Inside Olympia

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First-Term State Legislators May 31, 2023

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What is it like being a new state legislator? How do you learn to navigate the statehouse? How do you get a bill passed? What are the challenges and opportunities that come with being new? And after one session, what are the lessons learned? Host Austin Jenkins interviews first-term State Representatives April Connors of the Tri-Cities, Travis Couture of Allyn, Sharlett Mena of Tacoma, and Julio Cortes of Everett.

"Decline of Local News" Study discussion with League of Women Voters May 23, 2023

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In the 15 years from 2005 to 2020, one quarter of the newspapers in the U.S. shut their doors. The closures left 1,800 communities without a newspaper -- so called news deserts. Here in Washington, three daily newspapers and more than two dozen weeklies have shuttered since 2004. And there have been consolidations and buyouts. Today, six of Washington's newspapers are owned by hedge funds. These are among the findings of a lengthy report from the League of Women Voters of Washington on the decline of local news and its impact on democracy. The report examines the crisis, the impacts, the response and looks to the future. Host Austin Jenkins sits down with Lunell Haught, who teaches at Gonzaga University and is the immediate past president of the League of Women Voters of Washington. And Dee Anne Finken, a former reporter for McClatchy newspapers who teaches journalism at Clark College and who co-chaired the local news study.

Series on the Special Commitment Center (PART 3) May 17, 2023

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We continue our look at Washington's sexually violent predator program. How should the state manage cases involving individuals with developmental disabilities? Plus we ask two state lawmakers how the state should balance the requirement to release individuals back into the community with the concerns of communities?

Series on the Special Commitment Center (PART 2) May 09, 2023

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We continue our look at how Washington manages people who have been civilly committed as sexually violent predators. What happens when it is time for their release from the special commitment center on mcneil island?

Series on the Special Commitment Center (PART 1) May 02, 2023

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Austin Jenkins sits down with CEO and the Chief of Clinical Services from the Special Commitment Center where sexually violent predators are civilly commited.

Post-Legislative Session Debrief with Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck. Apr 26, 2023

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What went well? What didn't? What might happen in the future with the Legislature? Austin Jenkins sits down with Washington State's Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck discusses these items and much much more.

Working Families Tax Credit and Fixing the "Medicaid Cliff" Apr 18, 2023

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There's a new Working Families Tax Credit available to many Washingtonians. How many who are eligible are taking advantage of it? We ask Kevin Dixon of the Washington Department of Revenue. Plus, with the end of COVID, tens of thousands in Washington may no longer be eligible for Medicaid. We discuss the issue with Dr. Charissa Fotinos of the state's Health Care Authority and Ingrid Ulrey, chief executive officers of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange.

Washington's Behavioral Health System Conversation Apr 13, 2023

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Find out what Washington State is doing in the roll of behavioral health. Austin Jenkins sits down with state representatives and discusses this important issue.

First-Term State Legislators Apr 05, 2023

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They were elected last November to their first terms in the Washington State Legislature. What are their districts and personal backgrounds, why did they run for office, what issues are they focused on as legislators, and what are their impressions of the Legislature. Host Austin Jenkins sits down with Democratic State Representatives Emily Alvarado and Darya Farivar, and Republican State Representatives Stephanie McClintock and Suzanne Schmidt.

The Latest with Transportation in the State of Washington Mar 30, 2023

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What's the latest in transportation? On this episode of Inside Olympia: Austin Jenkins sits down with legislators from the Senate Transportation Committee.

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