The Spokane Islamic Center, Muslims for Community Action and Support and the Jaffaria Community express deep concern regarding recent public statements made by Spokane Valley City Councilwoman Jessica Yeager, who publicly identified herself as a “proud Islamophobe” and declared Islam has “no place in Spokane Valley.”
These comments, made by an elected official, are irresponsible, harmful, and unbecoming of the office she holds, a joint news release stated.
“Islamophobia is not a political position–it is discrimination,” it continued. “When an elected leader engages in rhetoric that targets an entire religious community, it undermines the safety, dignity and belonging of Muslim residents. Spokane Valley is home to a diverse Muslim community that contributes to the region’s civic life, economy, and culture.”
“We live here, work here, raise families here, and are committed to building a safe and inclusive community for everyone.”
The groups called on Councilwoman Yeager to issue a public apology and to acknowledge the harm caused by her statements.
“Leaders must be held to a standard that reflects respect, responsibility, and a commitment to the well-being of all constituents,” the release said.
Spokane City Council votes on 2026 city budget
The Spokane City Council voted 5-2 on the 2025-26 Mid-Biennial Modification Budget. They approved an amendment proposed by Council President Betsy Wilkerson and Council Member Paul Dillon, which emphasizes minimal staff cuts and allocates funds to the library, City Cable 5 and the public defender’s office.
In a statement issued by Council President Wilkerson early Monday morning, she said, “I value the Brown Administration’s partnership in this year’s budget revision. My fellow Council Members and I have worked closely with the Mayor on the proposed changes. From my perspective, the council has made sacrifices, as have other city departments, and we are reallocating funds to essential initiatives that might otherwise be underfunded.”
“I am grateful for the collaboration and compromise that went into this budget modification,” said Council Member Paul Dillon added. “In a year that demanded hard and painful choices, this amendment supports the mutual goals of restoring libraries while minimizing cuts to labor. This budget takes a balanced approach, and I look forward to already beginning discussions on how to set us up for success in the next biennium.”
In June 2024, the City Council switched from an annual budget process to a two-year biennial budget for the City of Spokane, which was effective Jan. 1, 2025. The council adopted its first biennial budget last year, and this ordinance is a mid-biennial adjustment provided for under state law. The modification amends the biennial budget effective Jan. 1, 2026, and includes necessary changes to revenue projections and expenditures for 2026, all of which are necessary for the city to meet its statutory obligation to provide a balanced budget.
WA wins lawsuit to protect libraries, museums, programs
The Washington state Attorney General’s Office on Nov. 21 won a lawsuit to protect four federal agencies that provide services and funding supporting public libraries and museums, workers, and minority-owned businesses nationwide. The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island granted a motion for summary judgment brought by Attorney General Nick Brown and a coalition of 20 other attorneys general, a new release from the state AG’s office said.
The court’s order permanently blocks the Trump administration from eliminating these four agencies:
The Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Minority Business Development Agency
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness
“Today’s victory means that Washingtonians will continue to benefit from the work these agencies do to support our libraries, protect workers’ rights, and promote minority-owned businesses,” Brown said in the release. “It also reaffirms that the President can’t reverse the will of the people and their elected representatives with the stroke of a pen.”
In March, the Trump administration issued an executive order that would dismantle federal agencies created by Congress that collectively provide hundreds of millions of dollars for programs in every state. In April, Brown joined the coalition in suing the Trump administration to stop the administration’s elimination of IMLS, MBDA, and FMCS.
Brown and the coalition argued the executive order’s elimination of all four agencies violates the Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act by attempting to override Congress. In its decision on the motion for summary judgment, the District Court sided with Brown and the coalition.