The following is an official statement from Council Member Jonathan Bingle regarding Council vote on ordinance C36679 “Obstruction and Unauthorized Camping”
“The Spokane City Council has once again ignored the will of the voters by passing so-called “Prop None,” a diluted replacement for the voter-approved 2023 anti-encampment initiative, commonly known as Prop 1. Spokane residents spoke clearly at the ballot box: they want enforceable tools to address illegal encampments and protect public spaces. Instead, they’ve been given a substitute no one asked for and told it’s better.
The residents of Spokane were promised leadership that listens. Unfortunately, what you all received was the opposite.
This decision further illustrates the growing gap between City Hall and the residents it is meant to serve. For months, Spokane voters, business owners, and neighborhood leaders have called for sensible action to fix the crisis on our streets. They supported Prop 1 not because it was extreme, but because it was straightforward, enforceable, and necessary.
Now, with secret phone calls behind closed doors and last-minute amendments, the council has discarded that clarity in favor of bureaucratic half-measures that lack teeth and accountability.
This isn’t just about policy; it’s about trust. Trust in our process. Trust in our vote. Trust that when the people of Spokane speak, their leaders will listen.
Good governance involves respecting the voice of the people, even when you disagree. It means showing up, doing the hard work, and being honest about who you’re working for. Unfortunately, the passage of “Prop None” sends a loud and clear message: certain members of this council believe they know better than the people they were elected to serve.
It’s long overdue for Spokane to have leadership that listens. Leadership that respects the vote. Leadership that prioritizes public safety, order, and accountability over political games.
The people of Spokane deserve nothing less.”
