Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce recently issued the following announcement on March 11.
From the CEO
Published Friday, March 11, 2022
by President and CEO Rachel Smith
Greetings, Seattle Metro Chamber members,
We started the 2022 legislative session in January with some audacious goals and priorities, including:
- Investing hundreds of millions of dollars statewide into addressing homelessness and housing
- Passing a transportation package that invests in transit and maintains and preserves our existing system
- Supporting business recovery – especially for BIPOC-owned businesses
- Addressing some of the unintended consequences of recently passed legislation like the Long-Term Care Act
While a short session can sometimes be a reason to punt on negotiating significant policy changes and investments, I am deeply impressed by how much our Washington state legislators accomplished in just 60 days. I hope you will join me in thanking them and Gov. Jay Inslee for their work.
And we worked hard this session on your behalf: members of the Chamber team – myself included – testified in committee hearings via Zoom, closely tracked bills to support or oppose, ran a campaign allowing you to easily contact your legislators with our new tool, and called and texted legislators, sometimes while floor votes were taking place. Brad Boswell and Brooke Davies, our outstanding lobbyists, provided insight, recommendations, and guidance every step of the way.
Here are a few highlights from what we were able to accomplish on your behalf this session.
Homelessness and Affordable Housing
The state’s Supplemental Capital Budget includes more than $500 million for affordable housing and homelessness, including $114 million for the Housing Trust Fund (including $25 million for affordable home ownership), $240 million for Rapid Housing Acquisition, $60 million for the new Apple Health and Homes program, and $98 million for Crisis Stabilization Facilities and behavioral health services. Additionally, $79 million for weatherization for low-income homeowners and $15 million for homeless youth facilities brings the investment to more than $600 million.
A big thanks to each of you who, with the Chamber and on your own, advocated for these investments. The legislature chose to make historic investments to address the crisis of homelessness in our state because business, housing advocates, and local government leaders came together as an unstoppable force, and we are proud to be a member of the House WA coalition.
As we continue to prioritize affordability, one housing issue of ongoing importance is the role of zoning. The only option for home ownership in our region cannot, and should not, be a 900-square foot house selling for $1.5 million. We need rental and home ownership options that are affordable across the income spectrum, and we need more housing of all types—houses, condos, apartments, and backyard cottages. The middle housing bill that would have addressed zoning broadly across our state did not pass, but for the first time there was a diverse and large coalition supporting the legislation. We’ll continue to advocate for smart policies that make it possible to have more options, like duplexes and triplexes, in more places throughout our region.
Transportation
Some said it was a long shot this session, but lawmakers passed Move Ahead Washington, which spends $16.8 billion dollars on transportation infrastructure over the next 16 years.
Our state has urgent transportation challenges that must be addressed – including a backlog of maintenance and preservation needs on highways and bridges, completing projects already underway, inadequate transit investment, an aging ferry fleet, and progress needed on key projects, like investing $150 million in ultra-high-speed rail. The new transportation investments will keep our state a competitive place to do business by maintaining a state of good repair, especially for keystone infrastructure in our region like the West Seattle Bridge and I-5.
Consistent with our principles for a statewide funding package, Move Ahead Washington also addresses environmental impacts of transportation by supporting investments in electrification, including ferries, and makes important watershed improvements including fish passages and culverts.
I am so thankful legislators jumped on this opportunity to make a big impact, and to all of our members who showed up—sometimes waiting three hours to testify at public hearings—to advocate for Washington’s transportation needs.
Equitable, Economic Recovery
In a harrowing push off the Senate floor just minutes before the 5 p.m. cutoff on March 4, House Bill 1015 passed last week and helps small business owners access capital. This legislation creates the Washington Equitable Access to Credit Program that would be housed at the Department of Commerce. Funded by a B&O tax credit for contributions to the program, Commerce will award grants to community development financial institutions (CDFIs) for lending or investing in historically underserved communities.
Extras
The legislature also took a thoughtful approach to addressing legislation that was well-intentioned but was revealing problems in practice. This includes the Long-Term Care Act and Paid Family and Medical Leave. Implementation of the Long-Term Care insurance program has been delayed by 18 months and Paid Family and Medical Leave is on its way to financial solvency.
These pivots are reminders that we need all voices and stakeholders at the table when developing policy, we need to listen to the experts on all sides, and take the time needed when thinking about all of the impacts of major policy change. Here at the Chamber, we don’t shy away from big, bold action. But it must always be done thoughtfully and in coalition.
Congratulations and thank you to our elected leaders who made all of this happen in just 60 days!
With celebration,
Rachel Smith
President and CEO
Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up