on this topic and we will continue to seek out partnerships – including with some unusual suspects – to ensure meaningful progress is made on housing and affordability this session.
2023 also brings a unique opportunity to represent you on the City of Seattle’s Revenue Stabilization Work Group. I will bring a laser-like focus on our priorities to that table, including an all-of-the-above approach to public safety. Last month, city leaders missed an opportunity to rebuild trust with the voters on public safety by once again centering the debate on funding/defunding the police department rather than whether the budget makes Seattle safer or not. It’s something I heard a lot about from many of you.
With my seat at this table, I’ll also bring my own analysis and budget philosophy from many years working in government. That philosophy has two basic principles: First, budgets are a reflection of priorities. Second, budgets are not doing everything you did the year before at the same level and just adding to it. City revenues continue to grow and new taxes have been raised. Now we must use the resources we have to get the outcomes we want to restore public safety, address homelessness, revitalize downtown, and provide affordability.
I expect each of these issues to be part of the platforms of candidates running for office in 2023, and I think the candidates who will be most successful will be those who recognize these challenges and put forward solid plans to make progress on them. Voters will also likely be asked to weigh in on behavioral health and housing via ballot measures – stay tuned for the Chamber’s positions on them.
Finally, we’ll be continuing our work here at the Chamber to make real progress on these issues. Because the desire for progress is palpable, we’re going to connect, support, advocate, innovate, and show up as our best, most-collaborative selves on your behalf. For me in the coming months, that means – in addition to serving on the Revenue Stabilization Work Group – I will be serving on:
- Mayor Bruce Harrell’s One Seattle Civic Partnership
- The Brookings Institute Future of Downtowns research cohort
- The Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Commission (WA Cares)
- The transition teams of newly elected officials
We’re going to reject excuses and rhetoric that seek to divide us and instead keep doing our part to make progress.
There is a group of leaders in our region that wants to and knows how to get things done. That’s the team we’re on here at the Chamber, and we hope you’ll join us.
With energy for what’s ahead,
Rachel
Rachel Smith
President & CEO
Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce