Inside Olympia

Latest Episodes:

A conversation with Washington State's Commerce Director Mar 10, 2022

Show notes

From housing and homelessness help to small business assistance, the WA Department of Commerce has played a key role in the state's response to the COVID pandemic. Host Austin Jenkins talks with Commerce Director Lisa Brown.

A discussion on behavioral health and a conversation with a retiring state senator. Mar 03, 2022

Show notes

Behavioral health is again a top issue in the Legislature -- we discuss with State Sens. David Frockt and Keith Wagoner. Plus, we interview State Sen. Reuven Carlyle, who is stepping down after a legislative career marked by involvement in issues like climate change, data privacy, abolishing the death penalty, and foster care.

A discussion with senate budget leaders and a conversation with the state's chief economist Feb 24, 2022

Show notes

This week majority Democrats in House and Senate released their proposed supplemental operating budgets -- we discuss with Senate Ways & Means Chair Christine Rolfes, and the committee's ranking Republican, Sen. Lynda Wilson. Plus, the state's chief economist, Steve Lerch, talks about the state of the state's economy and the billions in new revenue in the latest state revenue forecast.

A DISCUSSION ON HOMELESSNESS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN WASHINGTON STATE Feb 17, 2022

Show notes

They're seemingly two of the most intractable problems in society: homelessness and substance abuse. What can state legislators do to address these crises? We talk with State Reps. Strom Peterson, Andrew Barkis, Lauren Davis and Dan Griffey.

A DISCUSSION ON FIREARMS BILLS AND CLIMATE-RELATED PROPOSALS Feb 17, 2022

Show notes

Sen. Patty Kuderer and Jim Walsh debate firearms bills being considered in Olympia this year, including a measure that would prohibit the sale of high-capacity magazines. Plus, what climate-related proposals are moving through the Legislature? We talk with Reps. Joe Fitzgibbon and Mary Dye.

HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER JT WILCOX AND HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS Feb 03, 2022

Show notes

Our 4-week series of interviews with legislative leaders wraps up, as we talk with House Republican Minority Leader J.T. Wilcox. Plus, we discuss K-12 education bills and priorities with Reps. Sharon Santos and Alex Ybarra.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE LAURIE JINKINS AND A DISCUSSION ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING LEGISLATION Feb 03, 2022

Show notes

We continue our series with legislative leaders -- this week, Democratic House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma). Plus, we discuss housing and homelessness legislation with Senators Patty Kuderer (D-Bellevue) and Phil Fortunato (R-Auburn).

A CONVERSATION WITH SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER JOHN BRAUN AND A DISCUSSION ON POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY LEGISLATION Jan 20, 2022

Show notes

Senate Republican Minority Leader John Braun discusses his caucus' priorities for the 2022 legislative session. Plus, Reps. Jesse Johnson and Gina Mosbrucker discuss "follow up" police reform bills, many of them making tweaks to bills passed in 2021.

STATE COVID UPDATE AND A DISCUSSION WITH SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BILLIG Jan 14, 2022

Show notes

Host Austin Jenkins interviews Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig of Spokane about the goals and priorities of the Senate Democratic Caucus for the 2022 legislative session. Plus, State Epidemiologist Dr. Scott Lindquist on the Omicron COVID variant and its impact on Washington state.

A CONVERSATION WITH WA STATE GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE Dec 16, 2021

Show notes

Host Austin Jenkins sits down with Washington State Governor Jay Inslee.