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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Election 2009

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News >  Spokane

Group wants to hide donors in R-71 campaign

A political action committee opposed to Washington state’s expanded partnerships for gay couples has sued in federal court, arguing it should be exempt from the state’s campaign finance laws.
News >  Spokane

Proposition foes’ funding is mostly from out of town

Opponents of Proposition 4 have complained that out-of-town influence helped shape the proposed amendment to the Spokane City Charter. But the opponents rely heavily on national and state development interests to bankroll the campaigns against the proposal. Led by the National Association of Home Builders, out-of-town business groups account for about 85 percent of the identified contributions to Save Our Spokane, which opposes Proposition 4’s Community Bill of Rights. Out-of-town business groups account for about 30 percent of identified contributions to the other opposition group, Jobs and Opportunities Benefiting Spokane, or JOBS. The national home builders association has funneled some $85,000 to the political action committee of its local affiliate.
Opinion >  Editorial

Editorial: Library ballot measure checks out

The Kootenai-Shoshone Library District has been through half a dozen consolidations, but for Post Falls voters, the ballot proposal facing them on the Nov. 3 ballot will be a new experience. Naturally, voters want some answers before handing their library over to the district. What happens to the competent librarians and other professionals that patrons have come to appreciate? Why should Post Falls give away a relatively new facility that hasn’t even been paid off yet?
News >  Spokane

Justice blocks release of R-71 petition names

WASHINGTON — Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy has temporarily blocked Washington state officials from releasing the names of people who signed a ballot measure on gay rights. Kennedy’s ruling Monday temporarily blocks a federal appeals court ruling last week that ordered the release of the names. Kennedy said his order would remain in effect while he considers a request by a group, Protect Marriage Washington, to reverse the appeals court ruling.
News >  Spokane

Budget, taxes focus of Post Falls races

All three incumbent Post Falls City Council members tout that the city held the line on taxes this year in the face of difficult economic times. Despite that fact, challengers are making taxes and the budget the primary issues in this year’s races.
Opinion

Prop 4 goals laudable, but undermined by vagaries

Focus on just one provision of Envision Spokane’s Community Bill of Rights and you get an idea of the problem with the whole thing: Residents have the right to affordable preventive health care. For residents otherwise unable to access such care, the City shall guarantee such access by coordinating with area health care providers to create affordable fee-for-service programs within eighteen (18) months following adoption of this Charter provision.
Opinion

I-1033 pro: Limiting government revenue growth, unless voters approve

Despite newspapers like The Spokesman-Review lobbying for and getting a massive taxpayer-financed bailout from Olympia this year, they don’t recognize that average taxpayers are hurting too. And the worst thing government can do right now is raise taxes because that’ll just make the recession last longer. That’s why Gov. Chris Gregoire’s recent “revenue-raising” agenda makes Initiative 1033 especially necessary. I-1033 protects taxpayers and our struggling economy by making sure that state, county and city politicians cannot take more of our money unless voters approve. With I-1033, instead of constantly trying to maximize revenue – taking more of our money with higher taxes, increased fees or jacked-up property assessments – politicians will have to spend their time maximizing the effectiveness of existing revenue. And “more revenue” will only be a last resort and only with voter approval.
News >  Spokane

New face assured in Spokane’s northeast district

The battle for the empty Spokane City Council seat representing northeast Spokane pits the right-hand man of Washington’s most famous political operative against a relative newcomer to city politics. Mike Fagan is a co-director of Voters Want More Choices. That’s Tim Eyman’s political action committee, which has successfully placed several initiatives on the state ballot that limit taxing authority of government officials.
News >  Spokane

Verdict: Judge is no carpetbagger

When someone hurls a political slur during campaign season, it’s probably too much to expect for the slur-slinger to get it right. But still … In an e-mail to constituents last week, Spokane City Councilman Bob Apple explained his endorsements for various city offices. No big deal there. As long as he doesn’t use city equipment – which he didn’t – Apple is as entitled to an opinion as everyone else.
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