City of Spokane

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Spokane County Ballot Measures

Spokane County Measure #1

  • VOTE NO

    Vote NO to increasing the sales tax to double the size of the county jail

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  • Spokane Measure 1 proposes to raise the sales and use tax by $1.7 billion over the next 30 years to pay for an expensive new downtown jail. 

    This measure would add a sales and use tax of 2 cents per $10 dollars spent in Spokane County through 2054. Despite this massive price tag, county commissioners who proposed Measure 1 have not outlined specific plans for how the money would be spent. In addition, the current county commission failed to implement any of the policies for reducing jail crowding that were recommended by their own Justice Task Force before proposing the construction of a big new jail. In fact, a national expert hired by the county to analyze the region's future needs found that a new jail is not needed and would be the most expensive option. 

    Criminal legal experts and civil rights leaders agree that the county should instead pursue commonsense reforms that save money and are proven to reduce crime, like affordable housing and mental health and addiction services. We should fund more of these solutions that will reduce crime at a fraction of the cost. 

    Spokane residents deserve proven, cost-effective approaches to public safety, not $1.7 billion boondoggles that lack accountability to taxpayers. Vote No on Spokane Measure 1.

    Last updated: 2023-10-18

    Spokane Measure 1 proposes to raise the sales and use tax by $1.7 billion over the next 30 years to pay for an expensive new downtown jail. 

    This measure would add a sales and use tax of 2 cents per $10 dollars spent in Spokane County through 2054. Despite this massive price tag, county commissioners who proposed Measure 1 have not outlined specific plans for how the money would be spent. In addition, the current county commission failed to implement any of the policies for reducing jail crowding that were recommended by their own Justice Task Force before proposing the construction of a big new jail. In fact, a national expert hired by the county to analyze the region's future needs found that a new jail is not needed and would be the most expensive option. 

    Criminal legal experts and civil rights leaders agree that the county should instead pursue commonsense reforms that save money and are proven to reduce crime, like affordable housing and mental health and addiction services. We should fund more of these solutions that will reduce crime at a fraction of the cost. 

    Spokane residents deserve proven, cost-effective approaches to public safety, not $1.7 billion boondoggles that lack accountability to taxpayers. Vote No on Spokane Measure 1.

    Spokane Measure 1 proposes to raise the sales and use tax by $1.7 billion over the next 30 years to pay for an expensive new downtown jail. 

    This measure would add a sales and use tax of 2 cents per $10 dollars spent in Spokane County through 2054. Despite this massive price tag, county commissioners who proposed Measure 1 have not outlined specific plans for how the money would be spent. In addition, the current county commission failed to implement any of the policies for reducing jail crowding that were recommended by their own Justice Task Force before proposing the construction of a big new jail. In fact, a national expert hired by the county to analyze the region's future needs found that a new jail is not needed and would be the most expensive option. 

    Criminal legal experts and civil rights leaders agree that the county should instead pursue commonsense reforms that save money and are proven to reduce crime, like affordable housing and mental health and addiction services. We should fund more of these solutions that will reduce crime at a fraction of the cost. 

    Spokane residents deserve proven, cost-effective approaches to public safety, not $1.7 billion boondoggles that lack accountability to taxpayers. Vote No on Spokane Measure 1.

    Spokane Measure 1

    Spokane Measure 1 proposes to raise the sales and use tax by $1.7 billion over the next 30 years to pay for an expensive new downtown jail. 

Spokane Ballot Measures

Depending on where you live, you may have the below city races on your ballot.

Spokane City Proposition #1

  • VOTE NO

    Vote No against inhumane and ineffective housing policy

  • Spokane Proposition 1 would change the city code in order to criminalize homelessness in parts of Spokane.

    The housing crisis and rising wealth inequality have left many of our neighbors struggling to keep a roof over our heads. Though encampments are not a long-term solution for Spokane residents without housing, efforts to criminalize them only makes it harder to connect them with services and support. Criminalizing poverty and homelessness instead leads to more overcrowding in Washington jails and further distances people from safety and the resources they need to get back on their feet.

    Proposition 1 for the city of Spokane would amend the city’s municipal code to make some encampments illegal depending on their proximity to certain public spaces. By doing so, it would criminalize the actions of Spokane residents struggling the most and rely on the criminal legal system as a solution to poverty rather than making necessary investments in public services. The proposition offers no solution to the housing crisis and would only further divide Spokane.

    This proposition likely violates the constitutional rights of our neighbors. It is being funded by the same conservative special interest groups attempting to buy the Spokane City Council and mayor’s race. Vote NO on Spokane Proposition 1.

    Last updated: 2023-10-18

    Spokane Proposition 1 would change the city code in order to criminalize homelessness in parts of Spokane.

    The housing crisis and rising wealth inequality have left many of our neighbors struggling to keep a roof over our heads. Though encampments are not a long-term solution for Spokane residents without housing, efforts to criminalize them only makes it harder to connect them with services and support. Criminalizing poverty and homelessness instead leads to more overcrowding in Washington jails and further distances people from safety and the resources they need to get back on their feet.

    Proposition 1 for the city of Spokane would amend the city’s municipal code to make some encampments illegal depending on their proximity to certain public spaces. By doing so, it would criminalize the actions of Spokane residents struggling the most and rely on the criminal legal system as a solution to poverty rather than making necessary investments in public services. The proposition offers no solution to the housing crisis and would only further divide Spokane.

    This proposition likely violates the constitutional rights of our neighbors. It is being funded by the same conservative special interest groups attempting to buy the Spokane City Council and mayor’s race. Vote NO on Spokane Proposition 1.

    Spokane Proposition 1 would change the city code in order to criminalize homelessness in parts of Spokane.

    The housing crisis and rising wealth inequality have left many of our neighbors struggling to keep a roof over our heads. Though encampments are not a long-term solution for Spokane residents without housing, efforts to criminalize them only makes it harder to connect them with services and support. Criminalizing poverty and homelessness instead leads to more overcrowding in Washington jails and further distances people from safety and the resources they need to get back on their feet.

    Proposition 1 for the city of Spokane would amend the city’s municipal code to make some encampments illegal depending on their proximity to certain public spaces. By doing so, it would criminalize the actions of Spokane residents struggling the most and rely on the criminal legal system as a solution to poverty rather than making necessary investments in public services. The proposition offers no solution to the housing crisis and would only further divide Spokane.

    This proposition likely violates the constitutional rights of our neighbors. It is being funded by the same conservative special interest groups attempting to buy the Spokane City Council and mayor’s race. Vote NO on Spokane Proposition 1.

    Spokane Prop 1

    Spokane Proposition 1 would change the city code in order to criminalize homelessness in parts of Spokane.

    • Opposed By League of Women Voters of the Spokane Area