The IMPACT

Q&A with the WA Dept. of Agriculture about the discovery of more giant invasive hornet nests in Whatcom County.

This week on The Impact, OSPI Chris Reykdal and Rep. Alex Ybarra (R-Quincy) debate vaccine mandates, COVID safety measures, and the new school year.

A March 2020 - June 2021 "year in review" with legislative leaders from the early days of the pandemic restrictions through the 2021 legislative session and June 30th reopening. Guests include House Democratic Deputy Majority Leader Larry Springer (D-Kirkland) and Senate Republican Caucus Leader John Braun (R-Centralia).

The discovery of an Asian giant hornet in Marysville kicks off a discussion of 2021 trapping and detection plans in WA and B.C. Guests include Karla Salp, Washington State Department of Agriculture and Paul van Westendorp, Provincial Apiarist, British Columbia, Canada.

Court ruling on simultaneous broadband bill signing, impact of 2020 election controversies. Guests include Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman.

How state level action on policing, broadband, and housing will impact cities; small business perspective on capital gains tax and pandemic rules. Guests include Candice Bock, Government Relations Director, Association of Washington Cities, and Patrick Connor, Washington State Director, National Federation of Independent Business.

New momentum in Olympia for taxing drivers by the mile. The road usage charge debate. Guests include Reema Griffith, Executive Director, Washington State Transportation Center, and Mariya Frost, Director, Coles Center for Transportation, Washington Policy Center.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig & House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox discuss controversial vetoes, the next steps for a transportation funding package, the confusing broadband bill situation and a possible special session.

Critical vote ahead for legal sports betting at tribal casinos. From masks to vaccines, what to expect from the fall school year and in-person learning. Guests include Washington State Gambling Commission Interim Director Tina Griffin and Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal.

An overview of the "bare-bones" transportation budget that passed, the carbon bills linked to a bigger package, and the potential for a special session. Guests include House Transportation Committee Chair Jake Fey (D-Tacoma) & Ranking Republican Andrew Barkis (R-Olympia), and Senate Transportation Committee Chair Steve Hobbs (D-Lake Stevens) & Ranking Republican Curtis King (R-Yakima).

A press panel recap of the 2021 session - expanded programs, controversial tax, greener gasoline, new rules for police and more. Panel includes Jerry Cornfield, The Everett Herald and Sara Gentzler, McClatchy (The Olympian, Tacoma News Tribune, Bellingham Herald, Tri-City Herald).

Democrat and Republican legislators debate the impact of the capital gains tax and environmental legislation from 2021. Guests include Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), Sen. Lynda Wilson (R-Vancouver), Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon (D-West Seattle), & Rep. Tom Dent (R-Moses Lake).

The state auditor and the head of ESD weigh in on the audits into large scale unemployment fraud and delays for legitimate claims. Guests include Acting Commissioner Cami Feek, Employment Security Department, and Washington State Auditor Pat McCarthy.

Cost? Availability? The situation facing parents seeking child care now; Budgeting for disaster- a paradigm shift in how we pay to fight forest fires. Guests include Deeann Burtch Puffert, CEO of Child Care Aware of Washington, and Hilary Franz, State Commissioner of Public Lands.

A defense attorney and a former prosecutor debate the impact of the state drug law ruling. Guests include Larry Jefferson, President of the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Russell Brown, Executive Director of the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.

A bipartisan panel of House budget leaders debate the proposed 2021-23 Operating Budget. Guests include Rep. Timm Ormsby (D -Spokane), Chair, House Appropriations Committee, and Rep. Drew Stokesbary (R-Auburn), Ranking Member, House Appropriations Committee.

Debating direct sales of electric vehicles, Q & A with an EV manufacturer and a dealership owner; lawmakers discuss zero-emission vehicle policies. Guests include Matthew Phillips, Car Pros Automotive Group, WSADA , Daniel Witt, Lucid Motors, Rep. Cindy Ryu (D-Shoreline) House Consumer Protection and Business Committee and Rep. Chis Corry (R-Yakima) House Consumer Protection and Business Committee...

Invasive Species Spotlight: Zebra Mussels, Murder Hornets, Toxic Sap. Sunshine Week 2021 - impact of cameras in State Capitol & WA Supreme Court. Guests include Justin Bush, Executive Coordinator, Washington Invasive Species Council, Judge Marlin Appelwick, Washington Court of Appeals, (Former State Legislator), George Erb, Washington Coalition for Open Government, WWU Journalism Department (Forme...

The debate over capital gains tax intensifies after Senate passage; lawmakers discuss banning certain police tactics & overturned drug law. Guests include Misha Werschkul, Washington State Budget and Policy Center and Kriss Sjoblom, Washington Research Council, Sen. Jamie Pedersen, (D-Seattle), Chair, Senate Law and Justice Committee and Sen. Mike Padden (R-Spokane Valley), Ranking Member, Senate...

Former AG on upshot of ruling that eliminated drug possession law, UW Medicine expert weighs in on vaccine strategy and COVID variant risk. Guests include Rob McKenna, former Washington Attorney General, and Keith Jerome, MD PhD, Head of Virology Division, UW Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology.

Judgement Day for policy bills. Press panel update on what's moving or stalled in Olympia and an overview of the session so far. Guests: Laurel Demkovich, The Spokesman-Review, Joseph O' Sullivan, The Seattle Times.

State lawmakers debate legislation to create personal data privacy rights with respect to companies that collect customer data. Guests include Sen. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle, and Rep. Shelley Kloba, D-Kirkland

House Finance Committee leaders debate proposed capital gains and wealth tax bills and other tax related topics. Guests: Rep. Noel Frame (D-Seattle), House Finance Committee Chair, Rep. Ed Orcutt (R-Kalama), House Finance Committee Ranking Member.

Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz on her crusade for dedicated wildfire funding in Washington. Three county test of earthquake early warning system planned around anniversary of 2001 Nisqually quake. Guests: Hilary Franz, Commissioner of Public Lands, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Maximilian Dixon, Geologic Hazards Supervisor, Washington State Emergency Management Division.

House Transportation Committee leaders debate gas tax increase, funding challenges, and proposed projects. Guests: Rep. Jake Fey, D-Tacoma and Rep. Andrew Barkis, R-Olympia.