Latest news with #TVW
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
School and Medicaid funding worries linger post-session for WA lawmakers
House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, D-West Seattle, on TVW's Inside Olympia. (Photo courtesy of TVW) This article was first published by TVW. The ink is hardly dry on Washington's new budget and already legislative leaders are anticipating more fiscal uncertainty. Democrats are focused on threats to health care access if Congress slashes Medicaid funding, while Republicans are warning of renewed legal jeopardy in education funding. In post-session interviews on TVW's Inside Olympia, House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, D-West Seattle, warned that a U.S. House-passed budget legislation — if enacted — could force Washington into a special session to make emergency Medicaid adjustments. 'I'm very concerned about the prospects that Republicans in Congress are going to cut Medicaid at a level that's going to lead to a whole lot of people losing health care around the country,' Fitzgibbon said. 'We're not able to insulate ourselves from that entirely.' He said proposed reductions to federal reimbursement rates, particularly for hospitals and nursing homes, would force tough decisions. 'We would have to come back in special session and we'd have to kick a lot of people off health care and close a lot of hospitals and nursing homes.' Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, disputed that framing. 'I think there's a lot of fearmongering out there,' he said, adding that the U.S. House plan is 'much more favorable for Washington than what many people thought.' Braun pointed to proposed eligibility checks, work requirements, and reforms to prevent dual-state enrollment. 'These are things that will not only save the federal government money,' he said. 'They'll save the state government money and allow us to deliver services more equitably to the people that really need it.' The two party leaders also offered starkly contrasting assessments of whether the new state budget could reignite a constitutional challenge like the 2012 McCleary decision, which mandated that Washington fully fund basic education. Fitzgibbon defended the budget's approach, saying the state continues to increase total and per-student K–12 funding. 'I don't think that we are relying on local levies to make up the difference in what basic education costs,' he said. 'Those are enrichment levies to cover additional programs.' He argued that voters had already approved the levy increases and said the budget includes additional money for levy equalization, more formally known as Local Effort Assistance, or LEA, which provides extra state support to property-poor districts. 'That should very much keep the scales balanced between the property-rich districts and the property-poor districts,' he said. Braun disagreed sharply, warning that the Legislature's move to increase local levy caps could trigger another legal challenge. 'I don't think there's any question. I think you'll have that lawsuit—if you don't have it already—you'll have it before the end of the year,' he said. 'You can't go to a school district across our state and say, 'Can you show me any definitive way that you're not using levies for basic education?' They'll say, 'No way, I can't. We're using it for basic education.'' Outside groups are warning of persistent discrepancies among districts. According to a March 2024 report by the Washington State School Directors' Association, wealthier school districts consistently raise significantly more revenue through local property tax levies, allowing them to offer expanded programs and staff. Lower-income districts often struggle to generate comparable funds, creating disparities in educational access and quality. Though Washington law imposes a 'levy lid' to limit how much local districts can raise, the system still allows for wide funding gaps. The League of Education Voters, in a summer 2024 analysis, concluded that the state's LEA funding is 'inadequate' to fully offset these disparities. The report found that districts are increasingly using levies to fund what many parents and educators view as core services—including special education, student mental health, and additional classroom staff—undermining the notion that the state is fully funding a 'basic education.' The result is what the League called 'a patchwork system where access to a constitutionally guaranteed education can depend on a student's ZIP code.' Braun echoed that view, saying, 'It's undeniably inequitable. This will result in less money per student in some districts and more in others—and that's exactly what McCleary said we could not do.' Fitzgibbon acknowledged the concern but said it can be addressed legislatively. 'The increase in levy equalization, which was not included in that bill, but is included in the budget, is something I have every expectation we'll be able to put into statute.'
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WA Commerce chief warns tariff fallout could hit state hard
Washington Department of Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn speaks with Inside Olympia host Austin Jenkins. (Photo courtesy of TVW) This article was first published by TVW. Washington's top commerce official says the state cannot shield its economy from the fallout of rapidly escalating tariffs, particularly in sectors like agriculture, aerospace and technology. 'There is no way in Washington state that we can cover the gap for a global tariff trade war,' said Department of Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn in a wide-ranging interview on 'Inside Olympia'. 'We haven't recovered from the last trade war [in 2018],' he told host Austin Jenkins, 'We're still down 30% of exports to the Asia Pacific region because of the previous ones.' Washington is among the most trade-dependent states in the nation, with more than $58 billion in exports in 2024 and 40% of jobs tied to trade. According to the governor's office, new and retaliatory tariffs could cost the state's agriculture sector $7.5 billion, with significant hits expected to apples, cherries, potatoes, wheat and dairy. India, for example, has imposed a 20% retaliatory tariff on U.S. apples, which the state says has caused shipments to fall dramatically. Nguyễn emphasized that while the state has launched a tariff information resource and is engaging international partners like Canada, Vietnam and Mexico, its capacity is limited. 'These tariffs are even worse than what we saw last time,' he said. Nguyễn described the Department of Commerce's role as pivotal — but constrained — in navigating such external pressures. With 485 programs and an $8 billion portfolio, the agency manages everything from housing and behavioral health to economic development and small business grants. 'If this was a publicly traded company, you're talking about a Fortune 500 company,' he said. 'It is a behemoth in terms of the reach that we have.' Among Commerce's most visible challenges is the state's growing housing crisis. Washington needs more than 1.1 million additional housing units by 2040, according to state projections, with more than half required to serve the lowest-income residents. Nguyễn acknowledged that even with a proposed $600 million investment in the Housing Trust Fund — the largest in state history — gaps remain. 'It amounts to about 2% of what we actually need on an annual basis,' he said. 'So we can do as much as we can at the state to enable, in this case, affordable housing … but we need the capital markets. We need other investments.' Nguyễn said the state's regulatory landscape often slows or derails projects, despite good intentions behind the rules. He cited conflicting definitions between two housing bills — one related to middle housing and another to accessory dwelling units — that have created confusion among local governments trying to comply with growth management laws. Nguyễn said he is developing a new proposal he calls a 'Fast Track,' which would apply an 'abundance mindset' to housing policy by targeting areas with high need and fewer regulatory hurdles. He said the idea is still in early stages and has not yet been publicly vetted. 'I have a proposal that I'm shopping with the governor's policy team right now, said Nguyễn. 'The concept aims to demonstrate that faster, more affordable construction is possible under a streamlined permitting model. 'If your goal is to build more housing, [then let's] build more housing,' he said. Nguyễn's critique of bureaucratic inefficiency is grounded in his personal experience. He described the difficulty of navigating complex compliance rules required to administer state and federal grants, saying the state's administrative and accounting manual alone is 1,067 pages. When combined with federal guidance and additional rules, it can exceed 1,500 pages per program. 'That's longer than 'Game of Thrones'. That's the whole of 'Lord of the Rings'. That's double the longest 'Harry Potter book',' he said. There's at least $300,000 to $400,000 of compliance costs associated with that.' To tackle the problem, Nguyễn spent a recent weekend building a custom GPT chatbot using publicly available data from the state accounting manual, federal compliance guidelines and program rules. He fed in sample invoices and used the tool to rate their compliance risk as high, medium or low. 'I made a custom GPT… and it came back, and it's fairly accurate,' he said. 'There are ways for us to be much more effective so that we can still be compliant, provide the tools for our staff to be much more effective with their time and our resources.' Nguyễn said the goal isn't to replace state workers but to free them from rote administrative tasks so they can focus on designing programs and serving communities. 'We've essentially built a system where you're trying to catch 1% who might cause a problem, and you punish everybody else,' he said. This article was first published by TVW, Washington's Public Affairs Network, providing unedited coverage of the state legislature and state government, on statewide cable TV and online at It also produces original interview shows, including Inside Olympia and The Impact. A media nonprofit, it exists to give Washingtonians access to their state government, increase civic access and engagement, and foster an informed citizenry.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Washington chief justice defends equity push, flags AI concerns
Washington state Chief Justice Deborah Stephens on the Inside Olympia set with host Austin Jenkins. (Photo courtesy of TVW) This article was first published by TVW. Despite growing national backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Stephens says the state's high court remains committed to examining its own practices and advancing equity in the justice system. In an interview on TVW's Inside Olympia, Stephens told host Austin Jenkins that Washington's judiciary has long worked to identify and correct systemic bias in court rules, precedents and access. That effort intensified in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd, when the justices issued a rare public letter acknowledging that 'the legal community must recognize that we all bear responsibility for the ongoing injustice and inequality.' 'Just because something is normal doesn't mean it was ever neutral,' Stephens said. 'You've got to go back and look at the scale. And just because something is the way we've always done it doesn't mean it was fair.' As the U.S. Supreme Court and federal courts draw intense public scrutiny amid high-profile lawsuits involving President Donald Trump, Stephens said she is closely watching public sentiment. She acknowledged that trust in institutions, including the judiciary, is declining, but emphasized that courts must continue to be viewed as legitimate and independent. 'Our democracy is a fragile thing,' she said. 'The system works when people are willing to use the system to work.' Stephens co-chairs a national committee on judicial independence and says she is alarmed by rhetoric that seeks to delegitimize court decisions, especially when they come under political fire. She stressed that Washington's justices do not run as partisans and must instead earn public confidence through experience, temperament and integrity—not campaign promises. 'It's hard to persuade people when your best campaign pitch is, 'Vote for me and I'll never do anything special for you, because I give everybody equal consideration,'' she said. The chief justice also discussed efforts underway to improve access to justice through public defense reform. She noted that many counties in Washington still lack sufficient resources to ensure fair representation for people charged with crimes, despite the constitutional guarantee of legal counsel. A proposed rule before the court would reduce the number of cases assigned to public defenders, following years of concern over attorney workloads and systemic inequities. Stephens said the effort builds on a framework the court first adopted in 2012 and reflects a broader goal of redressing historical injustice. 'We need to look at what we criminalize, how we prioritize it, and whether people are getting the representation they are entitled to,' she said. 'The burden of doing things the way we've always done them doesn't fall equally across communities.' The court has also backed pilot programs to improve jury diversity and boost juror compensation. In Pierce County, a test program raises daily juror pay to $100 — a tenfold increase over the state minimum — and is already showing a more representative pool. 'People who were not able to serve now have the ability to serve,' Stephens said. Despite the national political climate, Stephens struck a hopeful tone about the future of the judiciary, saying that honest dialogue and diverse representation in decision-making roles can build a stronger legal system. 'When we really talk to one another… and assume the best intention, good things happen,' she said. Looking ahead, Stephens said artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the legal landscape—but warned it could deepen existing disparities if not handled carefully. She said Washington courts are exploring ways to responsibly incorporate AI tools, such as front desk support, translation services and data analysis, while safeguarding privacy and due process. But she cautioned against relying on unregulated systems, particularly in legal proceedings. 'Bad inputs, bad outputs—and it compounds that and deepens biased learning,' she said. AI's growing role raises questions about data security, access to legal resources, and the integrity of evidence, especially as deepfake videos and fabricated documents become more sophisticated. 'You don't want to run a draft of an opinion through ChatGPT,' she insisted. Stephens, now in her second nonconsecutive term as chief justice, said her priorities remain rooted in fairness, transparency and trust. 'I have such incredible optimism for where we can go,' she said, 'and for all of the commitment I see in people around me.' This article was first published by TVW, Washington's Public Affairs Network, providing unedited coverage of the state legislature and state government, on statewide cable TV and online at It also produces original interview shows, including Inside Olympia and The Impact. A media nonprofit, it exists to give Washingtonians access to their state government, increase civic access and engagement, and foster an informed citizenry.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Freshman lawmakers reflect on eye-opening first terms in Olympia so far
Rep. Natasha Hill, D-Spokane, speaks to Austin Jenkins during a TVW interview. (Photo courtesy of TVW) This article was first published by TVW. Two new eastern Washington lawmakers from opposite sides of the political aisle paused just before the Legislature turned its attention to hammering out a budget to reflect on their first term. They told Inside Olympia host Austin Jenkins that it has been a whirlwind of learning, pressure, and unexpected appreciation for the work under the Capitol dome. Rep. Natasha Hill, D-Spokane, and Rep. Brian Burnett, R-Wenatchee, bring vastly different life experiences to Olympia, but both describe their early days in office with humility and intensity. 'It's not like anything that I've ever experienced before,' Hill said. 'You're really just getting your feet wet, learning from the folks around you, and learning as you go.' Hill, an attorney and longtime advocate for equity in eastern Washington, said entering the Legislature during a time of fiscal crisis added weight to her role. 'It's been a very ominous experience, honestly. We know things are not good,' she said. 'Coming in, it didn't feel good at all. It felt like we're not gonna be able to get anything new done, especially as a new member.' Despite the challenges, Hill said she's encouraged by the opportunity to serve and emphasized the importance of public input. 'I didn't realize how important it was — people to share their stories, to sign in pro and con on bills.' For Burnett, a former Chelan County sheriff with 23 years in law enforcement, the shift from executive leadership to being one of 98 House members was jarring but ultimately rewarding. 'The first three, four weeks was just unbelievably [like] drinking from a firehose,' he said. Burnett, who serves on committees including Community Safety and Appropriations, said he's found purpose and a sense of community despite a steep learning curve. 'Oh my goodness, I absolutely could say that I think I really love it. I can see that I fit in here, and I think I have something to provide, both legislatively, across both aisles.' Burnett remains humble about what lies ahead. 'I feel like I'm barely scratching the surface of what I have to learn,' he said. 'You eat humble pie, and you learn from other people.' Both lawmakers said they hope to continue building relationships and delivering results as their first term unfolds. This article was first published by TVW, Washington's Public Affairs Network, providing unedited coverage of the state legislature and state government, on statewide cable TV and online at It also produces original interview shows, including Inside Olympia and The Impact. A media nonprofit, it exists to give Washingtonians access to their state government, increase civic access and engagement, and foster an informed citizenry.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Road usage charge debate returns to Olympia
Traffic on Interstate 5 near Olympia. (Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard) This article was first published by TVW. Lawmakers are again debating a plan to establish a road usage charge for funding Washington state highways. Supporters say the change would be more equitable for drivers and is necessary to replace declining fuel tax revenue. Opponents raise concerns about privacy, cost, and government control. House Bill 1921 and its Senate companion bill would set a 2.6-cent-per-mile charge for drivers. The charge would be collected at registration renewal, offset by the amount of fuel tax paid in the previous cycle. The program would be phased in over several years based on vehicle type and fuel efficiency rating. The charge would become mandatory for hybrid and electric vehicles first, in July 2029. By July 2035 the road usage charge would apply to all vehicles with a fuel efficiency rating of 20 or more miles per gallon. Fuel tax revenue is devoted exclusively to roads, but transit advocates and transportation planning organizations have pushed for distributing some of the road usage charge revenue to public transportation. Under the framework of HB 1921, all road usage charge revenue would go towards road maintenance, but vehicle owners would also owe a new transit assessment equal to 10% of the road usage charge due. The lead sponsor is the chair of the House Transportation Committee, Democratic Rep. Jake Fey of Tacoma. 'I think it's this coming biennium, we're looking at about 5% less gas tax revenue than we had in the previous biennium and since 2018, that was our high point in gas tax revenue. So it's almost in some respects late in the game to be talking about a new revenue source or a revenue source that would help bridge the loss of the gas tax,' said Fey on TVW The Impact. 'If you pay the gas tax and you have a pretty inefficient vehicle, you could be paying as much as $33 per thousand miles. And if you have an efficient vehicle, you might be— you know, internal combustion— you might be paying $12 per thousand miles. So there's an inequity in that as well.' The road usage charge program outlined in the bill would not require a GPS-enabled device to participate. 'We went to a system that is entirely voluntary. People have been concerned about privacy and having a GPS in their cars. Eventually, they'll have that as a choice, but this just allows people to be able to do something like photograph their miles each year and send it in and then the mileage would be calculated without intruding into where people have been,' said Fey. Fey views the bleak transportation budget outlook as all the more reason to move forward with a road usage charge transition. 'This is the year to get started on because full implementation is a good eight, ten years from now and in the meantime we're losing all that gas tax revenue. That is going to affect our ability to provide, in particular preservation and maintenance for our system,' said Fey. The lead Republican on transportation policy issues in the state Senate disagrees. Sen. Curtis King of Yakima does not believe a road usage charge is a viable solution to declining fuel tax revenue and he takes issue with the anticipated administration costs of running such a program. 'When they started out, they told us it was going to be somewhere between 10% to 14% to collect the tax,' said King. 'Now they say, well, we probably think it's going to be about 5%, to collect it. Well, it costs us a half a percent to collect the gas tax. So right off the bat, you have to raise 5% more revenue, just to break even.' King is also concerned about potentially creating a framework that could be repurposed in the future to exert control over driver behavior to meet environmental or traffic management goals and he disapproves of the transit assessment. 'One of the things that I really don't like about this bill is that 10% surcharge. The people that use transit ought to start paying for it. You, as a car owner, get to pay 2.6 cents a mile. And then on top of that, once we figured out how many miles you've gone or what your bill is for the year, we're going to tack on 10% so somebody can ride the transit, so somebody can ride their bike, so somebody can go for a walk if they want to. There's no correlation there,' said King.
