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Heated public hearing on Spokane’s proposed commercial parking tax: airport, downtown businesses oppose; transit and housing advocates support
Summary
A large, divided turnout filled council chambers for first-reading testimony on a proposed local option transportation tax on commercial parking. Airport leadership and downtown business groups warned of harm to airport revenue and downtown workers; transportation and housing advocates said the tax funds safety and transit projects and helps repurpose surface lots for housing.
Dozens of speakers filled council chambers and the online queue to testify on the proposed local option transportation tax on commercial parking during a lengthy first-reading hearing.
Opponents stressed economic harms. Dave Herring, CEO of Spokane International Airport, told the council the airport depends heavily on parking revenue and said the proposed tax could reduce airport revenue and long-term capital investment; he urged council not to approve the measure. Downtown business and property representatives, including the Downtown Spokane…
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