The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee on July 24 voted to endorse Seattle Proposition 1, the renewal of the Seattle transportation levy, which will appear on the November ballot. 

Seattle Proposition 1 would renew the current Seattle transportation levy, which expires at the end of 2024. The renewed levy would cost Seattle property owners 65 cents per $1,000 in assessed home value, or an estimated $520 a year for the owner of a Seattle home of current median property value.  

If approved by voters, the levy would collect a total of $1.55 billion over eight years. The levy funding will account for approximately 30% of the Seattle Department of Transportation’s (SDOT) budget. 

“Thank you to Mayor Bruce Harrell, Seattle City Council Transportation Chair Rob Saka, and the entire city council for their leadership to send a transportation levy renewal to voters,” said Rachel Smith, president and CEO of the Chamber. “This package reflects feedback from employers large and small from across the city, and makes progress on the greatest needs, balanced with affordability concerns. A thriving, equitable, and inclusive regional economy, which is our mission, is predicated on Seattleites being able to safely and reliably get to work and to school and back home to their families, as well as enjoy the natural beauty and recreational and cultural opportunities that surround us. This proposal, if approved by voters, helps get us there.” 

Seattle Metro Chamber members formed a task force in May 2023 to provide feedback to  

the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and the Mayor’s Office in the development of the levy. The member task force asked SDOT to prioritize investments in maintenance and preservation, safety, and transit and freight mobility. The task force also asked for increased accountability and transparency on how the levy funding will be spent; the levy be renewed at the same level as the current levy, adjusted for inflation; and the same general fund contribution be maintained over the life of the levy, adjusted for inflation. 

A straight renewal of the previous nine-year levy, adjusted for inflation, would have been $1.2 billion. In May, Mayor Bruce Harrell unveiled a draft eight-year transportation levy renewal proposal at $1.45 billion. 

The mayor’s proposal was transmitted to Seattle City Council and an omnibus amendment to the mayor’s proposal included several councilmembers’ priorities, increasing the package to $1.55 billion. 

During the Council deliberations, Chamber staff testified against calls to increase the levy to $1.7 billion and advocated for accountability measures and Chamber priorities including maintenance and preservation, safety, and transit and freight mobility. 

Key changes made by council to the mayor’s draft include: 

  • Additions to Safe Routes to Schools and Vision Zero Traffic Safety Program  
  • Increased investment in new sidewalks and existing sidewalk maintenance  
  • Increased investment in freight to reach the level recommended by the Freight Advisory Board 

The package increases funding for freight mobility and invests heavily in maintenance and preservation. The language in the accompanying resolution calling for accountability is also aligned with task force priorities. 

Seattle voters will decide on the levy’s final package in the Nov. 5 General Election.