Progressive Voters Guide Powered by Fuse WA
Mark Coen photo

Mark Coen

Website

Mark Coen is a former Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Board member and the founder of Attachment and Trauma Specialists. He has also worked previously with Earthcorps, the National Association of Social Workers, and the Alliance of Child Mental Health. Coen's campaign is focused on updating infrastructure, improving residential building codes, and transportation.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Mark Coen is a former Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Board member and the founder of Attachment and Trauma Specialists. He has also worked previously with Earthcorps, the National Association of Social Workers, and the Alliance of Child Mental Health. Coen's campaign is focused on updating infrastructure, improving residential building codes, and transportation.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

City of Mercer Island

Not in City of Mercer Island? Find your state's guide.

Election Day November 7, 2017
Find Drop Box Locations
Ballot Drop Boxes

Statewide Ballot Measures

Advisory Vote #16

VOTE MAINTAINED

Vote Maintained on Advisory Vote 16

A bipartisan group of legislators passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1597, which included a small excise tax in order to increase environmental protections for regional fish and wildlife. 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 non-binding advisory vote. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote 16.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

A bipartisan group of legislators passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1597, which included a small excise tax in order to increase environmental protections for regional fish and wildlife. 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 non-binding advisory vote. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote 16.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Advisory Vote #17

VOTE MAINTAINED

Vote Maintained on Advisory Vote 17

Our state has been under Supreme Court order to fully fund education for several years. This June, Republicans and Democrats came together to approve a bipartisan package of revenue increases for public schools, including expanding the Business and Occupation tax. While this does not solve the education funding problem, the package goes a long way towards providing a quality education for all students. This non-binding advisory vote is required thanks to a Tim Eyman ballot measure. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote 17.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Our state has been under Supreme Court order to fully fund education for several years. This June, Republicans and Democrats came together to approve a bipartisan package of revenue increases for public schools, including expanding the Business and Occupation tax. While this does not solve the education funding problem, the package goes a long way towards providing a quality education for all students. This non-binding advisory vote is required thanks to a Tim Eyman ballot measure. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote 17.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Advisory Vote #18

VOTE MAINTAINED

Vote Maintained on Advisory Vote 18

In addition to the business taxes covered in Advisory Vote 17, a strong bipartisan majority of state legislators voted to increase local property taxes to fund schools. We have concerns about raising regressive property taxes that disproportionately impact working families and make our upside-down tax code even worse. However, we are optimistic about retaking the state Senate this fall and working with progressives in Olympia next year to reduce this tax and instead make the wealthy pay their fair share.

Like the other advisory votes, this is a non-binding measure required by a Tim Eyman ballot initiative. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote 18.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

In addition to the business taxes covered in Advisory Vote 17, a strong bipartisan majority of state legislators voted to increase local property taxes to fund schools. We have concerns about raising regressive property taxes that disproportionately impact working families and make our upside-down tax code even worse. However, we are optimistic about retaking the state Senate this fall and working with progressives in Olympia next year to reduce this tax and instead make the wealthy pay their fair share.

Like the other advisory votes, this is a non-binding measure required by a Tim Eyman ballot initiative. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote 18.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Mercer Island City Council

Mercer Island City Council, Position #4

Joy Langley photo

Joy Langley

Website Facebook Endorsements

Joy Langley is the Executive Director for Cultural Access Washington, a nonprofit that seeks to increase funding and access to cultural institutions like the Pacific Science Center and the Seattle Art Museum. She is also the Community Relations Chair of the Mercer Island Arts Council. Langley is aiming to reform the city budget, manage residential growth, and add parking to the town center.

She is running against Tom Acker, whose campaign is largely centered around opposing more transit options. Langley is the better choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Joy Langley is the Executive Director for Cultural Access Washington, a nonprofit that seeks to increase funding and access to cultural institutions like the Pacific Science Center and the Seattle Art Museum. She is also the Community Relations Chair of the Mercer Island Arts Council. Langley is aiming to reform the city budget, manage residential growth, and add parking to the town center.

She is running against Tom Acker, whose campaign is largely centered around opposing more transit options. Langley is the better choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Mercer Island City Council, Position #6

Benson D. Wong photo

Benson D. Wong

Website Facebook Endorsements

Benson Wong has served one term on the city council and is seeking re-election in 2017. In his first term, Wong worked on Mercer Island's library renovation and worked to identify and fix the city's water contamination issues. He is running on a platform of mitigating mobility issues due to light rail construction, keeping the budget balanced, and improving the Town Center.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Benson Wong has served one term on the city council and is seeking re-election in 2017. In his first term, Wong worked on Mercer Island's library renovation and worked to identify and fix the city's water contamination issues. He is running on a platform of mitigating mobility issues due to light rail construction, keeping the budget balanced, and improving the Town Center.

Last updated: 2023-04-05
Mark Coen photo

Mark Coen

Website

Mark Coen is a former Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Board member and the founder of Attachment and Trauma Specialists. He has also worked previously with Earthcorps, the National Association of Social Workers, and the Alliance of Child Mental Health. Coen's campaign is focused on updating infrastructure, improving residential building codes, and transportation.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Mark Coen is a former Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Board member and the founder of Attachment and Trauma Specialists. He has also worked previously with Earthcorps, the National Association of Social Workers, and the Alliance of Child Mental Health. Coen's campaign is focused on updating infrastructure, improving residential building codes, and transportation.

Last updated: 2023-04-05