PODCAST · government
County Connection
by Washington State Association of Counties
County Connection is the official podcast of the Washington State Association of Counties—where we dive into the legislative issues shaping the future of our communities. From budgets to public safety, infrastructure to elections, we’ll break down what’s happening in Olympia and how it impacts counties across the Evergreen State. Stay informed, stay engaged, and join us as we amplify the voice of Washington’s 39 counties.
Episodes
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The County Connection | Keeping the Lights On: Washington’s Energy Future and the Transmission Challenge
What will it take to keep Washington powered over the next 20 years? In this episode, Paul Jewell sits down with Kurt Beckett, Chair of the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC), to explore the growing challenges facing the state’s electric grid, from aging transmission infrastructure…
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The County Connection | Powering the Northwest: Hydropower, Salmon, and Washington’s Energy Future
In this episode of County Connection, WSAC Executive Director Derek Young sits down with Clark Mather of Northwest River Partners to explore the critical role hydropower plays in Washington’s economy, energy grid, and transportation system. From affordable electricity and river navigation to fish...
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The County Connection | Democracy Is Worth It: A Conversation with Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck
In this special episode of County Connection, Paul Jewell sits down with Denny Heck, Washington’s Lieutenant Governor, for a wide-ranging conversation on public service, civic health, and the future of democracy. From founding TVW and promoting respectful political discourse to tackling...
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The County Connection | From Dragons to Ballots: A Conversation with Secretary of State Steve Hobbs
What do election security, international trade missions, public libraries, and Dungeons & Dragons have in common? They all fall under the watch of Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. In this wide-ranging conversation, Hobbs joins Paul Jewell to discuss election integrity, cybersecurity...
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The County Connection | Unlocking MRSC: A Powerful Tool for Local Government
What if one of the most powerful resources for local government was hiding in plain sight? In this episode, Paul sits down with MRSC Executive Director Melanie Harding to unpack how the Municipal Research and Services Center helps counties navigate everything from policy and legal guidance to...
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The County Connection | Inside the Public Works Board: How Washington Funds Local Infrastructure
What does it take to fund roads, water systems, and broadband across Washington? In this episode, we break down the Public Works Board; how it works, where the money comes from, and why it’s such a critical (and sometimes controversial) tool for local governments. From low-interest loans to...
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The County Connection | Breaking Down the 2026 Supplemental Budget
In the final episode of the 2026 legislative session, Paul Jewell and budget whisperer Brian Enslow unravel the mysteries of the newly released supplemental budgets. From the unexpected size of the operating plan to the creative (very creative) maneuvering behind the Public Works Assistance...
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The County Connection | Sine Die Shenanigans: Surprises, Setbacks & Standouts of the 2026 Session
In this episode, Paul Jewell sits down with Kelsey Hulse and Brad Banks to unpack the biggest plot twists, policy battles, and political curveballs of the final days of the 2026 session. From the last‑minute resurrection of the statewide transmission authority bill to intense public‑safety fights...
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The County Connection | Session Superlatives: Big Wins, Near Misses & the Policy Team Unplugged
In this lively end‑of‑session wrap‑up, Paul Jewell brings in Travis and Curtis for a candid, funny, and surprisingly deep look at what passed, what flopped, and what counties should take away from the 2026 legislative session. From major victories like the clean energy property tax overhaul to...
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The County Connection | Sine Die Eve: Public Health Wins, Near‑Misses & Last‑Minute Saves
On the eve of sine die, Paul Jewell and Jamie Bodden break down a whirlwind session packed with major public health wins, surprise amendments, and one dramatic eleventh‑hour rescue of a $21 million FPHS shortfall. From key bills on preventative care and wastewater inspection reforms to navigating...
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The County Connection | The 'Ol Policy Switcheroo
In this breaking‑news episode, Paul Jewell and Brad Banks dig into the chaotic final days of the 2026 legislative session as the controversial “millionaire’s tax” bill, SB 6346, changes, yet again. This time, stripping all local government funding with just days left. They unpack how public…
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The County Connection | Budget Gymnastics & Billion‑Dollar Backfills: Inside the 2026 Supplemental Showdown
Paul Jewell and budget‑whisperer Brian Enslow return for a deep, candid, and entertaining breakdown of the House and Senate supplemental operating budgets. From billion‑dollar transfers to the great Public Works Account squeeze, they unravel the creative fiscal maneuvers shaping Washington’s $80...
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The County Connection | Cutoff Chaos & Big Politics
This week, Paul Jewell and Brad Banks take listeners inside the high‑drama finish to HB 2389, a sweeping juvenile justice overhaul that collapsed spectacularly at cutoff. They break down why the bill faltered, lack of stakeholder work, last‑minute vote scrambling, and more than 60 amendments...
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The County Connection | Building Broadband from the Wheat Fields – Episode 216
In this episode, Paul Jewell sits down with Lincoln County Commissioner Scott Hutsell for a deep dive into one of Washington’s most ambitious rural broadband buildouts. Commissioner Hutzel shares how a decade of groundwork, smart partnerships, and six successful grants turned a sparsely populated...
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The County Connection | Cutoff Carnage: The Curse of the Zombie Bills – Episode 215
In this episode, Paul Jewell and Kelsey Hulse break down the wild aftermath of the House of Origin cutoff - and the surprise resurrection of “zombie bills” that come back to life when least expected. They dive into the sudden revival of SB 5360, exploring its complex implications for counties and...
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The County Connection | The Clean Energy Tax Fix and the Fight for Fairness – Episode 214
In this special episode, the tables are turned, and the mics are flipped as Policy Coordinator Travis Dutton interviews Government Relations Director Paul Jewell about one of the most complex and consequential bills of the session: House Bill 1960. They unpack how clean‑energy projects like wind...
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The County Connection | Mayhem and the Mid-Session Sprint – Episode 213
In this episode, Paul Jewell and Jamie Bodden break down the frenzy of mid‑session as fiscal cutoffs hit, floor action heats up, and dozens of bills race against the clock. They dive into key county‑impacting legislation, including the sprawling local government fiscal relief bill, public health...
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The County Connection | Breaking Down the Millionaire’s Tax and What it Means for Counties – Episode 212
In this breaking‑news episode, Paul Jewell and Brian Enslow unpack the surprise introduction of the 67‑page “Millionaire’s Tax” bill (House Bill 2724) and what its timing means amid policy cutoff chaos. They explore how the proposed income tax on earnings above $1 million would fund everything…
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The County Connection | Growing the Future: Untangling Agritourism in Washington – Episode 211
This week, Paul Jewell and Kelsey Hulse dig into the fast‑growing, and often confusing world of agritourism, from pumpkin patches and petting zoos to tasting rooms, weddings, and goat yoga. They unpack why lawmakers are split between expanding agritourism opportunities and tightening guardrails…
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The County Connection | Racing the Clock: Housing Bills, ADUs, and the Session Crunch – Episode 210
In this episode, Paul Jewell and policy consultant Brian Enslow break down the legislative whirlwind of week three as hundreds of bills race toward cutoff. They dive deep into WASAC’s flagship housing priorities, including the long‑fought push to authorize detached ADUs statewide and new momentum...
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The County Connection | Storms, Roads, and Big Fixes: Inside Washington’s Transportation Challenges – Episode 208
In this episode, Paul Jewell and Axel Swanson dig into the whirlwind start of week three, from storm impacts across the state to the massive responsibilities counties shoulder in maintaining 60% of Washington’s road system. They break down budget priorities, emerging funding fixes, and why...
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The County Connection | Crab Lore and Local Roads: Building Washington’s Next Big Infrastructure Program – Episode 209
In this episode, Paul Jewell welcomes back Jane Wall of the County Road Administration Board to explore the newly authorized Local Roads Program. They break down why local roads make up more than half of county-owned lane miles, why they’ve never had a state-funded program until now, and how...
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The County Connection | Urban Growth, Rural Reality: Navigating Washington’s Housing Debate – Episode 207
In this episode of County Connection, host Paul Jewell and policy consultant Kelsey Hulse unpack the legislative whirlwind shaping land use in Washington. From Urban Growth Areas to rural development, we explore the tension between housing supply, affordability, and preserving open space. Plus,...
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The County Connection | BREAKING: A Game-Changer for Liability Reform – Episode 206
In this episode of County Connection, Paul Jewell and Brad Banks unpack Senate Bill 6239, an unexpected proposal that could reshape liability claims for state and local governments. From skyrocketing jury awards to the push for arbitration, we explore why this bill matters, what it means for...
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The County Connection | The Future of Recycling in Washington – Episode 205
From paint cans to fast fashion, Washington’s counties are tackling big changes in solid waste management. In this episode, Paul Jewell and Travis Dutton break down new proposals to expand paint stewardship, introduce textile recycling, and even revive the bottle deposit debate. Learn how these...
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The County Connection | Navigating Public Safety and Human Services in 2026 – Episode 204
The 2026 legislative session is heating up with friction between state and federal priorities. From immigration enforcement and emergency management protocols to Medicaid impacts and behavioral health funding, counties are caught in the crossfire. Join Paul Jewell and Brad Banks as they unpack…
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The County Connection | The State of Public Defense – Episode 203
Washington counties are facing a full-blown public defense crisis. In this episode, Paul Jewell and Curtis Steinhauer break down why new caseload standards, skyrocketing costs, and limited state support are pushing local justice systems to the edge. From legislative fixes to a high-stakes…
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The County Connection | At the Intersection of Nature and Policy: Counties, Conservation, and Collaboration – Episode 202
As the legislative session accelerates, this episode of County Connection examines what comes next for counties navigating uncertainty at the Capitol. Paul Jewell and the Nature Conservancy's State Government Relations Director, Skippy Shaw, unpack emerging policy themes, budget pressures, and…
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The County Connection | The Sleighing of Public Health – Episode 201
As the 2026 legislative session kicks off, the County Connection podcast dives straight into the deep end—budget deficits, public health funding, and the tough choices facing lawmakers in Olympia. Host Paul Jewell is joined by Jamie Bodden of the Washington State Association of Public Health...
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The County Connection | Seeing the Forest Through the Trees – Episode 020
Washington State Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove joins County Connection to unpack the challenges and responsibilities of managing the state’s public lands during a time of fiscal constraint and climate change. From wildfire prevention and recreation access to trust lands and rural...
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The County Connection | Reflecting on Lessons Learned as a County Commissioner – Episode 019
This week, Paul Jewell, Government Relations Director at the Washington State Association of Counties, sits down to chat with Commissioner Lisa Janicki to reflect on her work as a county commissioner and member of the WSAC Executive Team & Board of Directors. Recorded: November 19, 2025…
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The County Connection | County Cybersecurity Horrors – Episode 018
No, this isn't a late Halloween episode, this is the reality counties are facing and what your county should be doing to ensure their data is secure! This week, Derek Young, Executive Director at the Washington State Association of Counties, sits down to chat with Crowe to discuss all things…
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The County Connection | Ensuring Your County's Cash is Vested – Episode 017
This week, Derek Young, Executive Director at the Washington State Association of Counties, sits down to chat with Michael Ablowich, Vice President of Client Servicing and Implementation for Three+One (Cashvest), about how they're helping counties around the country save (and earn) millions of...
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The County Connection | Working Across the Aisle – Episode 016
This week, Paul Jewell, Government Relations Director for the Washington State Association of Counties, sits down to chat with Snohomish Councilmembers Jared Mead and Nate Nehring to talk about how to work with the other side of the aisle – even when you don't politically see eye-to-eye.…
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The County Connection | Seeing the Counties Through the Forest – Episode 015
This week, Paul Jewell, Government Relations Director for the Washington State Association of Counties, sits down to chat with Jason Spadaro, Executive Director of the Washington Forest Protection Association to discuss forest management in Washington State. Recorded: July 2, 2025…
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The County Connection | Building Energy in Lewis County – Episode 014
This week, Paul Jewell, Government Relations Director for the Washington State Association of Counties, sits down with Lewis County Commissioner Sean Swope to discuss the state's looming energy crisis, what Lewis County is doing about it, and what they're doing to bring back the local economy....
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The County Connection | East Coast Meets West Coast – Episode 013
This week, Derek Young, Executive Director for the Washington State Association of Counties, sits down with Matthew Chase, CEO/Executive Director for the National Association of Counties (NACo), to discuss the work NACo does for Washington State at the federal level. Recorded: July 22, 2025...
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The County Connection | In Defense of Public Defense – Episode 012
This week, Paul Jewell, Government Relations Director for the Washington State Association of Counties, sits down (virtually) to chat with Derek Young, Executive Director of the Washington State Association of Counties, to discuss the crisis our state faces in funding our constitutional right to…
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The County Connection | The Next Generation of Local Gov. Leaders! – Episode 011
This week, Paul Jewell, Government Relations Director for the Washington State Association of Counties, sits down to chat about the next generation of leadership with Gavin Cruz, a Senior from Olympia High School's DECA program! Recorded: June 3, 2025 ---------- County Connection is the official...
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The County Connection | The Jaime and Kelsey Show! – Episode 010.4
This week, Jaime Bodden, Managing Director at the Washington Association of Local Public Health Officials, and Kelsey Hulse, Contract Lobbyist at the Washington State Association of Counties, flip the script and ask Paul Jewell, Government Relations Director for the Washington State Association…
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The County Connection | Brad's Budgetary Umbrage – Episode 010.3
Join us as we chat with Brad Banks, Contract Lobbyist at the Washington State Association of Counties, as he shares how the legislative session went and what the budget looks like for counties in public safety and defense. Recorded: May 1, 2025 ---------- County Connection is the official podcast...
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The County Connection | Counties and the State Budget – Episode 010.2
Join us as we chat with Brian Enslow, Policy Consultant for the Washington State Association of Counties, to learn how the state budget will affect counties. Recorded: March 1, 2025 ---------- County Connection is the official podcast of the Washington State Association of Counties—where we dive...
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The County Connection | 🛤️ Transporting Our Future 🚚 – Episode 010.1
Buckle up as we chat with Axel Swanson, Director at the Washington State Association of County Engineers, about how transportation fared during the 2025 Legislative Session, and what the future of our roads may hold. Recorded: May 1, 2025 ---------- County Connection is the official podcast of…
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The County Connection | 🗑️ Garbage Bills and Recycling Ideas? ♻️ – Episode 009.3
Join us as we chat with Travis Dutton, Policy Coordinator for the Washington State Association of Counties, to learn how bills related to solid waste fared during this legislative session. Recorded: April 24, 2025 ---------- County Connection is the official podcast of the Washington State...
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The County Connection | The End of Session for Public Health Policy – Episode 009.2
Join us as we chat with Jaime Bodden, Managing Director at the Washington Association of Local Public Health Officials, about how public health policy fared during this year's Legislative Session. Recorded: April 23, 2025 ---------- County Connection is the official podcast of the Washington…
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The County Connection | 🚢 Ports, Power, and Progress⚡ – Episode 009.1
Join us as we sit down to chat with Eric Ffitch, Executive Director at Washington Public Ports Association, to discuss the issues of power, planning, taxing, and others facing Washington's public ports. Recorded: April 22, 2025 ---------- County Connection is the official podcast of the…
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The County Connection | ♻️ Recycling in Washington is About to Change 🗑️ – Episode 008.2
Join us as we sit down to chat with Travis Dutton, Policy Coordinator for the Washington State Association of Counties, to discuss the breaking news – the new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) bill that just passed – and what that means for recycling in our state. Please Note: Travis…
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The County Connection | A Different Approach to Public Defense and Safety – Episode 008.1
Join us as we sit down with Thurston County Commissioner Tye Menser, as he sits down to discuss Thurston County's relatively new approach to public safety and defense with their Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program. How it was formed, and how it's working to save the county money and...
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The County Connection | The Foundations of Affordable Housing – Episode 007.4
Join us as we chat with Kelsey Hulse, Contract Lobbyist at the Washington State Association of Counties, about if affordable housing bills are being built with a solid foundation. Recorded: April 9, 2025 ---------- County Connection is the official podcast of the Washington State Association of...
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The County Connection | Join Us on a Public Health Adventure...💰🦠🦪🏛️🌸 – Episode 007.3
Join us as we chat with Jaime Bodden, Managing Director at the Washington State Association of Local Public Health Officials. This week, Jaime shares what's happening with public health funding and how FPHS can help stop the spread of measles. Recorded: April 9, 2025 ---------- County Connection…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
County Connection is the official podcast of the Washington State Association of Counties—where we dive into the legislative issues shaping the future of our communities. From budgets to public safety, infrastructure to elections, we’ll break down what’s happening in Olympia and how it impacts counties across the Evergreen State. Stay informed, stay engaged, and join us as we amplify the voice of Washington’s 39 counties.
HOSTED BY
Washington State Association of Counties
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does County Connection have?
County Connection currently has 79 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is County Connection about?
County Connection is the official podcast of the Washington State Association of Counties—where we dive into the legislative issues shaping the future of our communities. From budgets to public safety, infrastructure to elections, we’ll break down what’s happening in Olympia and how it impacts...
How often does County Connection release new episodes?
County Connection has 79 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to County Connection?
You can listen to County Connection on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts County Connection?
County Connection is created and hosted by Washington State Association of Counties.
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