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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Week in Review: July 18, 2025 - with Robert Cruickshank
38:49
38:49
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38:49On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: 🙅 End of Denny Blaine nudity 🗳️ Urbanist endorsements 🧑🏫 Sea Public Schools news 🐀 Hot Rat Summer 📸 Seattle police cameras ❌ Harrell cancels safety upgrades 💸 Business pours $ in WA Senate races As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonk…
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Seattle's Democracy Voucher Program Faces Critical Renewal Vote in August Primary
44:52
44:52
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44:52Seattle voters will decide in August whether to renew funding for the city's groundbreaking Democracy Voucher Program, the first and only system of its kind in the United States that gives residents public money to support local candidates of their choice. Proposition 1 on the August 5 primary ballot asks voters to approve a 10-year property tax le…
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Week in Review: July 11, 2025 - with Erica Barnett
45:49
45:49
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45:49On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Erica Barnett discuss: ⚖️ No Wilson charges 💬 Pro-Harrell message testing poll 🔄 Moore replacement 👑 Bills expand Davison/Police power 🔎 Ask to end consent decree 🤖 PC Sheriff gets bad advice from ChatGPT As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on…
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Week in Review: July 4, 2025 - with Josh Cohen
37:23
37:23
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37:23On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Josh Cohen discuss: 🎯 WA top target in Medicaid cuts 😬 KC Assessor Wilson arrested 🚔 Barnes confirmed as police chief 💰 Possible sales tax increase for public safety 🏗️ Rinck revives Morales’ community dev program As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Fol…
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Claudia Balducci Details Platform for County Leadership
55:18
55:18
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55:18King County Executive candidate Claudia Balducci outlines her approach to the region's biggest challenges, emphasizing housing affordability, prevention-focused public safety & regional coordination. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks. Find the host, Crysta…
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Week in Review: June 27, 2025 - with David Kroman
46:32
46:32
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46:32On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and David Kroman discuss: 👀 NYC mayoral race hints at Seattle’s? 💰 Seattle biz tax revamp? 🚔 Pursuit GPS trackers & digital billboards 📷 License plate readers proliferate in WA 🏘️ Affordable housing industry crisis As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow…
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Girmay Zahilay Outlines Vision for Executive Role
1:09:15
1:09:15
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1:09:15King County Executive candidate Girmay Zahilay details plans for the region's biggest challenges, including homelessness, public safety & housing affordability. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finchfrii and…
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Week in Review: June 20, 2025 - with Robert Cruickshank
48:37
48:37
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48:37On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: 👑 ‘No Kings’ protests ⚕️ WA immigrants' health data shared w/ feds 🏘️ Housing First works well 🚍 Saka erases advocates, makes deal w/ Curby 🤑 RealPage ban delayed 🎒 School waitlists lifted As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. …
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Week in Review: June 6, 2025 - with Erica Barnett
41:26
41:26
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41:26On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Erica Barnett discuss: 👋 Cathy Moore resigning 🗳️ Kshama Sawant running for Congress 😬 KC Assessor John Wilson won't resign despite calls 🚔 Diaz/Tompkins updates 🏳️🌈 WA State Patrol interrupts Pride flag ceremony As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Fol…
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Jeanie Chunn Outlines Vision for Seattle City Council District 2
47:37
47:37
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47:37Jeanie Chunn, candidate for Seattle City Council District 2, shares her stance on housing affordability, public safety, transportation, and more while advocating for significant changes to the city's approach to public safety, housing, and budget priorities. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Fo…
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Week in Review: May 30, 2025 - with Josh Cohen
36:38
36:38
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36:38On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Josh Cohen discuss: 🏳️⚧️ “Protect Our Kids” anti-trans rally & counterprotests 📉 Every Seattle elected = negative approval 🏘️ Seattle's interim missing middle housing 🤦 Essential behavioral health facilities stymied As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. …
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Eddie Lin Outlines Vision for Seattle City Council District 2
55:19
55:19
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55:19Eddie Lin, running for Seattle City Council in District 2, shares his stance on housing affordability, public safety, transportation, and more while emphasizing his government experience and commitment to community-driven solutions. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on Bluesky at @Hac…
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Week in Review: May 23, 2025 - with David Kroman
43:37
43:37
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43:37On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and David Kroman discuss: 🖋️ Ferguson acts on state budget, parental bill of rights 🧊 Troubling ICE raids 🤓 Seattle Mayor race deep dive 🔔 Sara Nelson bellwether 🗳️ Other notable primary races ⛺️ Rushed Tent City 4 move As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. F…
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Jamie Fackler Outlines Vision for Seattle's District 2 Council Seat
59:35
59:35
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59:35Jamie Fackler, running for Seattle City Council in District 2, shares his stance on housing affordability, public safety, transportation, and more while emphasizing his opposition to corporate influence in local politics. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks.…
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Former Federal Prosecutor Erika Evans Launches Bid for Seattle City Attorney
48:53
48:53
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48:53In an extensive interview with Crystal Fincher of Hacks & Wonks, Seattle City Attorney candidate Erika Evans outlines why she is challenging incumbent Ann Davison with a platform centered on community-based solutions, addressing root causes of crime, and protecting civil rights. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at official…
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Week in Review: May 2, 2025 - with Robert Cruickshank
35:43
35:43
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35:43On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: 📊 Breakdown of Legislature's state budget 🧐 Ferguson’s first four months 🤔 Mallahan can? What's up with Seattle mayor race 🚔 SPD hiring up but few women + another lawsuit alleging racism As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Fo…
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Reform-Minded O'Sullivan Sets Sights on City Attorney Position
55:20
55:20
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55:20In a wide-ranging interview on the Hacks & Wonks podcast, Seattle City Attorney candidate Rory O'Sullivan outlines his vision for transformative change in an office he believes has gone in the "wrong direction" under current City Attorney Ann Davison. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us…
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Week in Review: April 25, 2025 - with Donna Blankinship
38:14
38:14
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38:14On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Donna Blankinship discuss: 💔 State Senator Bill Ramos 🗳️ April ballot results 💵 Seattle Democracy Vouchers 📚 Seattle Education Levy expanded 🧑⚖️ Spokane homeless initiative struck down 📈 Sharp increase in homelessness As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com…
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Public Defender Nathan Rouse Brings Frontline Experience to Seattle City Attorney Race
1:07:20
1:07:20
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1:07:20In a comprehensive interview with Crystal Fincher of Hacks & Wonks, Seattle City Attorney candidate Nathan Rouse outlines his vision for reforming the office through the lens of his public defender experience, criticizing incumbent Republican Ann Davison's approach while proposing alternative solutions focused on addressing root causes of crime. As…
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Week in Review: April 18, 2025 - with Ryan Packer
42:30
42:30
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42:30On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Ryan Packer discuss: 😟 Poll: people are plugged in/worried 🫰 No wealth tax = everyone else pays 🛣️ Transpo budget overview 🤷 Workers’ comp upgrade debacle 🪪 KC AFIS levy pros & cons 🚸 Tacoma Streets Initiative II As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Foll…
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As Federal Rights Rollbacks and Cuts Hit Home, Seattle Council Forms Crisis Response Committee - with Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck and Amy Sundberg
46:20
46:20
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46:20In response to sweeping policy changes at the federal level, Seattle City Council has established a Select Committee on Federal Administration and Policy Changes to track and respond to threats to federal funding, executive orders, and civil rights rollbacks affecting the city. The committee, chaired by Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck, aims to …
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Week in Review: April 11, 2025 - with Lex Vaughn
1:03:24
1:03:24
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1:03:24On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Lex Vaughn discuss: 🪧 Thousands protest Trump admin 🧑🎓 WA student visas revoked 🐀 Union head blasts “Ratfink” Ferguson 🤞 Progress on rent stabilization 👀 Fingerprint levy on April ballot 💥 Seattle City Council tensions As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.co…
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Week in Review: April 4, 2025 - with Erica Barnett
37:19
37:19
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37:19On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Erica Barnett discuss: 🙅♂️ Ferguson against wealth tax ⚖️ WA joins lawsuit on public health funding cuts 👩💼 Braddock appointed acting KC Exec 💸 Moore skips public bidding process for $1M 🤷♂️ Saka denounces “defund” As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com.…
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Week in Review: March 28, 2025 - with Shauna Sowersby
31:14
31:14
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31:14On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Shauna Sowersby discuss: 🌟 Frank Chopp’s legacy 💰 Senate & House budget proposals 📜 Parents’ Bill of Rights initiative 🧯 Natural gas initiative ruled unconstitutional 🚈 Dow Constantine nominated for Sound Transit CEO As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. …
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Week in Review: March 21, 2025 - with Robert Cruickshank
42:31
42:31
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42:31On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: 🤨 Gov Ferguson’s workplace complaints 😧 More troubling activity around Bruce Harrell 🏘️ SoDo housing proposal passed 👋 SPS superintendent resigns 🙄 Adam Smith is all wrong As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com. Follow us on Blue…
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