County Connection

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 billion spending plan. They also dive into the high‑stakes LEOFF 1 pension fix, Climate Commitment Act, and cuts hitting childcare, behavioral health, and higher education. If you want to understand what’s really happening behind the numbers in Olympia, this episode is your master class.

Recorded: February 25, 2026

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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.

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Learn more at wsac.org
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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 dropped in the final hours. The episode also dives into WSAC’s push for jail medical liability reform and the growing need for coordinated state‑county solutions. A sharp, candid look at how policy is really made (or unmade) in Olympia.

Recorded: February 21, 2026

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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.

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Learn more at wsac.org
Register on The Hub

Follow us:
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BSKY

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 county into a model for fiber‑to‑the‑home connectivity. From the early planning days to securing nearly $30 million in funding, he walks through the strategy, grit, and local relationships that made it possible. A must‑listen for any county leader looking to bring high‑speed internet to rural communities.

Recorded: February 20, 2026

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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.

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Learn more at wsac.org
Register on The Hub

Follow us:
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BSKY

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 why it matters when old bills lurch back to life. From mobile‑dwelling legislation to creative end‑of‑session maneuvers, they reveal how unpredictable the short session can be. A sharp, funny, insider look at Olympia’s most chaotic time of year.

Recorded: February 20, 2026

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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.

----------

Learn more at wsac.org
Register on The Hub

Follow us:
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BSKY

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 and solar farms unintentionally trigger massive property‑tax shifts in rural communities—and the multi‑year, multi‑state effort to craft a fair, stable fix. From nameplate‑capacity taxes to hard‑won compromises, they chart the four‑year road that led to HB 1960’s moment in the Legislature. A deep dive into policy, politics, and the future of Washington’s clean‑energy landscape.

Recorded: February 13, 2026

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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.

----------

Learn more at wsac.org
Register on The Hub

Follow us:
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram
BSKY