Author: Tim Clouser | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – As federal COVID-19 pandemic aid dries up and budget deficits mount, cities across the state are asking their legislators to let them tax residents more than the 1% cap on annual property tax increases.  November and December are budget season for a lot of areas, and this year is no different, other…

(The Center Square) – The Washington State University Board of Regents voted Friday to raise tuition by the maximum amount next school year as enrollment has declined roughly 20% since the pandemic. While freshmen enrollment saw slight increases systemwide for the second year in a row this fall, the overall student population decreased by roughly 3%. The regents…

(The Center Square) – The Spokane City Council approved an ordinance on Monday prohibiting landlords from evicting tenants or raising rent without a business license, potentially sparking a lawsuit.  The legislation amends an existing section of the Spokane Municipal Code to provide some accountability for another ordinance passed last year. That measure requires landlords to obtain…

(The Center Square) – As states rush to either affirm or ban children from undergoing sex reassignment procedures, new data shows Oregon among U.S. states providing the most such procedures. Data published by the Do No Harm, a nonprofit group of physicians and other medical professionals opposed to such procedures on children, shows that roughly 13,394 minors underwent…

(The Center Square) – As politicians and public safety advocates call for a new jail, Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown told The Center Square that she’s ready to return to the table but that the county hasn’t responded to her. Voters had an opportunity to pass a tax increase last year that could have raised roughly $1.7 billion over…

(The Center Square) – The Spokane Valley City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday not to provide Councilmember Al Merkel with legal representation amid his appeal to an investigation brought on by his peers.  The city announced earlier this month that a third-party investigation found Merkel violated the council’s Governance Manual and potentially state law. The situation ensued following a complaint from…

(The Center Square) – Spokane’s utility rates expire at the end of 2024, and with new fares coming in their place, the difference might cost residents another $180 annually by 2026.  Utility rates cover water service, the resulting consumption/usage, garbage, wastewater, stormwater and capital. Residents pay for the services under rates that could increase by more than…

(The Center Square) – As Spokane pushes to grant a congregate homeless shelter $1.2 million despite the apparent lack of a competitive process, some on the city council are questioning whether that’s legal.  Last month, Mayor Lisa Brown proposed using the money to prevent Hope House, a women’s congregate shelter, from closing. According to a news release,…

(The Center Square) – The primary election was only last month, but a few school districts in Spokane County are already looking ahead to the Nov. 5 general election, hoping they can pass bonds that failed in February. CHENEY SCHOOL DISTRICT The first request comes from the Cheney School District, which serves over 5,500 students. CSD is asking voters to approve…

(The Center Square) – Spokane hosted its first community roundtable over the city council’s deferred ordinances regarding homelessness without mentioning the shelved measures.  Council President Betsy Wilkerson and Councilmember Zack Zappone ran dozens of community stakeholders through the Tuesday meeting. It started with a rundown of the rules for the series and an overhaul of the…