Greater Spokane Inc. (GSI) and the Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP) filed an amicus brief with the Washington State Supreme Court today in support of Spokane’s Proposition No. 1.
The brief focuses on issues raised in the case which would weaken the local initiative process used to propose and pass Proposition 1 in 2023. The proposition amends a local ordinance to prohibit camping within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, playgrounds, and licensed daycare centers.
The Amicus Curae, or “Friend of the Court,” brief outlines GSI and the DSP’s interests in protecting the local initiative process and its outcomes in Spokane. Those interests include protecting and enhancing local control for community-based solutions, responsible use of public spaces, and the protection of the economic vitality of the Spokane region.
“The local initiative is a cornerstone of our democratic process. GSI can’t allow it to become collateral damage in the fight over Proposition 1,” said Alisha Benson, CEO of Greater Spokane Incorporated. “When I saw arguments being brought to the Court that would weaken this process, I felt GSI had to step in on behalf of our member partners. We will never have a community solution to our neighbors’ homelessness without centering the voice of our community.”
“Preserving the vitality of downtown Spokane and the responsible use of public space in our community is a top priority of the DSP and echoed by Spokane voters who overwhelmingly voted to pass Proposition 1 last year,” said Emilie Cameron, President & CEO of the Downtown Spokane Partnership. “The DSP partnered in this brief to protect the power of the local initiative process and confirm that Spokane has a necessary tool to intervene when homelessness impacts the ability to ensure safe access to public spaces for everyone.”