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Policy Agenda

Federal Policy

Advancing a regional plan for the Pacific Northwest

Since 2022, the Portland Metro Chamber and Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce have collaborated to develop shared federal policy priorities addressing common challenges in the Pacific Northwest’s two largest urban centers.

The chambers jointly advance this federal agenda to the Biden Administration and Congress. While these advocacy priorities are notable to the flagship cities of the Pacific Northwest, we know solving challenges in our cities will improve the prosperity of the entire Pacific Northwest.

Federal Policy Priorities

1. Keeping commerce moving safely along the I-5 corridor

  • Advocate for federal funding to help deliver on the critical I-5 Bridge replacement project
  • Advocate for funding for the Cascadia High Speed Rail initiative.

2. Increase access to affordable housing and houseless services

  • Expand programs and tax incentives for building low-and-middle-income housing and support funding of services to help those experiencing houselessness, including, but not limited to Continuum of Care Program, Emergency Shelter and Navigation Service Grants, Emergency Solutions Grants, and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program.

3. Promote racial equity

  • Support ongoing SBA funding for NAMCOregon and BBOA to fund their groundbreaking regional Black economic development programs.

4. Expand global market access for our companies

  • Advocate for policies that will free up the global supply chain, and increase access and lower the cost of materials.

5. Support downtown rebuilding and urban core enhancements

  • Support Revitalizing Downtowns Act and other incentives to convert office space to housing.

6. Increase access to higher education and workforce training

  • Provide funding to incentivize workforce development at the state level through vocational or employer sponsored training programs.
  • Support Pell Grant expansion and reform

Download Priorities (PDF)

Federal Policy Updates

September 2023

Chamber spearheads creation and funding for Downtown Hotel Security District

The Portland Metro Chamber and its affiliate partner, Downtown Portland Clean and Safe, have successfully advocated for the creation of a new Hotel Security District in downtown Portland.
February 2023

2023 State of the Economy & State of Downtown reports released

The report highlights: jobs recovery trends, continued population decline in Multnomah County, growing unaffordability, and a comparative tax analysis.
March 2022

2022 Oregon business community Washington D.C. fly-in

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Portland Business Alliance (Alliance), Oregon Business and Industry (OBI), and the Oregon Business Council (OBC) are pleased to announce the […]
September 2021

Portland and Seattle join together on shared federal agenda

The Portland Business Alliance and Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce share advocacy priorities for addressing policy and funding challenges in the two largest urban centers in the Pacific Northwest. The top […]
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Contact our Public Affairs Team

Have questions about Portland Metro Chamber’s policy positions? Want to become involved in the process? Reach out to PMC’s Public Affairs team.