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Would you rather pay per gallon or pay per mile?

caption: Southbound traffic on I-5.
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Southbound traffic on I-5.

If you could swap the gas tax for a road use tax: would you? Fire preparedness in a warming west. From pediatric patient to head physician at Harborview’s children’s clinic. And how to be the biggest carbon loser.

Listen to the full show by clicking the play button above, or check out one of the show’s segments below. You can also subscribe to The Record on your favorite podcast app.

Road usage tax

You pay for your electricity based on what you use. What if that logic were extended to driving? In 2018-19, the state piloted a road usage tax program that would bill you based on mileage (replacing the gas tax). That was overseen by the Washington State Transportation Commission, which is led by Reema Griffith.

Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz

After two years of choking on smoke, this past summer the City of Seattle expanded wildfire preparedness with clean air centers and other measures. And then the fires… didn’t happen this year. But while individual fire seasons are unpredictable, worsening burns are not. And Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz wants to make sure the state is prepared.

Dr. Anisa Ibrahim

After fleeing the Somali civil war and arriving in a refugee camp in Kenya, five-year-old Anisa Ibrahim came to Seattle and was treated at Harborview Medical Center’s Pediatrics Clinic. She’s now the director of that clinic, and spoke with Bill Radke about her path to becoming a doctor.

Will you be The Biggest Carbon Loser?

Despite our best bike riding, tote-carrying intentions, Seattle’s carbon emissions continue to rise. If the totes aren’t working, then as a public radio station we are honor-bound to up the ante. KUOW’s John Ryan explains KUOW’s new reality radio contest: The Biggest Carbon Loser.

Why you can trust KUOW