Envision Spokane Proposes a Bill of Rights for the People of Spokane
Envision Spokane, the local coalition of labor, environment, and neighborhood groups has begun distributing its draft proposal to amend the City of Spokane’s charter. Entitled “Spokane’s Bill of Rights,” the proposal would amend the charter with an enforceable eleven point
statement of principles that covers, among other things, the right to a “living wage” for workers, the right to housing, and the right to a healthy environment. The draft is the result of work that began in the fall of 2007. The coalition hopes to place a final Bill of Rights on the November 2009 general election ballot.
The full draft of the Bill of Rights, which the coalition is now circulating for public review and comment, can be found here.
Envision Spokane consists of 24 organizations, including seven neighborhood councils (and two other that list themselves as “observers”), six community groups, and four labor unions.
Between January 16th and March 21st, the coalition plans to hold a number of town hall meetings throughout the city to take comments on the proposal. The first town meeting is scheduled for Browne Elementary School, 5102 N. Driscoll on Friday January 16th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and then Saturday from 9 a.m. to Noon. Comments are also invited by email at comments@envisionspokane.org.
The remainder of the town meetings are scheduled for:
January 30 & 31: Shiloh Hills Elementary, 505 E. Stonewall
February 13 & 14: Ferris High School
February 27 & 28: Corbin Senior Center, 827 W. Cleveland
March 20 & 21: East Central Community Center, 500 S. Stone
To get more details on these meetings and how the proposal is advancing, visit the Envision Spokane website.
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