The Spokane Transit Authority in recent years launched its first Bus Rapid Transit service, built three new transit centers, grew services by over 35% and brought more than $130 million in state and federal funding to the region — expansion funded in large part by a two-tenths of 1% sales tax approved by voters a decade ago.
In the Aug. 4 primary election, voters who live within the STA’s public transportation benefit area, which includes all of Spokane City, but also includes unincorporated parts of the county and other, more conservative towns and cities like Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake, will decide whether to renew that tax to continue service expansion in the region.
Voters approved the initial tax in 2016 by 55.4%, with the transit authority promising to deliver 27 key projects over the next decade to expand services, improve service frequency and maintain the bus fleet. The tax was set to expire “no later than December 31, 2028 unless renewed by voters.” The transit authority board voted in April 2026 to send the renewal to voters on this August ballot, earlier than the 2028 deadline, hoping to secure over $80 million in federal grant funds and avoid competition with a potential future public safety tax…