The Other Washington

It's been three years since Seattle started down the road to an "insane" $15 minimum wage. So The Other Washington decided to check-in on how this labor regulation is affecting the larger economy. Two new studies, one from Berkeley and one from the University of Washington, reached very different conclusions and so we compare and contrast their findings. Ultimately, the studies don't change this simple fact: Seattle's economy is booming and the minimum wage hasn't stopped the city from achieving a startling 2.6 percent unemployment rate---an all-time low. Guests include ice cream virtuoso Molly Moon and venture capitalist Nick Hanauer.

Ever since America lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, Democrats have struggled to bring young people to the ballot box. When more young folks vote, progressive causes and candidates win. So how do we encourage them to be full participants in democracy? Special guest star Toby Crittenden, until recently the executive director of political access organization the Washington Bus, explains how to win the hearts and minds of young voters. Political engagement is a lot more difficult than just slapping on a Rock the Vote t-shirt: turns out, Crittenden explains, "you can't fake the funk."

Given this week's tragic shooting, we are re-airing last season's episode on gun responsibility. Unfortunately, much of what we talked about a year ago is still relevant today. So join us for a deep dive into the forefront of the gun responsibility movement and explore how Washington became the first state to pass universal background checks by popular vote.

The 2016 election made it clear that Democrats still lack a coherent economic message. Why can't progressives offer a better explanation for how an economy works? To get some answers, Goldy interviewed the new DNC Chair, Tom Perez, while he was visiting Seattle last week. Nestled up in a hotel lobby, Perez provided a very compelling explanation for the party's economic woes. With that conversation in mind, the Civic Ventures team discusses the Democratic Party's many messaging opportunities in the years to come.

Donald Trump has unveiled his budget, and boy are we livid (particularly Goldy.) Tax cuts for the rich, increased military spending, and a weakened social safety...it's a trickle-down monstrosity through and through. In today's show, we talk with Nick Hanauer (a really rich guy who would benefit from this budget) about the moral and economic depravity of this budget. And Cass tries in vain to find one good policy in it.

A whole lot of folks have opinions about "sanctuary cities"—what they are, what policies should be enforced, and what the role of immigrants may be in this much-touted melting pot. But what does it actually mean? We talk to Dujie, our colleague (who's currently in deportation hearings here in Welcoming Washington), and then Goldy makes Hanna jealous by interviewing AG BOB FERGUSON!