Soundside

When you go to vote this November, it won’t just be for President or Governor. You’ll also be voting on a group of state initiatives - and they’re complicated.  We’re breaking all of them down here on Soundside this election season. And this week, we’re turning to I-2109: aka, the measure that seeks to Repeal the Capital Gains Tax. Passed by the legislature back in 2021, the tax took effect two years ago. It charges a 7% tax on the sales of some types of assets - things like stocks, bonds, and some types of businesses. The tax kicks in on profits exceeding $262,000. Real estate, retirement accounts, and certain small businesses are exempt  Revenue from the tax goes towards education: the first $500m raised is earmarked for schools, early learning, and child care programs. The rest goes towards school construction and renovation. This is a tax that’s only paid by an extremely small percentage of Washington taxpayers (.001). 4,000 people paid Washington state capital gains taxes in 2022 - producing $786m dollars in revenue. Last year, that amount decreased to $433m. Supporters of the capital gains tax say that it’s providing needed funds for Washington’s education and childcare system. Detractors say it’s a workaround for an income tax, which is illegal in Washington state. Some also fear it will drive tech entrepreneurs and companies out of the city. Today, we're hearing from an advocate for Initiative 2109. Guest: Vijay Boyapati is a former Google engineer. He’s currently a software engineer and author of the book “The Bullish Case for Bitcoin” Relevant Links: Washington Initiative 2109, Repeal Capital Gains Tax Initiative (2024) - Ballotpedia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Yakama Nation has found it nearly impossible to access $32 million in a promised federal grant for an irrigation canal conversion project.  The initiative aims to transform old irrigation canals into a solar and small-scale hydropower system, which would lower electricity costs and conserve water in the Yakima Basin. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell celebrated the project earlier this year for its potential benefits. While incentives for renewable energy are abundant, the bureaucratic processes to implement them can be frustratingly slow. Soundside caught up with investigative reporter Tony Schick to hear more about why the project is stalling. His recent story on the issue was produced in partnership with OPB, ProPublica, and High Country News. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Guests: Tony Schick, investigative reporter and editor at Oregon Public Broadcasting.  Related Links:  The Department of Energy promised this tribal nation a $32 million solar grant. It’s nearly impossible to access - OPB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In October of 2019, an 18-year-old walked out of a Seattle police training building with an officer’s personal firearm. It was eventually recovered - but questions remained about how the teen was able to access the firearm in the first place, as well as the quality of security at the training facility. This isn’t the only time an SPD firearm has gone missing. In August, SPD reported 23 missing firearms, and the department confirmed that those guns haven’t been accounted for since 2017. This information comes from a KUOW investigation into the department. Soundside caught up with KUOW investigative reporter Ashley Hiruko to learn more about how the guns may have gone missing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2024 Seattle Mariner's season wasn't just about disappointment, it was a story about fandom, money, masochism, and, sure, losing a 10 game lead in the AL West. We're breaking down the story lines and commiserating after a long season. Guests: Kate Preusser, managing editor of Lookout Landing and host of Meet at the Mitt podcast Danny O’Neil, author of The Dang Apostrophe, a newsletter on Seattle sports  Relevant Links: Lookout Landing: Key takeaways from Jerry Dipoto’s Game 161 meeting with the media Seattle Times: The Mariners say payroll will increase in 2025. How much? | Analysis See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This budget cycle, the city is bracing for what could be a contentious debate over how to fund essential services and set priorities for the coming year.  With an estimated $251 million dollar budget shortfall looming, how it will address that gap has become a pressing concern. Early last week, Mayor Bruce Harrell unveiled his office’s plan to tackle the large budget shortfall. Guests: Kevin Schofield, founder of SCC Insights and author of Weekend Reads in the South Seattle Emerald. Schofield is also a member of KUOW's board of directors, which does not make any editorial decisions or work directly with KUOW's newsroom. Relevant Links: Post Alley:  Mayor Harrell's New Budget and Windfall Revenue Provoke Big QuestionsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's time to set aside that uninspired sandwich, or soggy work-from-home salad. You’ll probably also want to cancel any lunch plans you have you have this week, because a new podcast from KUOW and The Seattle Times may convince you to try something new.  Seattle Eats with Tan Vinh is helping listeners find the best bites in Seattle — and beyond.  Soundside caught up with Vinh to find out what inspired the long-time Seattle Times food writer to turn to podcasting, and what he looks for in a good 'ol slice of pizza.  New episodes of Seattle Eats with Tan Vinh drop every other Thursday, and can be heard on the KUOW app — or wherever you get your podcasts.  Guest: Tan Vinh, Seattle Times food writer and the host of "Seattle Eats with Tan Vinh"  Related Links: Seattle Eats with Tan Vinh - KUOW A hot Seattle restaurant makes New York Times list of best in the U.S. - The Seattle Times  How to try Seattle's new dim sum spot and more on our food podcast - The Seattle Times See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Boeing machinists’ strike is in its third week. On Friday, the company and the union were back at the negotiating table.  This came after Boeing made another offer earlier in the week, its “Improved Best and Final” one. It was quickly rejected. There were criticisms that it didn’t go far enough. Also, that the company had disrespected the negotiating process by releasing the offer’s details to the media. Meanwhile, the company has begun requiring thousands of managers and non-union employees to take one week off without pay. This will occur every four weeks as part of temporary rolling furloughs.  They’ve also implemented a hiring freeze, cut back on business travel, and reduced spending with suppliers. Currently, 33,000 machinists are on strike, pushing for higher wages and the restoration of their pensions, among other demands.   Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.  GUEST: Jon Holden - President of the International Association of Machinists District 751 RELATED LINKS: Boeing, Machinists back at the negotiating table as strike enters third week | The Seattle Times Striking Machinists find little to like in new Boeing offer, won’t vote on it | The Seattle Times Boeing makes a 'final offer' to striking workers, but union says it's not good enough - NPR IAM/Boeing Contract 2024 - UPDATES from the Union   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a tough few months for many local IT departments. Last week, hackers posted a handful of files stolen from SeaTac airport on the dark web. A ransomware gang is attempting to sell a trove of stolen Port of Seattle data for 6 million dollars in Bitcoin – after the Port refused to pay up. The cyber-attack a little over a month ago snarled travel when it took down ticketing, baggage, and other SeaTac services. But that’s just the highest profile ransomware case in the Seattle area in recent months. A few weeks ago, the Highline School District canceled classes because a cyberattack had wormed its way into the local system. There was also a crippling ransomware attack on Seattle Public Libraries back in May, which put their book checkout and online systems in limbo for months For more on what’s happening – and how organizations can protect themselves –Soundside caught up with Robby Winchester, the vice president of services and a co-founder of SpecterOps, a Seattle cybersecurity company.  Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Guests: Robby Winchester on the line. He’s the vice president of services and a co-founder of SpecterOps, a Seattle cybersecurity company.  Related Links:  Hackers demand $6 million for files stolen from Seattle airport operator in cyberattack | AP News Highline schools closing Monday because of cyberattack | The Seattle Times Why did ransomware hackers target Seattle Public Library? – GeekWire See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington state has officially closed the chamber where executions took place, marking the end of capital punishment here in the state. The journey to decommission this chamber involved a lot of moving parts across all branches of government. First, Governor Jay Inslee put a moratorium on executions in 2014, then the state Supreme Court declared the practice unconstitutional four years later, and finally, the legislature outlawed the practice last year.  Guest: Nina Shapiro, Seattle Times reporter covering social issues Relevant Links: Seattle Times: WA death penalty chamber officially closes, ending tumultuous history See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Classes at the University of Washington are back in full-swing. And as students try to find their classes, and figure out what to avoid at the dining hall – the university’s administration and faculty are trying to figure out their own conundrum: How to address artificial intelligence– chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini. For some students and teachers, AI programs can be a useful tool. While for others, it’s another way to cheat on exams and classwork. KUOW web editor Stephen Howie took a deeper look at the complicated relationship between AI and higher education.  Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotesSoundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Guest:  KUOW web editor Stephen Howie Relevant Links: KUOW newsroom: Learning tool or BS machine? How AI is shaking up higher educationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.