Issues
Spokane is facing serious challenges—rising crime, skyrocketing housing costs, and a homelessness crisis that’s affecting every neighborhood. Failed policies and poor leadership have made life harder for families, seniors, and small businesses. It’s time for real solutions that put Spokane’s people first.
We Need Affordable Housing
Housing, as well as necessities such as groceries, has skyrocketed in Spokane. This is due to the inflationary policies that the progressive City Council and Councilman Zack Zappone have supported. With these restrictive policies, they have limited the supply of housing while demand remains high.
In Spokane, we have the Urban Growth Boundary, which restricts development and prevents housing growth. Developers cannot hook up water or electric utilities outside this boundary without government approval, creating an artificial housing shortage. How is this helping the crisis?
This has driven housing prices through the roof. We need better policies. We must amend the upcoming housing plan to ensure affordability through 2046. I will also advocate for working with state representatives to remove these restrictive policies and relieve the financial burden on Spokane citizens. Many fixed-income residents fear being priced out of their homes. If we don’t pursue common-sense solutions, we will fail those who depend on us to keep their homes.
Our Community’s Safety Is at Risk
Families, children, and seniors are no longer safe in their own neighborhoods because of the reckless decisions made by the City Council. Five of the current council members dragged their feet for months on enforcing Proposition 1, which banned camping around schools, parks, and daycare centers. You, the voters, spoke loud and clear by passing this ban with 75% support, yet Councilman Zappone ignored your vote.
By disregarding the will of the people, they are allowing our city—especially downtown—to deteriorate, making it a place no one wants to visit and weakening our economic center.
We need to enforce and pass our pending Sit & Lie ordinances. We can also encourage more people to come downtown and support small businesses by offering free meter parking. Eliminating parking fees is a small budget tradeoff that saves maintenance costs and boosts commerce.
Crime Is Rising Across Spokane
As crime spreads into the suburbs, the Spokane Police Department remains understaffed and struggling. Officers face unnecessary hostility from a majority of the City Council, who seem more focused on political agendas than public safety.
With fewer officers, youth criminal activity and reckless speeding are on the rise because there aren’t enough patrols to deter crime and enforce the law.
We need more police. We must stop tying their hands with bad policies so they can do their job. We have the funding to hire more officers, but morale within the SPD is low due to hostility from the City Council and restrictive policies. Electing leaders who back our police will restore morale and fill vacancies, ensuring safer streets.
Last year, we lost nearly 30 senior officers. We must rebuild our police force. It’s time to put safety and common sense first.
The Homelessness Crisis Is Affecting Every Neighborhood
The homelessness crisis is not just a downtown issue—it’s affecting every neighborhood in our county. We have the resources and funding to address this crisis, but we need more efficiency and scrutiny when approving funding for homeless services.
We need accountability to ensure these programs are actually helping individuals receive the treatment they need. It isn’t compassionate to allow the mentally ill or drug-addicted to continue living in the conditions we see on our streets.
Many nonprofits and charities in Spokane operate with little to no oversight, despite receiving millions in taxpayer funding. The progressive City Council and Zack Zappone continue approving contracts for organizations with a track record of mismanaging funds. How is the homelessness situation getting worse despite massive funding increases? Shouldn’t we see improvement?
Drug overdoses are now commonplace, and people are dying because of these policies. As the drug and mental health crisis escalates, more families will suffer from this tragedy. These vulnerable people need help, but we must also focus on prevention.
I will support a new jail measure with clear language on how taxpayer dollars will be spent. We need a new jail that serves as a rehabilitation center, offering mental health services, addiction treatment, and job training. We need compassion—but we also need accountability—to address the worsening homelessness crisis.
When Common Sense Becomes Rare, It’s Time for Change.
Prioritize Public Safety
Every Spokane resident deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood. I will fully support law enforcement, enforce voter-approved laws, and remove harmful policies that prevent officers from doing their jobs. Restoring safety starts with Savage leadership.
Make Housing Affordable
Restrictive policies have driven housing prices through the roof. I will work to amend Spokane’s housing plan, fight for smart growth policies, and remove unnecessary barriers that limit development. Families should be able to afford to live in the city they love.
Demand Accountability
City Hall must serve Spokane’s people, not political interests. I will hold leaders accountable for reckless spending, ensure tax dollars fund real solutions, and demand full transparency in government decisions. Spokane deserves responsible leadership.
