Hacks & Wonks

Dec 10 2024 428 ep. 41 mins 68
Hacks & Wonks Podcast artwork

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.

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Children's Alliance Director Highlights Critical Importance of Affordable, High-Quality Childcare (Re-Air)

Dec 10 2024 29 mins  
On this Tuesday topical show re-air, Crystal welcomes Dr. Stephan Blanford, Executive Director of Children’s Alliance, for a wide-ranging conversation on childcare. They delve into the importance of childcare as an economic driver and its societal impacts through preparing kids for success in school and life. A review of the state of childcare in Washington reveals that this crit

Week in Review: December 6, 2024 - with Robert Cruickshank

Dec 06 2024 56 mins  
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: 😖 Morales bullied out of office ✋ Rinck sworn in 🙅 SPS recall effort shut down 🔥 KC Exec race heats up 🤓 Final precinct data & election thoughts 💚 Green Jacket Lady is back! As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on Bluesky at @Hacks

Tacoma's Guaranteed Income Pilot Yields Positive Results

Nov 26 2024 46 mins  
A groundbreaking guaranteed income pilot program in Tacoma, Washington has not only demonstrated positive economic impacts but also challenged long-held misconceptions about poverty and cash assistance. The Growing Resilience in Tacoma (GRIT) program, which provided $500 monthly payments to 110 families, is helping reshape traditional narratives that have long portrayed poverty as

Week in Review: November 22, 2024 - with Erica Barnett

Nov 22 2024 31 mins  
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Erica Barnett discuss: 🧮 Seattle budget and amendments 🙅 County rejects Rivera’s proposal for sobering center 👨‍⚖️ Sal Mungia wins open Supreme Court seat 🗳️ Reichert concedes ⚔️ How WA electeds will take on Trump admin As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follo

Public Defense Crisis Deepens as Caseloads Overwhelm System, Supreme Court Weighs Reform

Nov 21 2024 40 mins  
Jason Schwarz, Director of the Snohomish County Office of Public Defense and the Chair of Washington's Council on Public Defense, talks about new public defender caseload standards under consideration by the Washington Supreme Court to address the state's public defense crisis. The combination of public defenders working under decades-old caseload standards and lack of state fundin

Week in Review: November 15, 2024 - with Katie Wilson

Nov 15 2024 39 mins  
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Katie Wilson discuss: 📈 Minimum wage increases for the win 🙄 More Burien shenanigans 💰 JumpStart raid 💲 Seattle progressive revenue proposals 🚋 Saka💔Streetcar 🏁 King County Exec race begins 👀 Upcoming appointments As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us o

Week in Review: November 8, 2024 - with Robert Cruickshank

Nov 08 2024 38 mins  
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: 😭 Presidential election 🥳 Washington election results 🤓 What that means for how Washington Democrats will need to govern moving forward As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter/X at @finchfrii and find today’s

Melissa Demyan Challenges Larry Springer in 45th District Race (Re-Air)

Nov 01 2024 58 mins  
In a competitive race between two Democrats, Melissa Demyan, a labor organizer, is challenging 20-year incumbent Larry Springer for a 45th district state house seat. We talk with Melissa about her priorities, how she differs from Rep. Larry Springer, and her vision for the 45thth legislative district. Transcript and resources: https://www.officialhacksandwonks.com/new-leadership-

Poll Shows Mixed Outlook for Washington State Initiatives, Democratic Advantage in Statewide Races

Oct 30 2024 48 mins  
Andrew Villeneuve of the Northwest Progressive Institute discusses how their new poll shows Democrats leading in most statewide races, voters are likely to reject three of four initiatives on the November ballot, and a close race in Washington’s 3rd congressional district. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on Twitte

Five North King County Cities Launch Collaborative Crisis Response Program (Re-Air)

Oct 25 2024 32 mins  
On this Tuesday topical show re-air, Crystal learns about north King County’s innovative new Regional Crisis Response (RCR) Agency with its inaugural Executive Director Brook Buettner and Kenmore Mayor Nigel Herbig. Following national guidelines and best practices for behavioral health crisis care, a five-city consortium established RCR in 2023 as part of a vision to provide thei