The TLDR on a night full of surprises. Spokane City Council passed a $2.5 billion budget, extended the nonprofit C.O.P.S. contract, chose their rules and committee assignments and decided what they will push Olympia for.
Second or third or tenth times the charm? A flurry of amendments submitted this morning could change the council rules again. And, keep meetings on Mondays.
Luke, Erin and guest Aaron Hedge — the environmentalism and County reporter at RANGE Media — chatted Spokane City Council rule changes (and the consequences for conservatives), the continued saga of Liberty
Popular board member Kim Girard was a strong voice against book bans and for library autonomy during prominent controversies. Mayor Pro Tem Chris Cargill said ‘we need new blood’ on the board, which already had two vacant seats.
A new set of council rules would move the longstanding Monday meetings to Tuesdays, require three sponsors on legislation and allow public comment at committee meetings. But some changes could come at the expense of constituents represented by the conservative council members in the 5-2 minority.
The nerds at RANGE have an idea —what else is new? Well this time we brainstormed live(ish) with some cool Spokanites on how to help us be more connected to the process.
Community policing nonprofit Spokane C.O.P.S. (not the police) could lose their longstanding funding. A closer look at the organization uncovered communication breakdowns with the city, a volunteer with extremist ties and the employment of a Brady-List officer.
Luke, Erin and guest Aaron Hedge talked about the city’s will-they-won’t-they relationship with the C.O.P.S. contract, what CEO Larry Krauter’s departure from the Spokane Airport means and more.
