Government

Report Says It Could Take Six Years To Empty Leaking Hanford Tank

Anna King — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:24:18 +0000

The federal government says in a new report that it may take six years to start emptying a leaking double-hulled tank of waste at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.

Washington state law says any leaks must be dealt with as soon as possible – but the federal government’s soon as possible is maybe years away. That’s because it could take 18 months just to get and set up equipment to pump sludge from the leaking double-hulled tank called AY-102.

Washington Lawmakers Hope For Positive Revenue Forecast

Austin Jenkins — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:24:16 +0000

Protracted budget talks in Olympia could see a breakthrough after Tuesday’s release of an updated revenue forecast. That’s the quarterly report that projects how much money will flow into state tax coffers in the coming months.

Lawmakers are expecting some positive news.

New EarthFix Documentary Explores Coal Terminal Debate

the conversation with ross reynolds — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:37:45 +0000

Mayor Mike McGinn is in Washington, D.C., today to testify against the construction of three coal terminals in Washington state. He voiced his environmental concerns earlier today in front of the House Energy & Commerce Committee. Even more concerns have arisen now that the Army Corp of Engineers, which is in charge of reviewing the environmental impact of the terminals, has decided not to investigate green house gas emissions.

EarthFix reporters Ashley Ahern and Katie Campbell discuss the latest coal news with David Hyde. Plus, they preview the upcoming EarthFix documentary, "COAL."

Rep. Denny Heck’s Bill Would Protect Wash. Banks From Pot Prosecution

the conversation with ross reynolds — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:29:55 +0000

Washington state voters legalized marijuana last fall, but the drug still remains illegal under federal law. Most of Washington’s congressional members, including Rep. Dave Reichert and Sen. Patty Murry, have not been supportive of I-502. On the other hand, Rep. Denny Heck of Olympia is co-sponsoring a bill that would allow banks to handle transactions for marijuana businesses without being subject to federal charges. Rep. Heck discusses the proposal with The Conversation’s David Hyde.

Olympia Update With Austin Jenkins

the conversation with ross reynolds — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:34:49 +0000

Governor Jay Inslee has called for a second special session of the state legislature in the hopes that they will reach a budget agreement before July 1^st. KUOW’s Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins talks about the budget and recent legislative compromises with David Hyde.

Discussing Shutdowns, State Government And Nickelsville

Weekday — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:00:00 +0000

It’s Friday—time to talk over the week’s news. Without a budget deal Governor Inslee says the government will shut down. The Seattle City Council is calling to close Nickelsville, the tent city for some of the homeless in Seattle. Will shutting things down fix the problems? Joni Balter of the Seattle Times, Knute Berger of Crosscut and Eli Sanders of the Stranger discuss the week's news.

Washington Estate Tax Refunds Halted After Midnight Bill Signing

Austin Jenkins — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:29:28 +0000

There were dramatic developments in Olympia overnight. Governor Jay Inslee held a midnight bill signing to amend Washington’s estate tax. The move means the Department of Revenue will not begin to issue refund checks Friday morning to the heirs of some multi-million dollar estates.

The state of Washington was about to embark on a months-long process of refunding an estimated $140 million to more than 100 estates. This was the result of a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year.

How To Keep Kids From Eating Marijuana? Go Gray

Amy Radil — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:09:00 +0000

As Washington state moves toward licensing marijuana retail stores, a major concern for public health experts is preventing kids from eating marijuana. They are asking the state to ban marijuana-infused candy and other sweets, and require packaging and flavors that are less appealing to kids.

Organizations Ban Together In Protest Of NSA Surveillance

the conversation with ross reynolds — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:31:22 +0000

In the wake of revelations about the National Security Agency’s surveillance program, a coalition of nearly 90 organizations from Greenpeace USA to the Electronic Frontier Foundation have come together to protest the NSA and FBI’s surveillance program. The coalition formed the website Stop Watching Us, which calls for the immediate end to internet and phone record surveillance without probable cause and a full public account of the data collection program.

In January 2012, many of these same internet groups showed their power by successfully stopping the anti-piracy bills SOPA and PIPA that would have expanded law enforcement’s ability to combat online crime such as copyright infringement and counterfeit goods trafficking. David Hyde talks to Rainey Reitman, Activism Director for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and listeners voice their concerns (or lack thereof) about government surveillance.

Marcia Coyle Discusses Her Book On The Current Supreme Court

the conversation with ross reynolds — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 18:39:45 +0000

The Supreme Court has recently heard cases on everything from same sex marriage to DNA evidence. Marcia Coyle’s new book, "The Roberts Court: The Struggle for the Constitution," delves into the landscape of the the Supreme Court under chief justice John Roberts. David Hyde sits down with Coyle to find out what makes the highest court tick.