{"id":2357046,"date":"2024-10-19T15:17:58","date_gmt":"2024-10-19T19:17:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/spokane-mayor-councilmember-debate-over-tax-increases-safeguards-assurances-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-10-19T15:20:31","modified_gmt":"2024-10-19T19:20:31","slug":"spokane-mayor-councilmember-debate-over-tax-increases-safeguards-assurances-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/spokane-mayor-councilmember-debate-over-tax-increases-safeguards-assurances-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Spokane mayor, councilmember debate over tax increases, safeguards, assurances &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fspokane-mayor-councilmember-debate-over-tax-increases-safeguards-assurances-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2357046&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>In a recent debate, \u2062Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown and Councilmember Jonathan Bingle clashed over Brown&#8217;s proposed sales\u2064 tax increase, focusing on its potential impact on public safety. The \u2062conversation highlighted the legitimacy of the\u200c proposed safeguards, including a sunset clause that would end\u200c tax collection in 10 years and ensure dedicated\u200d funding for community safety. While Brown\u200d argued\u2063 for \u2063the importance of voter decision-making and council accountability, Bingle sought to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-ask-biden-to-stop-sole-authority-on-nuclear-launches\/\" title=\"Democrats Ask Biden TO STOP Sole Authority On Nuclear Launches\">implement additional measures<\/a> to restrict \u200bcouncil power over the tax. He emphasized the need for increased capacity at local detention facilities as a solution to\u2064 downtown crime and criticized \u2063Brown&#8217;s approach, which he believes misses out on immediate funding opportunities for law enforcement improvements. Brown raised concerns about the operational costs associated with \u200dnew facilities and the need for comprehensive \u200cmental health support. The debate\u200d reflects ongoing tensions regarding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/swipe-left-dem-congressional-candidate-apologizes-after-fudging-age-on-tinder-bumble\/\" title=\"\u2018Swipe Left\u2019: Dem Congressional Candidate Apologizes After Fudging Age On Tinder, Bumble\">public safety funding<\/a> and governance \u2063in Spokane.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Spokane mayor, councilmember debate over tax increases, safeguards, assurances<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1839761\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square)&nbsp;&ndash; Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown and Councilmember Jonathan Bingle went head-to-head in a debate on Thursday, picking each other apart over her proposed sales tax increase.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The discussion centered on how the passage or failure of the mayor&rsquo;s tax&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/washington\/article_1ddff7de-3d5d-11ef-9a0d-2f2755dc133f.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">increase<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;could affect&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/washington\/article_949adc12-866a-11ef-8265-b36937ea1629.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">public safety<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;around the city. Much of the conversation touched on the legitimacy of the proposal&rsquo;s safeguards, determining when collection will stop and where the money will go.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Last month, Brown&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/washington\/article_b79b88c2-714a-11ef-b8b4-87edaa4a12c6.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">proposed<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;a sunset clause that would halt the tax collection within 10 years and a dedicated fund to ensure the revenue is used for community safety. The measures are legally binding but allow the city council to override the voter&rsquo;s decision by repealing the safeguards.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The ultimate guardrails here is that every other year, you get to elect new council members,&rdquo; Brown said, &ldquo;and you also get to be the ones that make the decision on this measure.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Bingle attempted to add a sunset clause before sending the measure to the ballot, which would&rsquo;ve removed the council&rsquo;s ability to repeal it. However, the clause would also create a trigger that would&rsquo;ve halted collection in the event of a successful jail measure.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>His solution to addressing crime downtown centers on increasing capacity at local&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/washington\/article_e130c60e-81ab-11ef-8f6b-f728f2756ae1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">detention<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;facilities. Bingle supported a&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/washington\/article_77ae3714-3e1a-11ee-8dc3-9f9d4879d9ff.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tax<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;measure last November, which would&rsquo;ve funded new detention facilities among other things, but it didn&rsquo;t pass.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Brown didn&rsquo;t endorse the jail tax before taking office in January, and neither did former Mayor Nadine Woodward. Brown raised&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/washington\/article_80ddd25e-84e1-11ef-9030-5f0be6171666.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">concerns<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;about the need for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/father-considers-lawsuit-against-gender-clinic-for-affirming-9-year-old-autistic-son-as-transgender-lesbian\/\" title=\"Father Considers Lawsuit Against Gender Clinic For Affirming 9-Year-Old Autistic Son As Transgender Lesbian\">behavioral health services<\/a> in the plan and around the city&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/spokane-needs-a-new-jail-but-mayor-brown-says-the-county-hasnt-answered-her-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Spokane needs a new jail, but Mayor Brown says the county hasn\u2019t answered her - Washington Examiner\">ongoing financial commitment<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s one thing to build new facilities, and we need them,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;but it&rsquo;s another thing to have an operating plan so the city knows how much it&rsquo;s going to be paying for those jail beds, and we need the comprehensive mental and behavioral health support.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The city would&rsquo;ve received a portion of the jail measure&rsquo;s revenue, more than it would generate through Brown&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-unveils-massive-infrastructure-plan-calls-it-once-in-a-generation-investment\/\" title=\"Biden Unveils Massive Infrastructure Plan, Calls It \u2018Once-In-A-Generation Investment\u2019\">proposed tax increase<\/a>. Still, Brown noted a lack of safeguards ensuring that the county wouldn&rsquo;t consider that revenue as the city&rsquo;s contribution to operating the facilities.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Bingle disagreed with her interpretation. He said if it had passed, Spokane would have already been receiving revenue it could use to hire dozens of officers over the next few years, build new police precincts and fire stations, and add more court commissioners and another judge, among other investments.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;My plan as a council member does include a ballot measure going out to the public,&rdquo; Bingle said. &ldquo;Just this one right here will procedurally block us from being able to do so.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/app.leg.wa.gov\/rcw\/default.aspx?cite=82.14.450\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">State law<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;allows counties and cities to adopt sales taxes not exceeding three-tenths of 1%. The county already collects one-tenth, and Brown wants to take another slice; if she&rsquo;s successful,&nbsp;it means the county can&rsquo;t push for a two-tenths of 1% jail tax without the city&rsquo;s support.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Brown reaffirmed that her sunset clause provides this legal reassurance, but Bingle questioned its legitimacy, considering the council&rsquo;s majority could repeal it. He questioned how voters could trust these assurances when the council majority had already shot down the initial binding provisions.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Do you trust the people in charge of the money to do what they say they&rsquo;re going to do with it?&rdquo; Bingle asked voters. &ldquo;Look at this council; we have a majority who have either signed pledges or openly talked about the need to defund the police, and now they&rsquo;re telling you suddenly, oh no, we&rsquo;re very pro-police, we&rsquo;re very pro-public safety. I have my doubts.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1839761\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1839761\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spokane mayor and councilmember clash over tax hike impacts<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2357047,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP24014160623172-1-1024x683.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[7694,4602,32585],"class_list":["post-2357046","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-councilmember","tag-mayor","tag-spokane"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP24014160623172-1-1024x683.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2357046","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2357046"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2357046\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2357047"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2357046"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2357046"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2357046"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}