By MBAKS Senior Policy Analyst Allison Butcher

New data from the Employment Security Department show continued modest improvement in the jobs picture for our state and region. The unemployment rate for Seattle/Bellevue/Everett fell from 5.5 in February to 5.4 in March. Meanwhile, construction employment in Washington increased by 1,400 between February and March.

The Builders Bulletin is intended to provide a convenient way to track housing in our market and includes information from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, State of the Cities Data Systems, Office of Financial Management, and the Washington State Employment Security Department.

Download this month's report:

Shannon and Nick Harper, Senior Director of Strategy & Policy, discuss the MBA's legislative priorities for the 2017 legislative session.

Help advocate for housing

Santa steps in for Shannon this week to wish all of our members happy holidays and remind everyone the MBA Housing Center will be closed from noon on December 23 until 8 a.m. January 3.

Please be advised that staff will also be off during this time.