Item: Our View: Metered response: Spokane has valid reasons to boost parking rates/Spokesman-Review Editorial Board (sans DFO)

Parking meters have been a sore point in Spokane since the days you could get 12 minutes for a penny, and the arguments for and against reflect 75 years of consistency. As the city considers a meter rate hike supported by Mayor Dennis Hession, expect to hear that on-street parking expenses will drive shoppers away, especially those from out of town. Also, that it's just a way to bleed the citizens. The city of Spokane started considering "park-o-meters" in 1935, right after the first ones were introduced in Oklahoma City, and opponents quickly uttered the same criticisms we hear today. And then as now, the arguments for meters were simple. They produce revenue and they keep a handful of motorists from monopolizing the on-street parking.

Question: Agree? Disagree?

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