(The Center Square) – Spokane County is now facing a $25 million general fund deficit ahead of next year, as projections continue to sour. The gap follows $20 million deficits that the Board of County Commissioners balanced heading into 2025 and 2026 with significant cuts, fee increases and a 1% property tax hike last year. Jeff McMorris, senior director of finance and administration, had previously forecasted a $17 million deficit heading into 2027. He adjusted
(The Center Square) – A day after the Washington State Supreme Court unanimously rejected an appeal seeking a referendum on the state’s new income tax, one of the key players in the legal challenge to come is expressing encouragement from language in the ruling. On Monday, the court said the law — which taxes households with income above $1 million at a rate of 9.9% — is necessary to support the state government, and as
(The Center Square) – With millions of taxpayer dollars intended to address homelessness unaccounted for by the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, the King County Council voted unanimously Tuesday on legislation to address the current status and future of the organization. Depending on the results of an upcoming report and recommendation, the county authority that oversees the disbursement of government funding to providers could ultimately be dissolved. The move comes after a recent audit found
(The Center Square) – A majority of voters are considering leaving Spokane, citing taxes, questionable leadership and public safety issues as the reasons, according to a recent survey by Greater Spokane Incorporated. GSI released the fourth Spokane Pulse Survey on Tuesday based on interviews with 600 voters in the city of Spokane, Spokane Valley and Spokane County. While overall quality of life rose slightly compared to last fall, from 3.3 to 3.7 out of 10
