The debate over how to address homelessness in Spokane continues to simmer after a decision this month from Washington’s Supreme Court.

The ruling struck down Proposition 1, a camping ban introduced by a citizen-led initiative that was overwhelmingly passed by Spokane voters in 2023. 

The court’s decision wasn’t based on the merits of the camping ban, but rather on whether the citizens of Spokane had the power to take such action in the first place. 

Now, the legal ripples of this decision are stirring up fierce emotions over regulating homelessness in Spokane, and are raising questions over how much say citizens can have in local policy at large.

Guests:
Emry Dinman, city hall reporter for the Spokesman Review. 

Related Links: 
Homeless camping ban struck down by state Supreme Court
Spokane City Council declines to reinstate Prop 1 after state Supreme Court strikes it down

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

The debate over how to address homelessness in Spokane continues to simmer after a decision this month from Washington&rsquo;s Supreme Court.
The ruling struck down Proposition 1, a camping ban introduced by a citizen-led initiative that was overwhelmingly passed by Spokane voters in 2023.&nbsp;
The court&rsquo;s decision wasn&rsquo;t based on the merits of the camping ban, but rather on whether the citizens of Spokane had the power to take such action in the first place.&nbsp;
Now, the legal ripples of this decision are stirring up fierce emotions over regulating homelessness in Spokane, and are raising questions over how much say citizens can have in local policy at large.
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Emry Dinman, city hall reporter for the Spokesman Review.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Related Links:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/apr/17/spokanes-voter-approved-anti-homeless-camping-law-/">Homeless camping ban struck down by state Supreme Court</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/apr/21/spokane-city-council-declines-to-reinstate-prop-1-/">Spokane City Council declines to reinstate Prop 1 after state Supreme Court strikes it down</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

The ruling struck down Proposition 1, a camping ban introduced by a citizen-led initiative that was overwhelmingly passed by Spokane voters in 2023. 

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