Hey Sound Politics listeners. We're here in your feed because we want to know: what questions do you all have in this kind of bonkers political moment?

Curious about what happens when lawmakers ignore court rulings? Why are the governor and the legislature getting a raise right now? Other burning politics questions you've been dying to have answered?

Let us know: email soundpolitics@kuow.org, or leave us a voicemail at 206-221-0511.

Hey Sound Politics listeners. We're here in your feed because we want to know: what questions do you all have in this kind of bonkers political moment?
Curious about what happens when lawmakers ignore court rulings? Why are the governor and the legislature getting a raise right now? Other burning politics questions you've been dying to have answered?
Let us know: email <a href="mailto:soundpolitics@kuow.org">soundpolitics@kuow.org</a>, or leave us a voicemail at <a href="tel:2062210511" data-stringify-link="tel:2062210511" data-sk="tooltip_parent">206-221-0511</a>.

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

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.  

New episodes every week.  

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 Sarah Leibovitz. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.

A podcast about the candidates, policies, and perspectives shaping the Pacific Northwest. Produced by <a href="http://www.kuow.org">KUOW</a> in Seattle.  
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.  
New episodes every week.  
<hr>
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/soundpoliticsnotes">kuow.org/donate/soundpoliticsnotes</a>. 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 Sarah Leibovitz. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.

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

Sound Politics

Hey Sound Politics listeners. We're here in your feed because we want to know: what questions do you all have in this kind of bonkers political moment?

Now's your time to yell (questions) at us

Scott got overwhelmed this week trying to keep track of everything happening in our political sphere. And where does he turn to when he feels overwhelmed? Email newsletters. The world condensed into less than 2,000 words.

So this week, he's joined by two newsletter writer-reporters, Axios Seattle reporter Melissa Santos and Washington Observer publisher Paul Queary to discuss their favorite stories you might've missed.

Plus, we tackle one big story with a Washington connection you may not know about: it wasn’t just an Atlantic editor that got Pete Hegseth’s text messages – it was also a former Washington state Republican candidate.

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

Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Gabriel Spitzer. Our producer this week is Sarah Leibovitz. Our hosts are Scott Greenstone and Libby Denkmann.

And we want to hear from you! Send us your politics questions by emailing soundpolitics@kuow.org or give us a call at 206-221-0511.

Scott got overwhelmed this week trying to keep track of everything happening in our political sphere.&nbsp;And where does he turn to when he feels overwhelmed? Email newsletters. The world condensed into less than 2,000 words.
So this week, he's joined by two newsletter writer-reporters,&nbsp;Axios Seattle reporter Melissa Santos and Washington Observer publisher Paul Queary to discuss their favorite stories you might've missed.
Plus, we tackle one big story with a Washington connection you may not know about: it wasn&rsquo;t just an Atlantic editor that got Pete Hegseth&rsquo;s text messages &ndash; it was also a former Washington state&nbsp;Republican&nbsp;candidate.
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/politics" data-stringify-link="http://kuow.org/politics" data-sk="tooltip_parent">kuow.org/politics</a>.
Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Gabriel Spitzer. Our producer this week is Sarah Leibovitz. Our hosts are Scott Greenstone and Libby Denkmann.
And we want to hear from you! Send us your politics questions by emailing <a href="mailto:soundpolitics@kuow.org">soundpolitics@kuow.org</a> or give us a call at <a href="tel:2062210511" data-stringify-link="tel:2062210511" data-sk="tooltip_parent">206-221-0511</a>.

Reporters Melissa Santos and Paul Queary discuss their favorite stories you might've missed.Plus, we tackle one big story with a Washington connection you may not know about: the Signal group thread.

Sound Politics gets overwhelmed

For years, progressives have tried to fight the rising cost of living by instituting a kind of "rent control" – what proponents call "rent stabilization." Basically, a limit on how much the landlord can raise your rent.

It's a divisive issue, even in the Democratic party -- in fact for years, it was Democrats that kept killing attempts at rent limits. But this could be the year that rent stabilization actually comes to pass.

The same sponsor of a failed stabilization bill last year – then-Representative, now-Senator Emily Alvarado – is taking another shot at this.

Engrossed House Bill 1217 passed out of the House this week. That’s as far as earlier versions of this bill got last year -- and there’s buzz this year that the Senate could let this version of the bill safely parachute onto the Governor’s desk.

To hear more about the divide around this bill, Sound Politics hosts Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone were joined by State Senator Emily Alvarado, the prime sponsor of HB 1217, and Emily Thompson, a partner with GMD Development, which specializes in affordable housing.

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

Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Gabriel Spitzer. Our producer this week is Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Scott Greenstone and Libby Denkmann.

For years, progressives have tried to fight the rising cost of living by instituting a kind of "rent control" &ndash; what proponents call "rent stabilization." Basically, a limit on how much the landlord can raise your rent.
It's a divisive issue, even in the Democratic party -- in fact for years, it was Democrats that kept killing attempts at rent limits. But this could be the year that rent stabilization actually comes to pass.
The same sponsor of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/rent-control-bill-claws-its-way-back-in-olympia" data-stringify-link="https://www.kuow.org/stories/rent-control-bill-claws-its-way-back-in-olympia" data-sk="tooltip_parent">a failed stabilization bill last year</a>&nbsp;&ndash; then-Representative, now-Senator Emily Alvarado &ndash; is taking another shot at this.
<a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=1217&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false" data-stringify-link="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=1217&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Engrossed House Bill 1217 </a>passed out of the House<a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/rent-cap-proposal-clears-first-hurdle-in-wa-house/" data-stringify-link="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/rent-cap-proposal-clears-first-hurdle-in-wa-house/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">&nbsp;this week.</a>&nbsp;That&rsquo;s as far as earlier versions of this bill got last year -- and there&rsquo;s buzz this year that the Senate could let this version of the bill safely parachute onto the Governor&rsquo;s desk.
To hear more about the divide around this bill, Sound Politics hosts Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone were joined by State Senator Emily Alvarado, the prime sponsor of HB 1217, and Emily Thompson, a partner with GMD Development, which specializes in affordable housing.
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/politics" data-stringify-link="http://kuow.org/politics" data-sk="tooltip_parent">kuow.org/politics</a>.
Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Gabriel Spitzer. Our producer this week is Alec Cowan. Our hosts are Scott Greenstone and Libby Denkmann.

For years, progressives have tried to fight the rising cost of living by instituting a kind of "rent control" – what proponents call "rent stabilization." There’s buzz this year that a rent stabilization bill could safely parachute onto the Governor’s desk. 

Is this the year rent limits pass?

Republicans might have more influence this legislative session than they have in almost a decade.

A big reason why is Governor Bob Ferguson. The newly elected Democrat has been warmer toward the GOP point of view than the previous administration was, pushing to close the state’s budget deficit through cuts rather than raising more revenue from taxes.

That’s a welcome change for Rep. Travis Couture, the Republicans’ lead budget wrangler in the state House. He says Ferguson has been more aligned with, and welcoming of, Republican ideas than his predecessor was – but just how much actual power the Republican caucus will have over the final product remains to be seen.

Rep. Couture joined Sound Politics hosts Scott Greenstone and Libby Denkmann to talk taxes, Medicaid, mandates, and what it’s like to be in a “mixed marriage” (his wife is a Democrat). 

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/politics. Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Gabriel Spitzer. Our producer this week is Hans Anderson. Our hosts are Scott Greenstone and Libby Denkmann.

Republicans&nbsp;might&nbsp;have more influence this legislative session than they have in&nbsp;almost a decade.
A big reason why is Governor Bob Ferguson. The newly elected Democrat has been warmer toward the GOP point of view than the previous administration was, pushing to close the state&rsquo;s budget deficit through cuts rather than raising more revenue from taxes.
That&rsquo;s a welcome change for Rep. Travis Couture, the Republicans&rsquo; lead budget wrangler in the state House. He says Ferguson has been more aligned with, and welcoming of, Republican ideas than his predecessor was &ndash; but just how much actual power the Republican caucus will have over the final product remains to be seen.
Rep. Couture joined Sound Politics hosts Scott Greenstone and Libby Denkmann to talk taxes, Medicaid, mandates, and what it&rsquo;s like to be in a &ldquo;mixed marriage&rdquo; (his wife is a Democrat).&nbsp;
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/politics" data-stringify-link="http://kuow.org/politics" data-sk="tooltip_parent">kuow.org/politics</a>. Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Gabriel Spitzer. Our producer this week is Hans Anderson. Our hosts are Scott Greenstone and Libby Denkmann.

Republicans might have more influence this legislative session than they have in almost a decade.  A big reason why is Governor Bob Ferguson. The newly elected Democrat has been warmer toward the GOP point of view than the previous administration was, pushing to close the state’s budget deficit through cuts rather than raising more revenue from taxes.  That’s a welcome change for Rep. Travis Couture, the Republicans’ lead budget wrangler in the state House. He says Ferguson has been more aligned with, and welcoming of, Republican ideas than his predecessor was – but just how much actual power the Republican caucus will have over the final product remains to be seen.

Now's your time to yell (questions) at us

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