We need 5G now more than ever
This has been an impactful year. With a pandemic that has left many people working and learning from home, it became clear that without...
New normal is time to recalibrate rainy day fund
Sucker punched and mugged by a tiny little virus.
In every reasonable sense of what it means to be actively aware, we did not see...
Transit agencies should reduce service, promote safer options during COVID-19 outbreak
The global COVID-19 outbreak is an unexpected shock to our way of life. Federal and local governments are implementing strict “social distancing” measures that,...
You can’t make housing more affordable by making it more expensive
I’ve been a builder for 17 years and have seen many changes in our industry, good, bad, and those with unintended consequences; one of...
It’s time to take another look at GMA
After 30 years it’s long past time to take another look at Washington State’s Growth Management Act (GMA). A recent report by the non-profit...
Just Cause laws put neighbors and rental homes at risk
This week, the House Committee on Civil Rights and Judiciary will consider HB 2354, a bill that would institute “Just Cause” provisions for rental...
SEPA reform needed
Members of the Seattle City Council have been accused of trying to “...gut bedrock environmental protection rules...” because they state what has been obvious...
Protecting critical industrial lands
Washington is blessed with natural and man-made transportation assets that give the state enviable economic competitive advantages over most other areas of the country:...
Washington state’s housing crisis far from over
While some progress was made towards addressing our state’s housing crisis during the recent legislative session, the challenge of ensuring working families can afford...
More regulations and taxes = affordable home ownership?
Legislators kicked off this year’s session in promising fashion, declaring they would take our state’s housing affordability crisis head on, as they should. A...
Rail project is key to our future
In the months ahead, the United States Coast Guard will make a decision regarding the future of the Sandpoint Junction Connector Project, which seeks...
Picking Peter’s pocket to pay Paul: Lazy McCleary ‘fix’ leaves critical infrastructure projects out...
Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the cupboard,
To give the poor dog a bone;
But when she got there
The cupboard was bare,
And so the poor dog had...
Low Carbon Fuel Standard wrong for Washington: Costly, unworkable fuel policy
As part of his proposed 2019 climate agenda, the Governor wants the Legislature to take another run at imposing a Low Carbon Fuel Standard...
Homeless shack villages: A business owner’s point of view
Since the arrival of Aloha Village and all that comes with a low-barrier shack encampment, my auto shop’s backlog has gone from a month...
Bloomberg funds state AGs to file politically motivated lawsuits
State attorneys general (AG) are supposed to enforce the state’s laws on behalf of the state’s citizens, but several AG’s offices are at risk...
New rules on overtime pay raise concerns for retailers
For most of this year, Washington State’s Department of Labor & Industries has been working to update rules that govern which employees can qualify...
Boosting business through responsible growth
For middle market companies, business success and responsible growth aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, prioritizing responsible growth is becoming increasingly important as successful companies...
Washington already low-carbon leader, without new I-1631 energy tax
Washington employers, employees and residents share the goal of reducing carbon emissions, as evidenced by state’s low carbon footprint.
Despite a 43 percent growth in...
Global trade requires timely investments in maritime, rail
Washington state prides itself on being a leader in global trade.
As someone who has spent a significant amount of time in the maritime industry,...
More flexible ADU rules important housing solution
As our region continues to debate how to add much-needed housing in urban areas and address our ongoing housing affordability crisis, much attention has...
The Hidden Impact of a Carbon Pollution “Fee”
Voters will be considering Initiative 1631 – a carbon “fee” – when they fill out their ballots this Fall. This gives us an opportunity...
Housing density: coming soon to your small town?
The pressure on the Central Puget Sound housing market is as intense as it may have ever been. Driven by a hot employment market...
Supreme Court upholds tax fairness for retailers
Retailers across the nation have won a hard-earned victory with the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on sales tax fairness.
After a 5-4 vote last...
Our long McCleary nightmare is over. Now, the real work of reforming public education...
Earlier this month, the state Supreme Court gave its blessing to the work of several consecutive legislatures: a grinding political effort to meet the...
Homeownership: Time to tap unused tools
June is National Homeownership Month, which was established to promote the many benefits of owning a home. Homeownership provides stability for individuals and families,...
Washington state’s future depends on saving Seattle from itself
By now, most Seattleites should realize that some of the goo-goo-eyed infatuation the outside world has had for the city is fading. That is...
Washington must welcome heavy industry to hedge service sector instability
The great recession has greatly receded across much of Washington state. Although rural Washingtonians lag their metropolitan counterparts, the average household is experiencing at...
Business owners: Head tax yet another burden
With small businesses struggling and closing all over Seattle, many business owners feel the City Council is working against them. The latest of these...
Statewide soda tax ban would send an important message: Do policy smarter.
The Seattle Lab has another magic elixir – a tax on some sweetened beverages like sports drinks and soda – hyped as a much-needed...
Finding balance among jobs, housing, environment key to growth planning
The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) is about to undertake an update of Vision 2040, which sets forth a blueprint for growth in King,...
Sound Transit will never be accountable to taxpayers until we directly elect its board
Washingtonians have a simple expectation of those who make our laws and spend our money: hear our concerns, respond and be accountable.
For more than...
Freight rail must roll on
A new report by the Washington State Department of Transportation offers some pretty high praise for our state’s freight network and the rail lines...
Low carbon fuel standard a plan for well-intentioned failure
All ideas are not equal; not by a long shot.
There are good ideas and bad.
There are also good ideas that create bad realities –...
State energy savings bill would discourage progress
Makers and sellers of consumer electronics are voicing their opposition to a bill before the state Legislature that aims to establish new minimum energy...
A housing crisis that affects us all
There is a housing crisis looming and, if left unaddressed, will come home to roost in all sectors of the housing market.
Despite the compassionate...
Legislature shouldn’t squander opportunity to correct Sound Transit’s excesses
Fact: Sound Transit’s (ST) 2015 bid for a massive $54 billion expansion, mostly for light rail, was approved by a large majority of voters...
Low carbon fuel standard is bad for your wallet
Washington drivers already pay the second-highest combined state and federal gas tax in the nation – an eye-popping 67.8 cents per gallon – according...
Toxic habit of raiding hazardous site clean-up fund must end before any talk of...
Washingtonians do not like hazardous waste. We really don’t.
In poll after poll and through the many other ways that we get the message across...
The need for condominium liability reform
One of the most important things we can do to address the Puget Sound Region’s lack of attainable housing is to increase the supply...
Homeownership Is Still the Foundation of the American Dream and a Strong Economy
June is National Homeownership Month, which was created with the goal of helping more families achieve the American dream of homeownership. And while buying...
Lens LegiTrack Update: May 2, 2017
The following article was compiled by the Lens staff.
Each week the Lens staff puts together a compilation of bills important to the business community...
Lens LegiTrack: April 24, 2017
The following article was compiled by the Lens staff.
Each week, the Lens staff puts together a compilation of bills important to the business community...
Lens LegiTrack: April 17, 2017
The following article was compiled by the Lens staff.
Each week, the Lens staff puts together a compilation of bills important to the business community...
Lens LegiTrack Update: April 10, 2017
The following article was compiled by the Lens staff.
Each week, the Lens staff puts together a compilation of bills important to the business community...
Lens LegiTrack Update: March 27, 2017
The following article was compiled by the Lens staff.
Each week, the Lens staff puts together a compilation of bills important to the business community,...
Lens LegiTrack Update: March 20, 2017
The following article was compiled by the Lens staff.
Each week, the Lens staff puts together a compilation of bills important to the business community,...
Lens LegiTrack Update: March 11, 2017
The following article was compiled by the Lens staff.
Each week, the Lens staff puts together a compilation of bills important to the business community,...
Lens LegiTrack Update: March 3, 2017
The following article was compiled by the Lens staff.
This week, the Lens staff would like to present "Lens LegiTrack." It will be a series...
A Roadmap For The Time Of Trump
Divisions are sharp in Washington State, and the United States, between economically challenged rural communities and thriving metro regions. This crystalised with the election of Donald Trump. Hillary...
Memorial Day, And The Liberty Dividend
As we honor and celebrate U.S. veterans on Memorial Day, especially those who lives were taken, let's also reflect on why they serve. Among...
Bi-State Bridge Story Needs Second Act
There were hints recently of the rising from its musty crypt of the Deeply Dysfunctional Infrastructure Project Formerly Known As Columbia River Crossing. The...
