Capitol Ideas: The Washington State House Democratic Caucus Podcast
Welcome to Capitol Ideas. This is where members of the majority Democratic caucus in the Washington State House of Representatives sit down at the Capitol and talk about ideas. Ideas like strong schools, enduring values, equity, affordable and accessible healthcare, tax fairness, thriving small businesses, inclusion, a clean environment. You know: good ideas.
Episodes
You might not know who she is, but Rep. Shelley Kloba probably cares more about your online privacy than you do . . . because she knows how little you've got. One of her big bills this session is the People's Privacy Act, and you'll learn why it's important in this episode of Capitol Ideas.
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Rep. My-Linh Thai is many things: a pharmacist, a mother, a PTA leader, a former school board director, a state representative, and an American citizen who came to the U.S. as a refugee from her native Vietnam at age 15. We'll talk about how all those experiences helped shape her philosophy of compassionate legislating, and how that approach to lawmaking makes her an effective member of the Legislature.
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We're grateful to have Speaker Laurie Jinkins as today's guest on Capitol Ideas, to share her perspective on the just-ended 2025 session of the Washington state Legislature. Her sixth year leading the House of Representatives was by far the most difficult she's encountered, and today she walks us through what turned out to be a session marked by landmark victories and sometimes-painful realities. If you're interested in Washington ...
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Washington state lawmakers and staff were still celebrating the final gavel of the 2025 session when Rep. Chipalo Street sat down for his first appearance on Capitol Ideas. We covered everything from rent stabilization and safer streets to life as a professional soccer referee, and ended up with a half hour that goes by much too quickly.
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As vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Mia Gregerson has a lot on her mind in the final 72 hours of the legislative session. The fact that we got her to sit down and share the Capitol Ideas mics makes this a special episode, all by itself.
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April 21, 2025 • 28 mins
Sen. Bill Ramos, who was Rep. Bill Ramos for six years before his election to the Senate last fall, died suddenly Saturday evening. Bill's voice being silenced is a loss for his 5th district, and for the people of Washington. Today's Capitol Ideas is a repost of a conversation that originally ran in early 2024.
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This is the third legislative session for Rep. Julio Cortes, and his second visit to Capitol Ideas. Today he reflects on the difference between being a brand-new legislator and a veteran, talks about his journey from one capitol -- Mexico City -- to another, and explains his bills, his committee leadership and the work of the Latino Democratic Caucus...and does it all in 20 minutes!
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Rep. Chris Stearns moved to Washington state many years ago because it was the most beautiful place he'd ever seen. Now he's Speaker Pro Tem of the state House of Representatives, and as of today he's a two-time visitor to Capitol Ideas. There are interesting things to learn if you'll hit the play button on this episode.
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Rep. Strom Peterson agreed to chair a brand-new committee three years ago, a panel dedicated to chipping away at Washington's housing crisis. Today we'll talk about progress made by the House Housing Committee under his leadership, and plenty more.
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Rep. Adam Bernbaum has been to a lot of places and done a lot of things, but Port Angeles is home and the Legislature is his new job. Hit the play button now to get to know a chamnpion of rural issues, a housing advocate, and a guardian of the taxpayer's purse, all in one.
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When Janice Zahn immigrated to the U.S. with her family as a child, she probably wasn't planning to find herself sitting at a desk on the floor of the Washington state House of Representatives. But here she is, and that's fortunate for all of us. Today's episode is a little longer than your typical Capitol Ideas, but it's justified. This is a good one.
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Rep. Edwin Obras was appointed to a vacant seat in the state House of Representatives in December 2024, and for a lawmaker just getting his feet wet, he's made a splash. After a 30-year career in human services, he knows his way around the Capitol and already has bills poised to become law. You'll meet him today as we continue our conversations with the newest members of the House Democratic Caucus.
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ORIGINAL EPISODE DESCRIPTION: Speaker emeritus Frank Chopp, who voluntarily switched his role to Rep. Frank Chopp at the end of the 2019 session, is the special guest on this episode of Capitol Ideas. The good things he's done for the Evergreen State are too numerous to list here, but if you listen to today's conversation, you'll notice a promise to include some items in the show notes. Here, in no particular order, are some of the...
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Rep. Natasha Hill has an interesting story. Attorney. Commumnity activist. Civil rights fighter. Mom. She fought her way upstream to get here and is already making a difference. Get to know her in today's Capitol Ideas.
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Capitol Ideas returns today after a brief hiatus while lawmakers burned the midnight oil in more than a week of marathon floor sessions. Today's idea-generator is Rep. Lisa Parshley of Olympia, interviewed on her 60th day as a state representative.
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Few things in life are certain, but it's a sure bet you've never heard a Capitol Ideas like this one. A dozen Democratic lawmakers, from veterans to brand-new members, making observations about life, one of the busiest weeks of the session, and the enduring Democratic values that most Washingtonians share.
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Today Capitol Ideas welcomes yet another member of the 2025 Class of House Democrats. Rep. Shaun Scott was sent here by his neighbors in the 43rd district, the heart of Seattle. He's a creator, a polymath, and a leader, and we've got him now.
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This is the eighth Capitol Ideas of 2025, and the fourth to feature a lawmaker in their first session as a member of the Legislature, and the House Democratic Caucus. Hooray for new faces and new energy. Today's guest is Rep. Victoria Hunt of Issaquah in the 5th district. She's an environmental scientist, an educator, a former Issaquah councilmember, and vice chair of the House Energy and Environment Committee.
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Washington's crying need for rent stability and affordable housing is more crucial than it's ever been, and Rep. Nicole Macri is once again a point person in the effort. We'll talk about these issues and more in today's Capitol Ideas.
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It's been a couple of years since Rep. Davina Duerr stopped by the Capitol Ideas HQ for a conversation, and in legislative years that can be an eternity. We'll find out what we've missed in today's show.
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