All Episodes

Capitol Ideas wraps up season 18 with a return visit from Rep. April Berg, chair of the House Finance Committee

Looking back at the historic 2026 legislative session and previews next year's session

Seattle State Rep. Shaun Scott joins us today for the first post-sine die edition of Capitol Ideas

Today’s idea-generator on Capitol Ideas is Rep. Shelley Kloba. We’ll talk about privacy, of course, and lots more

Today’s guest on Capitol Ideas is Everett state Rep. Mary Fosse, deputy majority floor leader in the state House and vice chair of the House Committee on Labor and Workplace Standards.

House Appropriations Chair Timm Ormsby makes one of his semi-regular appearances on Capitol Ideas today. With the supplemental operating budget in the works, this is a timely conversation.

Today, Capitol Ideas welcomes 10th-district Rep. Dave Paul, chair of the House Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee, for a chat about the 2026 session and much more

Today’s visitor to Capitol Ideas is Rep. My-Linh Thai, deputy majority leader in the state House of Representatives

Today we’re visiting with Rep. Joe Timmons from Bellingham, up in the 42nd district. Deputy speaker pro tem, good guy. Check it out.

Hit “play” to meet Rep. Zach Hall of Issaquah, the newest member of Washington’s House Democratic Caucus

Today, Rep. Adison Richards (D-Gig Harbor) makes an encore appearance on Capitol Ideas, midway through his second legislative session

Rep. April Berg visits Capitol Ideas today to talk about her views on problems facing today’s boys and men, particularly young men, and the bill that will, she hopes, provide some solutions

Rep. Chipalo Street (Seattle-37th) makes an encore appearance on today’s Capitol Ideas, after helping us close out season 17 last spring

Washington’s young people have a lawmaker in their corner 24/7/365. Rep. Lisa Callan visits Capitol Ideas to talk about her priorities for 2026, including the progress of Washington Thriving, a comprehensive program she created in 2022.

Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins returns to Capitol Ideas today for her annual post-session visit. It's a half-hour wrap-up of a challenging session that featured political victories, personal losses, 400+ bills sent to the governor's desk, and 105 day

It's a shame that it took three years to feature Rep. Chipalo Street on Capitol Ideas, because this turned out to be one of the most informative and entertaining episodes in a long while. Good things are worth waiting for, and we finally got him. Enjoy.

Rep. Mia Gregerson carved out 20 minutes during the hectic closing days of session to share some Capitol Ideas. They're good ones.

Sen. Bill Ramos, in memoriam.

Rep. Julio Cortes joins us for conversation on Capitol Ideas today that touches on at-risk youth, the purposely slow pace of lawmaking, maintaining a positive attitude in challenging times, and industrial symbiosis. You'll have to listen to find out what

The lawmaker of the day on Capitol Ideas this time around is 47th-district Rep. Chris Stearns, AKA Speaker Pro Tem Chris Stearns. We'll talk about that new position and how he got here, and you'll hear a new guest host as well. Listen.

Today's Capitol Ideas features a return visit from 21st-district Rep. Strom Peterson. It's been a couple of years, and we'll hear what he's been doing in the meantime. Hint: It's a lot.

Today on Capitol Ideas, meet Rep. Adam Bernbaum from Port Angeles. He's the 10th and final member of the House Democratic Caucus Class of '25, and this one was worth waiting for.

Today's guest on Capitol Ideas: Rep. Janice Zahn from Washington's 41st legislative district. She started on day 10 of the 2025 session, and is making her mark. Public servant, engineer, immigrant -- she's a lot of things, and you'll hear about it right n

Yes, it's another first-year member of the House Democratic Caucus! Today's Capitol Ideas features a conversation with Rep. Edwin Obras of Seatac in Washington's 33rd legislative district, a diverse south King County district that includes SeaTac Internat

Washington state House Democrats and countless Washingtonians whose lives he touched are mourning the death of Speaker Emeritus Frank Chopp this past weekend. Today's Capitol Ideas is a reprise of a January 2024 episode featuring his first and, sadly, fin

Rep. Natasha Hill from the excellent city of Spokane makes her Capitol Ideas debut today, and it's a good one. She's the seventh new Democratic member of the class of 2025 to show up on the mics, with three more to go! Don't touch that dial.

Today's edition of Capitol Ideas presents yet another new member of the House Democratic Caucus. That would be Rep. Lisa Parshley of the 22d district: veterinarian, scientist, public servant. Stay tuned.

Today's Capitol Ideas is a little different. Instead of one lawmaker, you've got a dozen. They each grabbed the mic for a minute during non-stop floor action in the House chamber. Different is good.

Meet Rep. Shaun Scott: author, filmmaker, historian, educator, labor organizer, and a member of the House Democratic Caucus serving his first term in Olympia.

Today's your chance to get acquainted with Rep. Victoria Hunt. She's a first-year lawmaker with solid Democratic values and an impressive resume. If you don't believe me, just listen.

Any visit from Rep. Nicole Macri is worth a listen, and today's Capitol Ideas is one of those episodes. Don't touch that dial.

Today, we're happy to have a return visit from Rep. Davina Duerr from Bothell, in the 1st legislative district. It's a good talk. Stay tuned.

You're about to meet Rep. Brianna Thomas, appointed a couple of weeks ago to fill a vacancy in the 34th district. To say she's interesting would be an understatement, so put on your headphones, sit back, and give us 20 minutes.

Today is the day you'll meet Rep. Adison Richards, midway through his fifth week in the state House. You're going to like him, and what he's about.

The featured Democratic lawmaker on today's Capitol Ideas is 44th-district Rep. Brandy Donaghy. She's a Navy vet, a busy legislator, and a terrific interview. Give her a listen.

Today we meet brand-new Rep. Osman Salahuddin of the 48th legislative district, on the east side of Lake Washington. In addition to being the newest member of the House Democratic Caucus and the state Legislature, he's also the youngest. Good things come

To kick off the 2025 legislative session in Olympia, and season 17 of Capitol Ideas, we're joined by Rep. Timm Ormsby, chair of the budget-writing House Appropriations Committee.

Rep. Chris Stearns makes his first appearance on Capitol Ideas today, and you need to know him. He started out fast in his first two terms: vice chair of two key committees, sponsor of several successful bills, and an outspoken advocate of bipartisanship

Rep. Debra Entenman just wrapped up her sixth session in the House, working for her friends and neighbors in the 47th legislative district. That's a south King County district that contains parts of Kent and Auburn, all of Covington, Shadow Lake, and a ha

Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins returns to Capitol Ideas today for her now-annual post-sine die visit. It's both a look-back and a glimpse into the future, with insights from the leader of the largest House majority in a generation.

Rep. Sharon Wylie works for the good people of the 49th legislative district, and for the other 8 million or so Washingtonians as well. She co-chairs one committee, serves on two others, and gets things done. Here she is.

Deputy House Majority Leader My-Linh Thai is a thinker, and what she thinks most deeply about are people. Their lives, their problems, what they want, what they need. That's a good trait for a leader. In today's Capitol Ideas we'll hear what's on her mind

Rep. Dan Bronoske had been in the Legislature barely one term when his colleagues chose him to serve as deputy speaker pro tem of the state House of Representatives. A few minutes into today's Capitol Ideas it should be obvious why. Hit the play button an

Today we'll talk with Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self in a podcast recorded as the 2024 session of the Washington State Legislature headed into its final, hectic few weeks. Rep. Ortiz-Self chairs the largest House Democratic Caucus in recent memory, and doubles a

This is a good one. Today's ideator on Capitol Ideas is Rep. Tana Senn from the 41st legislative district, which stretches from Mercer Island east to Samammish and from Newcastle up to Bellevue. She chairs the House Committee on Human Services, Youth and

Rep. Bill Ramos (D-5th, Issaquah) stopped by the Capitol Ideas headquarters this week for a while, and we're glad he did. What resulted is a conversation that ranges from illegal dumping on private land and illegible license plates to amending the state c

Every couple of years, Rep. Melanie Morgan stops by for a visit with Capitol Ideas. Today's conversation is a good one, and an important one. Equity, Black History Month, housing and homelessness, renewable energy, art, the dearth of Black farmers in Wash

It's is a pretty special episode of Capitol Ideas today. Really. Our conversation is with Rep. Frank Chopp, the Seattle Democrat formerly known as Speaker of the House Frank Chopp. He's never been one to hog the spotlight, and this might be one of the mos

Today we have a return visit from Speaker Pro Tem Tina Orwall. Rep. Orwall leads us through a day on the podium, and talks about her role as a champion of persons whose voices need to be heard on the floor of the House.

23rd-district Rep. Greg Nance is our guest on Capitol Ideas today. Greg is the newest member of the Washington State House of Representatives, having been appointed in September to fill a vacant seat in the 23rd legislative district. He's a unique individ

House Floor Leader Monica Stonier is the guest on today's Capitol Ideas, the first episode of Season 16 of the official podcast of the Washington State House Democratic Caucus. Don't miss it.

Today’s Capitol Ideas features an exclusive conversation with Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins. The Speaker gives an overview of the just-concluded 2023 regular session of the Legislature, talks about her approach to the position she’s now held for fou

The Capitol Ideas spotlight today is on Rep. Steve Bergquist, the Renton Democrat who serves as one of the vice-chairs of the budget-writing House Appropriations Committee. We recorded this a few days before the final operating budget was approved, so rat

Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, today's guest on Capitol Ideas, chairs the House Education Committee. She's done that for a long time. Her Democratic colleagues keep putting her in that seat session after session, because she's very good at her job. Give today

Rep. April Berg of Mill Creek, in her third session as a state representative, chairs the House Finance Committee. She makes an in-person appearance on Capitol Ideas today, two years after debuting on Zoom during the pandemic summer of 2021.

Rep. Emily Alvarado is in the Capitol Ideas studio today. She's a first-year lawmaker from the 34th district, a long-time housing activist and the new vice chair of the House Housing Committee, and she knows her stuff. Enjoy this one.

Rep. Mari Leavitt stops by Capitol Ideas in today’s episode. If you’re here for variety, this is your day; we’ll talk about making the state more military-friendly, mitigating the effects of climate change, pushing back against the scourge of fentanyl in

We’ll hear from Rep. Vandana Slatter in today’s Capitol Ideas, and it’s a good one. Vandana happens to be sponsoring some of this session’s most significant pieces of legislation, bills that will, if they ultimately become law, have a lot to do with the f

Today’s Capitol Ideas features a conversation with Rep. Davina Duerr of Bothell. Davina chairs the House Local Government Committee in Olympia, and that’s a key position in the state’s attempts to ease Washington’s housing crisis. We’ll talk about that an

Today Capitol Ideas features a special interview with Reps. Tana Senn and Liz Berry, founders of the Moms Caucus in the House Democratic Caucus. We'll talk about why they did that, what they've accomplished, and how their priorities are faring in the 2023

Today's guest is 29th-district state Rep. Sharlett Mena. It's her first session as a lawmaker, but she's paid her dues in both Washingtons already and knows her way around. Don't miss it.

Today's Capitol Ideas is something different. It's not a lawmaker being interviewed; it's Rep. Marcus Riccelli interviewing a legislative page, Claire Poulsen, about her week at the Capitol. This one's fun. Check it out.

Meet Rep. Julio Cortes. Even before joining the Legislature six weeks ago, Julio established a long resume of public service. He has an interesting story, and you'll hear it in this installment of Capitol Ideas.

The ideas in Capitol Ideas today come from Rep. Mary Fosse (D-38th, Everett). She’s hit the ground running in her first session, working for her district and the whole state. You can meet her today.

House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon drops by Capitol Ideas today for a conversation about several of the things he cares about: affordable housing, climate change, workforce development, the homelessness crisis in Washington, the value of listening, and

Police vehicular chases, sentencing reform, impaired driving, bipartisanship . . . all these and more are high on Rep. Roger Goodman’s 2023 legislative agenda. Get the details in today’s Capitol Ideas.

Rep. Darya Farivar comes to the Legislature with a background as an advocate and activist. Barely into her first session as a lawmaker, it took her no time at all to assume those roles in Olympia. You'll meet her today.

Rep. Shelley Kloba, sponsor of the People's Privacy Act, drops by Capitol Ideas to talk about online privacy, data mining, home-grown marijuana, affordable housing, and more.

Today we'll meet up with Rep. Marcus Riccelli of Spokane. He's the new chair of the House Healthcare Committee, former Majority Whip, the driving force behind the creation of the Elson Floyd Medical School at WSU, and prime sponsor of some of the 2023 Leg

The housing crisis in Washington state might be the most pressing issue facing the 2023 Legislature in Olympia, and Rep. Strom Peterson chairs the House Housing Committee. He discusses housing and more in today's Capitol Ideas.

Rep. Clyde Shavers is in his first year as a state lawmaker. In fact, he's in his first month. We'll meet him in this episode of Capitol Ideas and find out who he is, what his legislative priorities are, and what it's like to start his legislative career

Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self chairs the House Democratic Caucus, which in November was handed its largest majority in years. We'll find out how she balances her leadership duties with her job of representing the people of Washington's 21st legislative district

41st-district Rep. My-Linh Thai has a new title: She was recently chosen by her colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus to serve as Deputy Majority Leader. Along with that spot in the senior leadership of her caucus comes the responsibility to head up t

Democratic State Rep. Timm Ormsby of Spokane chairs the House Appropriations Committee in Olympia. Legislative Assistant Shannon Waechter has kept Timm's office running smoothly for 15 years. Today, they visit Capitol Ideas to talk about their respective

Rep. Jesse Johnson is vice chair of the House Public Safety Committee and has been a central figure in several major legislative initiatives during the current biennium. The Federal Way Democrat's recent announcement that he'd be leaving the House at the

Today we're spending some time with Rep. Lisa Callan. She's from Issaquah, in the 5th district, and is a fighter for children, youth, and families, among many other things. We'll focus on those three very important priorities in today's Capitol Ideas.

We're joined today by Speaker Pro Tem Tina Orwall. In that role, Tina presides over most floor sessions of the Washington Stte House of Representatives. As Rep. Tina Orwall, she sponsors some of the most impactful bills of any of the 147 members of the Le

Rep. Mike Chapman hails from up in Port Angeles at the top of the Olympia Peninsula. He chairs the House Rural Development, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee. He's a busy guy, but we snagged him for today's episode of Capitol Ideas. Stay tuned;

Today's special episode of Capitol Ideas features a behind-the-scenes conversation with Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins. You don't want to miss this one.

Today's show is the first of a pair of podcasts featuring top Democrats in the state House, starting with a conversation with House Majority Leader Pat Sullivan. He's leading the effort to make college more affordable by establishing a one-percent college

Today we'll meet Rep. Kirsten Harris-Talley and hear about her sponsorship of the Doulas for All Act, House Bill 1881.

We're joined today on Capitol Ideas by brand-new state Rep. Brandy Donaghy (D-Everett), appointed just before the 2022 legislative session began.

Today's Capitol Ideas takes a special look at easing the affordable-housing crisis in Washington by filling in the "missing middle." Featured guests are Rep. Jessica Bateman and Sen. Mona Das.

Youth advocate, veteran state legislator, and chair of the House Children, Youth, and Families Committee Tana Senn helps kick off a new year of Capitol Ideas.

Rep. Jessica Bateman is one of a record-sized group of Democratic women serving in the state House in 2021-22, and at the halfway point in her first two-year term she's exhibiting the kind of leadership and legislative savvy her 22nd-district constituents

Today on Capitol Ideas we’ll spend some time with Rep. Emily Wicks of Everett, who’s midway through her first term working for the residents of Washington’s 38th legislative district. If you looked up the word irrepressible in your Funk and Wagnall’s, the

Rep. April Berg just wrapped up her first session as a legislator, going five for five in getting her bills to the governor's desk to become law. That's like hitting for the cycle in a baseball game, then coming out in the ninth and adding a grand slam. Y

This week Rep. My-Linh Thai makes a return visit to Capitol Ideas. We'll hear about compassionate legislating, her unique approach to lawmaking that has its roots in her practice of Zen Buddhism.

The 2021 legislative session might be adjourned for the year, but Capitol Ideas will still be here to bring you interesting, informative, and sometimes provocative conversations with the diverse cast of majority Democrats who get things done in Olympia. O

Rep. Tarra Simmons is a survivor, and in this episode of Capitol Ideas you'll meet up with her on Day 99 of her legislative career. She's already well-established as an effective civil-rights champion, and today you'll find out why.

In just his second session, Rep. Jesse Johnson has shouldered the legislative load of reforming policing in Washington. He's taken giant strides this year, and we talk about them in this edition of Capitol Ideas.

Rep. Shelley Kloba is back, and she's still working to protect your digital privacy. We'll talk today about the long and winding road she's traveling to try to make the people's personal data privacy bill of rights a reality.

Rep. Melanie Morgan is sponsoring HB 1395, the Equity in Farming Act, to widen opportunities in agriculture for Black African Americans, Indigenous People, and other potential farmers of color.

Healthy homes and clean buildings. Who could argue with that? Not Rep. Alex Ramel, who's sponsoring the Healthy Homes and Clean Buildings Act this session. Find out what it's all about in today's Capitol Ideas.

Meet Davina Duerr: architect, Bothell city councilmember, and a first-year state representative from Washington's 1st legislative district.

Last week the Legislature approved Senate Bill 5395, which makes sexual-health education part of the public-school curriculum in Washington. Today's special "Capitol Ideas" features Rep. Monica Stonier in a candid conversation about the campaign to defeat

Today’s Capitol Idea is election security, and Democratic state Rep. Gael Tarleton of Seattle is the Legislature's recognized authority on the issue. Today's conversation is longer than usual, but the topic is that important. Stick around.

Democratic Rep. Mia Gregerson of SeaTac dropped by the "Capitol Ideas" studio this week to talk about her bill creating the Washington State Office of Equity. In 12 minutes, you'll know more than you do now!

Well before Amy Walen (D-48th, Kirkland) took the oath of office to become a state representative in January 2019, she was a key player in Washington's efforts to reduce homelessness and increase supplies of affordable housing throughout the state. We'll

Spokane Rep. Timm Ormsby chairs the House Appropriations Committee and is head budget writer for the chamber. Today we talk with Timm not about the specifics of the newly released supplemental operating budget, but about the task, or privilege, of sitting

We're back and today's "Capitol Ideas" features a visit from Rep. Lisa Callan. Lisa is a Democrat, of course, from Washington's 5th legislative district. Whether they know it or not, at-risk kids in the Evergreen state have a champion in Lisa, and we'll

Today's guest is House Majority Floor Leader Monica Stonier. That's a position we've all heard of, but who knows what it entails? You will after listening to this episode of "Capitol Ideas."

Rep. Dave Paul circles back to “Capitol Ideas” today, a year after his first visit. He talks about his freshman year in the House, and highlights some of the issues he’s taken on during that time.

Meet Rep. Jesse Johnson. He's the Legislature's newest member, and probably its youngest, but he comes to Olympia from Federal Way with an impressive public-service resume and an ambitious agenda.

Rep. Shelley Kloba visits "Capitol Ideas" today for an interesting and eye-opening conversation about data privacy, something that barely exists now but which she's determined to make a reality.

Rep. Tina Orwall joins "Capitol Ideas" today to talk about the dangers of ultrafine particles, microscopic pollutants that float down from jet airplanes as a byproduct of burning Jet A fuel, and efforts to site a new or expanded airport in Washington stat

Happy New Year from the Washington state House Democrats. A new year means a new legislative session, and a new season of "Capitol Ideas." This year's season premiere features Rep. Melanie Morgan, a first-term lawmaker from Parkland in Washington's 29th d

"Capitol Ideas" returns today with a short sit-down with Rep. Beth Doglio, Democrat from Olympia. Beth has been a climate warrior since before that term was coined, and that mostly what we discuss in this episode.

In this installment of "Capitol Ideas," Washington state Representative Mari Leavitt, a Democrat representing Pierce County's 28th legislative district, looks back at her first year in the Legislature and offers a preview of the upcoming 2020 session.

First-year state Rep. Lisa Callan came to Olympia with a computer engineering background, a burning desire to help Washington kids thrive and learn, and a commitment to erase state route 18's well-deserved reputation as a traffic nightmare. You'll meet he

Opioids: The life and death of a young man, and a plan to fix Ricky's Law in the Legislature.

Freshman lawmaker Amy Walen comes to House of Representatives in Olympia fresh off a stint as mayor of Kirkland, and she brought with her the can-do, let's-fix-that attitude that characterizes good local government. Today on Capitol Ideas she'll talk abou

Deputy House Majority Leader Larry Springer is a business owner himself, and a few years ago created the House Democratic Caucus Business Roundtable. It's become an important part of how lawmakers vet prospective new laws, and we'll talk about it today.

House Majority Leader Pat Sullivan has a solution to the student loan crisis that is dooming today's college students to a lifetime of debt.

Rep. Dave Paul is a college vice president, a husband, a dad, an environmentalist, and an idealist: All good things for a newly minted representative from one of Washington's most beautiful districts, the 10th. You can get to know him better right here.

When My-Linh Thai took the oath of office in Olympia a couple of weeks ago, she became Rep. My-Linh Thai -- the first refugee to serve in the Washington state Legislature. It that piques your interest, give a listen.

Before Lauren Davis became the new state representative from the 32nd district in King/Snohomish counties, she was almost single-handledly responsible for the passage of Ricky's Law, a life-saving change in the way Washington deals with victims of substan

Rep. Debra Lekanoff is the first Native American woman elected to serve in the Washington state House of Representatives since the state's establishment 130 years ago. Today we'll find out who she is, and why we're lucky to have her.

Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self is a school and mental health counselor, and she learns things about the lives of children every day that even their friends and family might not know. Today's "Capitol Ideas" is an eye-opener.

Rep. Tana Senn has just been elected by her fellow legislators to chair the House Human Services and Early Learning Committee, and as you'll hear, it might just be a job she was destined for.

Rep. Mike Chapman dropped by today to talk about leading Washington's bipartisan, bicameral quest to make rural economic development a legislative success story.

Rep. Shelley Kloba makes a return visit to "Capitol Ideas" to talk about special education, cannabis, transportation, and more.

Rep. Nicole Macri has devoted her life to, in her words, "ensuring that people have the opportunity to live in safe, healthy homes that they can afford." That's what we'll talk about in today's "Capitol Ideas."

State Rep. Gerry Pollet isn't shy about the need to upgrade special education in Washington's K-12 schools. In this fast-paced conversation he outlines the key problems and offers a set of legislative solutions.

Speaker Pro Tem John Lovick drops by to talk about education, school safety, transportation, jobs . . . and working in the public sphere for nearly five decades, including two separate stints in the state House.

Rep. Tina Orwall talks about how technology and science can help put rapists behind bars . . . if only we'll make use of them.

Rep. Monica Stonier works for the good people of Washington's 49th legislative district. A few years ago she was sent to Olympia by the 17th district, then took a two-year break. Today we talk about her experience as a two-time freshman.

Rep. Sharon Wylie talks about the efforts to replace the aging bridge on I-5 connecting Washington with Oregon.

Rep. Noel Frame: Making college a little more humane, a little less expensive

Curbing carbon emissions, with Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon

The Return of Saying No to Hate, with Rep. Derek Stanford and Aneelah Afzali

Saying no to hate, with Rep. Tana Senn and Rabbi Daniel Weiner

House Majority Leader Pat Sullivan takes a quick look at Washington's public schools.

Rep. Roger Goodman: Working across the aisle.

Rep. Laurie Jinkins talks about transgender rights.

Rep. Tana Senn on paycheck equity

Rep. Marcus Riccelli: From staff member to lawmaker

Learning the Ropes: Rep. Monica Stonier returns to Capitol Ideas to talk about moving from the classroom to the Capitol.

House Majority Leader Pat Sullivan assesses 2014 Legislature as it nears the session's midpoint.

Rep. Laurie Jinkins on the Washington State Reproductive Parity Act

Being vice chair: Rep. Timm Ormsby

Rep. Tina Orwall: From New Kid to Seasoned Lawmaker

Rep. Laurie Jinkins: A Busy First Year

Rep. Cindy Ryu: A Freshman's Take

A Conversation with Rep. Mike Sells

A Conversation with Rep. Tina Orwall

Building a Bridge: Rep. Larry Springer

Rep. Timm Ormsby and Legislative Assistant Shannon Waechter: Working Together