Making Washington a place to prosper.

2024 Snohomish County Legislative Session Recap

2024 Snohomish County Legislative Session Recap

The 2024 Washington State legislative session included debate and action on several key bills affecting Snohomish County residents. This year was a “short session” of 60 days and was focused on policy bills as the Legislature does not adopt their biennial budget during even years. Some of the critical policies considered this legislative session included...

What’s at stake for Washington’s primary elections

What’s at stake for Washington’s primary elections

Washington state’s primary election is just around the corner on August 6, 2024, and your vote is crucial! This election isn’t just another date on the calendar; it’s your chance to shape the future of our state. In Washington, we have a top-two primary system, which means only the two candidates with the most votes...

[un]Divided: Washington state’s ferry system is in crisis

[un]Divided: Washington state’s ferry system is in crisis

Some passengers waited 6+ hours to get aboard a Washington state ferry over the weekend. Brandi Kruse was one of them. On the unDivided podcast, she details why the system is in crisis. Watch unDivided five days a week and subscribe to support the show at unDividedpod.com.

By Brandi Kruse

If Inslee wants to find a threat to democracy, he should look in a mirror

If Inslee wants to find a threat to democracy, he should look in a mirror

While Governor Jay Inslee warns of threats to democracy, his own actions reveal he might be one of its biggest adversaries. As Brandi Kruse aptly pointed out on her show [Un]Divided, “The people who scream the most and the loudest about democracy in peril, democracy at risk, are the first ones to stomp on our...

[un]Divided: State says it will not accept new bookings into juvenile detention

[un]Divided: State says it will not accept new bookings into juvenile detention

Due to overcrowding and unsafe conditions, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families says no new offenders will be booked into the state’s two juvenile detention centers until further notice. So what happens now? Brandi Kruse has more on the unDivided Podcast. Watch unDivided five days a week and subscribe to support the show at unDividedpod.com.

By Brandi Kruse

[un]Divided: Pierce County can’t repeat King County’s mistakes on homelessness

[un]Divided: Pierce County can’t repeat King County’s mistakes on homelessness

While Democrats in Pierce County are pushing for a “regional” approach to solve homelessness, County Executive Bruce Dammeier said he wants to avoid the mistakes of Seattle. He joined Brandi Kruse on the unDivided Podcast. Watch unDivided five days a week and sign up to support the show at unDividedPod.com.

By Brandi Kruse

Washingtonians Reclaim Their Voice: June 2024 Marks Turning Point in Citizen Power

Washingtonians Reclaim Their Voice: June 2024 Marks Turning Point in Citizen Power

The political landscape of Washington state is undergoing a seismic shift, with June 2024 standing out as a pivotal month in the growing citizen-led movement to hold lawmakers accountable. Let’s examine the key developments that made June a landmark month for citizen power in the Evergreen State: Three Citizen Initiatives Become Law Last year, millions...

[un]Divided: SCOTUS ruling could help combat homeless crisis

[un]Divided: SCOTUS ruling could help combat homeless crisis

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that laws prohibiting homeless encampments do not amount to cruel and unusual punishment under the 8th Amendment. The ruling could help West Coast states deal with the crisis, but only if leaders decide to use it. Brandi Kruse is joined by Burien Mayor Kevin Schilling, who says the King...

By Brandi Kruse

[un]Divided: Washington leaders sign Future 42 pledge to tackle homelessness

[un]Divided: Washington leaders sign Future 42 pledge to tackle homelessness

Elected leaders from across Washington are signing onto Future 42’s “Real Solutions to Homelessness Pledge.” Nate Nehring, head of Future 42’s efforts in Snohomish County, joined unDivided with Brandi Kruse to discuss. Watch unDivided five days a week and support the show at unDividedPod.com.

By Brandi Kruse

Rejected amendments reveal lawmakers’ true priority on natural gas ban

Rejected amendments reveal lawmakers’ true priority on natural gas ban

The driving force behind Washington’s effective ban on natural gas was the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), passed in 2021. That bill set benchmarks for reductions in natural gas emissions so urgent and so onerous that it forced the state’s largest utility company, Puget Sound Energy (PSE), to effectively tell lawmakers, “Either let us shut down...

Everett City Council considering minimum wage increase which would top Seattle’s

Everett City Council considering minimum wage increase which would top Seattle’s

At a recent Everett City Council meeting, Councilmember Mary Fosse introduced legislation which would increase Everett’s minimum wage to up to $20.24/hour for local businesses. The City of Seattle’s current minimum wage is $19.97/hour and Washington State’s is $16.28/hour. Fosse’s proposal, if approved, would send the question of a minimum wage increase to the voters...

[un]Divided: State audit flags $1.17B in mishandled spending

[un]Divided: State audit flags $1.17B in mishandled spending

The Washington State Auditor’s Office found that 11 different state agencies failed to properly account for at least $1.17 billion in federal funds administered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch unDivided with Brandi Kruse five days a week and subscribe to support the show at unDividedPod.com.

By Brandi Kruse