Crosscut's monthly conversation series takes on elections, health exchanges and the shutdown this month. A reading guide for civic know-it-alls.
Crosscut co-hosts Civic Cocktail, a happy hour celebration of civic nerdery, on the first Wednesday of each month with CityClub and the Seattle Channel. This month we'll tackle elections (Who won, what does it mean?), the healthcare exchanges and the government shutdown (Lingering effects, lasting consequences). Join us Wednesday, November 6, from 5:30- 7 p.m. for a televised bout of drinks and discussion. Register here.
There's a lot to cover next Wednesday and not much time, so put on your civic expert hat and start reading.
Healthcare Exchanges:
Healthcare.gov: Why the Washington state site eclipsed D.C.'s, Crosscut, Bill Schrier
Washington Healthplanfinder: Oh, the healthcare you can buy, Crosscut, Adrian Servetnick
Healthcare.gov is busted. These four state exchanges aren't. Washington Post, Sarah Kliff
FAQ: All about health insurance exchanges and how to shop for coverage, NPR
Promised fix for health site could squeeze some users, New York Times, Robert Pear and Sharon LaFraniere
Elections:
Election 2013: The Crosscut smart guide, Crosscut
The Mayoral Race
Well-hidden: The real differences in the Seattle mayor race, Crosscut, David Brewster
Homestretch: Soda tax question provides fizz in Murray-McGinn debate, Crosscut, Bill Lucia
Seattle City Council
Shaking up Seattle's City Council, Crosscut, Knute Berger
Seattle's Proposition 1: A video primer, Crosscut, Robert Mak
City Council district elections: Is a city divided stronger or weaker? Crosscut, Bill Lucia
Infographic: Hey dude, where's my district?, Crosscut, Bill Lucia and Kate Thompson
GMO Labeling
The ABCs of GMOs, Crosscut, Kim O'Donnel
The 411 on 522, Crosscut, Berit Anderson
Infographic: Big Ag GMO spending shatters Washington record, Crosscut, Berit Anderson
GMO Fact Check: Will labeling hurt small farmers? Crosscut, Berit Anderson
You've got the wrong guy: PCC's misguided attack on GMOs, Crosscut, Dick Nelson
Own it, don't hide it: The pro-GMO backlash, Crosscut, Eric Scigliano
The 26th District Race
Money and moderation: The battle for a key state senate seat. Crosscut, John Stang
Seattle School Board
Seattle School Board's District 4: On the campaign trail with the two Sues, Crosscut, Alison Krupnick
Bellevue City Council
Bellevue elections: A city at a turning point, Crosscut, Celina Kareiva
Post-Shutdown Government
Downward deficit: Negotiating Patty Murray's next budget crisis, Crosscut, Greg Shaw
City looks at making up for federal cuts, Crosscut, Bill Lucia
Shutdown stops long-planned UW arctic research, Crosscut, Bill Lucia
Citing shutdown, IRS says tax season will start late, New York Times, Annie Lowrey
Obama adviser Furman says U.S. shutdown cost 120,000 jobs, Bloomberg