Issues | Future 42

John Braun: A big step toward restoring public safety: Auto thefts fall to historic low

Senate Republican Leader Sen. John Braun (R-Centralia, LD 20) was featured in The Chronicle discussing the history and the 434,000 signatures gathered by Let’s Go Washington for Initiative 2113, which ultimately forced lawmakers to restore police pursuit in Washington state: The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs has kept a record of the auto...

Ferguson Gives Florida Company the Ferry Contract Over Washington Boatbuilder —Thanks to the Costs of Our Lawmakers’ Anti-Business Policies

Washington’s ferry system is struggling. With chronic staffing shortages, aging vessels, and service disruptions now commonplace, state officials are under increasing pressure to deliver real solutions. But instead of investing in Washington workers and companies, Governor Bob Ferguson has awarded a $714.5 million contract for three new hybrid-electric ferries to a Florida-based shipbuilder. The contract...

2025 Whatcom County State Legislative Scorecard

Future 42 is proud to release its first-of-its-kind, comprehensive scorecard, providing an in-depth analysis of key votes taken by the six legislators representing Whatcom County during the 2025 legislative session. This vital resource ensures that Washingtonians are informed about the bills passed, their potential impact, and the legislators’ positions on these issues. The six legislators,...

[un]Divided: Portland spent $700M on homelessness in a single year

Despite spending record amounts on homelessness, West Coast cities are seeing the issue get worse by the year. The latest numbers out of Portland are staggering. Follow unDivided across platforms and subscribe to support the show: unDividedPod.com.

By Brandi Kruse

Future 42 launches its third county project in Clark County with Leslie Lewallen as Director

Vancouver, WA — Future 42 is excited to launch its latest county project, in Clark County this summer. The project will be led by Leslie Lewallen who brings years of legal, civic, and leadership experience to the role, along with a deep commitment to her Clark County community. “Leslie embodies the kind of principled, solutions-focused...

[un]Divided: Homeless advocate blasts Washington state plan to provide drugs directly to addicts

Kristine Moreland has worked with the homeless and addicted in Seattle for years. She had an emotional reaction to news that Washington state is considering plans to provide a “safe supply” directly to users. Follow unDivided across platforms and subscribe to support the show: unDividedPod.com.

By Brandi Kruse

Edmonds City Council to Vote on Placing $17M Property Tax Hike on November Ballot

The Edmonds City Council has nearly tripled the tax increase they plan to place on the November 2025 general election ballot. What originated as a $6 million property tax increase has evolved to a $17 million proposal which voters will have the final say on. At their July 8th meeting, the Edmonds City Council is...

[un]Divided: Washington state puts politics ahead of saving sick babies

It is becoming clear that the decision to defund a pediatric care center for drug-addicted babies was about political disagreements, not what’s best for the newborns. Follow unDivided across platforms and subscribe to support the show: unDividedPod.com.

By Brandi Kruse

Center Square WA: WA facility that treats drug-addicted newborns at risk of closure due to budget cuts

The Center Square Washington covered funding cuts at the Pediatric Interim Care Center (PICC) in Kent, which forced them to stop accepting new patients after 35 years. From the story: Since 1990, PICC has taken care of newborns born to mothers with substance use disorders. Up until this year, about half of PICC’s funding came from the...

Rep. Travis Couture in Seattle Times: A victim of Gov. Ferguson’s veto: Kent center for babies exposed to drugs

Rep. Travis Couture (R – LD35) writes in the Seattle Times about budget cuts at the Pediatric Interim Care Center in Kent: On Wednesday, I toured the Pediatric Interim Care Center in Kent. There was no media, no speeches — just a bipartisan group walking through a place that has dedicated 35 years to quietly...

Discovery Institute: Time for Washington to Take a Lesson from Mississippi

Though one could point to many areas in which Mississippi has struggled in the past, the state is clearly now on a roll. Washingtonians would be wise to compare what they are doing versus what our state is doing. Here are just a few immediately identifiable differences in trends between the two states in two...

[un]Divided: Volunteers ordered to stop cleaning up anti-ICE graffiti in Seattle

Andrea Suarez of We Heart Seattle decided to help clean off graffiti left by rioters at the Federal Building in Seattle. Before long, she was told to stand down. Brandi Kruse has more details on unDivided.

By Brandi Kruse

2025 Snohomish County State Legislative Scorecard

Future 42 is releasing a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive scorecard highlighting key votes taken by the 24 legislators representing areas of Snohomish County during the 2025 legislative session. This information is critical in order to ensure that county residents are informed on bills which were passed, how those bills will impact their lives, and who voted for/against...

[un]Divided: Reversal of West Coast EV mandates is a victory for common sense

While West Coast governors set unattainable and costly climate goals, a bipartisan vote in Congress has clawed at least one of them back. Congressman Michael Baumgartner (R-WA 05) joined unDivided with Brandi Kruse to discuss.

By Brandi Kruse