378 episodes

Hacks & Wonks is a 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 do about it.

Hacks & Wonks Crystal Fincher

    • News

Hacks & Wonks is a 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 do about it.

    Eviction Crisis Compounds Homelessness Emergency, Expert Warns

    Eviction Crisis Compounds Homelessness Emergency, Expert Warns

    On this topical show, Crystal welcomes Edmund Witter, Senior Managing Attorney at the King County Bar Association's Housing Justice Project, for a conversation about how the eviction crisis is exacerbating an already dire situation as Washington state grapples with record homelessness.
    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 Edmund Witter and the King County Bar Association at @kingcountybar.

    • 33 min
    Week in Review: May 17, 2024 - with Shannon Cheng

    Week in Review: May 17, 2024 - with Shannon Cheng

    On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Chair of People Power Washington, Shannon Cheng!
    They discuss:
    Three Bob Fergusons File for Governor During Filing Week in Republican Stunt
    Boeing Faces Criminal Prosecution for 737 MAX Crashes
    Gig Worker Pay Protections Face Repeal Amid Political Tensions and Mayoral Speculation
    Comprehensive Plan Coalition Urges Mayor Harrell to Improve Draft
    Stuart Sloan's Attempt to Remove Nude Beach Thwarted
    Controversial Police Contract Passes City Council Amid Accountability Concerns
    As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com.
    Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at @finchfrii and find today’s co-host, Shannon Cheng, at @drbestturtle.

    • 46 min
    Seattle’s $1.35B Transportation Levy Renewal Sparks Debate

    Seattle’s $1.35B Transportation Levy Renewal Sparks Debate

    Mayor Bruce Harrell has introduced a draft proposal for a $1.35 billion transportation levy to renew the expiring Move Seattle Levy. The proposed nine-year levy aims to address street repaving, bridge maintenance, and spot improvements for transit, but falls short of the transformative vision advocated for by transportation and climate activists.
    UPDATE: Since this episode was recorded, Mayor Harrell increased his proposal to $1.45 billion. Read more here.
    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 Doug Trumm at @dmtrumm.
     
    Resources
     “Harrell Proposes Modest $1.35 Billion Transportation Levy Renewal” by Ryan Packer from The Urbanist
     
    Seattle Transportation Levy Proposal | Seattle Department of Transportation
     
    “A Deep Dive on the 15 Corridor Upgrades in Seattle’s Draft Transportation Levy” by Ryan Packer from The Urbanist
     
    “Seattle Gives Up on Bike Network Expansion Goals in Draft Transportation Levy” by Ryan Packer from The Urbanist
     
    “Seattle Levy Proposal Keeps Modest Pace of Building New Sidewalks” by Ryan Packer from The Urbanist
     
    “Seattle Levy Proposal Lowers the Bar on Public Transit Investments” by Ryan Packer from The Urbanist
     
    “Seattle Voters On Board with Big Transportation Levy, New Polling Shows” by Doug Trumm from The Urbanist
     
    Seattle Neighborhood Greenways
     
    Disability Mobility Initiative | Disability Rights Washington
     
    Cascade Bicycle Club

    • 22 min
    Manka Dhingra Discusses Key Issues in Washington State Attorney General Race

    Manka Dhingra Discusses Key Issues in Washington State Attorney General Race

    Senator Manka Dhingra joins Hacks & Wonks for an in-depth interview to discuss her campaign for Attorney General and plans to address WA’s most pressing issues.
    As always, a full text transcript of the show is available below and at officialhacksandwonks.com.
    Follow us on Twitter at @HacksWonks. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at @finchfrii and find Manka Dhingra at @electmanka.
     
    Resources
    Campaign Website - Manka Dhingra

    • 44 min
    Week in Review: April 26, 2024 - with Robert Cruickshank

    Week in Review: April 26, 2024 - with Robert Cruickshank

    On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Chair of Sierra Club Seattle, long time communications and political strategist, Robert Cruickshank!
    They discuss:
    Republican Divisions Threaten Party's Chances in Governor's Race
    Corporate-Backed Super PAC Boosts Conservative Democrat's Campaign
    Seattle Councilmember Seeks to Roll Back Gig Worker Protections
    Mayor's Office Cuts Anti-Displacement Proposals from Growth Plan
    New Light Rail Line Set to Open on Eastside
    Business Group Launches Campaign to Relocate Light Rail Station
    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 emailtheboard@soundtransit.org
     
    “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
     
    Listen on your favorite podcast app to all our episodes here

    • 34 min
    Nick Brown Discusses Key Issues in Washington State Attorney General Race

    Nick Brown Discusses Key Issues in Washington State Attorney General Race

    Nick Brown joins Hacks & Wonks for an in-depth interview to discuss his campaign for Attorney General and plans to address WA’s most pressing issues. 
    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, on Twitter/X at @finchfrii and find Nick Brown at @nickbrownnow.
     
    Resources
    Campaign Website - Nick Brown

    • 50 min

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