Seattle voters will decide between two competing social housing funding measures in a special election ending Feb. 11. Proposition 1A, backed by labor and community groups, proposes a payroll tax on high earners to generate $53M annually. Proposition 1B, supported by the Chamber of Commerce, redirects $10M from existing funds. We chat with Rian Wat…

On this topical show re-air, Crystal welcomes Everett Maroon, Executive Director of Blue Mountain Heart to Heart, for a conversation about their work in Southeast Washington using a harm reduction philosophy to support people, stabilize lives, & promote health and wellness in the community. Crystal and Everett chat about how the opioid epidemic has…

On this topical show re-air, Crystal welcomes Evan Thompkins, STAR Program Specialist with the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, and Stephanie Van Jacobs, Program Manager at WellPower! The STAR program offers a promising alternative response to mental health and substance use crises, providing individuals with the support and reso…

On this topical show re-air, Eleuthera Lisch, director of the King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention, joins Crystal for a conversation about curbing youth gun violence using community-based approaches with violence interrupters. Encouraging early data from the program indicates fewer youth involved in shootings, fewer re-hospitaliza…

On this Tuesday topical show re-air, Crystal welcomes Dr. Stephan Blanford, Executive Director of Children’s Alliance, for a wide-ranging conversation on childcare. They delve into the importance of childcare as an economic driver and its societal impacts through preparing kids for success in school and life. A review of the state of childcare in W…

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: 😖 Morales bullied out of office ✋ Rinck sworn in 🙅 SPS recall effort shut down 🔥 KC Exec race heats up 🤓 Final precinct data & election thoughts 💚 Green Jacket Lady is back! As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on Bl…

A groundbreaking guaranteed income pilot program in Tacoma, Washington has not only demonstrated positive economic impacts but also challenged long-held misconceptions about poverty and cash assistance. The Growing Resilience in Tacoma (GRIT) program, which provided $500 monthly payments to 110 families, is helping reshape traditional narratives th…

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Erica Barnett discuss: 🧮 Seattle budget and amendments 🙅 County rejects Rivera’s proposal for sobering center 👨‍⚖️ Sal Mungia wins open Supreme Court seat 🗳️ Reichert concedes ⚔️ How WA electeds will take on Trump admin As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.co…

Jason Schwarz, Director of the Snohomish County Office of Public Defense and the Chair of Washington's Council on Public Defense, talks about new public defender caseload standards under consideration by the Washington Supreme Court to address the state's public defense crisis. The combination of public defenders working under decades-old caseload …

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Katie Wilson discuss: 📈 Minimum wage increases for the win 🙄 More Burien shenanigans 💰 JumpStart raid 💲 Seattle progressive revenue proposals 🚋 Saka💔Streetcar 🏁 King County Exec race begins 👀 Upcoming appointments As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Fol…

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: 😭 Presidential election 🥳 Washington election results 🤓 What that means for how Washington Democrats will need to govern moving forward As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter/X at @finc…

In a competitive race between two Democrats, Melissa Demyan, a labor organizer, is challenging 20-year incumbent Larry Springer for a 45th district state house seat. We talk with Melissa about her priorities, how she differs from Rep. Larry Springer, and her vision for the 45thth legislative district. Transcript and resources: https://www.officialh…

Andrew Villeneuve of the Northwest Progressive Institute discusses how their new poll shows Democrats leading in most statewide races, voters are likely to reject three of four initiatives on the November ballot, and a close race in Washington’s 3rd congressional district. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksa…

On this Tuesday topical show re-air, Crystal learns about north King County’s innovative new Regional Crisis Response (RCR) Agency with its inaugural Executive Director Brook Buettner and Kenmore Mayor Nigel Herbig. Following national guidelines and best practices for behavioral health crisis care, a five-city consortium established RCR in 2023 as …

In a recent interview, Shoreline Mayor Chris Roberts outlines the city's approaches to housing, development, and public safety, emphasizing how the newly opened light rail stations are reshaping the community north of Seattle. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on Twitter/X at @HacksWo…

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Shauna Sowersby discuss: 📊 Cascade PBS/Elway polls 🗳️ Ballots arriving in mailboxes 💸 Capital gains tax repeal costly for schools 🏳️‍🌈 Tacoma rainbow crosswalk ⚖️ Pierce County jury pay pilot 😵 Yakima County coroner As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. F…

Four statewide initiatives backed by a California hedge fund manager are stirring up controversy as Washington voters prepare to cast their ballots this November. The measures, which would repeal several recently passed laws, are being met with strong opposition from groups who argue they would benefit wealthy people and corporations at the expense…

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Ron Davis discuss: 🌲 Public Lands candidate takes stance on I-2117 🤩 Overlook Walk opens to widespread acclaim 🏫 School closure update 🏘️ Suarez out of touch on housing 📸 Seattle police bonuses and surveillance approved 📊 Tacoma’s refreshing budget approach 🌀 Hurricane-caused IV fluid shortage 🕵️ Inspecto…

Pierce County Executive candidate Ryan Mello outlines his comprehensive vision for the county and pledges active leadership that emphasizes public safety reforms, affordable housing, environmental conservation, and economic development. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on Twitter/X a…

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Scott Greenstone discuss: 🚔 Tacoma police chief admin leave mystery 🏫 Revised school closure plan 😨 Weird Serrano video & AG debate 🗣️ Woo/Rinck debate 💲 Seattle budget scrutiny + Saka ♥️🐴 📺 Seattle Channel in jeopardy As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com…

Shasti Conrad, Chair of the Washington State Democratic Party, discusses the role of the State Party in volunteer and candidate support, turning out the Democratic base, maintaining unity within a diverse party, and the transition to Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksa…

Ruth Rosas from America Walks and Cecelia Black from Disability Rights Washington share details about next week’s Week Without Driving (September 30 - October 6, 2024), which challenges elected leaders, advocates, and individuals to forgo their cars and understand the barriers for nondrivers. As always, a full text transcript of the show is availab…

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: 🏫 School closure plan spurs outrage 👨‍🏫 Dangerous state Superintendent candidate ⛔ Council barges ahead with SOAP/SODA zones 🏘️ … and I-137 quasi-alternative ✈️ Boeing strike and furloughs As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. …

Issaquah City Councilmember Victoria Hunt, running for Washington's 5th Legislative District open House seat, outlines her priorities and emphasizes her diverse experience in local government, environmental science, and data-driven policymaking. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on Tw…

On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Josh Cohen discuss: 🗣️ Ferguson/Reichert debate 📋 New poll on statewide initiatives 🏫 Seattle Public Schools closure proposals 💵 New progressive PAC backs Rinck 🏘️ Zahilay proposes $1B for workforce housing As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Find the h…