County Connection
by Washington State Association of Counties
Latest episode
The County Connection | Keeping the Lights On: Washington’s Energy…
The County Connection | Keeping the Lights On: Washington’s Energy…
About this podcast
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
The newest 20 of 80 episodes
- The County Connection | Keeping the Lights On: Washington’s Energy Future and the Transmission Challenge · 48 min · Season 2 Episode 29What 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…
- The County Connection | Powering the Northwest: Hydropower, Salmon, and Washington’s Energy Future · 48 min · Season 2 Episode 28In 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…
- The County Connection | Democracy Is Worth It: A Conversation with Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck · 58 min · Season 2 Episode 27In 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…
- The County Connection | From Dragons to Ballots: A Conversation with Secretary of State Steve Hobbs · 1 h 13 min · Season 2 Episode 26What 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…
- The County Connection | Unlocking MRSC: A Powerful Tool for Local Government · 54 min · Season 2 Episode 25What 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…
- The County Connection | Inside the Public Works Board: How Washington Funds Local Infrastructure · 58 min · Season 2 Episode 24What 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…
- The County Connection | Breaking Down the 2026 Supplemental Budget · 56 min · Season 2 Episode 23In 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…
- The County Connection | Sine Die Shenanigans: Surprises, Setbacks & Standouts of the 2026 Session · 55 min · Season 2 Episode 22In 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…
- The County Connection | Session Superlatives: Big Wins, Near Misses & the Policy Team Unplugged · 55 min · Season 2 Episode 21In 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…
- The County Connection | Sine Die Eve: Public Health Wins, Near‑Misses & Last‑Minute Saves · 43 min · Season 2 Episode 20On 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…
- The County Connection | The 'Ol Policy Switcheroo · 43 min · Season 2 Episode 19In 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…
- The County Connection | Budget Gymnastics & Billion‑Dollar Backfills: Inside the 2026 Supplemental Showdown · 1 h 10 min · Season 2 Episode 18Paul 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…
- The County Connection | Cutoff Chaos & Big Politics · 31 min · Season 2 Episode 17This 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…
- The County Connection | Building Broadband from the Wheat Fields – Episode 216 · 54 min · Season 2 Episode 16In 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…
- The County Connection | Cutoff Carnage: The Curse of the Zombie Bills – Episode 215 · 40 min · Season 2 Episode 15In 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…
- The County Connection | The Clean Energy Tax Fix and the Fight for Fairness – Episode 214 · 1 h 1 min · Season 2 Episode 14In 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…
- The County Connection | Mayhem and the Mid-Session Sprint – Episode 213 · 29 min · Season 2 Episode 13In 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…
- The County Connection | Breaking Down the Millionaire’s Tax and What it Means for Counties – Episode 212 · 1 h 8 min · Season 2 Episode 12In 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…
- The County Connection | Growing the Future: Untangling Agritourism in Washington – Episode 211 · 25 min · Season 2 Episode 11This 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…
- The County Connection | Racing the Clock: Housing Bills, ADUs, and the Session Crunch – Episode 210 · 40 min · Season 2 Episode 10In 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…
