The City of Spokane and Spokane County are both proposing tax measures to address public safety concerns, including illegal drug use, homelessness, and violent crime – and voters will have their say this November. As Shift WA previously reported, Spokane County’s measure is a renewal of its Juvenile Detention Facility & Jails Sales Tax. Spokane City’s measure is a new tax, proposed by Democrat Mayor Lisa Brown and referred to as the Community Safety Sales Tax. Both taxes would cost consumers $1 for every $1,000 spent. The county’s renewal aims to maintain $15 million annually for its detention facilities, while the city expects to generate $7.7 million annually, with only 15% allocated to the county.

Brown’s proposal aims to address a $50 million budget deficit, but critics like Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels argue it could significantly reduce the county’s detention funding. If the county’s renewal fails and the city’s measure passes, Detention Services could face a 92% funding cut. Nowels warned that this would worsen public safety for everyone – like what has recently happened.

According to The Spokesman-Review, “around 2,700 felony offenders were released from jail without posting bail over the last three years, of which over 200 were accused of crimes such as rape, murder and child molestation.” Nowels attributed this directly to a lack of capacity.

But that’s not the only problem with Brown’s proposed tax increase. It also lacks specific safeguards to ensure funds are used exclusively for public safety. Instead, the city’s news release mentioned potential uses like replacing outdated vehicles, neighborhood resource officers, and “community resilience” projects, which could include traffic calming measures.

Nowels also argued that had Brown supported the failed measure for a new jail, the city would receive similar funding without cutting into county resources. Both tax measures need approval from the Spokane City Council and the Spokane County Board of County Commissioners to appear on the November ballot. Nowels continues to warn that if the county’s renewal fails and the city’s measure passes, violent crime could increase, negatively impacting the entire region. Read more at Center Square.

Boeing’s Machinist Union members have overwhelmingly voted (99.9%) to authorize a strike if necessary as they negotiate a new contract with Boeing. The current contract expires on September 12, and the vote permits a potential strike starting September 13. Machinists are seeking a whopping 40% wage increase and the reinstatement of their pension plan, citing quality of life concerns.

The vote to authorize a strike empowers the union’s negotiating committee and could release funds for a strike. For its part, Boeing expressed confidence in reaching a deal that balances employee needs with “business realities” in a public statement. Read more at MyNorthwest.com.

Voting for Washington’s 2024 primary election begins Friday, with ballots being mailed and drop boxes opening on July 19. Voters must return ballots to drop boxes or voting centers by 8 p.m. on August 6. Mailed ballots need to be postmarked by August 6, and the USPS recommends mailing them a week prior. It’s worth noting – all 39 counties have races on their ballots, with 654 offices and 94 local measures up for decision. Voters can check ballot status and drop box locations online!

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our podcast, dedicated to delivering insightful conversations on the pressing issues facing Washington state. If you’re concerned about the events unfolding in our state – from rising crime rates to the incessant addition of new tax hikes – and want to have a little fun, this podcast is for you.

Hosted by lifelong Washington state residents, our podcast features interviews with conservative thinkers and leaders who share their perspectives and solutions for the challenges our state faces. And, in the coming weeks, we’ll bring you interviews with candidates vying for offices across our state.

Listen to the inaugural, introductory podcast today – and don’t forget to subscribe!

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