Governmental Affairs - May 24, 2023

Governmental Affairs Report

May 24, 2023

Spokane REALTORS® Endorse Woodward and Cathcart for Re-Election

Spokane REALTORS® have formally announced the endorsement of City of Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward and Council member Michael Cathcart in their re-election bids for 2023.

The choice by the REALTORS® Governmental Affairs committee came down to deciding which candidates offer the best chance for creating more housing opportunities for Spokane. Spokane REALTORS® see the lack of housing availability in this city to be among the top issues of our time.

"These two have been proven REALTOR® Champions," said Spokane REALTOR® President Tom Hormel. "Endorsing them for this election was an easy decision because of all they have done to create more housing opportunities in Spokane."

Earlier this year, Woodward declared a Housing Emergency in Spokane, saying “We are at a crossroads in our community and with this proclamation I am taking immediate action to address the critical housing needs in our city.”

Both have been advocates for housing policy such as creating more flexible zoning opportunities and housing types, limiting expensive hook-up fees, and enhancing the City Planning Department to better streamline projects. By our estimates, the City of Spokane is 25% under-built, meaning that one in four families is under housed.

The Governmental Affairs committee will be interviewing candidates for three open seats this election season, including Council President, Council member District 2 (South Hill) and Council District 3 (West Side). All three seats are open with the retirement or resignation of the current council.

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Spokane City Council President Beggs to Resign

City Council President Breean Beggs has announced he will be stepping down at the end of June. Washington Governor Jay Inslee has appointed Beggs to serve as a Spokane County Superior Court judge. Beggs had announced in mid-March that he would not be seeking re-election.

Beggs will replace Judge Michael Price, who is retiring July 1. Beggs has served on the Spokane City Council since 2016 and in 2019 was elected as the Spokane City Council president.

READ Spokesman Story on Beggs Here

Federal Lawsuit filed to keep natural gas

A coalition of building trades unions, business organizations, home builders, homeowners and others has filed a Federal challenge to Washington State's Building Code Council’s new rules restricting the use of natural gas and propane in new construction.

The suit follows a ruling by the Ninth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals that says that energy policy decisions lie only with the Federal Government and cannot be preempted by State or Local regulations. In its decision, the Court ruled the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act expressly preempts state and local regulations concerning the energy use of many natural gas appliances. By preventing such appliances from using natural gas, the Berkeley building code violated the Act. Because Washington is under the jurisdiction of the 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals, a final decision on this issue binds this state as well as the parties to the case in California.

New rules essentially eliminate natural gas and propane choice

The new Washington State energy code currently requires builders to install heat pumps for space and water heating in all new buildings built after July 1, 2023. These changes – along with new restrictions on natural gas companies’ ability to offset the cost of running natural gas lines to new homes—essentially eliminate the ability for homeowners to choose natural gas for cooking, fireplaces and other uses, all in direct conflict with the Legislature’s actions in the 2022 legislative session.

Costly and dangerous

The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) estimates adding a heat pump along will raise the cost of construction by just under $10,000. Eastern Washington residents, who frequently lose power during frigid winter months will be particularly hard hit.

The rule allows natural gas and propane to be used for backup heating, but installing both natural gas/propane and electrical appliances adds another additional $2,400 to homes where owners choose to supplement heat out of choice or necessity.