Voters endorse property tax measure, incumbent candidates
August 7, 2012
NEW — 8:40 p.m. Aug. 7, 2012
King County voters endorsed a $200 million property tax measure to build a juvenile justice facility, as King County Elections released initial results Tuesday night.
Officials asked voters to fund a replacement for the aging Youth Services Center, a juvenile detention facility in Seattle.
The measure appeared on a crowded primary ballot alongside federal, judicial, legislative and statewide contests. Voters in Issaquah and throughout Washington returned ballots in recent days, as the calendar inched closer to the summer primary — and the Tuesday deadline to postmark or return ballots.
The electorate chose the top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation, in the all-mail primary election. The top vote recipients then advance to an all-mail general election Nov. 6.
Candidates receive boost from Municipal League of King County
July 10, 2012
Issaquah candidates for the Legislature received top marks from the Municipal League of King County, as the nonpartisan organization ranked candidates a little more than a month before the Aug. 7 primary.
The league ranks candidates through a rigorous process during each election cycle. The ratings provide a tool for voters — plus fodder for candidates’ campaign mailers and websites.
Evaluators scrutinize candidate records, check references, review candidate questionnaires and interview the electoral hopefuls. The league rates candidates on a set of criteria: involvement, character, effectiveness and knowledge.
Who’s News
July 10, 2012
Local students serve as legislative pages
Lydia Mull, 16, and Caroline Mull, 14, daughters of Cliff and Jody Mull, served as Legislative pages for Sen. Steve Litzow, R-Mercer Island. Lydia, who will be a junior at Issaquah High School in the fall, was a page from Feb. 20-24. Caroline, who will be a sophomore at IHS, was a page from Feb. 6-10.
Students attended page school daily to learn more about the legislative process and sponsored mock bills with their fellow students from Washington state. They also distributed documents to state lawmakers and staff members throughout the state Capitol campus. Lydia created a mock bill on banning plastic bags. Caroline created a mock bill on banning second-hand smoke in cars from adult drivers.
Middle school and high school students interested in the Senate Page Program are encouraged to go to www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Administration/PageProgram.
Issaquah candidates receive boost in Municipal League rankings
July 2, 2012
NEW — 1 p.m. July 2, 2012
Issaquah candidates for the Legislature received top marks from the Municipal League of King County, as the nonpartisan organization ranked candidates a little more than a month before the Aug. 7 primary.
In the 5th Legislative District, state Senate candidate Mark Mullet and state House of Representatives candidate Chad Magendanz impressed Muni League evaluators.
Mullet, a Democrat and Issaquah City Council member, earned a very good rating from the group. The league ranked Mullet’s GOP opponent, Snoqualmie businessman Brad Toft, as good.
Magendanz, a Republican and Issaquah School Board member, received a coveted outstanding rating from the Muni League.
Local legislator Steve Litzow invites constituents to telephone ‘town hall’
June 6, 2012
NEW — 6 a.m. June 6, 2012
Constituents can join state Sen. Steve Litzow for a telephone “town hall” meeting to discuss the recent legislative sessions.
The discussion is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. June 13 and last for 60 minutes. Litzow plans to take constituents’ questions and share views about the recent legislative sessions throughout the discussion.
Litzow represents the portion of Issaquah in the 41st Legislative District — Cougar Mountain and areas west of 12th Avenue Northwest. However, after the 2011 redistricting goes into effect after the November election, the district should encompass more of Issaquah.
Call the toll-free number at 1-877-229-8493 and enter the code 110085 at the prompt. Constituents can direct questions before and after the event to Litzow’s office via email at steve.litzow@leg.wa.gov, or by phone at 453-3076.
Campaign season starts as candidates file for election
May 22, 2012
The ballot voters receive in the mailbox by late July is all but certain to contain some familiar names, as elected officials campaign for higher offices and other candidates try another run for elected office.
The period for candidates to enter races up for election on the August and November ballots ended May 18 in a buzz of activity.
Local voters face choices in countywide, legislative, statewide and federal offices.
Voters pick the top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation, Aug. 7 in the all-mail primary election. The top vote recipients then advance to an all-mail general election Nov. 6.
Issaquah legislators top list for missed votes
May 1, 2012
Local legislators missed the most votes in the Legislature during the 2012 regular and special sessions.
Republican Steve Litzow garners challenge in legislative race
May 1, 2012
State Sen. Steve Litzow, a freshman Republican from Mercer Island and a local representative in Olympia, attracted a challenger April 17 in the race for a full term.
Democrat Maureen Judge, a Mercer Island resident and former Washington Toxics Coalition executive director, entered the race against Litzow.
“As a mother, I deeply value education funding as a force to protect our state’s future competitiveness and economic health,” Judge said in a statement. “During his 2010 campaign, Steve Litzow promised he would fight for education funding. But this legislative session he demonstrated that he’d rather toe the Republican Party line than fight for our kids, our state and our future.”
In 2010, Litzow defeated appointed incumbent Randy Gordon by 192 votes to represent the 41st Legislative District in the Senate. (The recent redistricting process put most of Issaquah inside the district.)
Litzow and Gordon battled to fill the unexpired term of former Sen. Fred Jarrett, the current King County deputy executive.
Issaquah legislators top list on missed votes tally
April 24, 2012
NEW — 3 p.m. April 24, 2012
Local legislators missed the most votes in the Legislature during the 2012 regular and special sessions.
Glenn Anderson
The information, released Tuesday in a report from the nonpartisan organization WashingtonVotes.org, ranks state Rep. Glenn Anderson at the top for both chambers, followed by state Sen. Cheryl Pflug and state Rep. Jay Rodne.
Anderson missed 95 votes to top the list for Senate and House of Representatives members. Pflug did not participate in 64 votes and Rodne did not participate in 62.
The lawmakers represent Issaquah and the 5th Legislative District.
Municipal League of King County honors local leaders, libraries
April 10, 2012
Efforts to help people find jobs, learn English and grow small businesses earned the Issaquah-based King County Library System a top honor from the Municipal League of King County.
The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization recognized the library system as Organization of the Year, and also honored King County Executive Dow Constantine and local state Sen. Steve Litzow in the 53rd Annual Civic Awards.
Each year, the Municipal League and the Municipal League Foundation present the honors to highlight people and organizations for significant contributions to the community. Organizers held a ceremony April 5 to honor the recipients.
Constantine received the James R. Ellis Regional Leadership Award for years of public service, efforts to bring a culture of performance to county government, completion of major projects and improved relationships among the county and other jurisdictions.
The award honors individuals and organizations for contributing significant leadership in tackling regional public policy issues.
Litzow, a freshman Republican from Mercer Island, and state Sen. Ed Murray, a veteran Seattle Democrat, shared the Warren G. Magnuson Award for bipartisan leadership to pass same-sex marriage legislation. (Litzow represents Issaquah neighborhoods in the 41st Legislative District.)
