Notes
The authors, including Washington’s Solicitor General, Noah Purcell, reveal how the “gift of public funds” doctrine has become a false barrier for government assistance to communities. For decades, agencies like the Port of Seattle have wrongly claimed that matching requirements, narrow purposes, and small amounts are requirements of the State Constitution although there is absolutely no basis in law and no programs ruled non-compliant in over 45 years – as recently as COVID relief. This legal analysis should be the final nail in the coffin.
It is time for the Port to stop hiding behind fabricated legal excuses and provide real compensation for airport impacts, now.