Host Philip Lindholm sits down with Dana Ralph, Mayor of Kent, Washington, about the growing power struggle between cities and the state. As Kent faces the pressures of rapid growth, rising housing costs, public safety concerns, and state-imposed mandates, Ralph offers a frank and unfiltered look at what it really takes to govern at the local level when Olympia holds most of the cards.
From budget battles and policy overreach to the human cost of delayed decisions, this conversation shines a light on the hidden fights city leaders wage every day just to keep their communities afloat.
EpisodeHighlights
Cities UnderSiege
Mayor Ralphexplains how local governments like Kent are being boxed in by state policies, leaving cities with responsibility for outcomes but little control over the tools to deliver them.
Housing andAffordability
With Kent growing faster than the infrastructure can keep up, Ralph breaks down the gap between what the state demands and what the city can realistically build—and who gets left behind in the process.
Public Safety Under Pressure
She discusses the tension between community expectations for safety and state-level restrictions that make hiring and retention of officers increasingly difficult.
Infrastructure Bottlenecks
From roads and bridges to regional transit, Ralph exposes the hidden cost of stalled state projects and how they choke local economies.
The Politics of Power
At the heart of this conversation is a candid look at who really holds the power; city leaders on the front lines, or state lawmakers shaping the rules from Olympia.
Leadership in the Crossfire
Mayor Ralph reflects on the personal side of governing under siege: the stress, the stakes, and the responsibility of leading a city that’s growing faster than its support systems.
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This podcast is for informational purposes only and not professional advice.
