Civic Cocktail

Exactly one year after taking office, Mayor Jenny Durkan returns to Civic Cocktail and grades her performance! She discusses the highlights of the past year plus a few things she wishes she could do over. During a wide-ranging discussion with host Joni Balter, she talks budget, the repealed head tax, picking a police chief, passage of the education levy and the looming traffic mess known as "Seattle Squeeze." But before she could leave the stage, our next guest, James Beard Award-winning chef Edouardo Jordan, had a surprise to mark the mayor's first year in office. And she had a surprise for him! Getting a seat in one of Jordan's two restaurants, Junebaby and Salare, is a challenge. But his third location opens soon. Jordan says many influences shaped his cooking style, including family members, formal training in French cuisine, and historic Southern foods dating back to slavery. Plus, where he dines when he's off the job!

Now that Democrats have regained control of the U.S. House, what impact will it have on legislation and the president's agenda? U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Seattle) tells host Joni Balter the wave of women elected is a clear rejection of the GOP's divisive politics. But Jason Rantz, morning host of AM 770 KTTH, says the House takeover is simply history repeating itself. He also says any talk of bipartisanship is just that, talk. And Seattle University political science professor Marco Lowe says the midterms are already forgotten, and attention is now focused on 2020. Also, they're beloved by many, but how do we save our southern resident orcas from extinction? Stephanie Solien, co-chair of the state's killer whale task force, says the most immediate benefit may be to quiet the waters around the pods, increasing their ability to find food. Makah Tribal Chairman Nate Tyler says the heartbreaking sight of an orca carrying her dead calf for 17 days was her way of telling the world the ecosystem is severely out of balance. He says the time to take bold action is now.

With election day closing in, we discuss three key initiatives on the November ballot. Initiative 1639 seeks changes to gun ownership and purchase requirements. Zach Silk, co-founder of the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility, says the initiative is not a ban on guns, and he believes the measure was drawn up "very responsibly." But Dave Workman, senior editor of thegunmag.com, says if I-1639 passes, he suspects lawsuits will be filed challenging the measure. Next, a spirited conversation on Initiative 1634 which would prohibit local taxes on food and beverages. State Sen. Reuven Carlyle (D-36) calls it the most egregious initiative in a generation. And he's critical of supporters who say it's necessary to prevent a tax on groceries. But Federal Way teacher Brandon Hersey says Carlyle is missing the point. He argues I-1634 is about making the state more affordable for its most vulnerable residents. Initiative 1631 targets some of the state's worst polluters. Former state lawmaker Brady Walkinshaw says it invests in clean energy jobs and will work to improve the health of future generations. Dana Bieber from the NO on 1631 campaign says the measure lacks accountability and is so poorly written it comes across as, "...just give us the money; we'll figure out how to spend it. Trust us."       

With a referendum looming, is Seattle's head tax in jeopardy? Seattle Chamber of Commerce CEO Marilyn Strickland thinks so. She says the business community shouldn't be viewed as "an ATM" to handle a regional issue. One of the sponsors of the controversial tax, Seattle City Councilmember M. Lorena González contends homelessness is a continuing crisis, and the city needs solutions now. On the transportation front, Seattle Deputy Mayor Shefali Ranganathan responds to headlines criticizing the city's ballooning price tag for bike lanes. She says there's much more to the story. With King County Metro's ridership through the roof, General Manager Rob Gannon outlines how the agency plans to improve service. And "Bus Chick" blogger Carla Saulter shares how her family of four has lived car-free in Seattle for 15 years! Host Joni Balter moderates the season-finale conversation.

Washington Sen. Patty Murray doesn't hold back while discussing the latest capers of the Trump White House. She tells host Joni Balter what she really thinks about EPA Chief Scott Pruitt and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Since Murray took office in 1992, the number of women in the U.S. Senate has quadrupled. She says as a group they often cross party lines to find solutions. On the question of impeachment, Murray had a two-word answer. Also, a man who's worn many political hats shares his thoughts on the U.S. census controversy and international trade. Former governor, U.S. Commerce Secretary and U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke gives his take on the census citizenship question and why tariffs are hurting many of our closest allies. And, remember the viral photo of Locke and family carrying their own luggage in China? He shares a few humorous anecdotes about that experience as well.

After a year in Congress, U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal pulls no punches when talking Trump. She tells host Joni Balter much of the country agrees a permanent solution is needed on DACA. The 7th District Democrat also warns of a constitutional crisis if special counsel Robert Mueller is fired. Plus, she says adding a citizenship question to the census will backfire on this administration. And, a diverse panel discusses gun rights, restrictions and responsibility. Tahoma High School student activist Rhiannon Rasaretnam shares why she's so passionate about the issue. Patty Hayes, director of Public Health - Seattle & King County, says locking up a gun isn't enough. Alliance for Gun Responsibility CEO Renee Hopkins lost her brother to gun violence and says elected officials do not reflect the will of the people. Finally, State Sen. Phil Fortunato, a gun owner, challenged the audience with: "What would you do if someone walked in the door right now and started shooting?"

Grappling with rising taxes and reaping rewards in the garden were the topics on tap at the March Civic Cocktail. King County Assessor John Wilson tells host Joni Balter the state's tax structure is broken and talks about a new taxpayer transparency tool. Could the property tax sticker shock tap out local taxpayers? Is there relief in sight?  KVI radio host John Carlson says lawmakers lack restraint in a booming economy flush with surplus revenues. And Seattle City Councilmember Lisa Herbold continues her call for an income tax, contending we don't have the right mix of taxing options. Then, the conversation gets sunnier with gardening expert Ciscoe Morris. He shares plenty of plant advice, his favorite local public gardens, and his biggest gardening mistake. Plus, "Holy Cats!" Ciscoe responds to a "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" segment celebrating his "oh, la, la" enthusiasm.

Former U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell says the Trump White House is headed in the wrong direction. She joins host Joni Balter for a discussion of the administration's management of public lands, its push to open both coasts to oil exploration, cuts to clean energy and increased entrance fees to some of America's national parks - including Mount Rainier and Olympic national parks. Then, the region's top cops - Seattle's Interim Police Chief Carmen Best and King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht - both new to their posts, weigh in on their priorities, police reform, de-escalation tactics, the youth detention debate, what it's like to work in a male-dominated field and more.

On the heels of a busy Day One tour of Seattle and a trio of executive orders, new Mayor Jenny Durkan tells host Joni Balter, "You ain't seen nothing yet." During a wide-ranging discussion Durkan weighs in on affordable housing, upzones, a free-college program, taxes, transportation, police reform and preserving Seattle's soul amidst skyrocketing growth. Then, local author Daniel James Brown shares the story behind his bestseller "The Boys in the Boat," an inspiring tale of the underdog, Depression-era, University of Washington men's rowing team that captured Olympic gold. Brown explains the book - which has been optioned for a feature film - is hung up in a Hollywood tangle involving Harvey Weinstein's company. Plus, he opens up about his exhaustive writing process and what he's working on next.

Amidst the churn at City Hall, Tim Burgess says he's no caretaker mayor. The outgoing city councilmember discusses his priorities during his brief stint as interim mayor with host Joni Balter. He weighs in on the progress of police reform, his opposition to a proposed business tax to fight homelessness, and the celebrity-fueled campaign for a Sodo Arena. Plus, he offers advice for his successor on the City Council. Then, a panel discussion addresses the significance of the #MeToo movement and navigating sexual harassment in the workplace and on campus. Burgess joins Mona Locke, former first lady of Washington, and Alisa Kessel, a professor of politics and government at the University of Puget Sound. Locke discusses why she broke her silence last year and candidly shared her personal experiences with sexual harassment. While the #MeToo social media campaign revealed how widespread sexual assault and harassment really are, what's next? Have we reached a tipping point? Will behavior change?