W E E K L Y N E W S L E T T E R
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The H.O.M.E. Ordinances will cost more lives and damage businesses and jobs – City Council Votes tonight at 6PM – Be there to make your voice heard
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This Monday, June 16 at 6 PM, the City Council is voting on ordinances that pretend to replace Prop 1—but instead gut its clarity and enforcement. These proposals eliminate the ability of law enforcement to respond effectively to camping and obstruction in public spaces, replacing immediate action with delayed, passive responses. This might have made sense a decade ago—but not in the face of today’s fentanyl crisis.
Spokane County is already projected to have the highest overdose death rate in the nation by the end of 2025. These ordinances double down on the ineffective policies that got us here. They turn a blind eye, codify inaction, and leave our sidewalks, parks, and businesses vulnerable.
Cities across the West Coast like Seattle and Portland are finally responding effectively by using law enforcement not to punish, but to connect people to services and create real accountability. Mayor Brown’s proposed HOME ordinances do the opposite: they turn a blind eye, codify inaction, and leave our sidewalks, parks, and businesses vulnerable. Worse, they leave people to die on our streets and sidewalks, untreated, unsheltered, and unseen.
If we care about preserving our business and jobs, compassionate enforcement, public safety, and moving people toward recovery—not just survival—this isn’t it.
Come down tonight. Speak up. Oppose these misguided ordinances.
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A Message from our President...
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We the People . . . Being Involved in the Process
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Dear Spokane Community,
"America isn't easy. America is advanced citizenship. You've gotta want it bad, 'cause it's gonna put up a fight."
– President Andrew Shepherd (The American President)
While this quote comes from a fictional president in a movie, it carries the weight of truth. Any democratic form of government requires the work and involvement of the people it represents to be effective.
As we face the challenges of 2025, it may feel like we’re entering new political territory. But the Founding Fathers of the United States faced what, at the time, seemed like insurmountable differences of opinion. These included the balance of power between states and the federal government, establishing a strong economy, and how the new nation would address the issue of slavery. There were months of heated debate. Yet all sides came together to compromise on a plan that did the most good for the United States.
Today, our nation has become so politically polarized that the word compromise has become a dirty word. Both sides want everything done their way. But that’s not how a democracy works—that’s an oligarchy at best, and a dictatorship at worst.
As citizens—as voters—we must be engaged in the process and ensure our elected officials are following the will of the people. That takes time, effort, and commitment. Read the news. Stay informed about what’s happening in our city, state, and nation. Get your news from a variety of sources to avoid “confirmation bias.”
If an elected official has a different approach to an issue that goes against the will of the people, it is their responsibility to sell us on their plan. If they can’t, then it’s their duty to represent the people and enact the will of their constituents.
When we, the voters, face a crossroads with our government, it is our responsibility to speak up—to tell our elected leaders what we the people want. We must do so firmly, thoughtfully, and peacefully. Resorting to name-calling or leveling false accusations is not productive and only weakens our credibility.
We must stand up and engage in advanced citizenship. That means doing the research, building strong support for our views, and ensuring that those in power know where we stand.
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Your partner in business,
Brad
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DECISIONS ARE MADE BY THOSE WHO VOTE
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Your voice matters. Voting is one of the most powerful ways to shape your community, your state, and your country. Every election is a chance to weigh in on the issues that affect your daily life—from schools and safety to jobs and infrastructure. When you vote, you’re not just making a choice—you’re making a difference.
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2025 Voter Registration Deadlines – Spokane County, Washington
Primary Election – Tuesday, August 5, 2025
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Online and By Mail (received): Monday, July 28, 2025
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In-Person Registration: Tuesday, August 5, 2025, by 8:00 PM
Note: August 5 is also Primary Election Day. You may register or update your voter registration in person at your county Auditor’s Office or designated voting center until 8:00 PM.
General Election – Tuesday, November 4, 2025
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Online and By Mail (received): Monday, October 27, 2025
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In-Person Registration: Tuesday, November 4, 2025, by 8:00 PM
Link below to Spokane County elections
https://www.spokanecounty.gov/178/Current-Election
Register to vote link
https://www.spokanecounty.gov/207/Register-to-Vote
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Illegal Camping Trashing Our Parks.. Click below to see the cost of garbage.
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East Central Matters.
East Central is more than a neighborhood—it’s a community with history, resilience, and heart. The East Spokane Business Association (ESBA) is proud to serve as a focus council of the Spokane Business Association, working to protect what’s working, address what isn’t, and support the future East Central deserves.
If you live here, work here, or simply care about this part of Spokane, we invite you to join the conversation. Your perspective matters, and your presence makes a difference.
Whether you’re a longtime resident, a local business owner, or a new neighbor—this space is for you.
- Location: Sprague Union Terrace – 1420 E Sprague Ave (back entrance)
- Time: Noon to 1 PM - Lunch provided
- When: Every 4th Wednesday of the month.
Get updates on meeting times and guest speakers here each week. Let’s get to work. East Central needs all of us.
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Don't miss our next ESBA Member Meeting | June 25, 2025
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Guest Speaker -
Dr. Veena Singh
Chief Medical Examiner
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Dr. Veena Singh is a highly qualified forensic pathologist and public health advocate who has led Spokane County’s Medical Examiner’s Office since April 2021. Under her leadership, the office has evolved into a regional forensic center, recognized for its innovation in forensic science, cross-sector collaboration, and focus on community health. Her landmark efforts in genetic genealogy and detailed overdose reporting reflect a deep commitment to using forensic science not just for investigation, but as a tool for public awareness, prevention, and healing across the community.
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C O M I N G T H I S T H U R S D A Y !
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Reducing vehicle lanes to make room for bike paths, expanded sidewalks, or transit options may sound appealing in theory, but it comes with significant tradeoffs—especially in communities that depend on car travel and lack sufficient alternative infrastructure.
Learn how this issue may impact you or your business? We want to talk! Please plan to contribute to this impactful conversation with SBA.
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When: Thursday, June 19th | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Doors open at 11:30 AM
Where: Ruby River Inn | 700 N Division | Shoreline A
Registration Required to Attend
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The Spokane Business Association, in collaboration with the City’s Department of Community and Economic Development, has partnered with some of Spokane’s most innovative and forward-thinking businesses to streamline the permitting process and support the city’s construction momentum. From affordable housing developments to luxury high-rises, Spokane’s skyline is rising—and the future is looking up.
Join the Contractors & Developers Focus Council and be part of the conversation driving real change. Whether you’re building affordable housing or commercial high-rises, your voice matters. Help us create smarter policy, faster processes, and a stronger foundation for Spokane’s growth.
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When: Thursday, July 17th | 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM | Doors open at 10:30 AM
Where: Ruby River Inn | 700 N Division | Shoreline A
Registration Required to Attend
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Lunch Breaks that Mean Business | Coming Soon!
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New SBA Lunch & Learn Series Coming This Summer!
Hungry for knowledge? Grab your brown bag and join us for a bite-sized brainstorm! Each month, the SBA will serve up fresh topics and expert voices to fuel your mind and spark real conversations.
Bring Your Own Lunch, Leave with Insight 🍎 🧃 🛍️
Details Coming Soon!
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YOUR VOICE. YOUR IMPACT. YOUR MEMBERSHIP.
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Downtown Spokane is at a crossroads. Business owners are confronting the impacts of addiction, homelessness, and public safety challenges every single day. These aren’t abstract policy debates—they’re lived realities. But change doesn’t come from waiting. It comes from stepping in.
The Spokane Business Association exists because a group of business leaders chose to stop accepting the status quo. We walk the streets before sunrise. We talk directly with policymakers. We advocate for solutions rooted in both accountability and compassion. This work is not easy, but it is necessary—and it’s powered by the people who refuse to give up on Spokane.
If you care about building a safer, stronger, more equitable city, then your voice belongs here. Not because we have all the answers, but because together, we’re asking the right questions—and demanding better. This is how change starts. Join us.
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SBA THANKS OUR VALUABLE INVESTORS
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If you believe in what we're building and want to see Spokane thrive, don’t keep it to yourself—share this with your neighbors, colleagues, and friends. The more voices we have, the stronger our impact.
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