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SEATTLE — Aug. 7, 2026 — Seattle consumers would pay even higher grocery, delivery and fuel costs under a new proposal heard today by members of the Seattle City Council.
In testimony before the city's Human Services, Labor & Economic Development Committee, Seattle Latino Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Founder and CEO Marcos Wanless warned council members that the unintended consequence of the proposal would increase costs for both Seattle consumers and businesses. The chamber represents more than 2,000 organizations and professionals, and is the largest Latino-Hispanic chamber of commerce in Washington.
"This new pricing ordinance would have serious economic consequences for consumers and grocery retailers in Seattle. It would eliminate the discounts, reward programs and other cost-saving measures Seattle consumers rely on to keep grocery costs down. This ordinance would drive them up," said Wanless.
"The affordability crisis is real. Seattle is already too expensive for families and individuals," he continued. "All who think that this measure will contribute to control prices down are following an idealistic unreal promise, in our open market system nothing can control prices down because it is a free market not a control state economy."
The proposed ordinance would also increase costs on businesses, especially low-margin retailers like grocers, added Wanless.
"Businesses need certainty. The language of this ordinance puts businesses at greater risk for civil litigation," he added.
"On behalf of my members and their Seattle customers, please do not increase costs on consumers. We need to make Seattle more affordable, not less."
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