Washington has a fraught relationship with taxes. And what that relationship looks like in the future is a big part of your ballot this November.  In the latest episode of Sound Politics, hosts Scott Greenstone and Libby Denkmann break down two relatively new taxes that voters will decide whether to get rid of: the capital gains tax (which only the richest Washingtonians pay) and the Washington CARES tax (which most voters probably see on their paychecks). Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes.Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer this week is Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two Republicans are battling to represent Washington's 4th congressional district -- the heart of conservative Washington, a place where being labeled a "vegan" could mean death to your campaign. In one corner sits Dan Newhouse: the incumbent, and one of ten Republicans to vote to impeach Donald Trump. In the other: a Trump-backed challenger, and former NASCAR driver, named Jerrod Sessler.In the newest episode of Sound Politics, hosts Scott Greenstone and Libby Denkmann check in with Spokesman Review reporter Orion Donovan Smith about how the race is shaping up - and what it could say about the future of the Republican party.Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes.Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer this week is Sarah Leibovitz. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you know what's going to be on your ballot this November? Sound Politics is here to help.Today: Sound Politics host Libby Denkmann and special guest Jeanie Lindsay are diving deep into the wonky world of carbon auctions, gas prices, and climate change legislation as we explain Initiative 2117. If passed, it would end the state’s carbon auctions that are the key part of the Climate Commitment Act. We'll dig into the arguments for and against the Initiative, who's funding both sides of the debate, and morePlus: did you know know there was another governor's race debate this weekend We'll catch you up on that too. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes. Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer is Sarah Leibovitz. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sound Politics is breaking down the big debate! You know it - the one that had you glued to your TV screen, the one all of your group chats were blowing up about, the one that culminated in a cat selfie on Instagram. No, not that debate - we're talking about the first governor's race debate showdown between former Republican congressman Dave Reichert, and Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson! Sound Politics co-hosts Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone discuss highlights from the debate, and where the race goes from here. NOTE: After we recorded this episode, we noticed another poll that came out today from Cascade PBS. That one has Bob Ferguson with a far more commanding lead — half of voters plan to vote for him, and only 39 percent for Reichert. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes. Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producers are Noel Gasca and Jason Burrows. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sound Politics is talking elections on land... and in space this week.  Up first: Scott and Libby start a little closer to home, and talk about one of the closest primary races in state history. It was a tight race to determine who would take second place in the fight for Washington State Land Commissioner. After the first statewide hand recount for a primary since 1960, it looks like Democrat Dave Upthegrove will face off against former Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler in November's general election.  Scott will explain ballot curing - a process Republicans and Democrats used to help voters fix their rejected ballots. And later: A question from a local political consultant on X inspired Sound Politics to take a deeper dive into a kind of absentee voting that's out of this world.  A note for listeners: This episode of Sound Politics was recorded before the Washington State Republican Party filed a lawsuit against the King County Elections Director. You can read more about the lawsuit here.  Guest: Crystal Fincher, political consultant and host of the Hacks & Wonks podcast Related Links:  In Washington's closest elections, volunteers go door-to-door to 'rehab' faulty ballots - KUOW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sound Politics is getting a little weird this week: Scott is solo hosting, and the pod is taking a break from our regular episode format due to the upcoming holiday weekend. Scott and Libby will be back with your regular 'ol normie Sound Politics next week. In the meantime, Scott is bringing you a conversation that's all about weird. Weird - it’s the word that’s been on the tip of plenty of democrats’ tongues this summer, as they try to communicate to voters why they should vote for the Harris Walz ticket in November, and leave Trump behind. Does any of this labeling work? Scott catches up with two experts about why this strategy may be working for Democrats. GUESTS: Madeline Jalbert, postdoctoral fellow with the University of Washington's Center for an Informed Public Ira Hyman, psychology professor Western Washington University RELATED LINKS: Is 'weird-checking' the new fact checking? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sound Politics is at the Democratic National Convention! Sound Politics co-hosts Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone are breaking down highlights from the convention so far, and how the Washington state delegation is showing up - and showing out. And later, Libby will take listeners to Redmond for a kind of counter-programming for local conservatives: Summer Freedom Fest 2024. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes. Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producers are Noel Gasca and Jason Burrows. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now that the dust has settled on August voting, it's time to take a quick cleansing breath, and turn our attention to the four voter initiatives slated for the November ballot.   They’re coming from the right side of the aisle, they’ve got some big money, and feisty politicians backing them.  Northwest News Network state government reporter Jeanie Lindsay joins the pod to talk through all the ballot initiatives voters will decide on in November.  Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes. Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editors this week are Catharine Smith and Gabe Spitzer. Our producers are Noel Gasca, Sarah Leibovitz, and Jason Burrows. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott GreenstoneSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Sound Politics' inaugural primary results episode! Sound Politics co-hosts Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone are breaking down results from races across the state - from Washington's 3rd congressional district to the Seattle City Council. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes. Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producers are Noel Gasca and Jason Burrows. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Southwest Washington is home to one of the most consequential races of the 2024 election cycle - the outcome could change who’s in control of the U.S. House of Representatives come January 2025.  Sound Politics co-hosts Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone break down the top three candidates for Washington's 3rd congressional district.  Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes.Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producers are Noel Gasca and Jason Burrows. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.