FACT of the MATTER: 
Encouraging you to Vote No Prop 4

Over the past several months, you have no doubt seen numerous road signs, read various newspaper articles, heard TV and radio ads and debates in a variety of venues either promoting or opposing Proposition #4 – on the ballot as “Envision Spokane Community Bill of Rights.”

Very clearly and without apology, the reader is entitled to know that A.I. has taken an early and active role in opposing Prop 4, and it is neither my intent nor obligation to offer countervailing points of view. However, I do believe as a broad-based association, we have an obligation to provide as much information as possible. As a consequence, as you read on you will note I am providing e-links to others who discuss the issue in greater detail – both for and against.

As an employer-based organization representing over 700 business firms statewide of which approximately 450 are located within the City of Spokane and its surrounding areas, it is our position that Prop 4 is detrimental to both the business community and our city in general.

While I believe the A.I. position is both clear and consistent with its stated mission and purpose, from a personal point of view it has also been interesting (to say the least) to witness the amount of vigor and vitriol the issue has generated. I offer the following for your consideration:

1. City leadership consensus: Proposition 4 is opposed by: Mayor Mary Verner; all 7 members of the Spokane City Council Members as well as all six hopefuls for three City Council seats and 24 of the 27 neighborhood councils across the city.
2. Organization and individual opposition: The Inland Pacific Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc (ABC), Greater Spokane Inc. (GSI), Journal of Business; Spokesman-Review; Seattle Times and Everett Herald, as well as The Pacific Northwest Inlander, who recently commented, “Its heart is in the right place, but Proposition 4 has its head lost in the clouds.” Prominent business leaders throughout the community who have also voiced opposition include: Walt Worthy, Barb Chamberlain, Murray Huppin, Rob Higgins, Kevin Parker and so many more.
3. Statewide concern: Prop 4 is not only of local concern. Excerpts from a recently-completed study conducted by the Washington Policy Center suggest numerous concerns with the proposition, including litigation and costs: “…A group calling itself ‘Envision Spokane’ that brought Prop 4 to a vote is headed by an environmental attorney from Pennsylvania who has succeeded in passing similar legislation in much smaller towns around the country, and if successful, hopes to spread this potentially costly, job-killing initiative statewide and beyond.” Likewise, Don Brunell, President of the Association of Washington Business (AWB) says:
   
   “Because of the scope of this proposition and our public policy principles it impacts, we are recommending to the Governmental Affairs Council…and the Executive Committee…that AWB oppose it. Generally, we do not get involved in local ballot issues; however, because of the precedent-setting nature of Proposition 4, it is something we ought to make an exception for and weigh-in to oppose.”
4. Loss of jobs: Should Prop 4 be approved, and presuming that you have read through the complete proposition, does it not beg a few questions:

• Will this proposition promote or stifle our local economy?
• Would this so-called Bill of Rights generate family-wage jobs or frivolous lawsuits?
• If you were a business owner from outside the area considering Spokane relocation, would Prop 4’s covenants cause you to be more likely or less likely to establish your business here?
• As a Spokane business operation, would this proposition allow you to be more competitive?

Spokane may not be perfect, but it is a vibrant, alive city that just keeps getting better. Let’s continue to move Spokane forward, building on a strong business foundation, and