The work of the Spokane Alliance has benefited the constituents of The Arc of Spokane in many ways. The most direct benefit was the two STA campaigns.

People with developmental disabilities and their families rely heavily on public transportation. In 2004, STA was looking at reducing fixed bus routes by nearly 50% because of a loss in revenue from The State of Washington. The Arc of Spokane and The Spokane Alliance worked together for several months to ensure the successful passage of a ballot measure to provide an additional 3/10 of 1% of sales tax revenue to STA. This effort was successful once again in 2008 when we had to renew the revenue through another ballot measure and make it permanent.

One of the biggest difficulties for people with developmental disabilities is loneliness and isolation. Most people with developmental disabilities will not have a driver’s license. If our public transportation system was significantly reduced, people with developmental disabilities would spend more time isolated and alone at home. The fact that people can use public transportation to access their community for work, play, and necessary medical and other appointments is huge. Without it, people’s independence and quality of life would be reduced.

What we learned while working with the Alliance is that many people in our community depend on public transportation. People with developmental disabilities, families, and other volunteers through The Arc worked side by side with the rest of the community to advocate for something important to a vital community. We made phone calls to voters at dinner time, walked streets during the weekend knocking on doors, and handed out information flyers to bus riders to inform people about the importance of funding public transportation in our community.

Thanks to the work of the Spokane Alliance, both of these ballot measures received overwhelming support from the voters of Spokane County. I am not sure if these measures would have even passed by a simple majority if it wasn’t for the hard work of the Spokane Alliance.

Lance Morehouse

Director of Advocacy & Family Support

The Arc of Spokane