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  • Melissa Watkinson

  • Melissa Watkinson is a social scientist who has taught at U.W. Bothell in several roles. She is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and a descendent of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and she has worked with Indigenous Sisters Resistance and Seattle's Environmental Justice Committee.

    At the core of Watkinson's platform is a commitment to equity and a sustainable vision for the area. As a council member, she wants to encourage mixed-income housing, provide more accessible transportation, support small business programs, and incentivize the protection of the local ecosystems.

    She is running against Jeff Coughlin, a director working remotely on the NASA Kepler Mission and a Bremerton planning commissioner. Coughlin's campaign has three main priorities - improving input and communication from voters, reinvesting the revenue from increased growth into city services, and supporting local businesses.

    Watkinson offers the most thoughtful and progressive platform in this race. We recommend Watkinson for Bremerton City Council in District 3.

    Ultima actualización 2023-04-05

    Melissa Watkinson

    Melissa Watkinson is a social scientist who has taught at U.W. Bothell in several roles. She is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and a descendent of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and she has worked with Indigenous Sisters Resistance and Seattle's Environmental Justice Committee.

    Melissa Watkinson is a social scientist who has taught at U.W. Bothell in several roles. She is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and a descendent of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and she has worked with Indigenous Sisters Resistance and Seattle's Environmental Justice Committee.

    At the core of Watkinson's platform is a commitment to equity and a sustainable vision for the area. As a council member, she wants to encourage mixed-income housing, provide more accessible transportation, support small business programs, and incentivize the protection of the local ecosystems.

    She is running against Jeff Coughlin, a director working remotely on the NASA Kepler Mission and a Bremerton planning commissioner. Coughlin's campaign has three main priorities - improving input and communication from voters, reinvesting the revenue from increased growth into city services, and supporting local businesses.

    Watkinson offers the most thoughtful and progressive platform in this race. We recommend Watkinson for Bremerton City Council in District 3.

    Melissa Watkinson

    Melissa Watkinson is a social scientist who has taught at U.W. Bothell in several roles. She is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and a descendent of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and she has worked with Indigenous Sisters Resistance and Seattle's Environmental Justice Committee.

  • VOTO 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.

    Ultima actualización 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.

    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.

    State Advisory Vote No. 36

    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.

  • Apoyadas Por The Stranger
  • VOTO 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.

    Ultima actualización 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.

    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.

    State Advisory Vote No. 37

    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.

  • Apoyadas Por The Stranger
  • VOTO 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.

    Ultima actualización 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.

    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.

    State Advisory Vote No. 38

    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.

  • Apoyadas Por The Stranger

City Races

Depending on where you live, you may have the following city races on your ballot.

  • Incumbent and Navy veteran Greg Wheeler is currently serving his first term as mayor. He previously served for eight years on the city council and is also on the boards of Kitsap Public Health, Kitsap Economic Development Alliance, Kitsap Transit, and others.

    During the height of the pandemic, Wheeler and the city council worked to keep residents safe and curtail the worst of COVID-19's economic effects by investing in technology for remote schooling and offering rental and utility bill assistance. Another recent benchmark success is the soon-to-be-open Pendleton Place apartment complex, which will help permanently house and provide services for people struggling with addiction and mental health issues. If re-elected, Wheeler states that he is dedicated to funding the Bremerton Rental Assistance Program, continuing the weatherization program, stabilizing rent costs, and increasing the city's housing stock.

    Wheeler's opponent is William "Bill" Broughton, who served as the Bremerton city attorney from 1982 to 1987. He is also the former president of the Kitsap Building Association and is pushing for more development in the city. He states that if elected he will triple the transportation funding for downtown transit options, fix road crossings, and increase biking and walking infrastructure. Broughton also wants to see more dense, multi-use buildings utilized downtown, as well as a loosening of residential building regulations.

    Wheeler's broad support by a number of local Democratic groups and progressive elected officials as well as his efforts to keep Bremerton livable and healthy for all makes him the better option for mayor of Bremerton.

    Ultima actualización 2023-04-05

    Greg Wheeler

    Incumbent and Navy veteran Greg Wheeler is currently serving his first term as mayor. He previously served for eight years on the city council and is also on the boards of Kitsap Public Health, Kitsap Economic Development Alliance, Kitsap Transit, and others.

    Incumbent and Navy veteran Greg Wheeler is currently serving his first term as mayor. He previously served for eight years on the city council and is also on the boards of Kitsap Public Health, Kitsap Economic Development Alliance, Kitsap Transit, and others.

    During the height of the pandemic, Wheeler and the city council worked to keep residents safe and curtail the worst of COVID-19's economic effects by investing in technology for remote schooling and offering rental and utility bill assistance. Another recent benchmark success is the soon-to-be-open Pendleton Place apartment complex, which will help permanently house and provide services for people struggling with addiction and mental health issues. If re-elected, Wheeler states that he is dedicated to funding the Bremerton Rental Assistance Program, continuing the weatherization program, stabilizing rent costs, and increasing the city's housing stock.

    Wheeler's opponent is William "Bill" Broughton, who served as the Bremerton city attorney from 1982 to 1987. He is also the former president of the Kitsap Building Association and is pushing for more development in the city. He states that if elected he will triple the transportation funding for downtown transit options, fix road crossings, and increase biking and walking infrastructure. Broughton also wants to see more dense, multi-use buildings utilized downtown, as well as a loosening of residential building regulations.

    Wheeler's broad support by a number of local Democratic groups and progressive elected officials as well as his efforts to keep Bremerton livable and healthy for all makes him the better option for mayor of Bremerton.

    Greg Wheeler

    Incumbent and Navy veteran Greg Wheeler is currently serving his first term as mayor. He previously served for eight years on the city council and is also on the boards of Kitsap Public Health, Kitsap Economic Development Alliance, Kitsap Transit, and others.

  • Jennifer Chamberlin is technically running unopposed for Bremerton City Council, District 1. Her opponent, Tony Stephens announced to the Kitsap Sun in mid-September that he was dropping out of the race, and encouraged voters to choose Chamberlin.

    Chamberlin works for the Bremerton School District, and has served five years so far as a City of Bremerton Arts Commissioner, and is a proud member of the Bremerton Professional Education Association. While more detailed policy stances don't appear to be available, Chamberlain says she aims to help those in crisis rise up with dignity, supports reproductive health for all, and wants to create a safer and more inclusive city for those who have been disenfranchised.

    Stephens is the former president of the Kitsap County Republican Party. His name will remain on the ballot because he dropped out after the deadline. Were he to win, the council would need to fill the position by appointment. We recommend Chamberlin for Bremerton City Council, District 1.

    Ultima actualización 2023-04-05

    Jennifer Chamberlin

    Jennifer Chamberlin is technically running unopposed for Bremerton City Council, District 1. Her opponent, Tony Stephens announced to the Kitsap Sun in mid-September that he was dropping out of the race, and encouraged voters to choose Chamberlin.

    Jennifer Chamberlin is technically running unopposed for Bremerton City Council, District 1. Her opponent, Tony Stephens announced to the Kitsap Sun in mid-September that he was dropping out of the race, and encouraged voters to choose Chamberlin.

    Chamberlin works for the Bremerton School District, and has served five years so far as a City of Bremerton Arts Commissioner, and is a proud member of the Bremerton Professional Education Association. While more detailed policy stances don't appear to be available, Chamberlain says she aims to help those in crisis rise up with dignity, supports reproductive health for all, and wants to create a safer and more inclusive city for those who have been disenfranchised.

    Stephens is the former president of the Kitsap County Republican Party. His name will remain on the ballot because he dropped out after the deadline. Were he to win, the council would need to fill the position by appointment. We recommend Chamberlin for Bremerton City Council, District 1.

    Jennifer Chamberlin

    Jennifer Chamberlin is technically running unopposed for Bremerton City Council, District 1. Her opponent, Tony Stephens announced to the Kitsap Sun in mid-September that he was dropping out of the race, and encouraged voters to choose Chamberlin.

  • Melissa Watkinson is a social scientist who has taught at U.W. Bothell in several roles. She is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and a descendent of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and she has worked with Indigenous Sisters Resistance and Seattle's Environmental Justice Committee.

    At the core of Watkinson's platform is a commitment to equity and a sustainable vision for the area. As a council member, she wants to encourage mixed-income housing, provide more accessible transportation, support small business programs, and incentivize the protection of the local ecosystems.

    She is running against Jeff Coughlin, a director working remotely on the NASA Kepler Mission and a Bremerton planning commissioner. Coughlin's campaign has three main priorities - improving input and communication from voters, reinvesting the revenue from increased growth into city services, and supporting local businesses.

    Watkinson offers the most thoughtful and progressive platform in this race. We recommend Watkinson for Bremerton City Council in District 3.

    Ultima actualización 2023-04-05

    Melissa Watkinson

    Melissa Watkinson is a social scientist who has taught at U.W. Bothell in several roles. She is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and a descendent of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and she has worked with Indigenous Sisters Resistance and Seattle's Environmental Justice Committee.

    Melissa Watkinson is a social scientist who has taught at U.W. Bothell in several roles. She is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and a descendent of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and she has worked with Indigenous Sisters Resistance and Seattle's Environmental Justice Committee.

    At the core of Watkinson's platform is a commitment to equity and a sustainable vision for the area. As a council member, she wants to encourage mixed-income housing, provide more accessible transportation, support small business programs, and incentivize the protection of the local ecosystems.

    She is running against Jeff Coughlin, a director working remotely on the NASA Kepler Mission and a Bremerton planning commissioner. Coughlin's campaign has three main priorities - improving input and communication from voters, reinvesting the revenue from increased growth into city services, and supporting local businesses.

    Watkinson offers the most thoughtful and progressive platform in this race. We recommend Watkinson for Bremerton City Council in District 3.

    Melissa Watkinson

    Melissa Watkinson is a social scientist who has taught at U.W. Bothell in several roles. She is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and a descendent of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and she has worked with Indigenous Sisters Resistance and Seattle's Environmental Justice Committee.

  • Incumbent Michael Goodnow is serving in his first term on the Bremerton City Council. He is a Navy veteran who has been deeply involved in volunteering through community organizations such as Habitat for Humanity Kitsap County, Kitsap Humane Society, Kitsap Pride Network, and the Downtown Bremerton Association.

    Goodnow voted for - and is the vice chair of - the Race Equity Advisory Committee, and has supported body cameras for more oversight and transparency in law enforcement. He also joined his fellow council members in a unanimous vote to relax accessory dwelling unit (ADU) restrictions, which will help increase the city's housing stock. If re-elected, Goodnow wants to continue to expand affordable and low-income housing in the city, fill vacant buildings with small businesses and increase road and pedestrian accessibility.

    His opponent Matthew Adams is a veteran and a self-proclaimed "regular guy." Adams' Twitter page is filled with personal attacks against Goodnow, seemingly motivated by Goodnow's anti-racist principles. Adams has few policy proposals available. He states that he wants to see more parking enforcement and no additional utility taxes.

    Goodnow is by far the better choice in this race and has earned a second term for Bremerton City Council in District 5.

    Ultima actualización 2023-04-05

    Michael Goodnow

    Incumbent Michael Goodnow is serving in his first term on the Bremerton City Council.

    Incumbent Michael Goodnow is serving in his first term on the Bremerton City Council. He is a Navy veteran who has been deeply involved in volunteering through community organizations such as Habitat for Humanity Kitsap County, Kitsap Humane Society, Kitsap Pride Network, and the Downtown Bremerton Association.

    Goodnow voted for - and is the vice chair of - the Race Equity Advisory Committee, and has supported body cameras for more oversight and transparency in law enforcement. He also joined his fellow council members in a unanimous vote to relax accessory dwelling unit (ADU) restrictions, which will help increase the city's housing stock. If re-elected, Goodnow wants to continue to expand affordable and low-income housing in the city, fill vacant buildings with small businesses and increase road and pedestrian accessibility.

    His opponent Matthew Adams is a veteran and a self-proclaimed "regular guy." Adams' Twitter page is filled with personal attacks against Goodnow, seemingly motivated by Goodnow's anti-racist principles. Adams has few policy proposals available. He states that he wants to see more parking enforcement and no additional utility taxes.

    Goodnow is by far the better choice in this race and has earned a second term for Bremerton City Council in District 5.

    Michael Goodnow

    Incumbent Michael Goodnow is serving in his first term on the Bremerton City Council.

  • Apoyadas Por: Pro-Choice Washington
  • Anna Mockler is a former professor and wetland scientist who is running for Bremerton City Council, Position 6 to support sustainability.

    If elected, Mockler will focus on securing grants that help low-income families secure their first home. She also wants to see more bike lanes, safe sidewalks, and the promotion of green manufacturing jobs. Unique to Mockler's campaign is her focus on housing quality. As a former insulation contractor whose family works in construction, she wants to enforce a warranty of habitability to ensure that residents have structurally safe housing. She supports union labor and believes that the city should prioritize union contracts to promote living wages and fair working conditions.

    Her opponent, incumbent Mike Simpson, is one of the more conservative members of the council. In February 2021, because Simpson had been working in Japan on a work assignment for over a month, the city council voted to remove Simpson from the District 6 seat because he had spent more than 30 continuous days outside of the city. They immediately voted to appoint him, but the result is that Simpson must now run for the seat though the original term of his position would have expired in 2023. While on the council, Simpson voted against loosening accessory dwelling unit laws, which could help alleviate the affordable housing crunch. He also pushed back on the need for a race equity committee, which was established after the national conversation on racial justice to better address the concerns of Bremerton residents. Simpson is endorsed by the local county Republicans.

    Mockler is widely endorsed by progressive state legislators and local Democratic organizations and is the better choice in this race.

    Ultima actualización 2023-04-05

    Anna Mockler

    Anna Mockler is a former professor and wetland scientist who is running for Bremerton City Council, Position 6 to support sustainability.

    Anna Mockler is a former professor and wetland scientist who is running for Bremerton City Council, Position 6 to support sustainability.

    If elected, Mockler will focus on securing grants that help low-income families secure their first home. She also wants to see more bike lanes, safe sidewalks, and the promotion of green manufacturing jobs. Unique to Mockler's campaign is her focus on housing quality. As a former insulation contractor whose family works in construction, she wants to enforce a warranty of habitability to ensure that residents have structurally safe housing. She supports union labor and believes that the city should prioritize union contracts to promote living wages and fair working conditions.

    Her opponent, incumbent Mike Simpson, is one of the more conservative members of the council. In February 2021, because Simpson had been working in Japan on a work assignment for over a month, the city council voted to remove Simpson from the District 6 seat because he had spent more than 30 continuous days outside of the city. They immediately voted to appoint him, but the result is that Simpson must now run for the seat though the original term of his position would have expired in 2023. While on the council, Simpson voted against loosening accessory dwelling unit laws, which could help alleviate the affordable housing crunch. He also pushed back on the need for a race equity committee, which was established after the national conversation on racial justice to better address the concerns of Bremerton residents. Simpson is endorsed by the local county Republicans.

    Mockler is widely endorsed by progressive state legislators and local Democratic organizations and is the better choice in this race.

    Anna Mockler

    Anna Mockler is a former professor and wetland scientist who is running for Bremerton City Council, Position 6 to support sustainability.

  • Apoyadas Por: UFCW 3000