Hacks & Wonks Crystal Fincher

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

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

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

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

On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by staff writer at The Stranger covering policing, incarceration and courts, Ashley Nerbovig!
They discuss:
GOP Candidate Dave Reichert's Anti-LGBTQ Views
Boeing Faces Scrutiny Over Safety Issues and Alleged Cover-Up
Tacoma to Implement ShotSpotter Despite Concerns
Local Guaranteed Basic Income Pilots Show Promising Results
Seattle Police Officer's Troubling Past Revealed
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, Ashley Nerbovig, at @AshleyNerbovig.
 
Resources
Denver's STAR Program Offers Promising Alternative Response to Mental Health and Substance Use Crises from Hacks & Wonks
 
“Dave Reichert to Pierce County Republicans: "Marriage Is Between a Man and a Woman"” by Rich Smith from The Stranger
 
“Boeing whistleblowers describe ‘criminal cover-up,’ safety risks to Senate” by Dominic Gates from The Seattle Times
 
“Tacoma police to test gunshot-detection system. Shotspotter has faced criticism elsewhere” by Puneet Bsanti from The News Tribune
 
“ShotSpotter is a Failure. What’s Next?” by Hannah Cheves of the MacArthur Justice Center
 
“IMPD will not go ahead with gunshot detection system” by Sarah Nelson from The Indianapolis Star
 
Seattle Considers Controversial Surveillance Technologies with Flawed Approval Process from Hacks & Wonks
 
“ShotSpotter: Why waste money we don’t have on technology that doesn’t work?” by Marcus Harrison Green from The Seattle Times
 
“How King County’s $500-a-month guaranteed income program fared” by Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks from The Seattle Times
 
Guaranteed Basic Income Final Evaluation | Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County
 
“Guaranteed income returned to Pierce County this week. Why free money deserves a shot” by The News Tribune Editorial Board
 
“Seattle Police Knew Officer Who Struck and Killed Pedestrian Had “Checkered History,” But Hired Him Anyway” by Andrew Engelson from PubliCola
 
Find stories that Crystal is reading here
 
Listen on your favorite podcast app to all our episodes here

On this topical show, 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 of those it serves. As cities across the country grapple with the challenges of addressing these complex social issues, Denver's STAR program serves as an inspiring example of what can be achieved through community-driven, collaborative solutions.
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, find Denver Department of Public Health & Environment at @DDPHE and WellPower at @WeAreWellPower.
 
Resources
Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) Program | City and County of Denver
 
Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) | WellPower
 
2022 Mid-Year Report | Support Team Assisted Response (STAR)
 
“Denver successfully sent mental health professionals, not police, to hundreds of calls” by Grace Hauck from USA Today
 
“These First-Responder Superheroes Don’t Wear Capes or Even Uniforms” by Matt Levin from Oprah Daily
 
“Denver's STAR set to expand amid tension over its future” by Esteban L. Hernandez from Axios

“As STAR expands, community members feel left out of planning. Here’s why it matters.” by Victoria Carodine from Rocky Mountain PBS