Vote No on Prop 4

Spokane business owners and residents were likely to face major tax hikes if an initiative sponsored by a group of East Coast activists passed on election day. A group called Envision Spokane recently turned in 5,100 signatures to try to get a "neighborhood bill of rights" on the November ballot as a city charter amendment (the required number of validated signatures is 2,795). On election day, voters in Spokane rejected Proposition 4, 75 percent to 25 percent.

Greater Spokane Incorporated opposed the ballot proposal and was part of the "Jobs and Opportunity Benefiting Spokane" (JOBS) Coalition, which represents small businesses and taxpayers. GSI sent a letter to the City Council members urging them to consider the legality of the proposal regarding the single subject rule of the City Charter (Section 13) and the State Constitution (Section 19). The signatures were sent to the County for verification.

"The law is intentionally written in language that is vague and unclear so it will clog up the courts for years with frivolous lawsuits, slowing down job growth and discouraging business in Spokane," stated Walt Worthy, owner of The Davenport Hotel, before the election.

Arguments against the proposal included:

It would likely cost taxpayers millions of dollars had the initiative passed, since lawsuits would tie it up in court.
It wiould drive businesses out of Spokane city limits.
It would potentially cost thousands of jobs.
It was likely illegal under WA state law requiring an initiative to have a single subject.
It would have required tax increases at a time when the City of Spokane is trying to close a budget deficit.
It was an initiative led by East Coast backers with their own agenda.
It would have given a small group of unelected activists power to stop economic growth.

"We are suffering through one of the worst economic downturns in eighty years, businesses are struggling to survive, and we cannot bear new taxes, new restrictions and new red tape," said Laura Lawton, owner of Lawton's Printing.

For more information about this issue please contact Amy Johnson.

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