Election News

Thu., Nov. 23, 2000

S Jonathan Martin An Staff writer

Spokane files suit to halt I-722

The city of Spokane on Wednesday joined the growing ranks of governments statewide battling Initiative 722.

City attorneys filed a lawsuit in Spokane County Superior Court asking to halt immediate implementation of the tax-whacking initiative and eventually to have the entire law tossed out.

Assistant City Attorney Bob Beaumier said he hopes a judge will combine Spokane’s suit with those already filed in Thurston County Superior Court by Seattle, Pasco and other cities.

The city’s complaint echoes others that say the initiative violates a state law against including more than one topic in a single ballot measure, and illegally gives bigger property tax breaks to wealthy landowners than to poorer ones.

For example, Beaumier said, I-722 would limit the city’s ability to force the biggest generators of storm-water runoff - mostly big companies - to pay for their share of storm-water treatment plant upgrades.

“It’s a terrible injustice, and an unconstitutional gift of funds,” he said.

I-722, approved by 56 percent of voters, caps taxable property value increases at 2 percent or the inflation rate, whichever is less; limits the amount that governments can raise property taxes; and rolls back some taxes and fees approved in 1999.

The initiative’s prime sponsor, Tim Eyman, has said efforts to fight I-722 only encourage him to file new initiatives that downsize government.

Recount in Pend Oreille County Commission race

NEWPORT, Wash.

Ballots will be recounted by hand Monday in the Pend Oreille County commissioner race between incumbent Republican Mike Hanson and Democratic challenger Michael Quick.

State law requires a recount because Hanson’s eight-vote margin, 2,568 to 2,560, was a lead of less than a half-percent when election results were certified Wednesday.

County officials will recount the local ballots at the same time they recount ballots for close statewide races.

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