Washington in Focus

Latest Episodes:

WSU’s $5 Million Contract With It Company May Have Violated State Law Nov 22, 2024

Show notes

Washington State University earlier this year signed a $5 million contract with Carahsoft, an IT contractor that is currently under investigation by the FBI for price fixing and overbilling government contracts, according to public documents. One critic is arguing that the contract violates state law, a claim bolstered by internal communication within the State Attorney General's Office. The contract is related to a public police use of force database project overseen by the AGO under authorization of a 2021 state law. Signed in June, the contract has Carahsoft work as a subcontractor after IBM, which was originally intended to be part of the project, withdrew during contract negotiations over stipulations regarding intellectual property. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Seattle City Economists: Proposed 2% Capital Gains Tax Could Spur Wealth Exodus Nov 15, 2024

Show notes

Seattle officials worry that implementing a local capital gains tax would coax wealthy residents to change their home addresses. Seattle City Councilmember Cathy Moore is proposing a local 2% capital gains excise tax that would be applicable to non-retirement financial gains over $250,000. However, the tax is based on where a taxpayer's permanent residence is located, which means residents with multiple Washington addresses can potentially avoid the tax altogether. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

WA GOP Says AG ‘Weaponized’ Ballot Impact Statements on Initiatives Nov 08, 2024

Show notes

Supporters of the four initiatives on Tuesday’s general election ballot in Washington are regrouping after three of the four went down to defeat. One the measures, I-2066, to ensure natural gas remains an energy choice is leading by about 75,000 votes, but with more than 780,000 ballots not yet to be added to the statewide total, neither side is declaring victory or defeat. Washington State Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh, who sponsored the initiatives, told The Center Square on Thursday that state Republicans believe ballot statements on the initiatives worked to their disadvantage. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

FBI Drop Box Arson Investigation Continues as WA Law Enforcement Step up Patrols Nov 01, 2024

Show notes

The FBI continues to investigate Monday’s arson that destroyed hundreds of election ballots inside a Vancouver, Wash., drop box. An incendiary device was also dropped next to a Portland drop box, but fire suppression built into the box put out the flames before any major damage. Multnomah County election officials reported only three ballots were damaged. Joni McAnally, communications specialist at the Clark County Manager's Office, told The Center Square via email that the Vancouver drop box was also equipped with fire suppression, “but it did not work as it should have." Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

WA Initiative Backers Say AG’s ‘One-Sided’ Language Deceiving Voters, Polling Oct 25, 2024

Show notes

Recently released polling on the Washington initiatives to the ballot indicates voters may not be in the mood to support three of the four measures. Backers of the initiatives aren't swayed by the results, adding that language included by Attorney General Bob Ferguson paints a partisan pall over the measures. The SurveyUSA poll was conducted online Oct. 9-14 and was sponsored by The Seattle Times, KING 5 and the University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

WA GOP Chair: Cities Opposed to Initiatives Motivated by Potential Loss of Revenue Oct 17, 2024

Show notes

A number of Washington cities have approved declarations publicly opposing ballot initiatives on next month's ballot, with at least initiative supporter hinting that money is playing a key role in these decisions by various city councils. The four initiatives are as follows: Business Industry Association of Washington-sponsored Initiative 2066 would repeal provisions of a new state law aimed at hastening Puget Sound Energy’s transition away from natural gas by prohibiting the state and all local governments from banning, restricting or discouraging the use of natural gas in new or existing homes or commercial buildings. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Top WA Provider for Minor Gender Reassignment Procedures Previously Fined $5 Million Oct 11, 2024

Show notes

A Washington-based surgery center ranked by a nonprofit among the top in the state for minor gender reassignment surgeries was recently fined $5 million as part of a lawsuit in which the State Attorney General’s Office accused them of deceptive business practices. Within Washington, Lynnwood-based Alderwood Surgical Center performed more than twice as many gender reassignment surgeries on minors than Seattle Children’s Hospital Gender Clinic (50), making it the number one gender reassignment surgery center in the state in terms of total patients. That data is according to the nonprofit Do No Harm and confined to 2019-2023. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Washington Candidates for Secretary of State Clash Over Disinformation, Residency Oct 04, 2024

Show notes

It’s unclear how many people watched, but there was another contentious election debate Tuesday night in addition to the one between the U.S. vice presidential candidates. The candidates for Washington Secretary of State took part in a debate hosted by the League of Women Voters. Duties of the Secretary of State include supervising state and local elections, filing and verifying initiatives and referendums, registering nonprofits, collecting and preserving the historical records of the state, among others. Incumbent Steve Hobbs is running against challenger Dale Whitaker. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Fact Check: Critics Say Washington's Initiative 2117 Would Cut Transportation Funding Sep 27, 2024

Show notes

A new report published by Greenline Insights, along with proponents of the Climate Commitment Act, claims that if Initiative 2117 is approved by voters and repeals the law, it would deprive the state of state revenue by $3.9 billion through 2029. According to a press release statement citing the study’s conclusions, the No 2117 campaign argued the initiative “would cut billions in investments in transportation - slashing transit and putting road and bridge projects at risk.” However, CCA revenue is restricted in what kind of transportation projects it can go toward.

Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

WA’s ‘Environmental Justice’ Needs Complicating Linkage to CA-Quebec Carbon Market Sep 20, 2024

Show notes

The Climate Commitment Act’s focus on environmental justice may be complicating efforts to link Washington state’s carbon market with the California-Quebec carbon market, a move supporters say will ensure the durability of the cap-and-trade program in the Evergreen State. California and Quebec have expressed interest in linking to Washington’s carbon market. “Linking California’s, Quebec’s and Washington’s carbon markets would enable deeper and faster cuts in climate pollution while creating a more stable, predictable market for all,” said Katelyn Roedner Sutter, the Environmental Defense Fund’s California director. “Three major climate leaders joining forces would create a huge momentum boost for climate action.” One factor complicating linkage efforts is the requirement that CCA funding go to individuals from communities facing environmental harm or health impacts and the organizations serving those communities in what is termed “environmental justice.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected