Lisa Gardner, City Council Communications Director, 509.625.6226
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 12:53 p.m.
On Sunday evening, state lawmakers concluded the 2025 Legislative Session, and Spokane secured funding for various city and community priorities.
“I am so proud of the work the Spokane City Council did this legislative session in collaboration with Mayor Brown, her administration, and community partners,” said Council Member Paul Dillon. “From expanding public safety and behavioral health to critical transportation investments, there’s much to celebrate, and we thank our local legislators, especially our 3rd Legislative District representatives, for prioritizing residents in Spokane.”
Notable funding highlights include:
The Council and City administration celebrate several legislative victories with the passage of House Bill 1258, which ensures fair sharing of the 911 excise tax revenue collected from Spokane residents for emergency dispatch services. This bill is significant as Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) has set a deadline of January 1, 2026, for the City to establish its own 911 service. It promotes taxpayer fairness and strengthens the capabilities of Spokane’s police and fire departments. Additionally, Senate Bill 5558, supported by bipartisan sponsors, extends the deadline for comprehensive plan reviews under the Growth Management Act by six months. This extension allows the City to incorporate critical climate and housing data better, ensuring thorough public input and legislative scrutiny.
The Council attributes this year’s success to teamwork. Council Members, the Mayor, City staff, lobbyists, AFSCME Local 270, and other community partners came together as a united force in Olympia. Their collaborative efforts, including testifying on bills, communicating with legislators, and rallying support from stakeholders, all made a significant impact on the outcome.
For more information on the 2025 Legislative Priorities, read our blog at https://my.spokanecity.org/news/stories/2025/01/28/city-of-spokanes-legislative-priorities-for-2025/
About the Spokane City Council
The City Council is the legislative body of the City of Spokane, which is home to more than 220,000 people and is located in the heart of the Inland Northwest. The City’s 2,000 employees strive to deliver efficient and effective services that facilitate economic opportunity and enhance the quality of life for all our citizens. For more information, visit SpokaneCity.org/CityCouncil/ and follow us @SpokaneCityCouncil on Facebook.
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