When you think of the wild west, you might imagine a sheriff, keeping watch over a small, dusty town he calls home. And a posse of locals: ready to be called up to fight off cattle rustlers or moonshine smugglers who threaten to cause trouble.

It’s hard to imagine something like that now, in 2024 Washington State.

But, in Klickitat County, down south on the Columbia River, a sheriff's posse has been making the news for its growing size and the number of responsibilities it’s taking on within the community.

Advocates say the posse is filling shortfalls within the Sheriff’s budget. 

Critics say it’s empowering citizens to take the law into their own hands – and allowing the sheriff to choose which laws he’ll enforce and which ones he’ll ignore.

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

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

Guest:
Paul Kiefer, a freelance reporter who covered this story for Investigate West

Related Links:
In a rural stretch of Washington, a ‘constitutional sheriff’ and his growing volunteer posse provoke controversy - Investigate West

When you think of the wild west, you might imagine a sheriff, keeping watch over a small, dusty town he calls home. And a posse of locals: ready to be called up to fight off cattle rustlers or moonshine smugglers who threaten to cause trouble.
It’s hard to imagine something like that now, in 2024 Washington State.
But, in Klickitat County, down south on the Columbia River, a sheriff's posse has been making the news for its growing size and the number of responsibilities it’s taking on within the community.
Advocates say the posse is filling shortfalls within the Sheriff’s budget. 
Critics say it’s empowering citizens to take the law into their own hands – and allowing the sheriff to choose which laws he’ll enforce and which ones he’ll ignore.
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/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 
Guest:
<ul>
<li>Paul Kiefer, a freelance reporter who covered this story for Investigate West</li>
</ul>
Related Links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.invw.org/2024/10/10/in-a-rural-stretch-of-washington-a-constitutional-sheriff-and-his-growing-volunteer-posse-provoke-controversy/">In a rural stretch of Washington, a ‘constitutional sheriff’ and his growing volunteer posse provoke controversy - Investigate West</a></li>
</ul>

Soundside

Why one Constitutional Sheriff has created a growing volunteer posse

This election season we’re bringing you conversations on all of the statewide initiatives on this November’s ballot. 

This week, we’re taking a deep dive into I-2124, it’s the initiative that would give WA voters the option to OPT-OUT of the WA Cares long term services insurance program.

Yesterday, we talked to Elizabeth New from the WA Policy Center, who urged listeners to vote YES on I-2124.

TODAY, we’re talking to the NO side.

Gov. Inslee signed the bill that created WA Cares back in 2019. It’s a kind of “social insurance plan,” which would extend a one-time benefit of $36,500 to people who pay into the program, to help them cover the cost of long-term care.

Right now, most Washington workers pay about 58 cents into the program for every 100 dollars earned. If you make $50,000 a year, that’s about 24 dollars a month. 

There was a delay in getting the payroll deduction started because of COVID, then an opt-out period, so payroll deductions for the plan didn’t actually kick in until July of last year. 

The first claims for WA Cares benefits can be filed starting July 1st, 2026. 

A “NO” vote on I-2124 would maintain the WA Cares program as is, without an opt-out. It also preserves the legislature’s ability to revise and improve the program.



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

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.



GUEST: Cathy MacCaul is a member of Washington State’s Long-Term Services & Supports Trust Commission that helps oversee WA Cares, along with being the policy & advocacy director for AARP Washington.

RELATED LINKS:
Washington Initiative 2124, Opt-Out of Long-Term Services Insurance Program Initiative (2024) - Ballotpedia
No On I-2124
Vote ‘no’ on I-2124 and keep WA Cares participation mandatory | The Seattle Times
Editorial: Opt-out of WA Cares would cost most more later | HeraldNet.com

This election season we’re bringing you conversations on all of the statewide initiatives on this November’s ballot. 
This week, we’re taking a deep dive into I-2124, it’s the initiative that would give WA voters the option to OPT-OUT of the WA Cares long term services insurance program.
Yesterday, we talked to Elizabeth New from the WA Policy Center, who urged listeners to vote YES on I-2124.
TODAY, we’re talking to the NO side.
Gov. Inslee signed the bill that created WA Cares back in 2019. It’s a kind of “social insurance plan,” which would extend a one-time benefit of $36,500 to people who pay into the program, to help them cover the cost of long-term care.
Right now, most Washington workers pay about 58 cents into the program for every 100 dollars earned. If you make $50,000 a year, that’s about 24 dollars a month. 
There was a delay in getting the payroll deduction started because of COVID, then an opt-out period, so payroll deductions for the plan didn’t actually kick in until July of last year. 
The first claims for WA Cares benefits can be filed starting July 1st, 2026. 
A “NO” vote on I-2124 would maintain the WA Cares program as is, without an opt-out. It also preserves the legislature’s ability to revise and improve the program.
 
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/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.
 
GUEST: Cathy MacCaul is a member of <a href="https://wacaresfund.wa.gov/about/commission">Washington State’s Long-Term Services &amp; Supports Trust Commission</a> that helps oversee WA Cares, along with being the policy &amp; advocacy director for AARP Washington.
RELATED LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://ballotpedia.org/Washington_Initiative_2124,_Opt-Out_of_Long-Term_Services_Insurance_Program_Initiative_(2024)">Washington Initiative 2124, Opt-Out of Long-Term Services Insurance Program Initiative (2024) - Ballotpedia</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.noon2124.org/">No On I-2124</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/vote-no-on-i-2124-and-keep-wa-cares-participation-mandatory/">Vote ‘no’ on I-2124 and keep WA Cares participation mandatory | The Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/editorial-opt-out-of-wa-cares-would-cost-most-more-later/">Editorial: Opt-out of WA Cares would cost most more later | HeraldNet.com</a></li>
</ul>

Should WA Cares be Optional? The case for NO on I-2124

This election season we’re bringing you conversations on all of the statewide initiatives on the November ballot. 

Most recently, we looked at both sides of the Capital Gains Tax Repeal. 

This week, we’re taking a deep dive into I-2124: it’s the initiative that would give Washington voters the option to OPT-OUT of the WA Cares long term services insurance program.

Gov. Inslee signed the bill that created WA Cares into law back in 2019. It’s a kind of “social insurance plan,” which would extend a one-time benefit of $36,500 to people who pay into the program, to help them cover the cost of long-term care.

Right now, most Washington workers pay about 58 cents into the program for every 100 dollars earned. If you make $50,000 dollars a year, that’s about 24 dollars a month. 

There was a delay in getting the payroll deduction started because of COVID, then an opt-out period, so payroll deductions for the plan didn’t actually kick in until July of last year. 

The first claims for WA Cares benefits can be filed starting July 1st, 2026. 

A vote of "Yes" on Initiative 2124 would make the program optional, instead of a payroll tax applying to most workers with a W-2. 

We’ll hear both sides of I-2124 this week: TODAY, we’re talking to the YES side. 



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

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.



GUEST:Elizabeth New - Policy Analyst and the Director of the Centers for Worker Rights and Health Care at the Washington Policy Center

RELATED LINKS: 
Washington Initiative 2124, Opt-Out of Long-Term Services Insurance Program Initiative (2024) - Ballotpedia
Vote ‘yes’ on I-2124 and make WA Cares participation optional | The Seattle Times
The Seattle Times editorial board recommends: Vote ‘yes’ on Initiative 2124 and give residents more choice on WA Cares

This election season we’re bringing you conversations on all of the statewide initiatives on the November ballot. 
Most recently, we looked at both sides of the Capital Gains Tax Repeal. 
This week, we’re taking a deep dive into I-2124: it’s the initiative that would give Washington voters the option to OPT-OUT of the WA Cares long term services insurance program.
Gov. Inslee signed the bill that created WA Cares into law back in 2019. It’s a kind of “social insurance plan,” which would extend a one-time benefit of $36,500 to people who pay into the program, to help them cover the cost of long-term care.
Right now, most Washington workers pay about 58 cents into the program for every 100 dollars earned. If you make $50,000 dollars a year, that’s about 24 dollars a month. 
There was a delay in getting the payroll deduction started because of COVID, then an opt-out period, so payroll deductions for the plan didn’t actually kick in until July of last year.  The first claims for WA Cares benefits can be filed starting July 1st, 2026. 
A vote of "Yes" on Initiative 2124 would make the program optional, instead of a payroll tax applying to most workers with a W-2. 
We’ll hear both sides of I-2124 this week: TODAY, we’re talking to the YES side. 
 
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/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.
 
GUEST: <a href="https://www.washingtonpolicy.org/authors/detail/elizabeth-new-hovde">Elizabeth New</a> - Policy Analyst and the Director of the Centers for Worker Rights and Health Care at the Washington Policy Center
RELATED LINKS: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://ballotpedia.org/Washington_Initiative_2124,_Opt-Out_of_Long-Term_Services_Insurance_Program_Initiative_(2024)">Washington Initiative 2124, Opt-Out of Long-Term Services Insurance Program Initiative (2024) - Ballotpedia</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/vote-yes-on-i-2124-and-make-wa-cares-participation-optional/">Vote ‘yes’ on I-2124 and make WA Cares participation optional | The Seattle Times</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/the-seattle-times-editorial-board-recommends-vote-yes-on-initiative-2124-and-give-residents-more-choice-on-wa-cares/">The Seattle Times editorial board recommends: Vote ‘yes’ on Initiative 2124 and give residents more choice on WA Cares</a> </li>
</ul>

Should WA Cares be Optional? The case for YES on I-2124

The world premiere of Jubilee debuted at Seattle Opera with its inaugural performance over the weekend.

Jubilee is a new opera honoring the Fisk Jubilee singers, a group of groundbreaking Black American singers from Fisk University, in Tennessee.

Soundside's Diana Opong sat down with creator and director Tazewell Thompson, who reflected on how the seeds of the opera Jubilee were sown in his early years living in New York. It was during his formative years that he was introduced to the rich tapestry of spirituals through old recordings, a discovery that ignited a profound sense of connection in his life. 

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

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

Guests:
Tazewell Thompson, creator and director of the new opera, Jubilee
Marlette Buchanan, Seattle vocalist and former Fisk Jubilee singer
Dr. Agenia Clark, president of Fisk University

Related Links:
Seattle Opera - Jubilee

The world premiere of Jubilee debuted at Seattle Opera with its inaugural performance over the weekend.
Jubilee is a new opera honoring the Fisk Jubilee singers, a group of groundbreaking Black American singers from Fisk University, in Tennessee.
Soundside's Diana Opong sat down with creator and director Tazewell Thompson, who reflected on how the seeds of the opera Jubilee were sown in his early years living in New York. It was during his formative years that he was introduced to the rich tapestry of spirituals through old recordings, a discovery that ignited a profound sense of connection in his life. 
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/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Tazewell Thompson, creator and director of the new opera, Jubilee</li>
<li>Marlette Buchanan, Seattle vocalist and former Fisk Jubilee singer</li>
<li>Dr. Agenia Clark, president of Fisk University</li>
</ul>
Related Links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.seattleopera.org/jubilee">Seattle Opera - Jubilee</a></li>
</ul>

Why one Constitutional Sheriff has created a growing volunteer posse

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