Bill Radke discusses the week’s news with political analyst Joni Balter, Puget Sound Business Journal’s Alex Halverson and KUOW’s David Hyde.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell recently expressed interest in reviving the idea of a new streetcar line in Seattle that would connect the two existing lines. Previous plans to make this possible failed due to operational costs, production defects and leadership changes. Harrell’s latest presentation envisions the new streetcar line with a more cultural element instead of being strictly for transit. Will it happen this time?
On Wednesday, U.S. Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez in Washington was one of two House Democrats to vote to repeal President Joe Biden’s student debt relief program. The move would not only cancel the program, but reverse months of paused payments and interest waivers. Perez said he wanted “the expansion of student debt forgiveness to be matched dollar for dollar with investments in career and technical training. The severe shortage of trades workers must be seen and treated as a national priority.” What does this mean for borrowers?
On Thursday, state senator Mark Mullett announced a run for governor of Washington state. Mullet joins Democratic Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz, as well as Republican Richland School Board member Semi Bird and Yakima physician Raul Garcia. As a Democrat, he broke with his party by opposing the capital gains tax. What impact does entering the field have?
It was reported this week that mosquito season in the Seattle/Tacoma area has lasted nearly a month longer per year compared to previous decades. Climate change is being cited as the culprit. Avoiding standing water is one way to keep mosquitoes away, as is turning on a box fan, as mosquitoes are terrible fliers. Have you noticed more mosquitoes?
