The deliberations of the Spokane City Council on Monday culminated in a narrow decision with a 4-3 vote against reinstating Proposition 1, a law aimed at curbing homeless camping. This legislation, initially receiving strong backing from 75% of voters in 2023, was recently invalidated by the Washington Supreme Court. The proposition had prohibited camping within 1,000 feet of parks, schools, and licensed daycare centers, classifying violations as a cite-and-release misdemeanor offense. The court’s ruling determined that the proposition exceeded the legal parameters for a local initiative, yet it did not assess the law’s underlying validity, thereby allowing the City Council the option to reinstate it through an official ordinance.
Councilman Michael Cathcart proposed suspending council rules to expedite the consideration of an ordinance that would reintroduce Proposition 1’s measures directly into city law. He was supported by Council members Jonathan Bingle and Zack Zappone in this effort for swift action. In contrast, Councilwoman Kitty Klitzke advocated for awaiting recommendations from police leadership, expected by Wednesday, regarding possible amendments to the law before presenting a revised version to the council. She emphasized the importance of crafting effective legislation by consulting precinct authorities to incorporate broader perspectives.
While Cathcart expressed openness to altering Proposition 1 after its reinstatement, he emphasized the public’s expectation for the law to be operational, suggesting that the council’s inaction would be a disservice to the community. However, Councilman Paul Dillon contended that the law’s popularity should not dictate its reimplementation, highlighting ongoing litigation concerning the law’s merits and advocating for substantial modifications prior to future council voting.