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Robin Farris is listed in the Progressive Voters Guide below. Welcome to the 2019 Fuse Progressive Voters Guide! The Progressive Voters Guide compiles the information that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. Please share this guide with your friends and remember to vote by November 5!
Robin Farris
Robin Farris, a businesswoman who spent 23 years serving in the U.S. Navy, is running for re-election to Puyallup City Council in District 1. Farris stood up to a far-right group attacking homeless people in Puyallup and instead pushed for community-centered solutions that brought residents together with public safety, business, and homelessness advocates. She is dedicated to public safety, safe routes to schools, and humane solutions to the homelessness crisis.
Farris faces conservative Curtis Thiel in this race. Thiel is running to cut business regulations and find "effective solutions" to the issue of homelessness, though he does not have a detailed plan available. Thiel has not demonstrated the depth of policy knowledge necessary to address this important issue.
For compassion, experience, and community-centered responses to Puyallup's biggest problems, Farris is the best choice for Puyallup City Council in District 1.
City of Puyallup
City of Puyallup
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Remember to vote or turn in your ballot by Tuesday, November 5th
Remember to vote or turn in your ballot by Tuesday, November 5th
Statewide Ballot Measures
Referendum 88
VOTE APPROVED
Vote "Approved" on Referendum 88
Referendum 88 is a public vote on I-1000, the affirmative action ballot measure signed by nearly 400,000 Washingtonians and approved by the Legislature this spring.
I-1000 would allow affirmative action policies in the areas of public education, public employment, and public contracting. It will restore fairness for veterans, small business owners, women, and people of color seeking to succeed in public employment, contracting, and university admissions – without the use of caps or quotas. Affirmative action, which is legal in 42 other states, will increase business contracts and college enrollment for women and people of color in Washington.
It's long past time to restore affirmative action in Washington. Vote to approve Initiative 1000.
General Progressive: Fuse
Economic Justice: SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, Teamsters Joint Council 28, UFCW 21, Washington State Labor Council
Social Justice: OneAmerica Votes
Other: League of Women Voters of Washington, VoteVets.org, Washington Education Association, ACLU of Washington
Initiative 976
VOTE NO
Vote NO on I-976
Initiative 976 is Tim Eyman's latest attempt to cut billions of dollars in funding from badly-needed transportation projects across the state. I-976 would derail our ability to fix dangerous roads, retrofit outdated bridges and overpasses, complete voter-approved light rail, provide transit for riders with disabilities, and more. More than $12 billion would be slashed from state and local projects with no plan for replacing any of the funding.
Every city and county in Washington depends on transportation infrastructure that would be impacted by the cuts from I-976. Vote NO on I-976!
General Progressive: Fuse
Economic Justice: SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, WA Federation of State Employees, Washington State Labor Council
Social Justice: OneAmerica Votes
Media: The Urbanist
Website: https://www.no976.org/
Endorsements: https://www.no976.org/our-coalition/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/voteno976/
Endorsements: https://www.no976.org/our-coalition/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/voteno976/
Advisory Vote 20
VOTE MAINTAINED
Vote "Maintained" on Advisory Vote 20
Washington's senior population has doubled since 1980 and will double again by 2040. Most seniors cannot afford to pay out-of-pocket for the long-term medical care they need. A bipartisan group of lawmakers moved to build upon the state's Paid Family and Medical Leave program through Second Substitute House Bill 1087. This legislation created a new long-term insurance benefit that will address the looming crisis of seniors who cannot afford the care they need. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote No. 20.
Advisory Vote 21
VOTE REPEALED
Vote "Repealed" on Advisory Vote 21
Legislators passed Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1324, also known as the Washington Rural Development and Distressed Opportunity Zone Act, that extends a business and occupation tax preference for timber companies. In addition, part of HB 1324 raises a small amount of revenue from timber companies for salmon recovery, which is what led to Advisory Vote 21. While the salmon recovery provision is laudable, HB 1324 will primarily serve as an unnecessary tax cut for timber companies at a time when we need to be investing more in affordable housing, education, health care, and other priorities. Vote “Repealed” on Advisory Vote No. 21.
Advisory Vote 22
VOTE MAINTAINED
Vote "Maintained" On Advisory Vote 22
Washington is the latest state to adopt a recycling program for leftover architectural paint. The Legislature passed Substitute House Bill 1652 to add a small recycling fee to the price of paint to fund the program. This law will ensure that hundreds of thousands of gallons of paint will be disposed of responsibly and no longer pollute our environment. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote No. 22.
Advisory Vote 23
VOTE MAINTAINED
Vote "Maintained" on Advisory Vote 23
Manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of vape products have not been paying regular tobacco taxes. The Legislature passed Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1873 to remedy this and create the Essential Public Health Services Account. Electronic cigarettes, electronic devices, and vape pens will now be classified and taxed as tobacco products. This account will fund health services, tobacco and vape product control and prevention, and enforcement by the state liquor and cannabis board to prevent the sale of vape products to minors. This legislation is even more important after several reports of lung injuries linked to vaping in Washington state as well as hundreds around the country. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote No. 23.
Advisory Vote 24
VOTE MAINTAINED
Vote "Maintained" on Advisory Vote 24
The Legislature passed Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2158 to increase funding for higher education, including financial aid, raises for community college faculty, and a student loan program for middle-class students called the Washington College Grant. The Washington College Grant would replace the State Need Grant, which runs out of money every year and leaves thousands of eligible students without any money. The Workforce Education Investment Act is designed so that businesses that benefit the most from a highly-educated workforce will contribute to the cost of higher education. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote No. 24.
Advisory Vote 25
VOTE MAINTAINED
Vote "Maintained" on Advisory Vote 25
Washington's low-income families pay six times more in taxes than the wealthiest residents. To begin to balance our tax code, the Legislature passed Substitute House Bill 2167 to increase the business and occupation tax on financial institutions that reported a net income of $1 billion or more during the previous calendar year. We think it's reasonable for these extremely profitable companies to pay a little more in taxes to support the services working families rely on. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote No. 25.
Advisory Vote 26
VOTE MAINTAINED
Vote "Maintained" on Advisory Vote 26
Washington legislators have moved to update our tax laws in the wake of the Supreme Court decision that forced internet retailers to charge sales tax in all states. Among other things, Substitute Senate Bill 5581 eliminates a tax advantage that out-of-state sellers long enjoyed over local companies. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote No. 26.
Advisory Vote 27
VOTE MAINTAINED
Vote "Maintained" on Advisory Vote 27
Washington state has more than 13,000 known or suspected contaminated sites. The Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) became law in 1989 and has supported efforts to clean up more than 7,000 contaminated sites. The MTCA is funded by a voter-approved tax on hazardous substances such as petroleum products and pesticides. This year, the Legislature passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5993 to update the law to improve transparency and increase funding for clean air, clean water, and toxic cleanup programs. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote No. 27.
Advisory Vote 28
VOTE MAINTAINED
Vote "Maintained" on Advisory Vote 28
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5997 closed a longstanding loophole that allowed many out-of-state shoppers to avoid paying sales tax in Washington. Visitors from states without a sales tax can still request a remittance from the Washington Department of Revenue. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote No. 28.
Advisory Vote 29
VOTE MAINTAINED
Vote "Maintained" on Advisory Vote 29
This legislation is one step towards balancing our upside-down tax code by making Washington's real estate excise taxes (REET) progressive. Instead of a flat rate of 1.28 percent, property sales of less than $500,000 are reduced to a 1.1 percent tax rate, sales between $1.5 and $3 million would be taxed at 2.75 percent, and properties sold for more than $3 million would be taxed at 3 percent. All the funding from Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5998 will be dedicated to the Education Legacy Trust Account. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote No. 29.
Advisory Vote 30
VOTE MAINTAINED
Vote "Maintained" for Advisory Vote 30
This legislation eliminates a tax break for travel agents and tour operators for businesses who earn $250,000 or more per year. Businesses that earn less than $250,000 will continue to pay the lower rate. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6004 will bring more revenue to the state and ensure that large out-of-state and online businesses pay their share. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote No. 30.
Advisory Vote 31
VOTE MAINTAINED
Vote "Maintained" on Advisory Vote 31
This legislation passed Engrossed Senate Bill 6016 to reauthorize and narrow a sales tax exemption for certain international investment management companies. In order to receive the tax exemption, a business must have more than 25 percent of employees in the state, at least 500 full-time employees worldwide, and gross revenue of more than $400 million. Vote “Maintained” on Advisory Vote No. 31.
Constitutional Amendment 8200
VOTE APPROVED
Vote "Approved" on Senate Joint Resolution 8200
This measure would allow the Legislature to temporarily fill vacant public offices during an emergency by including "catastrophic incidents" like earthquakes or tsunamis in the definition of emergency powers. As Washington has been on high alert for an earthquake for years, legislators want to ensure governmental continuity in the event of massive damage from a natural disaster. While it is not pleasant to think about, Washington state needs to be prepared for a catastrophic event. This measure passed with bipartisan support. Vote "Approved" on Senate Joint Resolution No. 8200.
Port of Tacoma
Port of Tacoma, Port Commissioner, Position #3
Frank Boykin is an account manager with United Parcel Service running for Port of Tacoma, Position 3. He has served as vice chair of the University Place Planning Commission as well as a leader in Tacoma's Black Collective, the Annie Wright School, Pierce College Foundation, and Washington’s Commission on African American Affairs. Boykin is running to increase the port's engagement with the community, encourage responsible growth, and protect family-wage jobs.
He is running against Deanna Keller, a Marine Corps veteran who is currently the CEO and President of Kel-Tech Plastics in Tacoma. She is focusing on modernizing facilities at the port, creating family-wage jobs, and keeping the port competitive in the region.
Boykin is the best choice in this race.
Port of Tacoma, Port Commissioner, Position #5
Attorney Kristin Ang is running for Port of Tacoma Commissioner, Position 5 to build a sustainable vision for industry at the port. She seeks to protect community health and the environment by reducing noise and air pollution, improving water quality, and increasing shore power technology. Ang opposes the port's property tax and supports pressing businesses to clean up their share of pollution, developing a comprehensive public engagement plan, and working with tribes, businesses, and local government to create shared agendas for the port.
Ang is running against Dave Bryant, a Navy veteran who wants to optimize the loading and offloading of goods with surface transportation and update the port's infrastructure. However, he lacks Ang's knowledge and experience when it comes to environmental conservation and creating clean energy jobs.
Ang is the best choice in this race.
General Progressive: Fuse
Environment: Sierra Club, Washington Conservation Voters
Other: Pierce County Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Pierce County Democrats
Website: https://kristin4port.com/
Endorsements: https://kristin4port.com/endorsements/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kristin4Port/
Endorsements: https://kristin4port.com/endorsements/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kristin4Port/
Puyallup City Council
Puyallup City Council, Council-at-Large
Heather Shadko previously served on the Puyallup City Council from 2013 through 2017 and is running again, this time for the at-large seat. She is currently a contracts manager for the Port of Tacoma and a board member of the Pierce County Transit Board, as well as a former vice-chair of the Planning Commission. Shadko made good use of her time on the council, advocating for environmental impact statements for large development projects, fighting for humane treatment of the homeless, and championing public open spaces. Now she is running to improve transportation options, advocate for solutions to homelessness that include affordable housing and addressing mental health, and ensure Puyallup is heard by Pierce County leaders.
Shadko is running against conservative incumbent Dean Johnson, who works at the Nordstrom corporate office in Seattle. Unfortunately, during his time on the council Johnson has failed to adequately address the affordable housing shortage or provide compassionate solutions to the homelessness crisis.
Shadko is the experienced, progressive pick for this position.
Puyallup City Council, District #1, Position #1
Robin Farris, a businesswoman who spent 23 years serving in the U.S. Navy, is running for re-election to Puyallup City Council in District 1. Farris stood up to a far-right group attacking homeless people in Puyallup and instead pushed for community-centered solutions that brought residents together with public safety, business, and homelessness advocates. She is dedicated to public safety, safe routes to schools, and humane solutions to the homelessness crisis.
Farris faces conservative Curtis Thiel in this race. Thiel is running to cut business regulations and find "effective solutions" to the issue of homelessness, though he does not have a detailed plan available. Thiel has not demonstrated the depth of policy knowledge necessary to address this important issue.
For compassion, experience, and community-centered responses to Puyallup's biggest problems, Farris is the best choice for Puyallup City Council in District 1.
Puyallup City Council, District #2, Position #1
John Palmer is the current mayor of Puyallup and serves as a city council member in District 2. He has been a progressive voice for building a strong and safe community, addressing our homelessness crisis with compassion, and smart growth in Puyallup. He’s worked at the Environmental Protection Agency for 25 years, served on Puyallup’s Planning Commission from 2008-2011, and was chair of the commission for three years.
Palmer is being challenged by Paul Herrera, an active army veteran and Puyallup tribal law enforcement officer whose campaign has the support of the Pierce County GOP. Like other conservative candidates in these city races, Herrera wants to bring a simplistic law enforcement focus to addressing homelessness instead of taking a holistic approach that addresses the root causes of the situation.
Palmer’s experience, values, and proven record of leadership on the council makes him the best choice in this race.
Puyallup City Council, District #3, Position #1
Independent Ned Witting is running for Puyallup City Council in District 3. He does not have a strong campaign presence, but has been endorsed by the 25th Legislative District Democrats and the Washington Education Association. Witting is a former board member at the League of Women Voters who in 2018 ran for representative in the 25th Legislative District on the platform of ensuring school resources, affordable housing, and addressing traffic gridlock.
Witting is challenging Curt Gimmestad, the incumbent council member for District 3. Gimmestad is running for re-election on a more conservative platform that would undermine city services and rely too heavily on law enforcement.
Witting is the best choice for Puyallup City Council, District 3.
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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. The Legislature had a historically productive 2019 session, resulting in a record number of advisory votes on the ballot. We hope the Legislature will change the law to remove these meaningless measures in the future.