Ballot decision not required

Contrary to what a recent letter writer said, the city code did not require our council to place the Envision Spokane initiative on the ballot. While Envision Spokane got the necessary number of signatures, the organization totally ignored the “single subject” requirement for state and city initiatives. Even Thomas Linzey, Envision Spokane attorney, acknowledged in an interview (Amy Goodman, “Democracy Now”) that this initiative “deals with a bunch of different issues, from health care to housing to unionization…” Perhaps that is why they chose to avoid the opportunity to meet with city legal staff ahead of time, as most groups do, because they knew it did not comply with the law.

According to the Spokane city code, the council could have rejected the initiative petition as “legally invalid,” but only two of the seven members had the courage to vote to do so. The council respects the rights of the citizens to propose initiatives but they also have an obligation to uphold the law, educate all of us so we can make informed decisions and seek our input. That is why they have decided to place on the ballot two advisory measures related to this poorly drafted Community Bill of Rights.

Gretchen McDevitt

Spokane