The County Connection | Cutoff Chaos & Big Politics – Episode 217
About this episode
The episode discusses the collapse of HB 2389, a juvenile justice overhaul, and the implications for state-county relations.
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 ---------- 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
More episodes of County Connection
- The County Connection | Breaking Down the 2026 Supplemental Budget – Episode 223
- The County Connection | Sine Die Shenanigans: Surprises, Setbacks & Standouts of the 2026 Session – Episode 222
- The County Connection | Session Superlatives: Big Wins, Near Misses & the Policy Team Unplugged – Episode 221
- The County Connection | Sine Die Eve: Public Health Wins, Near‑Misses & Last‑Minute Saves – Episode 220
- The County Connection | The 'Ol Policy Switcheroo – Episode 219
- The County Connection | Budget Gymnastics & Billion‑Dollar Backfills: Inside the 2026 Supplemental Showdown – Episode 218
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