Whatcom Citizens Challenge County Fair Funding
Attorneys move to stop county commissioners from subsidizing fair organizations, citing constitutional prohibitions against loaning public credit.
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There is growing opposition in Whatcom County to a state law empowering county commissioners to levy taxes to aid county fair organizations. Attorneys Fairchild and Bruce have been retained to file mandamus proceedings to block the commissioners from making the levy. The suit argues that the statute violates Section 7, Article VIII of the Washington State Constitution, which prohibits municipal corporations from giving money, property, or loaning credit to any private association or corporation, except for the support of the poor or infirm.
“No county, city, town or other municipal corporation shall hereafter give any money or property, or loan its credit to or in aid of any individual, association or corporation.”
Debates over the use of public funds for 'private' interests like county fairs mirror contemporary arguments regarding the boundaries of municipal support and the interpretation of constitutional austerity clauses.
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