The IMPACT

How expensive is living in Washington? A new study suggests prices have risen faster in the Evergreen State in recent years than anywhere else in the country.Interviews include Washington Roundtable president Rachel Smith and CEO Marc Casale of the Kinetic West consulting firm.

Derek Young, executive director advocating county funding and legal strategies. Patrick O'Connor, a Thurston County public defense leader with 20 years in courtrooms. They discuss the looming cost of a supreme court caseload mandate. They describe county budget strains, rural recruitment crises, the limits of diversion programs, and looming litigation over who must pay for indigent defense.

Advances in artificial intelligence are fueling a new wave of sophisticated scams targeting consumers. Two top state financial watchdogs, Ali Higgs and Faith Anderson from the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, explain how the state is fighting back -- and what you can do to protect yourself.

Taxes, consumer protection, and policing - a recap of the big stories of 2026 as the legislative session comes to a close. The latest on a statewide overhaul of curbside recycling. Then a behind the scenes look at Teach with TVW programs to help students understand state government and learn how their own voices fit in.

Bills to outlaw mask wearing police, create a new process for removing sheriffs, and restrict license plate scanning cameras are all under consideration this year. ACLU-WA’s Jazmyn Clark and Kent P.D. Chief Rafel Padilla join us to debate the proposed changes and how they could impact your community.

Proposed state budgets, potential state laws, and a landmark tax decision. A panel of state government reporters talk through the major threads and high profile questions for the final weeks of the Legislative Session.Panelists include: Mitchell Roland of the Spokesman-Review and Jake Goldstein-Street of the Washington State Standard. Later, we look at the debate over new regulations for cryptocurrency kiosks.

Election laws and voter data are in the spotlight this year, with proposed initiative restrictions and a state-federal dispute over access to voter registration data. Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs weighs in on the bills and the federal litigation.

From taxes to public defense funding and the federal phase out of the penny, House Finance Committee leaders from both sides of the aisle weigh in on hot topics for 2026. Guests: Democratic Chair April Berg and Ranking Republican Member Ed Orcutt.

From surveillance pricing to property tax breaks. Leaders of the House Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee weigh in on a slate of bills dealing with artificial intelligence, consumer protection, and Washington’s tech economy. Guests: Committee Chair, Democratic Rep. Cindy Ryu and Ranking Republican Member, Rep. Stephanie Barnard.

New limits on public defender caseloads are rolling out, but Washington is facing a chronic defender shortage. How will the lower caseloads impact recruitment and local government finances? What happens if there aren’t enough lawyers?  Snohomish County Office of Public Defense Director Jason Schwarz and Washington State Office of Public Defense Deputy Director Katrin Johnson break down the stakes, the staffing crunch, and what comes next.