Rebecca Saldaña Makes Her Case for King County Council
Hacks & Wonks
Rebecca Saldaña is leaving the State Senate to run for the open King County Council District 2 seat. She spoke with Hacks & Wonks about her priorities, including addressing the county's budget deficit, homelessness, public safety, transit equity, and environmental justice. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find Rebecca Saldaña at .
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Week in Review: May 1, 2026 - with David Kroman
Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and David Kroman discuss: 🚧 Governor comms sign-off rule delays info flow 🧊 WA tries to gain access to privately-run ICE facility ❌ Calls for dissolution after KCRHA audit 🧒 Wilson expands free student meals and childcare 🚓 SPD Chief questions LEAD program 🛑 Judge halts law to oust decertified sheriffs As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find today’s co-host, David Kroman at .
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Week in Review: April 17, 2026 - with Robert Cruickshank
Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: ⚔️ Progressive Democrats take on moderate incumbents 🚈 Sound Transit 3 in crisis 🏘️ Mayor Wilson’s housing proposals 💯 Katie Wilson’s first 100 days 🧑🏫 Seattle Public Schools debates how to handle educator misconduct As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find today’s co-host, Robert Cruickshank, on Bluesky at .
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Week in Review: April 10, 2026 - with Erica Barnett
Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Erica Barnett discuss: 📜 Accountability law enacted for sheriffs ⚔️ Court battle starts over millionaires’ tax 🏛️ Wilson town halls on shelter proposal and surveillance 👮 Cops assigned to Magnuson ↔️ Opposing views at Comp Plan hearings As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find today’s co-host, Erica Barnett, on Bluesky at and on .
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Why We’re on a Reduced Schedule
Hacks & Wonks
Crystal gives a quick update on the Hacks & Wonks schedule. Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at .
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From Consumer Protection to Constitutional Defense: Nick Brown's First Year as AG
Hacks & Wonks
Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown has focused on protecting state residents, filing 49 lawsuits against federal actions and prioritizing consumer protection and workers' rights during his first year in office. Join us for an inside look at the often unseen work of the Attorney General's Office. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find Attorney General Nick Brown on Bluesky at .
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Week in Review: January 9, 2026 - with Robert Cruickshank
Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: 😡 WA still providing driver data to federal immigration agents 🌱 New Seattle electeds inaugurated 🤨 SPOG misleads on drug policy 🥳 Mike Solan out as SPOG president 🪓 Bob Ferguson proposes an income tax – and huge austerity 💸 Inslee criticizes Ferguson’s raid on climate funding As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find today’s co-host, Robert Cruickshank, on Bluesky at .
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Rep. Shaun Scott Pushes Revenue Plan to Counter Austerity
Hacks & Wonks
As Washington state braces for devastating federal budget cuts, State Representative Shaun Scott is leading a progressive revenue effort he says could protect critical services from austerity measures contained in the Trump administration’s proposed budget. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find Representative Shaun Scott at .
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Rep. Chipalo Street on Tax Reform, Budget Deficits, and Federal Threats to Washington
Hacks & Wonks
Washington State Representative Chipalo Street is entering the upcoming 2026 legislative session with an ambitious agenda that includes fixing structural problems in juvenile rehabilitation, reforming the state's regressive tax system, and protecting residents from federal overreach. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find Representative Chipalo Street at .
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Transit Riders Union Charts New Course After Katie Wilson’s Election
Hacks & Wonks
The Transit Riders Union faces a transformation as its longtime leader prepares to become Seattle's mayor. For over a decade, the grassroots organization has built power for working people across King County. With Katie Wilson headed to City Hall, TRU is navigating a leadership transition while positioning itself to push an ambitious agenda. Wes Mills, TRU's new General Secretary, discussed how the organization is adapting and what comes next. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at , find Wes...
info_outlineThis week on the show Crystal is joined by Senator Karen Keiser, Washington State Senate President Pro Tempore and one of the busiest women in the Washington State legislature. They discuss what happened in the past legislative session this year, as well as changes that will be worked toward next year. Highlights include more than a dozen public safety bills passed, protection of essential workers during the pandemic, attempts to rectify Washington State’s upside-down tax code, worker protections in the unprecedentedly hot conditions we’ve experienced due to climate change, passage of the Working Families Tax Credit, supporting childcare workers as we face a massive childcare shortage, and more. This was indeed a busy legislative session!
As always, a full text transcript of the show is available below and at officialhacksandwonks.com.
Find the host, Crystal Fincher on Twitter at @finchfrii and find Senator Karen Keiser at @karenkeiser1. More info is available at officialhacksandwonks.com.
Resources
"What would it cost to house and provide treatment for Seattle's homeless?" by Scott Greenstone at The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/what-is-the-cost-to-house-and-provide-treatment-for-seattles-homeless/
"With 12 New Laws, Washington State Joins Movement to Overhaul Policing" by Austin Jenkins from NPR: https://www.npr.org/2021/05/18/997974519/a-dozen-police-reform-bills-signed-into-law-in-washington-state
"A year after George Floyd's murder, what's changed in Washington state?" by Melissa Santos from Crosscut: https://crosscut.com/news/2021/05/year-after-george-floyds-murder-whats-changed-washington-state
"With the Washington Legislature halfway through its session, here's where policing bill stand" by Joseph O'Sullivan from The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/washington-legislature-passes-bill-requiring-police-officers-to-intervene-if-they-witness-excessive-force/
"Washington Legislature charts 'new beginning' in climate change fight" by Levi Pulkkinen from Investigate West via Crosscut: https://crosscut.com/politics/2021/05/washington-legislature-charts-new-beginning-climate-change-fight
"Inslee signs off on capital gains tax for wealthy and tax rebate for lower-income workers in Washington" by Jim Brunner from The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/inslee-signs-capital-gains-tax-for-wealthy-and-tax-rebate-for-lower-income-workers-in-washington/
"Return to Work? Now With Child Care Still in Limbo, Some Parents Say." by Claire Cain Miller from The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/05/upshot/covid-child-care-schools.html
"2021 heat wave is now the deadliest weather-related event in Washington history" by John Ryan from KUOW: https://www.kuow.org/stories/heat-wave-death-toll-in-washington-state-jumps-to-112-people
"Washington Joins Oregon, California, British Columbia In Passing Low-Carbon Fuel Standard" by Courtney Flatt from KUOW: https://www.kuow.org/stories/washington-joins-oregon-california-british-columbia-in-passing-low-carbon-fuel-standard
"The HEAL Act gives WA a path to environmental justice" by Jennifer Calkins from Crosscut: https://crosscut.com/opinion/2021/03/heal-act-gives-wa-path-environmental-justice
The Front and Centered Coalition: https://frontandcentered.org/
"Relief slow to reach King County renters as evictions set to resume" by David Kroman from Crosscut: https://crosscut.com/news/2021/06/relief-slow-reach-king-county-renters-evictions-set-resume
Hacks & Wonks interview with Pierce County Councilmember Derek Young: https://www.officialhacksandwonks.com/listenpodcast/episode/32ca17ec/seattle-pay-attention-to-pierce-county-a-conversation-with-pierce-county-council-chair-derek-young
Hacks & Wonks interview with Senator and King County Executive Candidate Joe Nguyen: https://www.officialhacksandwonks.com/listenpodcast/episode/1e38d0ac/meet-senator-and-kc-exec-candidate-joe-nguyen-again