The discourse has gotten really heated about progressive politics versus business growth. But is this overblown? We talk to a former tax-the-rich Democrat who now reps Seattle's business community: Joe Nguyen.

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/soundpolitics/.

Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer is Hans Anderson. Our hosts are Catharine Smith and Scott Greenstone.

The discourse has gotten really heated about progressive politics versus business growth. But is this overblown? We talk to a former tax-the-rich Democrat who now reps Seattle's business community: Joe Nguyen. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/soundpolitics/">https://www.kuow.org/donate/soundpolitics/</a>. Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer is Hans Anderson. Our hosts are Catharine Smith and Scott Greenstone.

A podcast about the candidates, policies, and perspectives shaping the Pacific Northwest. There’s a lot to wade through when it comes to Washington State politics. The drama, the facts, the money, and the movers and shakers. In Sound Politics KUOW host Libby Denkmann and politics reporter Scott Greenstone go beyond the ballot to guide you through what’s happening in local politics, why it matters, and how you can use your vote to make a difference.  

A podcast about the candidates, policies, and perspectives shaping the Pacific Northwest. There&rsquo;s a lot to wade through when it comes to Washington State politics. The drama, the facts, the money, and the movers and shakers. In Sound Politics KUOW host Libby Denkmann and politics reporter Scott Greenstone go beyond the ballot to guide you through what&rsquo;s happening in local politics, why it matters, and how you can use your vote to make a difference. &nbsp;

A podcast about the candidates, policies, and perspectives shaping the Pacific Northwest. Produced by KUOW in Seattle.

Sound Politics

Is Seattle killing big biz?

This week on Sound Politics, can socialists budget… better? Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is saying yes -- and that she solved the city’s budget deficit.

But her proposal to add cops, cut elsewhere, and not raise taxes on businesses or the wealthy, has some saying she’s budgeting the same as her predecessors.

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics

Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer is Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Catharine Smith and Scott Greenstone.

This week on Sound Politics, can socialists budget&hellip; better? Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is saying yes -- and that she solved the city&rsquo;s budget deficit. But her proposal to add cops, cut elsewhere, and not raise taxes on businesses or the wealthy, has some saying she&rsquo;s budgeting the same as her predecessors.
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics">https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics</a>
Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/catharine-smith/">Catharine Smith</a>. Our producer is <a href="https://www.kuow.org/people/alec-cowan">Alec Cowan</a>. Our hosts are Catharine Smith and <a href="https://www.kuow.org/people/scott-greenstone">Scott Greenstone</a>.

The mayor's proposal to add cops, cut elsewhere, and not add taxes, has some saying she’s budgeting the same as her predecessors.

Can socialists budget better?

It's our fall fund drive; we hope you'll take a second to donate to show how much you love Sound Politics.

This week, we answered your questions -- in front of you! -- at our first live taping of Sound Politics, hosted in partnership with Seattle CityClub.

Initiatives, state Supreme Court races, AI -- you brought some really great questions. We quizzed you about Washington state political history. And we got a little spicy talking about the Stranger and its sway over Seattle voters.

Also: a quick update on that natural gas initiative (it's dead) from two years ago and the Bite of Seattle press conference delay story that won't go away.

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics

Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer is Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Catharine Smith and Scott Greenstone.

It's our fall fund drive; we hope you'll take a second to <a href="https://donate.kuow.org/Donate/soundpolitics">donate to show how much you love Sound Politics</a>. This week, we answered your questions -- in front of you! -- at our first live taping of Sound Politics, hosted in partnership with Seattle CityClub. Initiatives, state Supreme Court races, AI -- you brought some really great questions. We quizzed you about Washington state political history. And we got a little spicy talking about the Stranger and its sway over Seattle voters. Also: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/law/2026-09-17/natural-gas-initiative-ruled-unconstitutional-by-washington-state-supreme-court">a quick update on that natural gas initiative</a> (it's dead) from two years ago and <a href="https://www.kuow.org/crime/2026-09-16/seattle-police-texts-show-confusion-about-command-process-following-bite-of-seattle-shooting">the Bite of Seattle press conference delay story that won't go away</a>.
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics">https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics</a>
Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer is Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Catharine Smith and Scott Greenstone.

This week, we answered your questions -- in front of you! -- at our first live taping of Sound Politics, hosted in partnership with Seattle CityClub.

Sound Politics LIVE

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has staked a lot of her political project on the fact that Seattle is majority renters: she’s trying to make life more affordable for them. 

She’s promised to build a lot of housing over her term, and to set Seattle up for a better-housed future. We’re going to check in on that… and to do that, we’re going to the one-bedroom apartment she still rents.

Join Sound Politics on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30pm at The Collective Seattle for "Voters Guide Live." This event is a collaboration between KUOW and Seattle City Club featuring KUOW's Cat Smith, Scott Greenstone, and Sarah Mizes-Tan. We'll talk about all the issues and races that will dominate your ballot this fall and answer your questions.

Find tickets and more information here.

Ask questions we could answer at that event by filling out this survey. 

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics

Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jason Pagano. Our producer is Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Paige Browning and Scott Greenstone.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has staked a lot of her political project on the fact that Seattle is majority renters: she&rsquo;s trying to make life more affordable for them.&nbsp; She&rsquo;s promised to build a lot of housing over her term, and to set Seattle up for a better-housed future.&nbsp;We&rsquo;re going to check in on that&hellip; and to do that, we&rsquo;re going to the one-bedroom apartment she still rents.
<hr>
Join Sound Politics on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30pm at The Collective Seattle for "Voters Guide Live." This event is a collaboration between KUOW and Seattle City Club featuring KUOW's Cat Smith, Scott Greenstone, and Sarah Mizes-Tan. We'll talk about all the issues and races that will dominate your ballot this fall and answer your questions. Find tickets and more information <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/voters-guide-live-with-seattle-cityclub-kuow-tickets-1997055496750?msockid=112017218d7a6b221a0f001b8c5c6a92">here</a>. Ask questions we could answer at that event by filling out <a href="https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=uMFXPa70OUatsTMSrjvIJ8dxXCZ64uVPr3a6Hq33899UNTBVVlBZVDlNUjc4U0pVWTlMRjVRVExQQS4u">this survey. </a> Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics">https://www.kuow.org/donate/politics</a>
Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Jason Pagano. Our producer is Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Paige Browning and Scott Greenstone.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has staked a lot of her political project on the fact that Seattle is majority renters: she’s trying to make life more affordable for them. 

Is Seattle killing big biz?

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