Charter Backers, Opponents Spar; Ex-Mayors For It

It was “the taxpayers” versus “the people” Monday at the Ridpath Hotel.

In one corner, wearing “Vote No” buttons, the anti-consolidation group, We The Taxpayers, started its news conference at 10 a.m.

The group came out swinging, with a respected constitutional law professor claiming Spokane residents might pay an income tax if consolidation passes.

In another corner, sporting “Yes Charter” buttons, We The People held a 10:30 news conference.

Spokane’s mayor and three of his predecessors announced their support for the charter. The fourth living former mayor, David Rodgers, signed a statement of support but didn’t attend.

“I tended to think I was going to vote against it,” said former Mayor Sheri Barnard. “The more I studied it, the more excited I got.”

The main event is a week from today, when voters will decide on the charter.

Leaders from both campaigns said the timing of the news conferences was a coincidence. We The Taxpayers was the first to make reservations at the hotel.

At the anti-consolidation gathering, Gonzaga University law professor Frank Conklin criticized the charter for giving some powers of the prosecutor to an appointed civil attorney.

That could make it more difficult to convict drug dealers and other felons because the two attorneys may work at odds, he said.

Former prosecutor Don Brockett suggested the system.

“Mr. Brockett and I have never agreed on anything,” Conklin said.

Private garbage haulers could lose their franchises, said Conklin, who couldn’t explain why the county’s largest hauler, Valley Garbage Service, donated $2,000 to the procharter campaign.

Valley garbage officials have refused to discuss their contribution.

Conklin said the charter gives the city-county council or state legislators authority to impose a graduated income tax on Spokane residents.

A provision in the charter prohibit ing any new taxes without a public vote could be overridden by the Legislature “at any time,” he said.

“And there is nothing in this proposed charter which restricts the right of an aggressive city-county chief executive to use city-county tax funds to lobby the Legislature to make these changes.”

Nothing except voters, that is. The executive would face re-election every four years.

Speaking at the pro-consolidation conference, Geraghty called Conklin’s comments about the income tax “pure baloney.”

He chided opponents and proponents alike for letting the debate linger over taxes and not discussing what he called “the real issues”: better services, more efficient government and better representation.

Noting that some city and county employees criticize the charter as a way to eliminate jobs, former Mayor Neal Fosseen said, “So be it.

“We have to get as efficient as possible.”

Those were the only offensive blows of the conference, which gave boosters a chance to show that while most officials oppose the charter, some support it wholeheartedly.

The mayors laughed when asked whether any of them might run for executive if the charter passes.

“No,” said Barnard.

“Not me,” said Vicki McNeill.

“I can tell you one who won’t,” said Fosseen, raising his hand.

Geraghty hesitated. “Wait and see after the election,” he said.

, DataTimes