Washington State Faces Controversial Initiatives on November Ballot
Release Date: 10/16/2024
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 .
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Week in Review: November 8, 2024 - with Robert Cruickshank
Hacks & Wonks
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 . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter/X at and find today’s co-host, Robert Cruickshank at .
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Melissa Demyan Challenges Larry Springer in 45th District Race (Re-Air)
Hacks & Wonks
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: Follow us on Twitter/X at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher at and find Melissa Demyan at . VOTE by Tuesday 11/5! Then !
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Poll Shows Mixed Outlook for Washington State Initiatives, Democratic Advantage in Statewide Races
Hacks & Wonks
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 . Follow us on Twitter/X at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, at and find Andrew Villeneuve and the Northwest Progressive Institute at and https://www.nwprogressive.org/
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Five North King County Cities Launch Collaborative Crisis Response Program (Re-Air)
Hacks & Wonks
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 part of a vision to provide their region with the recommended continuum of behavioral health care - which includes someone to call, someone to respond, and somewhere to go. Executive Director Buettner and Mayor Herbig share how the program grew out...
info_outlineFour 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 of working families and crucial public services.
As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com.
Follow us on Twitter/X at @HacksWonks. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, at @finchfrii and find more about the Defend Washington campaign at defend-washington.com/.