The Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce remains dedicated to promoting Economic Vitality and Growth in the South Seattle region. Transportation investments and workforce policies are critical to our state's and region's success, but this must be balanced with ensuring businesses, particularly small ones, are not overburdened with taxes, regulations, or other costs.

Businesses in the Seattle Southside region continue to face labor shortages and rising costs for goods and services. We urge the Legislature to focus on policies that support existing businesses, encourage new ventures, create long-term jobs, increase the supply of job-ready workers, and reduce costs for businesses and citizens.

Key Issues

Transportation

Fully funding transportation commitments remains vital to the region’s economic development, particularly the Puget Sound Gateway projects. These are essential to the area’s warehousing, distribution, and access to international airports and ports. Additionally, we support investments in ferry system improvements, water taxi transit expansion, and public transit infrastructure, including the Fauntleroy dock renovation.

Public Safety

Safe communities are critical for economic growth. The Chamber urges the Legislature to:

• Increase funding for law enforcement, mental health services, and public defenders.
• Enact policies to curb organized retail crime and provide tools to enhance retail safety.

Budget and Taxes

With concerns about potential economic downturns, the Chamber advocates for budget reassessments that avoid new or increased taxes. Prioritize spending that promotes job creation, public safety, and economic resilience.

Support for Small Businesses

Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy. The Chamber supports:

• Reducing unnecessary regulations and avoiding employment-related cost increases.
• Opposing burdensome changes to employment laws for independent contractors.
• Providing tax credits for businesses supporting Chambers of Commerce.

Housing Attainability

Attainable housing is crucial for workforce retention and economic growth. The Chamber supports:

• Amending housing and land use regulations to address supply deficits.
• Expanding Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) programs.
• Creating smaller lot/unit incentives for affordable homeownership.

Childcare

Affordable childcare is a workforce necessity. The Chamber supports efforts to:

• Increase childcare slots and reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens.
• Offer tax incentives for businesses assisting employees with childcare.

Healthcare

Healthcare access and affordability remain priorities. The Chamber urges the Legislature to:

• Support hospital workforce expansions and reduce administrative costs for healthcare.
• Focus on patient care accessibility, including fair provider reimbursements.

Workforce Education

Investment in workforce education is essential to address labor shortages and promote economic growth. The Chamber supports:

• Maintaining steady K-12 funding and expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
• Funding higher education pathways, including certifications, apprenticeships, and degrees, that align with economic needs.

Energy and Climate Change

The Chamber advocates for:

• Streamlined permitting for renewable energy transmission projects.
• Avoiding policies that limit fuel choice while promoting appliance efficiency and emerging technologies.

The Seattle Southside Chamber is committed to collaborating with policymakers to ensure a thriving business environment and robust community for the South Seattle region.