On Dec. 7 we hosted our annual Public Officials Reception and had one of the largest totals of attendees in a decade! I was delighted by how much fun people were having, how much positive energy was in the room, and how much optimism I heard in the conversations. It was truly something special and has given me so much energy as we head into the new year.

Many of you know I’m always a little bit cautious about looking in my rearview mirror and gazing into my crystal ball, but I think the end of the year is a good time to do both.

Elections

First, I want to rewind the tape on the recent elections in the City of Seattle. The councilmember-elects ran campaigns based on the issues voters care the most about, and they did so with respect and integrity. These candidates rejected the status quo of identity or litmus-test politics and focused on the core responsibilities of local government, like keeping people safe, healthy, and housed. When we take a step back, we see this was a change election.

And the Chamber did its part releasing research and communications that defined what the voters believed was the issue environment. Elected leaders did their part endorsing candidates, business leaders engaged with the campaigns, and political consultants and others worked to make sure voters knew the real story in terms of where the candidates stood on the issues, especially public safety. The way I see it: shifting, unclear, and extreme positions are what caused problems for the unsuccessful candidates – even if their race was close.

Advocacy

Looking forward and thinking about our advocacy in 2024, we’re going to have to exercise two sets of muscles at once: one, focusing on the big, proactive agenda we want to see accomplished in our region, and two, holding government accountable to the basics – especially in Seattle, where the city is facing an eye-popping, spending-caused deficit in 2025 and 2026. We’ll work to partner with the new council to address the city budget issues – and stay rooted in optimism.

When it comes to the proactive agenda, we need your ideas! If you have a big civic project in mind, thoughts on regulatory changes that would make it easier to do business in the region, or a fun way to attract people to downtown Seattle.

At the local, state and federal levels, your Chamber will stay laser-focused on ways to make this region a great place to do business for all businesses, and find one or two things we can sink our teeth into – like supporting innovation in AI.

2024 Legislative Session

In January, we’ll be active in the state legislative session – working to push forward good ideas, as well as keep shenanigans at bay. We will prioritize:

  • Making it easier to recruit and retain employees
  • Reducing barriers to accessing capital and technical assistance, especially for small businesses owned by historically underrepresented groups
  • Supporting policies that help us meet climate goals
  • Advancing regional evidence-based solutions to homelessness, public safety, and affordable housing
  • Increasing access to early learning and early care programs
  • Supporting workforce development training
  • And maintaining investments in the 16-year Move Ahead Washington program

See our complete, and newly approved, 2024 Legislative Agenda here. We’ll be sending out breaking news and action alert text messages this session – make sure you text SEATTLE to 52886 to stay in the know.

Helping Businesses with Business

And while we do all that, remember that we’re here to keep you up to speed on changes that impact your business, from WA Cares, the state’s long-term care program, which started collecting premiums from employee paychecks, to local and statewide minimum wage changes, to Paid Family and Medical Leave rates actually decreasing while L&I workers’ comp rates are increasing. The business environment will continue to change, and your Chamber will be here as the connective tissue to provide you with the information you need to successfully operate your business.

Game on, 2024!

Rachel

Rachel Smith
President and CEO
Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce