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Daniel Becker

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Small business owner Daniel Becker is running for Mercer Island City Council to improve community outreach and ensure all voices on the island are represented.

He's running on a forward-looking platform that includes pushing the city to act on climate change and improving transit connections with the future light rail station. Becker critiques the council for reducing counseling services for students during the pandemic and he wants to ensure that a stable funding source is identified to restore the service. He also wants to incentivize more restaurants and retail shops in the city center.

Becker is challenging incumbent Salim Nice. Nice, the former deputy mayor, is the president and CEO of a health care financial consulting company. He was elected to the council in 2017 in an unopposed race after serving by appointment. Nice voted seven months ago to prohibit people from camping or sleeping in cars, which means police will shuttle anyone experiencing homelessness off the island to shelters in neighboring cities. Violation of the law could result in a misdemeanor crime of up to 90 days in prison or a $1,000 fine. Local, off-island shelters have expressed concern that the council did not notify them of the new rule, and there is not enough space to accommodate those in need.

While we appreciate that Nice and the council revisited their prohibition of camping in September, with additional resources to potentially go to local shelters, we believe Becker will make stronger pushes for progressive policy on the council.

Daniel Becker is the best choice for Mercer Island City Council, Position 2.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Small business owner Daniel Becker is running for Mercer Island City Council to improve community outreach and ensure all voices on the island are represented.

He's running on a forward-looking platform that includes pushing the city to act on climate change and improving transit connections with the future light rail station. Becker critiques the council for reducing counseling services for students during the pandemic and he wants to ensure that a stable funding source is identified to restore the service. He also wants to incentivize more restaurants and retail shops in the city center.

Becker is challenging incumbent Salim Nice. Nice, the former deputy mayor, is the president and CEO of a health care financial consulting company. He was elected to the council in 2017 in an unopposed race after serving by appointment. Nice voted seven months ago to prohibit people from camping or sleeping in cars, which means police will shuttle anyone experiencing homelessness off the island to shelters in neighboring cities. Violation of the law could result in a misdemeanor crime of up to 90 days in prison or a $1,000 fine. Local, off-island shelters have expressed concern that the council did not notify them of the new rule, and there is not enough space to accommodate those in need.

While we appreciate that Nice and the council revisited their prohibition of camping in September, with additional resources to potentially go to local shelters, we believe Becker will make stronger pushes for progressive policy on the council.

Daniel Becker is the best choice for Mercer Island City Council, Position 2.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Endorsed By: Washington Bikes

City of Mercer Island

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Election Day November 2, 2021
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Statewide Ballot Measures

Advisory Vote #36

VOTE MAINTAINED

Vote Maintained to strengthen mental health crisis support

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

Advisory Vote #37

VOTE MAINTAINED

Vote Maintained to balance our tax code

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

Advisory Vote #38

VOTE MAINTAINED

Vote Maintained to close a tax loophole for insurance companies

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

Mercer Island City Council

Mercer Island City Council, Position #2

Daniel Becker photo

Daniel Becker

Website Facebook Endorsements

Small business owner Daniel Becker is running for Mercer Island City Council to improve community outreach and ensure all voices on the island are represented.

He's running on a forward-looking platform that includes pushing the city to act on climate change and improving transit connections with the future light rail station. Becker critiques the council for reducing counseling services for students during the pandemic and he wants to ensure that a stable funding source is identified to restore the service. He also wants to incentivize more restaurants and retail shops in the city center.

Becker is challenging incumbent Salim Nice. Nice, the former deputy mayor, is the president and CEO of a health care financial consulting company. He was elected to the council in 2017 in an unopposed race after serving by appointment. Nice voted seven months ago to prohibit people from camping or sleeping in cars, which means police will shuttle anyone experiencing homelessness off the island to shelters in neighboring cities. Violation of the law could result in a misdemeanor crime of up to 90 days in prison or a $1,000 fine. Local, off-island shelters have expressed concern that the council did not notify them of the new rule, and there is not enough space to accommodate those in need.

While we appreciate that Nice and the council revisited their prohibition of camping in September, with additional resources to potentially go to local shelters, we believe Becker will make stronger pushes for progressive policy on the council.

Daniel Becker is the best choice for Mercer Island City Council, Position 2.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Small business owner Daniel Becker is running for Mercer Island City Council to improve community outreach and ensure all voices on the island are represented.

He's running on a forward-looking platform that includes pushing the city to act on climate change and improving transit connections with the future light rail station. Becker critiques the council for reducing counseling services for students during the pandemic and he wants to ensure that a stable funding source is identified to restore the service. He also wants to incentivize more restaurants and retail shops in the city center.

Becker is challenging incumbent Salim Nice. Nice, the former deputy mayor, is the president and CEO of a health care financial consulting company. He was elected to the council in 2017 in an unopposed race after serving by appointment. Nice voted seven months ago to prohibit people from camping or sleeping in cars, which means police will shuttle anyone experiencing homelessness off the island to shelters in neighboring cities. Violation of the law could result in a misdemeanor crime of up to 90 days in prison or a $1,000 fine. Local, off-island shelters have expressed concern that the council did not notify them of the new rule, and there is not enough space to accommodate those in need.

While we appreciate that Nice and the council revisited their prohibition of camping in September, with additional resources to potentially go to local shelters, we believe Becker will make stronger pushes for progressive policy on the council.

Daniel Becker is the best choice for Mercer Island City Council, Position 2.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Endorsed By: Washington Bikes

Mercer Island City Council, Position #4

Ted Weinberg photo

Ted Weinberg

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Ted Weinberg is a resource manager for the city of Seattle's IT Department. He has served on the Mercer Island Planning Commission since 2017, and also serves on the Mercer Island Sister City Association, which partners with the city of Thonon-les-Bains in France.

Weinberg's available platform is not extensive, but it mentions that he would work to find solid funding for the island's school counselors. Two counselor positions were up for cuts in the 2019-2020 school year as voters failed to pass education funding through Proposition 1 and the council had to address the city's budget deficit. Weinberg also wants to develop a long-term plan for the city's parks and develop strong partnerships with other government agencies both on and off the island.

Weinberg is running against technical consultant Michael Curry, whose campaign is focused on incentivizing retail growth downtown and preserving park land. While both candidates support keeping the first response teams local and city-run, Weinberg's campaign is also supported by progressive state representatives, and current and former Mercer Island council members as well as school board members.

Weinberg is the best choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Ted Weinberg is a resource manager for the city of Seattle's IT Department. He has served on the Mercer Island Planning Commission since 2017, and also serves on the Mercer Island Sister City Association, which partners with the city of Thonon-les-Bains in France.

Weinberg's available platform is not extensive, but it mentions that he would work to find solid funding for the island's school counselors. Two counselor positions were up for cuts in the 2019-2020 school year as voters failed to pass education funding through Proposition 1 and the council had to address the city's budget deficit. Weinberg also wants to develop a long-term plan for the city's parks and develop strong partnerships with other government agencies both on and off the island.

Weinberg is running against technical consultant Michael Curry, whose campaign is focused on incentivizing retail growth downtown and preserving park land. While both candidates support keeping the first response teams local and city-run, Weinberg's campaign is also supported by progressive state representatives, and current and former Mercer Island council members as well as school board members.

Weinberg is the best choice in this race.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Mercer Island City Council, Position #6

Kate Akyuz photo

Kate Akyuz

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Kate Akyuz is a senior capital project manager with the King County River and Floodplain Management Section, where she manages large flood safety and habitat restoration projects for endangered species. She wants to use her experience in wildlife and natural resource management to create a parks conservancy for Mercer Island. By protecting forested areas and wetlands, Akyuz points out that the island can simultaneously create natural stormwater infrastructure and erosion protection. If elected, she would also prioritize middle-income housing and work to secure funding for mental health services by increasing the designated reserves for Mercer Island Youth and Family Services.

Akyuz is running against incumbent Lisa Anderl, who has not been a progressive voice on the Mercer Island City Council. Unfortunately, Anderl joined five of her fellow council members voting to make it illegal for anyone to camp or even sleep in their car. Anyone on Mercer Island found in violation of this law now faces up to 90 days in prison or a $1,000 fine. While we appreciate that Anderl and the council revisited this policy in September, Anderl also opposed a 2018 levy that would have increased local funding for mental health counseling, first responders, parks, and youth and senior services.

Akyuz has earned strong support from local leaders and is the clear choice for Mercer Island City Council, Position 6.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Kate Akyuz is a senior capital project manager with the King County River and Floodplain Management Section, where she manages large flood safety and habitat restoration projects for endangered species. She wants to use her experience in wildlife and natural resource management to create a parks conservancy for Mercer Island. By protecting forested areas and wetlands, Akyuz points out that the island can simultaneously create natural stormwater infrastructure and erosion protection. If elected, she would also prioritize middle-income housing and work to secure funding for mental health services by increasing the designated reserves for Mercer Island Youth and Family Services.

Akyuz is running against incumbent Lisa Anderl, who has not been a progressive voice on the Mercer Island City Council. Unfortunately, Anderl joined five of her fellow council members voting to make it illegal for anyone to camp or even sleep in their car. Anyone on Mercer Island found in violation of this law now faces up to 90 days in prison or a $1,000 fine. While we appreciate that Anderl and the council revisited this policy in September, Anderl also opposed a 2018 levy that would have increased local funding for mental health counseling, first responders, parks, and youth and senior services.

Akyuz has earned strong support from local leaders and is the clear choice for Mercer Island City Council, Position 6.

Last updated: 2023-04-05

Endorsed By: Alliance for Gun Responsibility, King County Democrats, Mercer Island Firefighters IAFF Local 1762