Savage and Zappone on 13 issues facing Spokane

	Christopher Savage	Zack Zappone	None
In 2021, as vacancies plummeted and rent soared, Spokane declared a “housing emergency.” Vacancies have returned to healthier levels and development has accelerated, but rent has still climbed roughly $200 in the same period for a one-bedroom apartment. What should the city do to improve housing affordability?	{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} The City Council isn’t listening to what people actually want – most families want the chance to own a home, while others need affordable rentals or different styles of housing that fit their stage of life. Spokane needs more housing choices, and the only way to meet demand is to make more land available. By working within our comprehensive plan and annexing targeted areas around Spokane, we can open up land for development. This will expand options, whether that’s starter homes, townhomes, or rentals, increase supply, and help bring prices down so Spokane residents can choose the housing that works best for them.	{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} Spokane families are still struggling to afford rent, even as we’ve seen record housing permitting for the third year in a row. I’ve worked hard to pass reforms that speed up construction and reduce costs, incentivize construction, and allow more affordable housing options in every neighborhood because everyone deserves a fair shot at a safe, stable home. My opponent wants to roll back those reforms and extend costly sprawl, which not only makes housing less affordable but adds to the cost of utility services. We next need to change the property tax structure to reduce property taxes on built out properties and incentivize vacant lots to build more affordable housing.
In 2022, the City Council passed a law mandating that residents limit how often they water their lawns during drought conditions, but has never enforced this law. Do you support these restrictions; if so, should the city start enforcing them with fines, and if not, what role should the city have in water conservation?	{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} I do not support the water restrictions imposed on Spokane residents. We are the only municipality drawing from the Spokane-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer forced to live under these rules, which is unfair. If conservation is truly the goal, we should work with surrounding municipalities on a regional strategy – shared responsibility, not singling out Spokane families. We also need to remove pointless laws and stop over regulating law-abiding citizens. Spokane residents deserve real choices, not top-down mandates. (Editor's note: Post Falls, which also draws from the Spokane-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. also has watering restrictions.)	{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} Spokane must conserve water during droughts, which is why I voted to support this legislation in 2022. Families deserve a fair approach that works. I support education and incentives that help households save water and money, along with common-sense limits during shortages. Enforcement should be balanced, not immediately punitive. I have a record of delivering results, like investing in infrastructure to modernize how we manage growth. Expanding our urban growth area will increase sprawl and our demand on water, threatening the river more. Water is a shared resource, and Spokane needs leadership that puts working families first and ensures sustainability for the future.
Do you support current plans to reconfigure Division Street, including by adding a protected bike lane and modifying a vehicle traffic lane to prioritize buses, following the completion of the North Spokane Corridor?	{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} Without the North South Corridor Freeway being completed, I can not support the Division Street Diet Plan. By reducing Division from many lanes to only several, we are going to create economic turmoil and heavy traffic congestion that will hamper the future growth of Spokane. It will also make our neighborhoods unsafe by pushing traffic into these communities, causing more traffic fatalities, due to speeding that is already a high concern with many of these areas.	{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} The Division Street project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve safety, connect neighborhoods, and expand transit options. I support adding a protected bike lane and prioritizing buses so everyone, whether driving, biking, or riding, has a fair shot at moving safely through our city. This is how Spokane grows smarter, not wider. My opponents' supporters want to block these kinds of investments in safe streets and transit, preferring the same old sprawl that costs taxpayers more. I’ll keep working for complete streets that strengthen neighborhoods, reduce congestion, and deliver results Spokane families can see every day.
What is the most appropriate use for the city’s available sales tax funds for affordable housing and homelessness, often called “1590” funds, as local organizations and elected leaders weigh affordable housing development, treatment services and emergency homeless shelters?	{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} The most appropriate use of 1590 funds is to bond them out so that we can have more financial resources to help with creating more affordable housing within Spokane. With more funding we can help finance more developments that will give more housing choices for those who need it.	{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} The best use of 1590 funds is to invest in long-term affordable housing, while still meeting urgent needs for treatment and shelter. Families deserve safe, stable homes, and we cannot solve homelessness without both housing and services. I’ve already passed legislation delivering more housing permits than ever before, and I’ll keep pushing for solutions that work. We also need funds to support services to get people off the streets and into housing. I’ll ensure these dollars are spent wisely, with accountability, so every working family has a fair shot at stability and Spokane gets results we can measure.
Do you support expanding the city’s use of red light and speeding cameras?	{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} Yes, but we also need to invest in and expand our SPD Traffic Unit from 4 to 12 officers. A police officer has a far greater impact on controlling speeding and enforcing traffic laws than red-light cameras ever could. Our officers are valuable to Spokane because their presence not only enforces the law but also builds trust, deters crime, and keeps our streets safe.	{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} Traffic safety matters to every Spokane family. I have been an advocate of red light and speeding cameras if they are used fairly based on high-collision data and high-risk to road users. Spokane deserves safe streets, which is why I was the prime sponsor of the Janet Mann Safe Streets Now! Resolution, following the tragic death due to unsafe streets. Expanding the number of cameras also means we’re able to reinvest those dollars in building safer street infrastructure and projects in every neighborhood. I’ve worked hard to deliver investments in safety, from sidewalks to quick builds. I’ll keep fighting for safer streets now.
Do you support an expansion of involuntary treatment as a tool to address chronic homelessness and accompanying addiction or mental health issues?	{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} We must be very careful to never take away someone’s rights or agency without due process. That said, yes, I support involuntary treatment for individuals who are repeatedly overdosing. If someone is being Narcaned multiple times, it shows they need help making decisions that won’t harm them or take their life. By allowing open drug use on our streets, these individuals are infringing on the rights of those obeying the law. Rights end when you violate laws, and we need tough-love policies that save lives rather than the toxic compassion that is failing them now.	{'id': None, 'title': None} Chronic homelessness does not necessarily mean drug addiction. We need to address the individual needs of every individual. For those dealing with drug and substance abuse, involuntary treatment can be one tool, but it is not going to solve all issues. We need to address individual needs of people, robust mental health care, addiction services, and stable housing. Families deserve safe neighborhoods, and people in crisis deserve a fair chance at recovery. I’ve pushed for expanding treatment options, sobering beds, and other treatment. I will keep working hard to ensure our community has the resources to get people healthy and off the streets while keeping families safe.
Would you support reinstating the 2023 anti-homeless camping law, which made it illegal for the homeless to camp within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, playgrounds or licensed daycare facilities, and which the state Supreme Court struck down on technical grounds earlier this year?	{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} Yes. Prop 1 was meant to protect our kids, children, and future generations in Spokane, keeping them safe and their environments secure. It was approved by 74% of voters, and failing to implement it as intended goes against the will of the people. The current City Council had the opportunity to put this law in place but decided not to.	{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} I voted to bring back the 2023 law, but it did not pass. I then supported banning camping citywide, prioritizing enforcement in the same areas as the 2023 law. Banning camping alone is not a solution. We don’t have enough places for people to go. Shelters and jail are full. We don't have enough mental health and sobering beds. We need facilities for people. Families deserve safe neighborhoods, and everyone deserves a fair shot at stability, with jail as a last resort. We don’t need Trump’s ineffective policies in Spokane, jailing people and sending in the National Guard.
Do you support the creation of a regional homeless authority? Do you believe there was sufficient reason for the city to pull back from talks to establish that organization?	{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} I support the creation of a Regional Homeless Authority, which can save the county and surrounding municipalities both time and money by fostering cooperation on solutions that work for everyone. It would also reduce redundancies in coordinating resources and funding among nonprofits. Unfortunately, Mayor Brown dismantled the effort by pulling Spokane out of early conversations and meetings, once again taking the city’s voice out of the county approach and leaving Spokane residents unheard. This is another example of poor leadership, with current leaders following Mayor Brown’s lead without accountability.	{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} Homelessness does not stop at city borders, which is why Spokane needs a regional approach with accountability and measurable results. The region is coordinating on many efforts such as coordinating opioid settlement dollars and sharing data. I am supportive of the idea of a regional authority, but we must make sure that it is set up successfully ensuring equal city representation. City residents must have fair representation in addressing the issue impacting us the most.
Do you believe city leadership responded appropriately to the June 11 protests?	{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} No.	{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} Protests are part of democracy, and we must ensure public safety. Spokane deserves leaders who can keep people safe while respecting the right to free speech. Nobody would say the events that occurred that day was an ideal response. I’ve met with community leaders and law enforcement to work on learning from the events to improve for future situations. I believe it is critical to constantly be trying to improve. I’ll continue to show up, take responsibility, and work for solutions that keep families and neighborhoods safe.
Do you support the Keep Washington Working Act, which prohibits law enforcement or other local government officials from aiding federal immigration officers and appears to have led to the White House branding the state a “sanctuary jurisdiction,” potentially risking federal funding to the state and local jurisdictions?	{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} By passing the non-binding Keep Washington Working Act Resolution without proper procedure or community input, the City put much of its federal funding at risk – a funding source our operations rely on heavily. This has left the city in a deficit, adding stress to citizens who are already burdened. Residents are not being heard on what the city’s priorities should be, and that needs to change. For these reasons, I do not support this resolution.	{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} Yes, I co-sponsored the resolution reaffirming our commitment to the Keep Washington Working Act because no family should fear seeking help from their city government. Spokane is strongest when all working families have a fair shot at success, regardless of background. Federal funding should not come at the expense of our community values. Leadership is about standing up for fairness and safety. Families deserve to stay home together - not be ripped apart. I’ll keep working hard to ensure Spokane remains a place where families can thrive together, without fear, and with dignity.
Some of the plastics Spokane residents are asked to recycle are instead burned at the Waste-to-Energy Plant or pulverized and used for marginal reuse projects. Does the city do enough to recycle what goes in the blue bins? Should it invest in a more robust recycling system?	{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} The city does not do enough to recycle what goes into the blue bins. When most of the items placed in them end up in the regular refuse pile, we’re wasting taxpayer dollars on a service that doesn’t achieve its intended purpose—reducing waste and protecting our environment. We should invest in a more robust and efficient recycling system that can properly sort materials, so we can be responsible stewards of both our citizens’ dollars and our environment. Once again, we see a failure of true representation, with feel-good policies that don’t deliver real results for our community.	{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} We can and must do better. Residents deserve clarity on what truly gets recycled versus what ends up burned. The city should invest in better sorting technologies, local processing capacity, and education campaigns. Pairing improved infrastructure with clear labeling and transparency builds trust and makes recycling more effective and meaningful.
The City Council has previously approved two moratoriums on new development in the Latah Valley, totaling 16 months. During that time, the city developed plans to improve long-neglected infrastructure and roadways in the area. The last moratorium expired in May. Do you believe the city has done enough in that time? How would you address the continued issues in the area?	{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} The city has not done enough during the 16-month moratoriums – they mostly just kicked the can down the road, leaving affordability and infrastructure issues unresolved. I would keep this topic front and center by raising it every week, ensuring it stays a priority until solutions are found. We can address the challenges by gradually updating our general facility costs and impact fees to reflect current needs, helping manage growth responsibly while keeping housing more affordable.	{'id': None, 'title': None} The moratorium period was valuable, and we were able to accomplish some things such as secure funding for a fire station study and update impact fees for traffic mitigation, but more work remains. Unfortunately, we need more resources from the state to address some of the concerns and upgrades to infrastructure. My opponent is promoting policies that expand development like Latah Valley to more areas around our fringes, creating more sprawl, congestion, and danger with wildfires. These policies got us the situation in Latah Valley. We don’t need to spread more of these failed policies to more neighborhoods.
Public safety and housing affordability have been hot-button political issues in Spokane for years. Excluding these topics, what is an issue in your district that you will improve during your term?	{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} We need to address our homeless crisis in a better manner than we are currently doing. We need to change our contract service providers from Catholic Charities and Jewel's Helping Hands to non-profits who are more responsible with the taxpayers money in a more efficient, fiscally responsible manner so we can help more people out of Homelessness and Addiction. Such as using shelter models like UGM or Adult Teen Challenge which provide programs and metrics that show they have the right services to help these people. Adult Teen Challenge has a 12-month program that has a 70% success rate and provides job training for when you complete their program. We need more services like these that show they are actively helping people out of homelessness and addiction. We want these people to be helped and healed in the right manner.	{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} I will continue working to make our streets safer. I’ve passed ordinances requiring complete streets so every neighborhood has safe sidewalks, bike lanes, and crossings. I’ve pushed for faster and cheaper ways to build traffic safety interventions, such as adaptive design projects. I’ve also supported conducting more community outreach to get residents feedback on these types of projects before being implemented. In the next year, I will work on how families deserve to walk, bike, or drive around their neighborhoods without fear. I’ll keep delivering results that make Spokane’s streets safer and more connected for everyone.

In 2021, as vacancies plummeted and rent soared, Spokane declared a “housing emergency.” Vacancies have returned to healthier levels and development has accelerated, but rent has still climbed roughly $200 in the same period for a one-bedroom apartment. What should the city do to improve housing affordability?

{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} The City Council isn’t listening to what people actually want – most families want the chance to own a home, while others need affordable rentals or different styles of housing that fit their stage of life. Spokane needs more housing choices, and the only way to meet demand is to make more land available. By working within our comprehensive plan and annexing targeted areas around Spokane, we can open up land for development. This will expand options, whether that’s starter homes, townhomes, or rentals, increase supply, and help bring prices down so Spokane residents can choose the housing that works best for them.

{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} Spokane families are still struggling to afford rent, even as we’ve seen record housing permitting for the third year in a row. I’ve worked hard to pass reforms that speed up construction and reduce costs, incentivize construction, and allow more affordable housing options in every neighborhood because everyone deserves a fair shot at a safe, stable home. My opponent wants to roll back those reforms and extend costly sprawl, which not only makes housing less affordable but adds to the cost of utility services. We next need to change the property tax structure to reduce property taxes on built out properties and incentivize vacant lots to build more affordable housing.

In 2022, the City Council passed a law mandating that residents limit how often they water their lawns during drought conditions, but has never enforced this law. Do you support these restrictions; if so, should the city start enforcing them with fines, and if not, what role should the city have in water conservation?

{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} I do not support the water restrictions imposed on Spokane residents. We are the only municipality drawing from the Spokane-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer forced to live under these rules, which is unfair. If conservation is truly the goal, we should work with surrounding municipalities on a regional strategy – shared responsibility, not singling out Spokane families. We also need to remove pointless laws and stop over regulating law-abiding citizens. Spokane residents deserve real choices, not top-down mandates. (Editor's note: Post Falls, which also draws from the Spokane-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. also has watering restrictions.)

{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} Spokane must conserve water during droughts, which is why I voted to support this legislation in 2022. Families deserve a fair approach that works. I support education and incentives that help households save water and money, along with common-sense limits during shortages. Enforcement should be balanced, not immediately punitive. I have a record of delivering results, like investing in infrastructure to modernize how we manage growth. Expanding our urban growth area will increase sprawl and our demand on water, threatening the river more. Water is a shared resource, and Spokane needs leadership that puts working families first and ensures sustainability for the future.

Do you support current plans to reconfigure Division Street, including by adding a protected bike lane and modifying a vehicle traffic lane to prioritize buses, following the completion of the North Spokane Corridor?

{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} Without the North South Corridor Freeway being completed, I can not support the Division Street Diet Plan. By reducing Division from many lanes to only several, we are going to create economic turmoil and heavy traffic congestion that will hamper the future growth of Spokane. It will also make our neighborhoods unsafe by pushing traffic into these communities, causing more traffic fatalities, due to speeding that is already a high concern with many of these areas.

{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} The Division Street project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve safety, connect neighborhoods, and expand transit options. I support adding a protected bike lane and prioritizing buses so everyone, whether driving, biking, or riding, has a fair shot at moving safely through our city. This is how Spokane grows smarter, not wider. My opponents' supporters want to block these kinds of investments in safe streets and transit, preferring the same old sprawl that costs taxpayers more. I’ll keep working for complete streets that strengthen neighborhoods, reduce congestion, and deliver results Spokane families can see every day.

What is the most appropriate use for the city’s available sales tax funds for affordable housing and homelessness, often called “1590” funds, as local organizations and elected leaders weigh affordable housing development, treatment services and emergency homeless shelters?

{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} The most appropriate use of 1590 funds is to bond them out so that we can have more financial resources to help with creating more affordable housing within Spokane. With more funding we can help finance more developments that will give more housing choices for those who need it.

{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} The best use of 1590 funds is to invest in long-term affordable housing, while still meeting urgent needs for treatment and shelter. Families deserve safe, stable homes, and we cannot solve homelessness without both housing and services. I’ve already passed legislation delivering more housing permits than ever before, and I’ll keep pushing for solutions that work. We also need funds to support services to get people off the streets and into housing. I’ll ensure these dollars are spent wisely, with accountability, so every working family has a fair shot at stability and Spokane gets results we can measure.

Do you support expanding the city’s use of red light and speeding cameras?

{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} Yes, but we also need to invest in and expand our SPD Traffic Unit from 4 to 12 officers. A police officer has a far greater impact on controlling speeding and enforcing traffic laws than red-light cameras ever could. Our officers are valuable to Spokane because their presence not only enforces the law but also builds trust, deters crime, and keeps our streets safe.

{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} Traffic safety matters to every Spokane family. I have been an advocate of red light and speeding cameras if they are used fairly based on high-collision data and high-risk to road users. Spokane deserves safe streets, which is why I was the prime sponsor of the Janet Mann Safe Streets Now! Resolution, following the tragic death due to unsafe streets. Expanding the number of cameras also means we’re able to reinvest those dollars in building safer street infrastructure and projects in every neighborhood. I’ve worked hard to deliver investments in safety, from sidewalks to quick builds. I’ll keep fighting for safer streets now.

Do you support an expansion of involuntary treatment as a tool to address chronic homelessness and accompanying addiction or mental health issues?

{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} We must be very careful to never take away someone’s rights or agency without due process. That said, yes, I support involuntary treatment for individuals who are repeatedly overdosing. If someone is being Narcaned multiple times, it shows they need help making decisions that won’t harm them or take their life. By allowing open drug use on our streets, these individuals are infringing on the rights of those obeying the law. Rights end when you violate laws, and we need tough-love policies that save lives rather than the toxic compassion that is failing them now.

{'id': None, 'title': None} Chronic homelessness does not necessarily mean drug addiction. We need to address the individual needs of every individual. For those dealing with drug and substance abuse, involuntary treatment can be one tool, but it is not going to solve all issues. We need to address individual needs of people, robust mental health care, addiction services, and stable housing. Families deserve safe neighborhoods, and people in crisis deserve a fair chance at recovery. I’ve pushed for expanding treatment options, sobering beds, and other treatment. I will keep working hard to ensure our community has the resources to get people healthy and off the streets while keeping families safe.

Would you support reinstating the 2023 anti-homeless camping law, which made it illegal for the homeless to camp within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, playgrounds or licensed daycare facilities, and which the state Supreme Court struck down on technical grounds earlier this year?

{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} Yes. Prop 1 was meant to protect our kids, children, and future generations in Spokane, keeping them safe and their environments secure. It was approved by 74% of voters, and failing to implement it as intended goes against the will of the people. The current City Council had the opportunity to put this law in place but decided not to.

{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} I voted to bring back the 2023 law, but it did not pass. I then supported banning camping citywide, prioritizing enforcement in the same areas as the 2023 law. Banning camping alone is not a solution. We don’t have enough places for people to go. Shelters and jail are full. We don't have enough mental health and sobering beds. We need facilities for people. Families deserve safe neighborhoods, and everyone deserves a fair shot at stability, with jail as a last resort. We don’t need Trump’s ineffective policies in Spokane, jailing people and sending in the National Guard.

Do you support the creation of a regional homeless authority? Do you believe there was sufficient reason for the city to pull back from talks to establish that organization?

{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} I support the creation of a Regional Homeless Authority, which can save the county and surrounding municipalities both time and money by fostering cooperation on solutions that work for everyone. It would also reduce redundancies in coordinating resources and funding among nonprofits. Unfortunately, Mayor Brown dismantled the effort by pulling Spokane out of early conversations and meetings, once again taking the city’s voice out of the county approach and leaving Spokane residents unheard. This is another example of poor leadership, with current leaders following Mayor Brown’s lead without accountability.

{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} Homelessness does not stop at city borders, which is why Spokane needs a regional approach with accountability and measurable results. The region is coordinating on many efforts such as coordinating opioid settlement dollars and sharing data. I am supportive of the idea of a regional authority, but we must make sure that it is set up successfully ensuring equal city representation. City residents must have fair representation in addressing the issue impacting us the most.

Do you believe city leadership responded appropriately to the June 11 protests?

{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} No.

{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} Protests are part of democracy, and we must ensure public safety. Spokane deserves leaders who can keep people safe while respecting the right to free speech. Nobody would say the events that occurred that day was an ideal response. I’ve met with community leaders and law enforcement to work on learning from the events to improve for future situations. I believe it is critical to constantly be trying to improve. I’ll continue to show up, take responsibility, and work for solutions that keep families and neighborhoods safe.

Do you support the Keep Washington Working Act, which prohibits law enforcement or other local government officials from aiding federal immigration officers and appears to have led to the White House branding the state a “sanctuary jurisdiction,” potentially risking federal funding to the state and local jurisdictions?

{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} By passing the non-binding Keep Washington Working Act Resolution without proper procedure or community input, the City put much of its federal funding at risk – a funding source our operations rely on heavily. This has left the city in a deficit, adding stress to citizens who are already burdened. Residents are not being heard on what the city’s priorities should be, and that needs to change. For these reasons, I do not support this resolution.

{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} Yes, I co-sponsored the resolution reaffirming our commitment to the Keep Washington Working Act because no family should fear seeking help from their city government. Spokane is strongest when all working families have a fair shot at success, regardless of background. Federal funding should not come at the expense of our community values. Leadership is about standing up for fairness and safety. Families deserve to stay home together - not be ripped apart. I’ll keep working hard to ensure Spokane remains a place where families can thrive together, without fear, and with dignity.

Some of the plastics Spokane residents are asked to recycle are instead burned at the Waste-to-Energy Plant or pulverized and used for marginal reuse projects. Does the city do enough to recycle what goes in the blue bins? Should it invest in a more robust recycling system?

{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} The city does not do enough to recycle what goes into the blue bins. When most of the items placed in them end up in the regular refuse pile, we’re wasting taxpayer dollars on a service that doesn’t achieve its intended purpose—reducing waste and protecting our environment. We should invest in a more robust and efficient recycling system that can properly sort materials, so we can be responsible stewards of both our citizens’ dollars and our environment. Once again, we see a failure of true representation, with feel-good policies that don’t deliver real results for our community.

{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} We can and must do better. Residents deserve clarity on what truly gets recycled versus what ends up burned. The city should invest in better sorting technologies, local processing capacity, and education campaigns. Pairing improved infrastructure with clear labeling and transparency builds trust and makes recycling more effective and meaningful.

The City Council has previously approved two moratoriums on new development in the Latah Valley, totaling 16 months. During that time, the city developed plans to improve long-neglected infrastructure and roadways in the area. The last moratorium expired in May. Do you believe the city has done enough in that time? How would you address the continued issues in the area?

{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} The city has not done enough during the 16-month moratoriums – they mostly just kicked the can down the road, leaving affordability and infrastructure issues unresolved. I would keep this topic front and center by raising it every week, ensuring it stays a priority until solutions are found. We can address the challenges by gradually updating our general facility costs and impact fees to reflect current needs, helping manage growth responsibly while keeping housing more affordable.

{'id': None, 'title': None} The moratorium period was valuable, and we were able to accomplish some things such as secure funding for a fire station study and update impact fees for traffic mitigation, but more work remains. Unfortunately, we need more resources from the state to address some of the concerns and upgrades to infrastructure. My opponent is promoting policies that expand development like Latah Valley to more areas around our fringes, creating more sprawl, congestion, and danger with wildfires. These policies got us the situation in Latah Valley. We don’t need to spread more of these failed policies to more neighborhoods.

Public safety and housing affordability have been hot-button political issues in Spokane for years. Excluding these topics, what is an issue in your district that you will improve during your term?

{'id': 168, 'title': 'Christopher Savage'} We need to address our homeless crisis in a better manner than we are currently doing. We need to change our contract service providers from Catholic Charities and Jewel's Helping Hands to non-profits who are more responsible with the taxpayers money in a more efficient, fiscally responsible manner so we can help more people out of Homelessness and Addiction. Such as using shelter models like UGM or Adult Teen Challenge which provide programs and metrics that show they have the right services to help these people. Adult Teen Challenge has a 12-month program that has a 70% success rate and provides job training for when you complete their program. We need more services like these that show they are actively helping people out of homelessness and addiction. We want these people to be helped and healed in the right manner.

{'id': 169, 'title': 'Zack Zappone'} I will continue working to make our streets safer. I’ve passed ordinances requiring complete streets so every neighborhood has safe sidewalks, bike lanes, and crossings. I’ve pushed for faster and cheaper ways to build traffic safety interventions, such as adaptive design projects. I’ve also supported conducting more community outreach to get residents feedback on these types of projects before being implemented. In the next year, I will work on how families deserve to walk, bike, or drive around their neighborhoods without fear. I’ll keep delivering results that make Spokane’s streets safer and more connected for everyone.