Hacks & Wonks

Hacks & Wonks

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.

Episodes

July 4, 2025 37 mins

On 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 offi...

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King 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, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @finchfrii and find Claudia Balduc...

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On 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 officialhacksandwonk...

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King 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 find Girmay Zahilay at @girmayzahilay.

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On 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 a...

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On 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 off...

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Jeanie 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.

 

Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks. Find...

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On 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 officialhacksan...

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Eddie 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 @HacksAndWonks. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at @...

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On 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 av...

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Jamie 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. Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at...

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In 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 officialhacksandwonks.com.

Follow us on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks. ...

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On 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 officialhacksandw...

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In 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 on Bluesky at @HacksAndWonks. Find the host, Crystal Finch...

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On 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 i...

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In 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 always, a full text transcript of the show is available at...

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On 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 avai...

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In 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 address the local fallout from the Trump administration's second term.

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On 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...

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On 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 ...

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