Podcast
County Connection
Hosted by Washington State Association of Counties · EN
County Connection is the official podcast of the Washington State Association of Counties—where we dive into the legislative issues shaping the future of our communities. From budgets to public safety, infrastructure to elections, we’ll break down what’s happening in Olympia and how it impacts counties across the Evergreen State. Stay informed, stay engaged, and join us as we amplify the voice of Washington’s 39 counties.
15episodes
Episodes
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The County Connection | Breaking Down the 2026 Supplemental Budget – Episode 223
Mar 1300:55:41Tap to summarizeIn the final episode of the 2026 legislative session, Paul Jewell and budget whisperer Brian Enslow unravel the mysteries of the newly released supplemental budgets. From the unexpected size of the operating plan to the creative (very creative) maneuvering behind the Public Works Assistance Account. They dig into the four‑year outlook, looming revenue uncertainties, and why the new income tax on millionaires plays such a pivotal role in keeping the state’s books balanced. With humor and clarity, the duo turns complex fiscal gymnastics into a surprisingly fun ride. A must‑listen wrap‑up for anyone tracking local government impacts in Olympia.Recorded: March 12, 2026----------County Connection is the official podcast of the Washington State Association of Counties—where we dive into the legislative issues shaping the future of our communities. From budgets to public safety, infrastructure to elections, we’ll break down what’s happening in Olympia and how it impacts counties across the Evergreen State. Stay informed, stay engaged, and join us as we amplify the voice of Washington’s 39 counties.----------Learn more at wsac.orgRegister on The HubFollow us:LinkedInFacebookInstagramBSKY
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The County Connection | Sine Die Shenanigans: Surprises, Setbacks & Standouts of the 2026 Session – Episode 222
Mar 1300:54:49Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Paul Jewell sits down with Kelsey Hulse and Brad Banks to unpack the biggest plot twists, policy battles, and political curveballs of the final days of the 2026 session. From the last‑minute resurrection of the statewide transmission authority bill to intense public‑safety fights and the downright bizarre microchipping‑employees saga, the team breaks down what passed, what fizzled, and what’s coming back with a vengeance next year. They also reflect on unexpected allies, evolving coalitions, and how counties collectively dodged some major bullets. A candid, funny, inside‑the‑Capitol look at a short session that was anything but small.Recorded: March 12, 2026----------County Connection is the official podcast of the Washington State Association of Counties—where we dive into the legislative issues shaping the future of our communities. From budgets to public safety, infrastructure to elections, we’ll break down what’s happening in Olympia and how it impacts counties across the Evergreen State. Stay informed, stay engaged, and join us as we amplify the voice of Washington’s 39 counties.----------Learn more at wsac.orgRegister on The HubFollow us:LinkedInFacebookInstagramBSKY
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The County Connection | Session Superlatives: Big Wins, Near Misses & the Policy Team Unplugged – Episode 221
Mar 1300:55:18Tap to summarizeIn this lively end‑of‑session wrap‑up, Paul Jewell brings in Travis and Curtis for a candid, funny, and surprisingly deep look at what passed, what flopped, and what counties should take away from the 2026 legislative session. From major victories like the clean energy property tax overhaul to protecting permanent supportive housing funds, the team breaks down their biggest wins, along with the bills that fizzled out or left them scratching their heads. They also dish on behind‑the‑scenes surprises, bloopers, parking‑policy déjà vu, and how the policy team found its rhythm this year. A fast and witty close‑out to a session that was anything but predictable.Recorded: March 11, 2026----------County Connection is the official podcast of the Washington State Association of Counties—where we dive into the legislative issues shaping the future of our communities. From budgets to public safety, infrastructure to elections, we’ll break down what’s happening in Olympia and how it impacts counties across the Evergreen State. Stay informed, stay engaged, and join us as we amplify the voice of Washington’s 39 counties.----------Learn more at wsac.orgRegister on The HubFollow us:LinkedInFacebookInstagramBSKY
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The County Connection | Sine Die Eve: Public Health Wins, Near‑Misses & Last‑Minute Saves – Episode 220
Mar 1200:42:44Tap to summarizeOn the eve of sine die, Paul Jewell and Jamie Bodden break down a whirlwind session packed with major public health wins, surprise amendments, and one dramatic eleventh‑hour rescue of a $21 million FPHS shortfall. From key bills on preventative care and wastewater inspection reforms to navigating the twists of HB 2442, they highlight what passed, what died, and what counties should watch as budgets drop. Jamie also dishes on “kill bills,” rural health workforce challenges, and why this short session felt unusually intense. A sharp, fast‑moving wrap‑up of the victories, setbacks, and battles still on the horizon.Recorded: March 11, 2026----------County Connection is the official podcast of the Washington State Association of Counties—where we dive into the legislative issues shaping the future of our communities. From budgets to public safety, infrastructure to elections, we’ll break down what’s happening in Olympia and how it impacts counties across the Evergreen State. Stay informed, stay engaged, and join us as we amplify the voice of Washington’s 39 counties.----------Learn more at wsac.orgRegister on The HubFollow us:LinkedInFacebookInstagramBSKY
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The County Connection | The 'Ol Policy Switcheroo – Episode 219
Mar 1000:43:12Tap to summarizeIn this breaking‑news episode, Paul Jewell and Brad Banks dig into the chaotic final days of the 2026 legislative session as the controversial “millionaire’s tax” bill, SB 6346, changes, yet again. This time, stripping all local government funding with just days left. They unpack how public defense hopes rose and collapsed, how surprise tax exemptions will blow massive holes in county budgets, and why 79 amendments now threaten to grind the Legislature to a halt. With behind‑the‑scenes insight, sharp analysis, and a fair bit of frustration, they capture a moment in Olympia that has counties on edge. The episode is equal parts policy autopsy and real‑time political thriller.Recorded: March 9, 2026----------County Connection is the official podcast of the Washington State Association of Counties—where we dive into the legislative issues shaping the future of our communities. From budgets to public safety, infrastructure to elections, we’ll break down what’s happening in Olympia and how it impacts counties across the Evergreen State. Stay informed, stay engaged, and join us as we amplify the voice of Washington’s 39 counties.----------Learn more at wsac.orgRegister on The HubFollow us:LinkedInFacebookInstagramBSKY
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The County Connection | Budget Gymnastics & Billion‑Dollar Backfills: Inside the 2026 Supplemental Showdown – Episode 218
Feb 2701:10:58Tap to summarizePaul Jewell and budget‑whisperer Brian Enslow return for a deep, candid, and entertaining breakdown of the House and Senate supplemental operating budgets. From billion‑dollar transfers to the great Public Works Account squeeze, they unravel the creative fiscal maneuvers shaping Washington’s $80 billion spending plan. They also dive into the high‑stakes LEOFF 1 pension fix, Climate Commitment Act, and cuts hitting childcare, behavioral health, and higher education. If you want to understand what’s really happening behind the numbers in Olympia, this episode is your master class.Recorded: February 25, 2026----------County Connection is the official podcast of the Washington State Association of Counties—where we dive into the legislative issues shaping the future of our communities. From budgets to public safety, infrastructure to elections, we’ll break down what’s happening in Olympia and how it impacts counties across the Evergreen State. Stay informed, stay engaged, and join us as we amplify the voice of Washington’s 39 counties.----------Learn more at wsac.orgRegister on The HubFollow us:LinkedInFacebookInstagramBSKY
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The County Connection | Cutoff Chaos & Big Politics – Episode 217
Feb 2600:31:11Tap to summarizeThis week, Paul Jewell and Brad Banks take listeners inside the high‑drama finish to HB 2389, a sweeping juvenile justice overhaul that collapsed spectacularly at cutoff. They break down why the bill faltered, lack of stakeholder work, last‑minute vote scrambling, and more than 60 amendments dropped in the final hours. The episode also dives into WSAC’s push for jail medical liability reform and the growing need for coordinated state‑county solutions. A sharp, candid look at how policy is really made (or unmade) in Olympia.Recorded: February 21, 2026----------County Connection is the official podcast of the Washington State Association of Counties—where we dive into the legislative issues shaping the future of our communities. From budgets to public safety, infrastructure to elections, we’ll break down what’s happening in Olympia and how it impacts counties across the Evergreen State. Stay informed, stay engaged, and join us as we amplify the voice of Washington’s 39 counties.----------Learn more at wsac.orgRegister on The HubFollow us:LinkedInFacebookInstagramBSKY
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The County Connection | Building Broadband from the Wheat Fields – Episode 216
Feb 2500:53:38Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Paul Jewell sits down with Lincoln County Commissioner Scott Hutsell for a deep dive into one of Washington’s most ambitious rural broadband buildouts. Commissioner Hutzel shares how a decade of groundwork, smart partnerships, and six successful grants turned a sparsely populated county into a model for fiber‑to‑the‑home connectivity. From the early planning days to securing nearly $30 million in funding, he walks through the strategy, grit, and local relationships that made it possible. A must‑listen for any county leader looking to bring high‑speed internet to rural communities.Recorded: February 20, 2026----------County Connection is the official podcast of the Washington State Association of Counties—where we dive into the legislative issues shaping the future of our communities. From budgets to public safety, infrastructure to elections, we’ll break down what’s happening in Olympia and how it impacts counties across the Evergreen State. Stay informed, stay engaged, and join us as we amplify the voice of Washington’s 39 counties.----------Learn more at wsac.orgRegister on The HubFollow us:LinkedInFacebookInstagramBSKY
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The County Connection | Cutoff Carnage: The Curse of the Zombie Bills – Episode 215
Feb 2500:39:32Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Paul Jewell and Kelsey Hulse break down the wild aftermath of the House of Origin cutoff - and the surprise resurrection of “zombie bills” that come back to life when least expected. They dive into the sudden revival of SB 5360, exploring its complex implications for counties and why it matters when old bills lurch back to life. From mobile‑dwelling legislation to creative end‑of‑session maneuvers, they reveal how unpredictable the short session can be. A sharp, funny, insider look at Olympia’s most chaotic time of year.Recorded: February 20, 2026----------County Connection is the official podcast of the Washington State Association of Counties—where we dive into the legislative issues shaping the future of our communities. From budgets to public safety, infrastructure to elections, we’ll break down what’s happening in Olympia and how it impacts counties across the Evergreen State. Stay informed, stay engaged, and join us as we amplify the voice of Washington’s 39 counties.----------Learn more at wsac.orgRegister on The HubFollow us:LinkedInFacebookInstagramBSKY
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The County Connection | The Clean Energy Tax Fix and the Fight for Fairness – Episode 214
Feb 1701:01:38Tap to summarizeIn this special episode, the tables are turned, and the mics are flipped as Policy Coordinator Travis Dutton interviews Government Relations Director Paul Jewell about one of the most complex and consequential bills of the session: House Bill 1960. They unpack how clean‑energy projects like wind and solar farms unintentionally trigger massive property‑tax shifts in rural communities—and the multi‑year, multi‑state effort to craft a fair, stable fix. From nameplate‑capacity taxes to hard‑won compromises, they chart the four‑year road that led to HB 1960’s moment in the Legislature. A deep dive into policy, politics, and the future of Washington’s clean‑energy landscape.Recorded: February 13, 2026----------County Connection is the official podcast of the Washington State Association of Counties—where we dive into the legislative issues shaping the future of our communities. From budgets to public safety, infrastructure to elections, we’ll break down what’s happening in Olympia and how it impacts counties across the Evergreen State. Stay informed, stay engaged, and join us as we amplify the voice of Washington’s 39 counties.----------Learn more at wsac.orgRegister on The HubFollow us:LinkedInFacebookInstagramBSKY
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