Talking Policy on The Pop-Up!: Tatiana Brown’s Conversation with Converge Media
On a recent episode of The Pop-Up!, host The Big O sat down with Tatiana Brown, a candidate for State Senate in Washington’s 37th Legislative District. The conversation explored climate policy, taxation, affordability, displacement in the Central District, and approaches to public safety.
Why Brown Says She’s Running
Brown opened by describing a “deep reverence” for what government can do when public servants are accountable to their communities. She said she’s running to bring the power of the seat down to the district and be accessible and engaged year-round, not just during the legislative session.
Climate, Data Centers, and Washington’s Environmental Record
The Big O raised a question many Washington residents wrestle with: Washington already has some of the strongest environmental and climate policies in the country, including high gas prices connected to climate programs and strict environmental regulations. What more, if anything, should the state be doing?
Brown acknowledged that Washington is ahead in many respects, citing policies like the Healthy Environment for All Act and the Climate Commitment Act. At the same time, she pointed to:
The growth of data centers, particularly in Eastern Washington
Concerns about water and energy use in drought-prone, agriculture-based communities
The state’s long-standing tax exemptions for data center development
She argued that, since 2009, exemptions on sales and use tax for data centers have left an estimated $500 million in potential revenue on the table, raising questions about how the state balances corporate incentives with community needs.
The Big O pushed back with an example from Quincy, Washington, where local leaders point to new schools and infrastructure tied to data center investment. Brown responded by highlighting feedback she has heard from farmworker communities, who raise concerns about water usage, drought, and local impacts.
Affordability and Washington’s Tax Structure
When the conversation shifted to affordability, Brown focused on the social safety net, programs and services meant to support residents when wages or circumstances fall short, such as food access, health coverage through the state exchange, and public transit and education programs.
She argued that many of these programs are being cut at the state level, even as Washington depends heavily on excise taxes—taxes on goods and services paid at the point of sale.
Brown described Washington’s tax system as regressive, explaining that:
Residents with the lowest incomes pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes
Over half of state revenue comes from excise taxes
Corporations still receive various tax exemptions, including for data centers
She contrasted regressive taxation with progressive revenue, where those with higher incomes or greater resources contribute a larger share toward public services.
The Big O asked a follow-up question about how efficiently the Legislature is managing the revenue it already collects, especially given ongoing concerns about budget deficits and cuts. Brown pointed to specific cuts that have affected youth programs, Running Start, and vocational training, and questioned why those are cut while some tax exemptions remain in place.
Displacement and Gentrification in the Central District
The discussion then turned to displacement and gentrification, particularly in Seattle’s Central District, a historically Black neighborhood that has undergone significant demographic change.
Brown called displacement and gentrification one of her top priorities. She referenced historic federal, state, and local policies such as Chinese exclusion laws, Japanese internment, redlining, and racial covenants, alongside systematic divestment and policy decisions that pushed Black and other marginalized communities south and out of the urban core.
She noted that the state has already acknowledged some of this harm in legislation, including a bill that created the McKinney Center and recognized systemic impacts on the Central District.
In terms of policy direction, Brown said she supports centering anti-displacement in housing work and highlighted community land trusts, social housing, community development authorities, and the work of groups such as Africatown and Wa Na Wari.
Public Safety, Surveillance, and Youth Investment
Public safety emerged as another key theme. The Big O framed it as a top concern across Seattle, including within the 37th District.
Brown said public safety is among her top priorities, and she drew a distinction between:
Over-surveillance and over-criminalization, particularly in heavily monitored areas of the Central District
Service- and prevention-based approaches, such as youth programs and alternative response models
She expressed concern about “zones” that are under constant surveillance and argued that long-term safety depends on investment in after-school programs, youth supports and opportunities, and services for people experiencing homelessness or crisis.
Brown contended that focusing primarily on punitive responses tends to replicate long-standing patterns rather than change outcomes.
Campaign Message and How to Learn More
Brown summarized her message with the following vision:
Govern differently by staying closely connected to the district
Build a grassroots-focused movement
Prioritize policies related to progressive revenue, anti-displacement, and community investment
To learn more about Brown’s campaign, visit tatianaforwa.org.
Primary Election Day is Tuesday, August 4th. Ballots must be postmarked by this date or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 p.m.
Tune in to The Pop-Up! weekdays live at 7 p.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.
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