By Joshua Adam Hicks

jhicks@bellevuereporter.com

Economic development, taxes, and transportation will top the list of issues that Bellevue business leaders focus on as they lobby lawmakers in Olympia this week.

Around 20 representatives from the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce will travel to the state capital with the East King County Chambers of Commerce Legislative Coalition on Feb. 11 to press their case.

The group will ask lawmakers to refrain from raising business taxes as a way of compensating for the state’s looming budget deficit, which some predict will reach up to $8 million this year.

“Businesses are already taxed pretty strenuously,” said Sidney Pepple, government affairs director for the Bellevue Chamber. “The addition of more taxes makes it harder for businesses to keep their doors open, and that means less people will be employed. It’s a vicious cycle.”

Washington has the highest tax burden for businesses among the seven western states, according to the Washington State Department of Revenue.

Sen. Rodney Tom (D-Medina) of the 48th Legislative District said lawmakers are looking at spending reductions before new taxes.

“Right now we’re focused on seeing where we can make cuts to make this thing work,” he said. “I can say there will be small fee increases, but most of those are increases that have been agreed to by the industries.”

Tom is vice chair of the Senate Ways and Means Operating Budget Committee.

Eastside business leaders also plan to press lawmakers to fund infrastructure and transportation improvements, which would have a bearing on Bellevue’s proposed development plans.

“We spend a lot of time looking at the 520 Bridge expansion and the East Link project,” Pepple said. “It all comes back to making sure we can move commerce in a safe and efficient manner. Employees also need to get to work in an acceptable amount of time.”

The Bellevue Chamber lists education funding as a priority in preparing the state’s workforce to be competitive in the future.

The coalition of Eastside chambers is asking lawmakers to shoot down a number of potential bills, including:

• The governor’s proposed cap-and-trade legislation, aimed at reducing carbon emissions

• A measure that would tax initiation fees and dues for business associations and chambers of commerce

• A bill that would increase unemployment-insurance benefits by $45 while drawing down on the state’s unemployment-insurance trust fund.

Joshua Adam Hicks can be reached at 425.453.4290.