[Hattip to the late, great Paul Harvey for the title hommage.]
The Spokesman Review’s story about Washington Policy Center’s November 6th Annual Policy Dinner event in Spokane focused almost entirely on Spencer Pratt. The headline (pictured above) is certainly exciting and probably click gold (Who doesn't want to know about a "death cult"?). And while I have some issues with the coverage of our special guest, the more significant issue for WPC (and the state) is that the dinner was about so much more than the special guest.
There was one line in the coverage about the work on homelessness from WPC’s Eric Zimmerman. But Zimmerman's work was featured for nearly 15 minutes and included his analysis of the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program, how false and exaggerated data was used to promote and sell it across the United States and how the underlying study used to generate this promotional material was fundamentally and inexcusably flawed. He also shared his research into the causes of homelessness and the extent of the problem in Washington and Spokane specifically, pointing out that more drug overdose deaths happen in Spokane/Spokane county than happen statewide in several other states including Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota. 
WPC president Steven Hatting shared the story of Anika, an elementary aged Spokane girl who walks dogs for extra money but has to carry mace and change walking routes because of the threatening behavior exhibited by wandering local addicts. The shocking story put urgency into the importance of Zimmerman's work.
The afternoon of the event, I visited a local 7-11 to gas up the rental car in Spokane. The experience was jarring. I've always loved Spokane, it's beauty, the kindness of its people, it's small town feel despite being the second biggest city in Washington. But the parking lot I was in was populated by the addicted, the despairing and those who likely exploit them. There was a young woman who seemed to be missing pants, stumbling around accompanied by a woman so erratic I had to stop twice to get around her after I gassed up. Others exhibited the "Fentanyl Fold" and others seemed to be bossing the addicts around. It was truly heartbreaking to see what Spokane has been struggling with.
Also unmentioned in the coverage was the significant presentation by WPC's Budget and Tax Policy Director Ryan Frost, who gave a compelling case for a state spending cap, illustrating how state spending has spiraled out of control since the previous cap was lifted. He also pointed to the data showing the Legislature is increasing taxes in order to catch up to their spending instead of determining spending priorities based on the revenue coming in. The following two slides from Ryan's presentation illustrate much of the issue:
WPC was described featuring “firebrands in conservative politics” and some of our previous speakers have certainly generated their share of controversy, but WPC has also featured event speakers like the late Democratic vice presidential nominee, Senator Joe Lieberman and most recently President Obama’s education secretary Arne Duncan and Jorge Elorza, CEO of Democrats for Education Reform. Try to name another policy organization in WA that features a broader ideological spectrum of speakers. I can think of only one that offers the diversity of ideas, and when that one hosts speakers center/center-right, it tends to be a panel discussion on what's wrong with their own side. I'm pround that WPC seeks out variety in speakers and is willing to reach out across ideological divides to work together on important issues.
The story also included an unfair dig at WPC's president, in which a quotation was taken out of context, but it's probably not worth responding to here. I was glad to see the event covered locally (and I believe in the importance of local journalism), I was just hoping for more on the issues WPC covers that matter to our state than explorations of Spencer Pratt's social media history.
In any case, Pratt was funny, passionate and blunt. He didn't claim to be an expert, just a parent who felt compelled to be more involved after seeing the city decline and having his home "stolen" (burned down) by bureaucratic incompetence (officials didn't remove bone-dry, fire hazard brush for years and drained both area reservoirs of water so the hydrants had no water with which to fight the fire that took his home).
We need more non-experts to get involved and demand accountability and results.
