Liberal supermajority a fiction

Much has been made of the so-called “supermajority” on the Spokane City Council. Don’t buy into this myth. Most votes on the council are routine and non-political. Very few issues have arisen in which a supermajority could have been a factor.

For example, Councilman Mike Fagan’s role on the Spokane Regional Health Board? No supermajority vote. Immigration status? This was supported by the police and Mayor David Condon, and would not have been vetoed even if it had garnered less than five council votes. Paid sick and safe leave? The majority was not in agreement on exemptions or number of days, nor whether it should be passed before the vote on the Worker Bill of Rights, and not even in agreement on the companion advisory vote. And minimum wage? It was never even considered.

Only one ordinance was passed by the supermajority over the mayor’s objection: an apprenticeship program for city public works projects. This is hardly an over-reaching program given prevailing wage laws, fair labor standards and other mandates common in public works projects. The version passed here was far more limited than the safe and sick leave polices on the West Side.

Worried about the liberal supermajority? It isn’t there.

Barbara Marney

Spokane