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WPC on the Go

WPC on the Go

By: Washington Policy Center
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 Washington Policy On The Go is WPC's bi-weekly virtual event series in which we interview center directors and guests to inform you on the latest in Washington State policy.Copyright Washington Policy Center Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Why Your Hospital Bills are High and Car Tabs Expensive | August 19, 2025

    Why Your Hospital Bills are High and Car Tabs Expensive | August 19, 2025
    Aug 19 2025
    Washington Policy On The Go is WPC's bi-weekly (weekly during the legislative session) virtual lunchtime event series featuring center directors and guests to inform you on the latest in Washington State policy research and analysis. In this video, we'll hear from Elizabeth New, our Center for Health Care and Center for Worker Rights Director, and Charles Prestrud, our Center for Transportation Director.

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    48 mins
  • 50% of Spokane's Homeless Came From Outside, Here's Why | Dr. Robert Marbut

    50% of Spokane's Homeless Came From Outside, Here's Why | Dr. Robert Marbut
    Aug 5 2025
    Washington Policy On The Go is WPC's bi-weekly (weekly during the legislative session) virtual lunchtime event series featuring center directors and guests to inform you on the latest in Washington State policy research and analysis. In this video, we'll hear from Dr. Robert Marbut, the former federal homelessness czar and upcoming speaker for our Eastern Washington Annual Dinner!

    00:00 - Introduction
    00:34 - Marbut’s background and national experience
    01:18 - San Antonio’s Haven for Hope success story
    03:09 - Spokane homelessness: new research overview
    04:00 - Why Spokane is struggling despite more spending
    05:26 - Asking the right question: what’s the problem?
    07:33 - Drucker’s advice: define the problem before the solution
    08:29 - Key stat: 50% of Spokane’s homeless came from elsewhere
    12:26 - Why people *really* come to Spokane
    14:11 - Permissive enforcement and lack of police presence
    15:37 - What really causes homelessness? HUD’s 10 categories
    17:21 - Street-level homelessness: addiction and mental illness
    20:21 - Cities succeeding by focusing on treatment and recovery
    22:53 - Case study: West Tampa vs. East Tampa
    23:53 - Small city success: Fort Smith, Arkansas
    25:15 - What Spokane will look like in 4 years without change
    27:11 - Surprising indicator: dogs on the street predict violence
    28:37 - Spokane’s rising fentanyl death rate
    30:51 - New executive order on homelessness and drug policy
    33:14 - Ending taxpayer-funded drug enablement
    34:50 - How the EO flips the script: easier treatment, harder drugs

    Visit our homepage for the latest Washington news: https://washingtonpolicy.org
    Sign up for our FREE newsletter: https://washingtonpolicy.org/signup
    Follow us on our social platforms! Facebook: / washington.policy.center | X: https://x.com/wapolicycenter | Instagram: / washingtonpolicy | TikTok: / washingtonpolicy
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    38 mins
  • Will Washington See Energy Blackouts? | Kurt Miller

    Will Washington See Energy Blackouts? | Kurt Miller
    Aug 5 2025
    Washington Policy On The Go is WPC's bi-weekly (weekly during the legislative session) virtual lunchtime event series featuring center directors and guests to inform you on the latest in Washington State policy research and analysis. This episode features special guest Kurt Miller, Executive Director and CEO of the Northwest Public Power Association, and WPC Vice President for Research Todd Myers as they discuss energy policy and sustainability.
    00:00 – Introduction

    00:25 – Who is NWPPA? What “public power” means
    01:12 – Size of public‑power footprint in WA vs OR
    01:42 – How WA’s grid has changed in 30 years
    02:26 – Wind boom: 10 GW built & new variability
    03:29 – Electrification mandates and doubling demand
    04:44 – Data‑center / AI load tsunami
    05:29 – Near‑miss blackouts & WECC warning
    06:19 – Are political mandates killing reliability?
    09:01 – Hydro’s balancing role vs wind/solar gaps
    11:02 – Battery limits during 5‑day heat/cold waves
    12:57 – Rural utilities & rate‑shock worries
    14:28 – 80% vs 100% decarbonization cost curve
    18:19 – Practical fixes: replace like‑for‑like capacity
    21:17 – Audience Q&A: Spain/Portugal outage & China costs
    24:45 – Explaining “resource adequacy” and planning gaps
    27:28 – How investor-owned utilities differ from public utilities
    30:12 – California’s policy influence on Washington decisions
    33:40 – Problems with Washington’s “clean energy” mandates
    36:14 – Why capacity is being retired before replacements are ready
    39:01 – Energy policy disconnect: planning vs. reality
    42:05 – BPA’s future and federal hydro role
    45:02 – Can the Northwest grid survive electrification + AI demand?

    Visit our homepage for the latest Washington news: https://washingtonpolicy.org
    Sign up for our FREE newsletter: https://washingtonpolicy.org/signup
    Follow us on our social platforms! Facebook: / washington.policy.center | X: https://x.com/wapolicycenter | Instagram: / washingtonpolicy | TikTok: / washingtonpolicy
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
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