Week in Review: July 26, 2024 - with Shauna Sowersby
Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Shauna Sowersby discuss: 🗳️ New statewide initiative qualifies 🔍 Gov candidates on transparency 📊 Polls, polls, polls 🤔 Crypto IE for Randall 👮 KC Jail resumes booking for drug use Downtown 💔 Remembering Matt Driscoll As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter/X at and find today’s co-host, Shauna Sowersby at .
info_outline
Senator Rebecca Saldaña Fights for Environmental Justice and Warns of Ballot Threats
Hacks & Wonks
Washington State Senator Rebecca Saldaña discusses her fight to advance environmental justice in WA and warns of ballot initiatives that could devastate our climate crisis response and other progress. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Twitter at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at and find Senator Rebecca Saldaña at .
info_outline
Week in Review: July 19, 2024 - with Robert Cruickshank
Hacks & Wonks
In this week-in-review: 🔥 Seattle cop fired ✅ Endorsement roundup in key races 📋 Polls for Governor & President 🗳️ Ballots are out w/ “I Voted” stickers 🤑 Realtor $ for Woo 🤖 AI bots for Woo on Reddit 🏘️ ADU construction boom As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter/X at and find today’s co-host, Robert Cruickshank at .
info_outline
Tariq Yusuf Discusses Key Issues in Seattle City Council Race
Hacks & Wonks
Seattle City Council candidate Tariq Yusuf joins Hacks & Wonks to discuss his policy priorities and vision for the city. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Twitter at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at and find Tariq Yusuf at .
info_outline
Week in Review: July 12, 2024 - with Erica Barnett
Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Seattle political reporter, editor of PubliCola, and co-host of the Seattle Nice podcast, Erica Barnett! They discuss: Washington Supreme Court Upholds Lacey RV Parking Ban Hilary Franz Campaign Controversy King County Leaders Launch 100 Days of Action Against Gun Violence Seattle PayUp Minimum Wage Repeal Legislation Stalls Seattle Audit on Reducing Overdoses and Drug-Related Crime Seattle Police Deputy Chief Controversy Seattle Transportation Levy Heads to November Ballot As always, a full text transcript of the show is available...
info_outline
Alexis Mercedes Rinck Discusses Key Issues in Seattle City Council Race
Hacks & Wonks
Seattle City Council candidate Alexis Mercedes Rinck joins Hacks & Wonks to discuss her policy priorities and vision for the city. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Twitter at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at and find Alexis Mercedes Rinck at .
info_outline
Saunatina Sanchez Discusses Key Issues in Seattle City Council Position 8 Race
Hacks & Wonks
Seattle City Council candidate Saunatina Sanchez joins Hacks & Wonks to discuss her policy priorities and vision for the city. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Twitter at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at and find Saunatina Sanchez at .
info_outline
Patrick DePoe Discusses Key Issues in Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Race
Hacks & Wonks
Patrick DePoe, a former elected member of the Makah Tribal Council, current Director of Tribal Relations for the Department of Natural Resources and candidate for Commissioner of Public Lands, outlined his vision for managing the state's natural resources while emphasizing his unique professional and lived experience. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Twitter at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at and find Patrick DePoe at .
info_outline
Week in Review: June 28, 2024 - with Rian Watt
Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Senior Advisor at The Urbanist and Executive Director of The Economic Opportunity Institute, Rian Watt! They discuss: Washington State Democrats Pass Ceasefire Resolution Everett Herald Layoffs Spark Concerns Over Local News Coverage Seattle Social Housing Initiative Moves Forward Seattle Public Schools Faces Uncertainty Over School Closures Seattle City Council's Sidewalk Plan Falters Due to Funding Misunderstanding New Seattle City Council's Lack of Productivity Under Scrutiny As always, a full text transcript of the show is...
info_outline
Dave Upthegrove Discusses Key Issues in Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Race
Hacks & Wonks
Dave Upthegrove, a former legislator and current King County Councilmember and candidate for Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands, recently discussed his bid for the position, highlighting his priorities and outlining his vision for the future of the state's natural resources management. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Twitter at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at and find Dave Upthegrove at .
info_outlineHacks & Wonks Week in Review: Presidential Primary, Legislative Retirements, Police Recruitment in Seattle, Seattle Public Schools Board, and Burien Gets Sued
Presidential Primary Takeaways
In this week's presidential primary, Trump and Biden secured enough delegates to clinch their parties' nominations. While Trump's impact worries moderate Republicans in Washington like Dave Reichert, Biden faces pressure from the "uncommitted delegates" protest vote demanding an end to violence in Gaza.
Washington Legislative Retirements
Several longtime Democratic legislators, including Frank Chopp and Karen Keiser, announced their retirements after the recent session. This exodus provides an opportunity for a new generation of more progressive leadership.
Police Recruitment in Seattle
The Seattle City Council discussed subsidizing housing and lowering standards to recruit more police officers amid a staffing shortage. However, mounting evidence and feedback from police suggest the culture within the department and lack of accountability are deterring recruits, not council rhetoric or compensation.
Seattle Public Schools Board Appointments
Seattle Public Schools is in the process of selecting two people to fill vacancies left by two departures from the Seattle Public Schools Board. Highlighting the diverse range of candidates, including labor leader Joe Mizrahi and Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce's Sarah Clark, the segment explored the potential policy implications and the importance of educational governance in the city.
Sheriff Sues Burien Over Unconstitutional Anti-Camping Ordinance
Burien passed a stricter anti-camping law aimed at homeless individuals, which the King County Sheriff's Office refused to enforce as likely unconstitutional. In retaliation, Burien moved to defund the county's contracted police services, prompting criticism that it is escalating rather than solving homelessness.
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 today’s co-host, Robert Cruickshank, at @cruickshank.
Resources
Tacoma City Councilmember Olgy Diaz Shares Strategies for Running for Office from Hacks & Wonks
“Trump and Biden win Washington's presidential primaries” by Melissa Santos from Axios
“How did Washington's 'uncommitted' voters do on presidential primary night?” by Katie Campbell from KUOW
Senate Democratic Caucus Status | Northwest Progressive Institute
“Shaun Scott Is Running for the State House” by Hannah Krieg from The Stranger
“Longtime Washington state senator is leaving, but not right away” by Jerry Cornfield from Washington State Standard
“Sam Hunt to retire from the Washington State Legislature after many decades of service” by Andrew Villeneuve from The Cascadia Advocate
“As Seattle police applicants lag, City Hall looks to bureaucracy” by David Kroman from The Seattle Times
“Higher salaries? Subsidized housing? What will it take for Seattle to recruit and retain more police?” by Casey Martin from KUOW
“Seattle School Board narrows candidate field for open seats” by Sami West from KUOW
“King County files complaint over Burien's anti-camping ordinance” by Jadenne Radoc Cabahug from Crosscut
“VIDEO: Sheriff files legal complaint against City of Burien regarding constitutionality of its expanded camping ban; City responds” by Scott Schaefer from The B-Town Blog
“Burien’s anti-camping ordinance is not an answer to homelessness” by The Seattle Times Editorial Board
Find stories that Crystal is reading here
Listen on your favorite podcast app to all our episodes here