Issue link: https://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/1479050
MBAKS Events Bring Elected Leaders and Members Together BY ALLISON BUTCHER SENIOR POLICY ANALYST MBAKS T his year, MBAKS members have had the opportunity to interact with elected leaders at various association events, including our Seattle Builders Council (SBC) Reception with Mayor Bruce Harrell and Professional Women in Building (PWB) Lunch with Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson. We also networked with Snohomish County officials, including County Executive Dave Somers and Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin at our Seafood Fest and Elected Officials Reception in Mukilteo. "MBAKS values our partnerships with elected officials and appreciates the opportunity to share ideas on removing barriers to building, so we can make housing attainable for everyone," said MBAKS 2022 Board President Cameron McKinnon. "It has been so great to be back in person with members and elected officials this past summer," added MBAKS Interim Government Affairs Director Jennifer Anderson. "These opportunities help our association with relationship building, strengthening our members' ability to connect and engage with local leaders." This year's annual SBC Reception on June 8 was our Seattle members' first big in-person event since the start of the pandemic. It was wonderful to finally be able to shake hands and see smiling faces that were not on a screen. The event drew more than 70 attendees, including many MBAKS members, association staff, City councilmembers, Seattle department directors, City employees, and our special guest Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. As our keynote speaker, Mayor Harrell talked about the important partnership between private sector builders and the City of Seattle. Both need each other to reach the City's lofty housing goals. The Mayor committed to a continued focus on how City policy is affecting housing, stating that if a policy is hindering the production of housing, then that policy must change. "MBAKS is excited to work with Mayor Harrell and his team to streamline permitting and to develop new housing policies in service of all Seattle residents," said SBC Chair Roque Deherrera. At MBAKS' Seafood Fest on June 30, Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers was presented with our 2022 Housing Champion Award. Executive Somers has been instrumental for several years in advancing pro-housing legislation and policies that make homeownership more attainable for thousands of Snohomish County families. Mike Appleby of Chicago Title presented the plaque while 22 master BUILDER | FALL 2022 HOUSING ADVOCACY