Evergreen Perspective — Episode with Washington State Representative Monica Stonier

Washington State Representative Monica Stonier (LD 49) joins Evergreen Perspective to discuss the biggest legislative challenges and wins of the past session — from the fight for student rights to the future of healthcare access and Washington’s proposed “bottle bill.”

In this episode, host Ben Christly and Rep. Stonier dive deep into how federal uncertainty is shaping the state budget, why HB 1296 (“Student Rights Bill”) has become a flashpoint in local politics, and how bipartisan efforts like HB 1669 (Prosthetics and Orthotics Coverage) are improving lives right here in Washington.

They also explore how we rebuild public trust in government, the dangers of “predatory listening” in today’s political climate, and what common sense leadership really means in divided times.

💬 Topics Covered

00:00 – Intro
00:45 – Federal funding uncertainty and the state budget
03:15 – Healthcare vs. health insurance: redefining the conversation
06:30 – Life balance: policymaker, teacher, and mom
10:15 – The human side of politics and social media vitriol
12:50 – HB 1296: Student Rights Bill — facts vs. misinformation
25:00 – Rebuilding trust in public institutions
33:15 – Prosthetics and Orthotics Coverage Bill (HB 1669)
47:56 – The Bottle Bill: Beverage container refund proposal
1:06:12 – “You’re Welcome to Politics”: When it got real
1:12:49 – Advice for new public servants and final reflections

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Evergreen Perspective is a Washington-based podcast hosted by Ben Christly — Navy veteran, flight nurse, and small business owner — exploring the intersection of policy, people, and common sense leadership.
Each episode takes a story-driven look at the issues that shape our communities and our future.


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 Bluesky: @evergreenpodcast.bsky.social

Like & Subscribe : If this episode resonated with you, hit that like button and subscribe for more deep dives into the policies shaping our world.

Follow Evergreen Perspective on Social Media: Stay up to date with behind-the-scenes content, upcoming topics, and ways to take action.

Find Us On:
Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & Google Podcasts
Instagram: @evergreenperspective1
Facebook: Evergreen Perspective
Bluesky: @evergreenpodcast.bsky.social