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Hacks & Wonks

Hacks & Wonks: Political Hacks and Policy Wonks talk about what's happening
Hosted by Crystal Fincher We go beyond soundbites and horserace narratives.
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Hacks & Wonks is a podcast and radio show hosted by political consultant Crystal Fincher who talks with Policy Wonks and Political Hacks to gather insight into local politics and policy in Washington state through the lens of those doing the work, with behind-the-scenes perspectives on what's happening, why it's happening and what you can about it. We explore issues and power dynamics in detail an

d discuss specific actions that people can take within their communities to create change. In every episode, political consultant Crystal Fincher and a guest dive into not only what is happening now, but how we got here. We aim to talk about the effect of politics and policy on the entire community, including those who have traditionally been overlooked and disenfranchised. Hacks & Wonks is broadcast on KVRU 105.7FM, KODX 96.9 FM and available on your favorite podcast player.

10/12/2024

Today we revisit our convo with Dr. Stephan Blanford of Children's Alliance about the childcare crisis in Washington state, including the lack of affordable, high-quality options and the low compensation for workers.

📑 Recap, resources & transcript:

On this Tuesday topical show, 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 ...

06/12/2024

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!

Seattle CM Morales resigns due to mistreatment from colleagues as Rinck takes office. School board recall fails despite public dissatisfaction. KC Exec race heats up. Election data show slight Trump-ward shift due to voter apathy but strong support for progressive revenue. Green Jacket Lady returns!

26/11/2024

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 Guaranteed Income, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards, and Dona Ponepinto of United Way of Pierce County.

Tacoma's guaranteed income pilot that gave 110 families $500 monthly improved employment, savings, and well-being, challenging myths about poverty. Recipients increased full-time work and showed better financial stability, proving poverty is about lack of cash, not character....

22/11/2024

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

Seattle Council passes 2025 budget 8-1, rejects capital gains tax 6-3. JumpStart funds redirected to general fund despite looming structural deficits. County rejects Rivera’s drug facility proposal. Mungia wins Supreme Court seat, Reichert concedes to Ferguson. State leaders split on Trump strateg...

21/11/2024

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.

Washington Supreme Court weighs public defense reform as decades-old caseload standards and lack of state funding create crisis. Defenders handle 3x recommended cases amid complex digital evidence, leading to massive delays and staff exodus.

15/11/2024

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

Everett passes $20.24 minimum wage; Seattle debates JumpStart tax reallocation amid budget crisis; tech wages hit record high; controversy over streetcar removal proposal; King County Exec Constantine won't seek re-election; Burien City Manager criticized over PDC complaint.

08/11/2024

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

Crystal and Robert talk about the national, state and local election results

30/10/2024

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

New NPI poll shows Democrats leading most statewide races, while voters likely to reject three of four initiatives on November ballot, with a close race in Washington’s 3rd congressional district.

22/10/2024

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.

In a recent interview, Shoreline Mayor Chris Roberts outlined 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.

18/10/2024

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

New polls show mixed support for WA initiatives as ballots arrive. Democrats lead in major races. Tacoma approves rainbow crosswalk. Pierce County boosts juror pay. Investigative report exposes justice system disparities and coroner misconduct in Yakima County.

16/10/2024

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 of working families and crucial public services.

Washington faces four controversial initiatives on November's ballot, backed by a California hedge fund manager. Critics say the initiatives cut taxes for big corporations and the wealthy, shifting the bill to working families and eliminating billions in funding for public schools and transportation

11/10/2024

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
🕵️ Inspectors given access to Tacoma ICE facility

Public Lands candidate backs climate act repeal, new waterfront walk opens, school closures revised, police hiring bonuses increased amid budget cuts, Tacoma proposes new revenue sources, hurricanes highlight climate vulnerabilities, and ICE facility allows state inspectors.

08/10/2024

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.

Pierce County Executive candidate Ryan Mello outlines a comprehensive vision, emphasizing public safety reforms, affordable housing, environmental conservation, and economic development. He contrasts his approach with his opponent's, pledging active leadership on key issues facing the county.

04/10/2024

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

Tacoma Police Chief Administrative Leave Mystery. Seattle Public Schools revised closure plan. Serrano video called racist and fear mongering. Attorney General and Seattle City Council debates. Seattle's proposed budget faces criticism.

27/09/2024

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.

Conrad 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.

26/09/2024

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.

The annual Week Without Driving returns Sept 30-Oct 6, inviting policymakers and the public to experience transit and mobility options as a non-driver. Organizers hope insights will lead to more accessible communities for everyone.

17/09/2024

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.

Issaquah City Councilmember Victoria Hunt, running for WA's 5th Legislative District, outlines her priorities and emphasizes her diverse experience in local government, environmental science, and data-driven policymaking.

13/09/2024

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

New poll shows Ferguson leading in the race for governor. GOP-funded statewide initiatives losing support. Seattle Public Schools releases controversial school closure proposal amid budget crisis. New progressive PAC forms for city council race. King County considers $1B middle-income housing plan.

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2024 Hacks & Wonks Post-Primary Roundtable

A panel of political consultants will break down the results of Washington’s primary election! � � Livestream on August 13th at 7:30pm! Featuring panelists: HEATHER WEINER of PowerHouse Strategic, STEPHEN PAOLINI of Bottled Lightning Collective, RIALL JOHNSON of Prism West, and CRYSTAL FINCHER of Fincher Consulting & Host of Hacks & Wonks

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