Mike Prager
The Spokesman-Review

It’s unclear what effect last week’s political maneuvering over transportation board appointments by the Spokane City Council will have on transportation policy.

Six council members voted to strip Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin of appointments to the Spokane Transit Authority board and the Spokane Regional Transportation Council.

McLaughlin, now in her second term, complained that senior council members traditionally have been allowed to continue serving on the boards of their choosing, and said that she had been moving into leadership positions for both governing bodies.

The council instead placed incoming council members Amber Waldref and Jon Snyder on the STA board along with Councilman Richard Rush.

That leaves the northwest council district without a representative on the board.

At SRTC, the city will be represented by Snyder and Mayor Mary Verner.

McLaughlin said she believes that the council members who booted her have an agenda to put greater emphasis on pedestrian circulation, bicycles and mass transit over efforts to relieve traffic congestion. She said she believes in a balanced approach.

She also said that global issues may have played a part.

“Maybe they think I’m not educated and naïve about global warming,” she said.

She said she believes that economic forces are moving in a direction of greater energy efficiency and reduced carbon output.

Rush said there was no agenda and that “nobody is being disenfranchised,” but that the change in representatives will bring a new approach to transportation policy.