Competing Social Housing Measures Face Off in Seattle Election with Rian Watt and Tiffani McCoy
Hacks & Wonks
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 Watt and Tiffani McCoy about the initiatives and their potential impact. 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 our guest Tiffani McCoy on...
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Harm Reduction Approach Vital for Addressing Opioid Crisis, Says Expert (Re-Air)
Hacks & Wonks
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 impacted rural communities, the role that stigma plays in keeping people from the help they need, what harm reduction is and why it is important. They then review the recent roller coaster ride of Washington state’s substance use disorder...
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Denver's STAR Program Offers Promising Alternative Response to Mental Health and Substance Use Crises (Re-Air)
Hacks & Wonks
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 resources they need while reducing the burden on traditional police response. With strong community support and a commitment to meeting the evolving needs of Denver residents, the STAR program is poised to continue making a positive impact on the lives...
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King County's Community-Led Approach Showing Promise in Combating Gun Violence (Re-Air)
Hacks & Wonks
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-hospitalizations after gun injuries, less shoplifting near outreach, and 400+ high-risk youth mentored. Transcript and resources: Follow us on Bluesky at and on X (formerly Twitter) at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and X at ....
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Children's Alliance Director Highlights Critical Importance of Affordable, High-Quality Childcare (Re-Air)
Hacks & Wonks
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 Washington reveals that this critical resource is often out-of-reach for those who need it most and looks at the factors that make it inaccessible and expensive. Crystal and Dr. Blanford then discuss how various stakeholders can make an impact on...
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Week in Review: December 6, 2024 - with Robert Cruickshank
Hacks & Wonks
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 . 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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Tacoma's Guaranteed Income Pilot Yields Positive Results
Hacks & Wonks
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 that have long portrayed poverty as a result of personal failings or suggested that direct cash assistance leads to dependency. Join Crystal for a conversation about guaranteed income and GRIT with Sukhi Samra, Executive Director of Mayors for a...
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Week in Review: November 22, 2024 - with Erica Barnett
Hacks & Wonks
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 . 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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Public Defense Crisis Deepens as Caseloads Overwhelm System, Supreme Court Weighs Reform
Hacks & Wonks
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 standards and lack of state funding have led to massive delays and staff exodus, creating an urgent need for reform to ensure justice for defendants, victims, and the community at large. As always, a full text transcript of the show is...
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Week in Review: November 15, 2024 - with Katie Wilson
Hacks & Wonks
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 . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find today’s co-host, Katie Wilson, on Twitter/X at , as well as the Transit Riders Union at .
info_outlineOn this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Chair of Sierra Club Seattle, long time communications and political strategist, Robert Cruickshank!
They discuss:
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Republican Divisions Threaten Party's Chances in Governor's Race
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Corporate-Backed Super PAC Boosts Conservative Democrat's Campaign
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Seattle Councilmember Seeks to Roll Back Gig Worker Protections
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Mayor's Office Cuts Anti-Displacement Proposals from Growth Plan
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New Light Rail Line Set to Open on Eastside
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Business Group Launches Campaign to Relocate Light Rail Station
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Seattle Children's Hospital Refuses to Share Patient Records with Texas AG
As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com.
Follow us on Twitter at @HacksWonks. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at @finchfrii and find today’s co-host, Robert Cruickshank, at @cruickshank.
Resources
Nick Brown Discusses Key Issues in Washington State Attorney General Race from Hacks & Wonks
“MAGA Republican Semi Bird endorsed by Washington GOP for governor” by Scott Greenstone for KUOW
“The WA GOP put it in writing that they’re not into democracy” by Danny Westneat from The Seattle Times
“Corporate backers of Mark Mullet launch an independent expenditure to boost his flagging campaign” by Andrew Villeneuve from The Cascadia Advocate
“Nelson Bill Would Eliminate Minimum Wage for "Gig" Drivers—and Slash Workers' Rights” by Erica Barnett from PubliCola
“Seattle hospitality giant buys into City Council member’s Fremont Brewing” by Paul Roberts from The Seattle Times
“Mayor's Office Removed All New Anti-Displacement Proposals from Draft "Anti-Displacement Framework"” by Erica Barnett from PubliCola
“Planners Proposed Bigger Upzones Before Harrell’s Team Intervened, Records Show” by Doug Trumm from The Urbanist
Discover the 2 Line | Sound Transit
“How will your life change when Bellevue's light rail opens?” by Joshua McNichols from KUOW
@cruickshank on Twitter/X: “The Seattle Chamber of Commerce is out with a new campaign to Save South Lake Union. From what? you may ask. From a subway station that would be at the center of the neighborhood and serve more riders than their inferior “couplet” plan.”
Email Sound Transit Board of Directors at [email protected]
“Seattle hospital won't turn over gender-affirming care records in lawsuit settlement with Texas” from The Associated Press
“Medical provider leaving Texas over AG investigation into gender affirming care for minors” by S.E. Jenkins from CBS News Texas
Find stories that Crystal is reading here
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