The 2026 session is in the books, and it will always be known as the year when Washington’s upside-down tax code began the long process of righting itself. Rep. April Berg was one of the leaders in that effort, and she joins us today.

In today’s special edition of Capitol Ideas, Washington State Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins looks back at the historic 2026 legislative session and previews the 105-day session that will begin next January. The 60-day sprint that ended last month in Olympia was a short session for Washington State lawmakers, a time when, traditionally, adjustments are made to budgets written the previous year and leftover bills from the long session make a final push for the finish line. This year was different, with historic challenges and equally significant responses from legislators. In today’s Capitol Ideas, Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins summarizes the session and offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how representative government works in the Evergreen State.

Rep. Shaun Scott is an interesting fellow. Smarter than anyone deserves to be, laser-focused on public service, and impatient to use his position as a state legislator to improve lives in every corner of Washington. He just wrapped up his second session in the House, and he’s here today on Capitol Ideas.

When Rep. Shelley Kloba drops by the Capitol Ideas HQ, you know we’re going to talk about online privacy and all things related. But wait, there’s more! Much more, so give us the next 20 minutes.  

Rep. Mary Fosse was on her first picket line three months shy of her first birthday, and she’s been a lifelong ally of workers and the labor movement in Washington and beyond. She puts that passion to work as vice chair of the House panel that deals with labor issues, and helps keep the chamber running smoothly as deputy majority floor leader. There are more sides to her than these, though, and we’ll explore several on today’s Capitol Ideas. 

Rep. Timm Ormsby, chair of the budget-writing House Appropriations Committee, has been one of the Olympia voices for Spokane’s 3rd legislative district for longer than Capitol Ideas has been around, and over the years he’s become a favorite guest. Today he talks about the budget process, revenue  forecasts, the difference between writing a budget and raising revenue, and the beauty of Spokane. 

It’s been several years since Rep. Dave Paul has stopped by the Capitol Ideas HQ for a talk, but good things are worth waiting for. Today’s episode is definitely a good thing. Our conversation touches on the transportation and operating budgets, the value of bipartisanship, ICE, higher education, ferries, veterans, and several other legislative topics, all in an economical 20-minute package. Don’t miss it.    

Rep. My-Linh Thai drops by Capitol Ideas every now and then, and it’s always an interesting and thought-provoking conversation. This time around the yawning chasm between this Washington and the other one, and its effects on her 41st district and the state Legislature, color some, but not all, of our talk. We also hear about her work as deputy majority leader, some key legislation, the Year of the Fire Horse, and the legislative process. It’s a good episode.

It’s year four in the House for Rep. Joe Timmons, but today you’ll hear his first Capitol Ideas conversation. Besides representing his friends and neighbors up in the northwest corner of the state, Joe serves long hours with a gavel in his hand as deputy speaker pro tem of the House in Olympia. You’ll hear about that, and more, in today’s episode.

Rep. Zach Hall is a young man, but when he was appointed to the House by the King County council last June, he had six years on the Issaquah city council under his belt, along with four years on the legislative staff, a master’s in public administration from UW’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, and a long resume of public service in the 5th legislative district. He knows what cooks, and you’ll meet him in today’s Capitol Ideas.