The Seattle City Council will host a panel on the state of the regional economy with local experts to discuss jobs, housing and other issues.

Monday, March 23, from 10 a.m to noon, council president Richard Conlin will chair this special edition of a council briefing titled, “The State of the Regional Economy:  A Panel Discussion Among Local Experts."

Participants will include Dick Conway, of Dick Conway and Associates; Desiree Phair, Employment Security; Eileen O'Grady, Elliott Bay Associates; Susan Greenwald, with Homestreet Bank; Dr. Stan Humphries, Zillow.

The council has established a special Economic Recovery Strategy Committee of the Whole in order to better understand existing opportunities and what local government can do to improve the regional economy. As the City develops strategies to address economic recovery opportunities in a recessionary economy and beyond, experts will discuss the jobs outlook in the region, real estate financing, mortgage lending, and capital markets.

The city is facing a $30 million cut in its general fund and city departments have been asked by Mayor Greg Nickels to make cuts by about 3 percent.

The next official meeting of the Economic Recovery Strategy Committee will be held April 13 at 2:30 p.m.

The panel takes place at Seattle City Hall, 600 4th Ave., first floor in the Bertha Knight Landes Room.