Inside Olympia

On this episode of Inside Olympia:  Austin Jenkins discusses energy affordability and climate policy future with former State Senator Reuven Carlyle and Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center.

Facing a tight 2027 budget, DSHS Secretary Angela Ramirez says the agency is pursuing a two-track strategy: scaling back spending while modernizing how it delivers services. Ramirez discusses potential program reductions, workforce constraints, an AI decision package and other efficiencies as federal policy changes add new costs and administrative demands.

Washington voters will elect five of nine state Supreme Court justices this fall, putting competing views of the judiciary before voters. It is the first time in modern state history that a majority of the high court is up for a vote in a single election cycle. Tim Kovis of Full Court Press and Andrew Villeneuve of the Northwest Progressive Institute and Northwest Progressive Foundation discuss judicial restraint, accusations of judicial activism, precedent and how voters can assess candidates who cannot say how they would rule in future cases.

On this episode of Inside Olympia: Austin Jenkins sits down with Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown.

Attorneys Paul Lawrence and Jackson Maynard debate the constitutional challenge to Washington’s new 9.9% tax on income above $1 million. Lawrence argues the state Supreme Court should overturn nearly century-old precedent treating income as property. Maynard argues the tax plainly violates that precedent and the state constitution. The discussion also explores the November repeal measure and what could happen next in court.

On this week's episode of Inside Olympia:  The Spokane complex fire was just one of several large and destructive fires this summer. Our focus this week is on the changing wildland fire enviroment. The lessons learned from what happened this year. And what can be done to miitigate and prepare for future fire seasons. Plus, what are the implications of this year's fire season for the property-casualty insurance market? We ask that question and more of State Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer.

Onthis episode of Inside Olympia:  Austin Jenkins sits down with Karen Hanan, longtime director of the Washington State Arts Commission on the eve of her retirement.

On this episode of Inside Olympia:  Host Austin Jenkins goes one-on-one with the Director of the Washington State Labor and Industries Joel Sacks.

On this episode of Inside Olympia:  Host Austin Jenkins discusses the future of local news with Kaarin Austin, Founding Director of the Washington News Fund and Matt Powers, Professor of Communication at the University of Washington.

On this episode of Inside Olympia ... How is Washington State regulating the liquor and cannabis industries in an era of declining alcohol sales and market pressures in the marijuana industry? What's driving the market disruptions? And where are the tension points? On the program this week, Will Lukela, Director of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and Justin Nordhorn, the agency's Director of Policy and External Relations.