A Spokesman-Review Special Collection

Election 2009 guide

A guide to major races and issues in the Inland Northwest for the November 2009 election.

Initiative 1033

This measure would limit growth of certain state, county and city revenue to annual inflation and population growth, not including voter-approved revenue increases. Revenue collected above the limit would reduce property tax levies.

Referendum 71

This bill would expand the rights, responsibilities, and obligations accorded state-registered same-sex and senior domestic partners to be equivalent to those of married spouses, except that a domestic partnership is not a marriage.

Proposition 1

Voters will decide on a 10-year, $33 million fire bond.

Proposition 4

Spokane voters will weigh in on Envision Spokane’s proposed community bill of rights

Spokane Valley City Council races

Incumbent Ian Robertson has three challengers: Dean Grafos, Ed Pace and Ed Foote. Incumbent Diana Wilhite is challenged by Brenda Grassel, while state Sen. Bob McCaslin is running against Mayor Rich Munson.

Spokane City Council races

Northwest district: Incumbent Nancy McLaughlin faces Karen Kearney. Northeast district: Mike Allen and Amber Waldref square off. South district: Incumbent Mike Allen faces Jon Snyder

Spokane Municipal Court

Incumbent Judge Tracy Staab faces a challenge from Bryan Whitaker, a criminal and family law attorney

Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls races

Incumbent mayors Sandi Bloem, of Coeur d’Alene, and Clay Larkin, of Post Falls, face challengers, as do city council members in the two cities.

Kootenai County Jail measures

Whether bonds should be issued for $57 million to be repaid over 10 years to improve the jail, and if the county should raise the sales tax by a half-cent for 10 years to fund property tax relief and the jail.