Latest news with #Bingle
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Abortion rights organizer Sarah Dixit running for Spokane city council
May 29—Reproductive rights organizer Sarah Dixit is running for Spokane City Council in the seat currently held by Councilman Jonathan Bingle. Bingle is one of two conservatives in the minority of the seven-member council. Fellow conservative Michael Cathcart and Bingle represent council District 1, which covers the northeastern third of the city — east of Division and north of Trent. The district also includes almost all of downtown Spokane. Bingle is running for re-election for the first time after winning his first four-year term in 2021. Last year, he unsuccessfully ran for the Republican nomination of Spokane's Congressional seat. Cathcart announced Wednesday that he's running for Spokane County Auditor in 2026. In challenging the incumbent, Dixit said she wants to bring a young voice to city council that will uplift marginalized communities and those who may not be civically engaged. "A lot of folks are working jobs," she said. "They have kids at home. They can't follow what's happening at city council. We need to make this whole process more accessible for people, and especially for communities of color, immigrant populations and young people." At 29, Dixit believes she can reach these underserved populations as a young, queer woman of color. Dixit said she does not see that kind of advocacy from her opponent. "I don't see Jonathan in the community. At the events I'm at," she said. "I just haven't heard that type of advocacy from him when it comes to transit, bike safety investment, other issues." A big focus of her nascent campaign will be accessibility to public transit . Dixit wants to increase investments in public transit and have fares on a sliding scale, allowing those with the least resources to get the most access. Though firmly aligned with the council's progressive majority, Dixit said she would not be a "cookie-cutter" version of those already on council. Having grown up in Southern California, Dixit came to Spokane to attend Whitworth University. While in college, the first election of Donald Trump spurred her into activism. She went on to found the Christian college's first pro-choice club. Since graduating in 2018, she has advocated for reproductive and abortion rights full time at Planned Parenthood and as organizing director of Pro-Choice Washington. At Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho, Dixit worked under Paul Dillon, who now serves on Spokane's city council. Dixit called Dillon a "mentor" who encouraged her to run. As a potential representative of downtown Spokane, Dixit said she has pride for the city center. "There's a lot of rhetoric about downtown that I don't necessarily agree with," she said. "I love downtown, and it's a place that makes Spokane really special." When addressing homelessness, the city should have a "multipronged approach" that uses less incarceration and more resources to prevent someone from becoming unhoused in the first place, she said. "A lot of the issues stem from the dehumanization of folks who are unhoused. I really want to make sure that we are working on issues in a way that recognizes these folks are Spokanites too. And their humanity needs to be a part of the conversations we're having," she said. Asked about concerns she might be too young to effectively serve, Dixit said there is no shortage of older voices on council. "I approach the work in a way that comes from all my lived experiences — being the daughter of immigrants, being someone who really loves the culture and the heart of Spokane. That lends itself to me being a different type of council member for Spokane," she said. Her parents emigrated from India. Endorsements for Dixit include Council President Betsy Wilkerson, Dillon, state Rep. Natasha Hill, state Sen. Marcus Riccelli and others.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Spokane council to consider mirroring LGBT+ protections; one member proposes protest amendments
Apr. 11—While Washington is not among the dozens of states rolling out restrictions on transgender people and gender-affirming healthcare, Spokane's city council will likely soon double up on protections for the LGBT+ community currently enshrined in state law. Councilman Jonathan Bingle, however, has submitted several late amendments to the proposed ordinance for Monday's meeting that would restrict transgender people from the bathrooms of their choice, trans women from playing in female teams in recreational sports events sponsored by the city, prevent city insurance from paying for certain gender-related medical procedures for the minor children of city employees, and other restrictions. The amendments were submitted after a procedural deadline, so it would require a vote prior to the Monday council meeting to even be considered. "I hope they'll all be considered, honestly," Bingle said in an interview. "I think these are very common-sense proposals, and I think there is a serious majority of the city of Spokane that agrees with me, so I hope that all of these would be adopted." He was more blunt about his amendment's chances in an interview with conservative talk radio host Jason Rantz. "Absolutely none of my amendments will pass," Bingle acknowledged in that interview. However, Councilman Paul Dillon noted in a Friday afternoon text that the ordinance may be deferred a week for technical reasons. This would mean Bingle's amendments would not need to overcome this procedural hurdle, though Dillon insisted there was still no chance the amendments would be adopted. The original ordinance, sponsored by Councilmembers Dillon, Lili Navarrete and Zack Zappone, covers a lot of ground, including adding anti-discrimination language in city code, preventing city resources from being used to investigate or detain an individual for seeking gender-affirming care, and protecting against the release of information about a person's sex assigned at birth, which largely reflects current state law. "...it is important for us to (specify) and affirm in code any city staff or resources," Dillon wrote in an email. "Another reason behind this is if the political winds change, we could have a situation like the Keep Washington Working Act where a local official decides they don't want to enforce or their jurisdiction is above state law," he added, noting the legal and political battle over Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner's violation of Washington's 'sanctuary' laws. The ordinance would also ask the Spokane police department to designate officers to act as dedicated liaisons for the LGBT+ community and event organizers to act as points of contact, advocate for community members, and ensure public safety at events such as the annual Pride parade. Finally, it would enshrine in code that the city's insurance policy must provide access to gender-affirming care. The city's current insurance policy for its employees, negotiated under former Mayor Nadine Woodward, provides this coverage. "It doesn't really change anything, per se, it just is more of Spokane saying, 'Hey, I see you, I hear you, and I want to reaffirm that we are a safe place for the LGBTQIA+ here,'" said Jenny McCormick, a spokeswoman for Trans Spokane. Bingle's amendments on their face would, however, significantly change local policies, though in many cases they appear to be prevented under state law. Bingle argued they protected the rights of women and those with religious or moral objections to certain policies. In a text, Zappone called them a far-right distraction. One amendment would prevent anyone from using a city-run men's or women's restroom if they were not assigned that gender at birth. Unisex bathrooms could not be used simultaneously by people of different genders assigned at birth. Washington state law appears to explicitly ban this kind of prohibition, however. This amendment would not impact park or school bathrooms, though it encourages the independent Spokane Park Board and school district to adopt the same policy. "I think we should be protecting women's spaces," Bingle said in an interview, arguing that the comfort and safety of cisgender women was otherwise put at risk. The amendment makes no reference to intersex people, which Bingle said was because they are "exceedingly rare," though he "would be happy to have a conversation about that." "So they don't exist then?" McCormick responded. "There are intersex people in Spokane, and this does impact them because it erases them as people." Zappone wrote in a statement that the amendment would infringe on the rights of both transgender and cisgender people. "For example, how do you plan on enforcing these?" he wrote. "It primes all girls and women for assault because people are going to want to check their private parts before going to the bathroom." On the Jason Rantz Show, Bingle clarified how he believes the law should be enforced. "I've already gotten the strong reaction of, 'How are you going to determine their gender or sex before they go into the bathroom?" Bingle told Rantz. "Are you going to make them pull their pants down? No. 'Man with the beard, you're in the wrong bathroom, go to the men's room please.'" "No, but you're supposed to pretend you can't tell," Rantz quipped. "I know, it's so frustrating that this is the world we live in," Bingle replied. A 2018 UCLA study concluded that there was no empirical basis for fears that harassment, sex crimes, assault or other criminal conduct would increase if transgender people were legally allowed to use the bathroom, changing room or other facility that aligned with their gender identity. Conversely, surveys conducted by UCLA have shown transgender people themselves report higher rates of harassment when they use bathrooms, especially ones that align with their sex assigned at birth. "I fear bathrooms and my safety a lot," McCormick said. "I pass enough that if I go into the men's restroom I am threatened or kicked out. I am afraid that if I use the women's restroom I'm going to be called a predator or have the police called on me." Another amendment would bar trans women from playing on women's teams in sports events sponsored by the city, such as Bloomsday, Hoopfest or any recreational sporting event that receives city funding. Bignle said his amendment makes no mention of trans men because "I can't think of a time where a trans man is dominating in the field of athletics." "It's not just a matter of fairness, it's a matter of safety as well," Bingle said. "Men on average are much bigger and stronger than women, which becomes a real problem." Bingle has previously testified in support of a Mead School Board resolution denouncing transgender girls' participation in girls' school sports, skipping a council meeting in order to do so in October. It's not clear if complaints have been raised regarding the participation of trans women in city-funded sports events. The Spokane Hoopfest Association did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A Lilac Bloomsday Association spokesperson asked for more time to review before providing comment. Bloomsday board member Dori Whitford recently wrote a letter to the editor that called the participation of trans athletes in girls' sports "unfair," though this is not necessarily reflective of the views of the association. McCormick said she didn't understand why this debate was bleeding into recreational sports. "Speaking from a recreational standpoint, the whole object isn't being pro or competitive, it's for people having fun and playing a game," she said. "And with any sport, there's going to be safety issues regardless of gender — accidents do happen, injuries do happen, you're talking about a recreational sport." Another Bingle amendment would bar city insurance from being used to provide puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones or gender reassignment surgeries for individuals under the age of 18, effectively blocking city employees from seeking the medical treatment for their children. "Such a life-altering procedure like this, I don't believe should be allowed until someone is of the age to properly consent to a procedure like this," Bingle said. McCormick argued the ordinance would also effect cisgender children seeking certain procedures, such as boys seeking treatment for a medical condition that caused them to develop enlarged breasts. Notably, elsewhere in Bingle's amendment he affirms that "parents should have full authority over their children's psychological and gender-treatment." Other language would require notification to and consent from parents regarding any medical procedures their children are seeking "without government interference," and also states the city will not "compel individuals, organizations, or medical providers to participate in services that conflict with sincerely held religious or moral beliefs." In an interview, Bingle stressed that he was not seeking to belittle any member of the community, but was, in his mind, protecting children, women and "concientious objectors." "I want everyone to feel comfortable and safe in the city of Spokane, that everyone matters and has inherit value and worth in the city," Bingle said. "This is in no way targeting individuals."
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jonathan Bingle will run for re-election to Spokane City Council
Mar. 28—Spokane City Councilman Jonathan Bingle announced Friday he will seek a second term in November. "I am really proud of what we have accomplished so far, but I am not satisfied," Bingle said in speech at Minnehaha Park. Public safety has been and will continue to be his top priority, he said. If elected, he will also fight for affordable housing and "policies that reduce addiction, not just manage it." Bingle represents District 1, which includes part of downtown and the northeast section of Spokane. He ran for Congress against Michael Baumgartner in the Republican primary last year. Councilman Michael Cathcart said that prior to Bingle joining, Cathcart was the lone conservative voice on city council. "The last three and a half years of having Councilmember Bingle alongside has meant the world to me," Cathcart said. "I have been so fortunate to work with him and learn from him, frankly, and fight with him, alongside him." While they are in the minority on the council, together they have had an influence on legislation and positive things happening in the city, he said. "We really need to have somebody like Jonathan — Jonathan specifically, coming back to the city council," Cathcart said. Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels also lent Bingle his support and praised Bingle's collaboration with the county. "He knows that regional approaches to some of the problems we face, not only in District 1, but county-wide — the solutions lie in working with both city and county government. Jonathan knows how to do that," Nowels said. Bingle called for a return to the basics. "We don't need new laws, we don't need new money," he said. "What we need is new direction. Direction looks like getting back to the basics. Getting back to the basics is keeping people safe, investing in infrastructure that a growing city needs, and staying focused on things that actually make a difference in people's lives instead of getting caught up in issues we can't effect." Two other council seats are up for election this year. Councilman Zack Zappone is also running for re-election. Councilwoman Lili Navarrete announced Tuesday she will not run for a new term, citing health concerns. James Hanlon's reporting for The Spokesman-Review is funded in part by Report for America and by members of the Spokane community. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill could allow challenges to local anti-camping ordinances that aren't 'objectively reasonable'
Feb. 14—OLYMPIA — The Washington Legislature is considering a bill that would allow residents to challenge local anti-camping regulations they believe are not "objectively reasonable." Under the bill, which has cleared the House Housing Committee and is currently in the Appropriations Committee, regulations adopted by cities, towns, counties and other jurisdictions to restrict outdoor camping and sleeping on public property would be required to be "objectively reasonable for the time, place, and manner." Whether a statute meets this classification would be based on "the totality of the circumstances" of a situation. The legislation would allow residents to challenge an ordinance in court if it does not meet this criteria. It does not establish a framework for "monetary damages." The bill's prime sponsor, Rep. Mia Gregerson, D-Sea Tac, said during a hearing Wednesday that the proposal is "not a one size fits all fix, but this bill does seek to help provide guideposts to allow each community to deal with their own unique challenges." The proposal, Gregerson said, comes as the state struggles to address a rising homeless population, which she attributed to a shortage of housing, a lack of affordable housing and a lack of shelter availability. Gregerson said while lawmakers have made recent strides to create more housing, "the need continues to grow faster than the expansion of more access to these housing opportunities." Among those in support of the legislation are the ACLU of Washington, the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance and the Northwest Justice Project. The bill is sponsored by Spokane Reps. Timm Ormsby and Natasha Hill. Wednesday's hearing included objections from local officials throughout the state, including Spokane City Council Member Jonathan Bingle, who said he was testifying in his personal capacity. "This bill is not just an overreach, it is a blatant affront to the Democratic will of Spokane citizens," Bingle said. Bingle pointed to the approval of Prop 1 in November 2023, which largely prohibits homeless residents from setting up camp in most of the city, including within 1,000 feet of parks, schools and childcare facilities. The proposition was passed with nearly 75% approval, and Spokane Police began enforcement last summer. "This is a clear mandate from our community to prioritize public safety and the wellbeing of our children," Bingle said. "By undermining local ordinances like Spokane's Proposition 1, this bill jeopardizes public safety, it hampers our ability to maintain clear and secure public spaces, protect our children, and uphold the quality of life our residents demand." Bingle added that potential challenges to Spokane's ordinance "threatens to divert funds from essential services, exacerbating the issues it purports to address." Spokane Business Owner Larry Andrews, who protested the bill through a half-page ad published in The Spokesman-Review on Feb. 9 that targeted Hill, said during testimony Wednesday that the bill "does not help the homeless." "This bill confuses established laws," Andrews said. The ad, Andrews said, was meant to "save the homeless from this insanity." "You are not allowed to camp in our state without a permit, why would you allow people to camp on our streets?" Andrews said. Testifying in support of the legislation, Sharyl Brown, director of operations at Jewels Helping Hands in Spokane, said during Wednesday's hearing that the "burden of fines, citations and incarceration doesn't just create obstacles, it resets the entire process." "People lose all progress towards stability, forced to navigate an already complicated system from square one again, making lasting success nearly impossible," Brown said. "For many unhoused individuals, safety depends on being in public spaces, yet they are constantly penalized for simply existing when they have nowhere else to go."
