Kittitas County
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Welcome to the Fuse Progressive Voters Guide to the 2021 general election! The Progressive Voters Guide compiles the information that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. You can learn about our partners and decision-making process here. Please share this guide with your friends and family!
Statewide Ballot Measures
Because of a Tim Eyman initiative, the Legislature is required to submit any bill it passes that closes tax loopholes or raises revenue to a nonbinding advisory vote. The Legislature had a historically productive 2021 session, resulting in several advisory votes appearing on the ballot. We hope the Legislature will change the law to remove these meaningless measures in the future.
This spring, lawmakers passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1477 to expand the state’s crisis response system to include a new hotline dealing exclusively with mental health emergencies.
Sponsored by Democratic legislators, the law will divert some calls away from 911 so that Washingtonians can get more specialized crisis responses. In addition, law enforcement officers no longer need to take on responsibilities associated with social workers. This will be funded by a tax of 30 cents a month on most phone services in October 2021 until a bump to 75 cents a month starting in July 2024. All revenue generated by the tax will go to crisis line-related expenses, including expanding hotline personnel during the community mental health crisis associated with the pandemic.
Vote “Maintained” on State Advisory Vote 36.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
This spring, lawmakers passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1477 to expand the state’s crisis response system to include a new hotline dealing exclusively with mental health emergencies.
Sponsored by Democratic legislators, the law will divert some calls away from 911 so that Washingtonians can get more specialized crisis responses. In addition, law enforcement officers no longer need to take on responsibilities associated with social workers. This will be funded by a tax of 30 cents a month on most phone services in October 2021 until a bump to 75 cents a month starting in July 2024. All revenue generated by the tax will go to crisis line-related expenses, including expanding hotline personnel during the community mental health crisis associated with the pandemic.
Vote “Maintained” on State Advisory Vote 36.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Endorsed By The Stranger
Washingtonians deserve an economy that works for us all. An essential part of that is a balanced tax code where everyone pays their share. Yet, Washington boasts the most upside-down system in the nation, where the state’s lowest-income earners pay 17% of their income in taxes while the wealthiest few pay just 3% of their income.
This legislative session, Democratic lawmakers wrote and passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5096, which created a 7% capital gains tax on the sale of assets like stocks valued above $250,000. The tax is estimated to raise about $415 million primarily for child care and early learning - both services that became clearly essential to Washingtonians during the coronavirus pandemic.
We know that good public schools, beautiful parks, and strong social services make Washington a great place to live. This long-overdue capital gains tax will go towards making sure that all Washingtonians pay their share in taxes and have the opportunity to thrive.
Vote "Maintained" on State Advisory Vote 37.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Washingtonians deserve an economy that works for us all. An essential part of that is a balanced tax code where everyone pays their share. Yet, Washington boasts the most upside-down system in the nation, where the state’s lowest-income earners pay 17% of their income in taxes while the wealthiest few pay just 3% of their income.
This legislative session, Democratic lawmakers wrote and passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5096, which created a 7% capital gains tax on the sale of assets like stocks valued above $250,000. The tax is estimated to raise about $415 million primarily for child care and early learning - both services that became clearly essential to Washingtonians during the coronavirus pandemic.
We know that good public schools, beautiful parks, and strong social services make Washington a great place to live. This long-overdue capital gains tax will go towards making sure that all Washingtonians pay their share in taxes and have the opportunity to thrive.
Vote "Maintained" on State Advisory Vote 37.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Endorsed By The Stranger
In the most recent legislative session, lawmakers passed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5315, which creates a 2% tax on certain insurance premiums. In effect, the law would close a tax loophole for corporations with their own insurance policies, known as captive insurers, so that all insurance companies pay premiums taxes. It is estimated to generate around $53 million over the next decade.
SB 5315 had bipartisan sponsorship and was passed nearly unanimously with only one vote of opposition between both houses. The legislation was requested by Democratic Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, who wants to make sure that all insurance companies pay their share of taxes.
Ensuring big corporations pay their share is an important step toward balancing our state's tax code. Vote “Maintained” on State Advisory Vote 38.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
In the most recent legislative session, lawmakers passed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5315, which creates a 2% tax on certain insurance premiums. In effect, the law would close a tax loophole for corporations with their own insurance policies, known as captive insurers, so that all insurance companies pay premiums taxes. It is estimated to generate around $53 million over the next decade.
SB 5315 had bipartisan sponsorship and was passed nearly unanimously with only one vote of opposition between both houses. The legislation was requested by Democratic Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, who wants to make sure that all insurance companies pay their share of taxes.
Ensuring big corporations pay their share is an important step toward balancing our state's tax code. Vote “Maintained” on State Advisory Vote 38.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Endorsed By The Stranger
Ellensburg City Council
Depending on where you live, you may have the following city races on your ballot.
Incumbent Nancy Lillquist is running to retain Position 1 on the Ellensburg City Council, where she has served since 2001. From 2008 until 2010, Lillquist served as the mayor and was appointed mayor pro tem in 2018 by her fellow council members. Lillquist is the secretary and former chair of the Yakima Basin Fish and Wildlife Board and works with her husband as a property manager.
On the council, Lillquist chairs the Utility Advisory Committee and serves on the Kittitas County Developmental Disability Committee. She is also a part of the equity committee that was formed last year. If re-elected, Lillquist wants to continue making Ellensburg a welcoming and safe place for all to thrive. Her priorities include accessible broadband, infrastructure investments, smart economic development, and environmental protections.
Kip Storey is challenging Lillquist for the council seat. Storey is a veteran and truck driver who wants to keep building progress in Ellensburg. He does not have a campaign website or detailed platform as of late September.
Nancy Lillquist is the best choice for Ellensburg City Council, Position 1.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Incumbent Nancy Lillquist is running to retain Position 1 on the Ellensburg City Council, where she has served since 2001. From 2008 until 2010, Lillquist served as the mayor and was appointed mayor pro tem in 2018 by her fellow council members. Lillquist is the secretary and former chair of the Yakima Basin Fish and Wildlife Board and works with her husband as a property manager.
On the council, Lillquist chairs the Utility Advisory Committee and serves on the Kittitas County Developmental Disability Committee. She is also a part of the equity committee that was formed last year. If re-elected, Lillquist wants to continue making Ellensburg a welcoming and safe place for all to thrive. Her priorities include accessible broadband, infrastructure investments, smart economic development, and environmental protections.
Kip Storey is challenging Lillquist for the council seat. Storey is a veteran and truck driver who wants to keep building progress in Ellensburg. He does not have a campaign website or detailed platform as of late September.
Nancy Lillquist is the best choice for Ellensburg City Council, Position 1.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Incumbent Nancy Lillquist is running to retain Position 1 on the Ellensburg City Council, where she has served since 2001. From 2008 until 2010, Lillquist served as the mayor and was appointed mayor pro tem in 2018 by her fellow council members. Lillquist is the secretary and former chair of the Yakima Basin Fish and Wildlife Board and works with her husband as a property manager.
On the council, Lillquist chairs the Utility Advisory Committee and serves on the Kittitas County Developmental Disability Committee. She is also a part of the equity committee that was formed last year. If re-elected, Lillquist wants to continue making Ellensburg a welcoming and safe place for all to thrive. Her priorities include accessible broadband, infrastructure investments, smart economic development, and environmental protections.
Kip Storey is challenging Lillquist for the council seat. Storey is a veteran and truck driver who wants to keep building progress in Ellensburg. He does not have a campaign website or detailed platform as of late September.
Nancy Lillquist is the best choice for Ellensburg City Council, Position 1.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Educator and legal advocate Bárbara del Mar Robles is running for Ellensburg City Council, Position 3. Robles is the director of Teacher Academies at Central Washington University and previously served as a board member for Central Washington Justice for Our Neighbors, which provides legal services for low-income immigrants. She is also involved with the Domestic Violence Services Spanish-speaking support group.
If elected, Robles wants to focus on public health, economic development, and local diversity, equity, and inclusion work. As rural areas of Washington begin their COVID-19 recovery, she wants to ensure elected leaders prioritize keeping people safe. Her vision for economic growth includes supporting Ellensburg small businesses, investing in local job creation, and prioritizing modern skill-building. Robles wants to ensure that municipal government and the policies it creates treats all of Ellensburg’s diverse residents inclusively and equitably.
Robles is facing Adam Winn in this race. He's a Marine veteran running to improve tourism, invest in infrastructure, and focus on Ellensburg’s businesses. He lacks community or elected experience as well as progressive local support.
Robles is the best choice for Ellensburg City Council, Position 3 because of her background in advocacy and community leadership.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Educator and legal advocate Bárbara del Mar Robles is running for Ellensburg City Council, Position 3. Robles is the director of Teacher Academies at Central Washington University and previously served as a board member for Central Washington Justice for Our Neighbors, which provides legal services for low-income immigrants. She is also involved with the Domestic Violence Services Spanish-speaking support group.
If elected, Robles wants to focus on public health, economic development, and local diversity, equity, and inclusion work. As rural areas of Washington begin their COVID-19 recovery, she wants to ensure elected leaders prioritize keeping people safe. Her vision for economic growth includes supporting Ellensburg small businesses, investing in local job creation, and prioritizing modern skill-building. Robles wants to ensure that municipal government and the policies it creates treats all of Ellensburg’s diverse residents inclusively and equitably.
Robles is facing Adam Winn in this race. He's a Marine veteran running to improve tourism, invest in infrastructure, and focus on Ellensburg’s businesses. He lacks community or elected experience as well as progressive local support.
Robles is the best choice for Ellensburg City Council, Position 3 because of her background in advocacy and community leadership.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Endorsed By: OneAmerica Votes
,
Alliance for Gun Responsibility
Educator and legal advocate Bárbara del Mar Robles is running for Ellensburg City Council, Position 3. Robles is the director of Teacher Academies at Central Washington University and previously served as a board member for Central Washington Justice for Our Neighbors, which provides legal services for low-income immigrants. She is also involved with the Domestic Violence Services Spanish-speaking support group.
If elected, Robles wants to focus on public health, economic development, and local diversity, equity, and inclusion work. As rural areas of Washington begin their COVID-19 recovery, she wants to ensure elected leaders prioritize keeping people safe. Her vision for economic growth includes supporting Ellensburg small businesses, investing in local job creation, and prioritizing modern skill-building. Robles wants to ensure that municipal government and the policies it creates treats all of Ellensburg’s diverse residents inclusively and equitably.
Robles is facing Adam Winn in this race. He's a Marine veteran running to improve tourism, invest in infrastructure, and focus on Ellensburg’s businesses. He lacks community or elected experience as well as progressive local support.
Robles is the best choice for Ellensburg City Council, Position 3 because of her background in advocacy and community leadership.
Last updated: 2023-04-05
Endorsed By: OneAmerica Votes
,
Alliance for Gun Responsibility
Because of a Tim Eyman initiative, the Legislature is required to submit any bill it passes that closes tax loopholes or raises revenue to a nonbinding advisory vote. The Legislature had a historically productive 2021 session, resulting in several advisory votes appearing on the ballot. We hope the Legislature will change the law to remove these meaningless measures in the future.