Pod Virginia

S1E1 - Pilot: ERA, Guns and Marijuana with Whittney Evans

Wed, 12 Feb 2020 19:43:50 -0000

Whittney Evans of Virginia Public Media joins Transition VA to discuss the Equal Rights Amendment, Gun Lobby day, and Marijuana decriminalization.

Join the Transition Team on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Read the transcript at www.transitionva.com

S1E2 - Jeff Ryer: Republicans in the Minority

Sat, 22 Feb 2020 15:36:44 -0000

Transition talks the GOP minority, the assault weapons ban and more with Jeff Ryer, Press Secretary for the Senate Republican Caucus.

VPM's Whittney Evans is back on the show.

Join the Transition Team on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Read the transcript at www.transitionva.com

S1E3 - Richard Crouse and Amy Freidenberger: Minimum Wage, Elephants and the Kardashians

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 20:58:29 -0000

Transition Virginia got (many) drinks at Penny Lane Pub in Richmond, VA with the Aide for Senator Bill Stanley and former Republican Party of Virginia chairman, Richard Crouse and Roanoke Times reporter Amy Friedenberger.

A note on the sound quality this week: while fun, recording from a pub presents many technical challenges and forced us to record through our phones. You will hear plenty of background noise, but we promise this is our best episode yet.

Topics this week include an evaluation of how the new Democratic majority is doing, the minimum wage bill, elephants and Amy's guilty pleasure, the Kardashians.

Join the Transition Team on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Read the transcript at www.transitionva.com

S1E4 - Transition Team's Emergency Session: Super Tuesday in Virginia

Tue, 03 Mar 2020 04:52:24 -0000

The Transition Team Skypes into an emergency session to discuss the impact of Joe Biden's victory in South Carolina and a flood of Virginia endorsements.

Hosts:
Michael Pope, WVTF
Whittney Evans, VPM
Thomas Bowman, Democratic Strategist
Richard Crouse, Republican Strategist

This short "hot-take" discusses the impact of Bloomberg's media spending across the state, and the Biden establishment vs the Bernie Sanders' wing.

Thomas reveals he's still an undecided voter.

The Transition Team speculates on what the final ballot might look like in Virginia on Super Tuesday, and the chances in the Democratic field.

Who do Virginia Republicans want to run against?

Join the Transition Team on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Read the transcript at www.transitionva.com
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S1E5 - Delegates Alfonso Lopez and Marcus Simon: Living the dream in a Democratic majority

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 15:15:14 -0000

Delegates Marcus Simon (D-Falls Church) and Alfonso Lopez (D-Arlington), both Democratic House leadership, join the Transition Team today to discuss the changes the House Democrats have made since taking over the chamber.

Today's Transition Team:
Michael Pope, Journalist
Thomas Bowman, Democratic Strategist
Alfonso Lopez, House Majority Whip
Marcus Simon, House Democratic Parlimentarian

Lopez and Simon dish on the drama with the Senate, Republicans and get into the weeds about the legislative procedural process.

Finally, we hear from our guests on their favorite bills that haven't gotten as much attention this Session.

The Transition Team has a new website! Check it out at www.transitionva.com.

If you want to sponsor the Transition Team, go to transitionva.com/sponsor

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S1E6 - Sarah Graham Taylor: Collective Bargaining, Shopping Carts and S**t

Sat, 07 Mar 2020 19:16:48 -0000

Alexandria City Lobbyist, Sarah Graham Taylor joins the Transition Team for a chat about the City's aging sewer system, and working with Senator Scott Surovell to pass a bill to crack down on abandoned shopping carts, and why they're a problem in Northern Virginia.

The Transition Team also gets into it on whether gun transfers should be subject to background checks. Finally, Sarah speculates that Alexandria City will be the first locality to unionize.

Transition Team:
Michael Pope, Journalist
Thomas Bowman, Democratic Strategist
Richard Crouse, Republican Strategist

Guest: Sarah Elizabeth Graham Taylor, Alexandria City lobbyist

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Read the transcript at www.transitionva.com
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S1E7 - Prof. Stephen Farnsworth: Session post-mortem, Redistricting, and Late Night with Trump

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 16:20:18 -0000

In this episode, the Transition Team goes to the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va to interview Professor Stephen Farnsworth.

Dr. Farnsworth sounds off on the implications of what did or didn't pass in the 2020 General Assembly session, his thoughts on the redistricting amendment and he previews his new book, Late Night with Trump: Political humor and the American Presidency.

The Transition Team:
Michael Lee Pope, Host
Thomas Bowman, Democratic Consultant

Guest: Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, Professor of Political Science at UMW

Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com
Twitter: @transitionva
Web: www.transitionva.com

S2E1 - Del. Ibraheem Samirah: Protesting Trump and Slowing Suburban Sprawl

Sat, 14 Mar 2020 04:03:00 -0000

Delegate Ibraheem Samirah joins the Transition Team to talk about the Virginia General Assembly legislative session and his bill to slow suburban sprawl by letting homeowners increase their zoning density from single-family to two-family zoning.

He also discusses his brief encounter with President Donald Trump, protesting his speech at Virginia's 400th-anniversary celebration.

Keep listening to find out if his position on Star Wars v. Star Trek.

Transition Team:
Michael Pope, Journalist
Thomas Bowman, Democratic Strategist

Guest: Delegate Ibraheem Samirah (D-Herndon)

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S1E1 - Sen. Scott Surovell & Del. Marcus Simon: Senate v. House Battle Royale

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 22:01:17 -0000

State Senator Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax & Prince William) and the Transition Team escape COVID at Delegate Marcus Simon's (D-Falls Church) house.

Marcus and Scott take the Transition Team behind the scenes on a number of fights that happened this year between the House and Senate. Surovell talks about his legislation to provide driver privilege cards to undocumented immigrants. Simon discusses his bill to regulate student loan lenders.

Finally, Marcus and Scott explain what happened to the paid sick leave bill on the eve of COVID-19.

A special thank you to Rachel Simon for her bomb enchiladas.

Transition Team
Michael Pope, Co-host
Thomas Bowman, Co-host

Guests:
Sen. Scott Surovell
Del. Marcus Simon
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Read the transcript at www.transitionva.com
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S1E2 - Delegate Emily Brewer: IPAs, Foster Care and the GOP Minority

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 02:43:57 -0000

The Transition Team sat down with Delegate Emily Brewer (R-Suffolk) during the 2020 Virginia General Assembly to get to know her Suffolk district a little better. Brewer discusses her Foster Care legislation, and what her first session in the House minority was like. They talk about Uncork'd, her awesome beer and wine store in Suffolk. Finally, they speculate wildly on who might be the Democratic nominee for Governor in 2021 and discuss her vote to decriminalize marijuana.

Transition Team:
Michael Pope @michaelleepope
Thomas Bowman: @ThomasBowmanPR

Guest: Delegate Emily Brewer (R-Suffolk)

www.transitionvirginia.com
transitionvapodcast@gmail.com
twitter.com/TransitionVA

Sponsorship opportunities are available at www.transitionva.com/sponsor.

S1E3 - DPVA Chair Susan Swecker: Governing in the Age of Coronavirus

Sun, 22 Mar 2020 16:42:31 -0000

The Transition Team hops on a conference line with Susan Swecker, the Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Virginia.

She talks about the Democratic transition of power and Governor Ralph Northam's response to the Coronavirus. Swecker gives details about her thinking for the state Democratic Convention in June, and they talk about Susan's native Highland County, and what it will take for Democrats to be competitive again.

Transition Team:
Michael Pope, Host @michaelleepope
Thomas Bowman, Co-host @ThomasBowmanPR

Guest: Susan Swecker, DPVA Chairwoman

More information at www.transitionvirginia.com

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S1E4 - Del. Glenn Davis and Matt Colt Hall: GOPalooza Extravaganza

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 06:31:53 -0000

Delegate Glenn Davis (R - VA Beach) and Republican blogger Matt Colt Hall debrief the Transition Team on the Republican Party of Virginia. They walk us down the path that led the GOP to historic losses of both legislative chambers after electing Donald Trump and reveal how they want the Republican Party to evolve in order to be competitive in Virginia again. Lastly, Matt hypes why you want to visit the magical place that is #SWVA and Del. Davis's reveals his go-to #pumpupsong.

Transition Team
Michael Lee Pope, Host
Thomas Bowman, Political Strategist
Hon. Glenn Davis, Delegate and Tech Entrepreneur
Matt Colt Hall, Senior Writer for the Bearing Drift

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S1E5 - Tram Nyugen and Alfonso Lopez: Immigration

Mon, 06 Apr 2020 13:54:09 -0000

Tram Nyugen of New Virginia Majority and Delegate Alfonso Lopez join the Transition Team to discuss new legislation affecting Virginia's immigrant community, including Drivers Privilege Cards, DREAM Act, Sanctuary Cities and more. We also chat about the impact of COVID19 on the undocumented immigrant community.

Transition Team
Michael Pope, Co-host
Thomas Bowman, Co-host
Tram Nyugen, VA New Majority
Del. Alfonso Lopez, (D-Arlington & Fairfax)

More information at transitionva.com
Twitter: twitter.com/transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

Sponsorship opportunities available at transitionva.com/sponsor

S1E6 - ICYMI: Sarah Graham Taylor on the Gun Transfer Loophole discussion

Sat, 11 Apr 2020 14:43:28 -0000

ICYMI-Discussion on Gov. Northam’s signature Gun Transfer Loophole legislation with Alexandria City Lobbyist Sarah Graham Taylor.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S1E7 - Hon. Brian Moran and Lori Haas: Gun Violence Prevention

Sun, 19 Apr 2020 17:06:23 -0000

Brian Moran, the VA Sec. of Public Safety and Homeland Security joins the Transition Team along with Lori Haas, the VA Executive Director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV).

We discuss the various attempts to enact gun violence prevention laws in VA as well as discuss the tragedy at Virginia Tech and how that eventually lead to new legislation in 2020. Finally Lori Haas gives the Transition Team a preview of the next pieces of legislation on her agenda.

Transition Team:
Michael Lee Pope, Co-Host
Thomas Bowman, Co-Host
Hon. Brian Moran, Sec. of Public Safety and Homeland Security
Lori Haas, VA Exec. Director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S1E8 - House Maj. Leader Charniele Herring: Taking Power

Wed, 06 May 2020 03:12:04 -0000

In this episode, the Transition Team Skyped Charniele Herring, the Virginia House Democratic Majority Leader to get her thoughts on being in the majority, her legislative priorities for criminal justice reform, and where we go next.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S1E9 - Clark Mercer: Leadership in a Pandemic

Tue, 12 May 2020 15:56:34 -0000

This week, the Transition Team has a Skype session with Clark Mercer, Chief of Staff to the Governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam. He discussed watching the transition from his office. He also walks the transition team through the Governor's decision-making process on when to reopen Virginia after COVID19.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S1E10 - Va Poverty Law Center: Predatory Lending in Minority Communities

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 13:08:06 -0000

Dana Wiggins and Jay Speer of the Virginia Poverty Law Center meet with the Transition Team to discuss how the Fairness in Lending Act reformed predatory loan practices targeting minority communities.

They walk the transition team through how the payday lending industry destroys community wealth, and their efforts over the years to reform the practices.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S1E11 - Lashrecse Aird and Marcia Price: Deep Structural Change-makers

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 03:11:53 -0000

Virginia Delegates Laschrese Aird (D-Petersburg) and Cia Price (D-Newport News) join the transition team to discuss the upcoming Special Session to address the fallout from the coronavirus and the new importance of criminal justice reform.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S1E12 - Elizabeth Guzman: Speaking Truth to Power

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 04:50:36 -0000

Delegate Elizabeth Guzman joins the transition team to preview the Special Session to address the coronavirus and discuss her role as the first Latina legislator in Virginia, including the story of how she got invited by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to give the Democratic rebuttal to President Donald Trump's State of the Union.

Guzman also discusses the outsized role COVID has on the Latinx community, and about key policies that she would champion if she decides to run statewide for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.

The Transition Team is Thomas Bowman and Michael Lee Pope. Visit www.TransitionVirginia.com for more information.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S1E13 - Trevor Southerland & Jeff Ryer: Previewing the Special Session on COVID

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 11:20:02 -0000

Trevor Southerland and Jeff Ryer join the podcast to preview the Democratic and Republican priorities for the special legislative session on COVID. They also discuss the path forward for the Republican Party, and the 2021 election.

S1E14 - Amanda Chase: Unmasked, Unfiltered, and Unapologetic

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 04:00:09 -0000

State Senator Amanda Chase (R-Chesterfield) shares her conservative vision for Virginia and what she would do if elected governor. She explains why she opposes public safety health measures to combat coronavirus, and she shares her side of the story about the dustup with the Capitol Police officer last year. She also explains why she believes the Senate Republican Caucus is corrupt.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S1E15 - The Specialist Special Session

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 13:34:31 -0000

Sarah Taylor is back with the transition team to discuss Virginia's emergency special session on COVID, including the budget fallout and anticipated criminal justice reform.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S1E16 - Bold Transition: Insights on Va’s Special Session

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 04:00:04 -0000

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

Transition Virginia and Bold Dominion join forces to tackle Virginia's special session on coronavirus, criminal justice reform, and the budget in a crossover podcast episode.

S1E17 - Healing a Broken Legal System

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 04:00:10 -0000

Claire Gastañaga with the ACLU of Virginia and Andy Elders of Justice Forward Virginia educate the Transition Team on the intricacies of specific criminal justice reform proposals being considered in this Special Session, like pretextual policing, sentencing reform, police reform, and more.

VA ACLU: https://www.acluva.org/
Justice Forward VA: https://justiceforwardva.com/

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S1E18 - The Pandemic Election

Mon, 07 Sep 2020 04:00:03 -0000

Senator Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria City) and Tram Nguyen of New Virginia Majority join the Transition Team to discuss election reforms made necessary by the pandemic. Topics include absentee ballots, the USPS, election drop boxes, and a few questions from Patreon patrons.

Request your absentee ballot at https://www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/absentee-voting/.

@TransitionVA
www.transitionvirginia.com
transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S1E19 - The Fight for Paid Leave

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 04:00:15 -0000

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

Kim Bobo of the VA Interfaith Center for Public Policy & Audra Grassia with Freedom Va, describe the challenge of bringing Paid Sick Leave to all Virginians in the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic.

https://www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org/
https://freedomva.org/
https://www.vapaidsickdays.org/

S1E20 - It's a Bizarre Crossover

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 04:00:18 -0000

Former Republican Delegate David Ramadan and Trevor Southerland, the Former ED of the House Democratic Caucus, demonstrate what it’s like to chair a conference committee. We take a deep dive into the fight between the Virginia House and Senate. Finally, we speculate on the fate of bills left hanging in each chamber.

S1E21 - Who Were The Readjusters?

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 11:00:14 -0000

Delegate Schuyler Van Valkenburg (D-Henrico), a civics teacher, and Dr. Paul Levengood of The Marshall Foundation take the Transition to school to teach listeners about the most progressive legislature in Virginia History - The Readjusters of 1880.

George C. Marshall Foundation: https://www.marshallfoundation.org
www.transitionvirginia.com

S1E22 - Red to Blue in the 2020 Election

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 04:00:17 -0000

Prof. Stephen Farnsworth at the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Media and Leadership Studies provides us with an update on Virginia’s 2020 elections. The team takes a deep dive into Virginia’s 5th congressional district to interview Dr. Cameron Webb a Doctor at UVA Hospital's Coronavirus unit to discuss the impact of COVID on his race. Finally, we get a campaign update from Qasim Rashid in VA-01 and discuss rural broadband.

S1E23 - What Happens if the Redistricting Amendment Passes and if it Fails?

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 13:46:35 -0000

The Transition Team engages in a thought experiement to examine the Constitutional Amendment on Redistricting and what happens if the amendment passes and if it fails. Our guests include David Ramadan (supports), a former Republican Delegate with the Schar School of Public Policy at George Mason University, and Trevor Southerland (opposes) of Fair Districts VA who opposes the Amendment.

S1E24 - Wrapping up the Special Session on COVID-19, Police Reform

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 14:52:51 -0000

Delegate Alfonso Lopez (D-Arlington) and State Senator Jennifer Boysko (D-Fairfax & Loudoun) reveal the new laws to reform criminal justice and adjust the budget to account for the COVID-19 pandemic. They also provide a sneak peek at Democratic priorities for the 2021 regular session.

S1E25 - Will There Be A Peaceful Transfer of Power?

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 04:00:18 -0000

Col. Larry Wilkerson with the Transition Integrity Project briefs the Transition Team on ways President Donald Trump might try to contest the election, and what to expect if 2020 becomes the first violent transition of power in American history.

Wilkerson is the former Chief-of-Staff to Sec. of State Colin Powell and a professor at the College of William and Mary.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S1E26 - Fully Baked: Marijuana Legalization in Virginia

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 05:00:18 -0000

Jenn Michelle Pedini of @NORML and @MattLaslo with The News Station explain the status of cannabis policy in Virginia. They explain the Commonwealth's decriminalization law and explain discuss the considerations behind full legalization and when residents can expect it.

S1E27 - Virginia 2020 Election Results: A bipartisan analysis with Grand New Podcast

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 03:31:38 -0000

Matt Colt Hall and Mike Allers of the Grand New Podcast from The Bearing Drift join Transition Virginia co-hosts Michael Lee Pope (Reporter, WVTF) and Thomas Bowman (Democratic Political Strategist) for a bipartisan analysis of the 2020 election in Virginia. Do Democrats need to abandon "Defund the Police?" What do the national results mean for the Virginia GOP? Will the redistricting amendment set the stage for a GOP comeback? Find out on this episode of Transition Virginia.

See more at transitionvirginia.com

S1E28 - What is the 'Right to Work' and Should Democrats Repeal It?

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 18:22:26 -0000

Delegate Lee Carter (D-Manassas) and Jason Parker, President of the VA Building and Construction Trades (AFL-CIO) join the Transition Team to dissect Virginia's Right-to-Work law. We delve into the politics of efforts to repeal it and examine how Gov. Bill Tuck was passed the bill through the General Assembly in 1947.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S1E29 - Why are Virginia schools still segregated?

Thu, 03 Dec 2020 19:22:23 -0000

Virginia schools are increasingly segregated along racial lines. Kathy Mendes of @TCIfiscal and Prof. Genevieve Siegel-Hawley of @VCUSOE explain their research about why segregation is getting worse, its real-life impacts, and policies to help schools desegregate.

See www.transitionva.com for more.

S1E30 - Why do parties choose a convention or a primary?

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 18:15:53 -0000

Why do Democrats hold primaries while Republicans increasingly opt for conventions? We get answers from David Ramadan, a former Republican Delegate from Loudoun County now with the Schar School of Public Policy at George Mason University. We also interview Trevor Southerland, former Executive Director of the House Democratic Caucus.

We dissect the decision by the Republican Party of Virginia to hold a convention and what that means for Amanda Chase's gubernatorial prospects. What other Republicans might run and how did past conventions play out? Find out on this episode of Transition Virginia.

Read the transcripts and see more online at www.transitionva.com

S1E31 - What Can We Learn from the 1918 Pandemic?

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 21:01:22 -0000

Author and historian Garrett Peck joins the Transition Team to discuss his book, "The Great War in America," which examines the 1918 Flu pandemic in the context of World War I. We explore lessons learned and what policies we might adapt for the COVID19 pandemic 100 years later. We find this isn't the first pandemic full of grift and misinformation, but it is the first time Americans politicized one.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S1E32 - 2020: A year in review with Bold Dominion

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 13:00:21 -0000

What were the biggest stories of 2020? What big stories did you miss? What do we have to look forward to in 2021?

Now that it's in the rearview mirror, 2020 is officially the worst year ever, but our friends at Bold Dominion help to make it a little better with a year in review.

S2E1 - What to expect from the 2021 legislative session

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 16:41:50 -0000

Sarah Graham Taylor is back on the pod to tell us what we can expect from Virginia's 2021 legislative session (Hint: Never ending zoom calls)

From an effort to abolish the death penalty to prioritizing public health--this year's regular session is not so regular.

www.transitionva.com

S2E2 - Diving into the weeds on marijuana policy: a joint effort

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 16:30:19 -0000

Part 2 of our series on marijuana policy. Jenn Michelle Pedini of NORML is back on the podcast to discuss the status and policy challenges around legalizing marijuana in the 2021 Legislative Session. Ngiste Abebe, of Columbia Care. She served on the governor’s workgroup last year and Ngiste is a member of the Cannabis Trade Federation’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce and Virginia Medical Cannabis Coalition.

We dive into the weeds on marijuana policy and the policy debates around equity and inclusion.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S2E3 - Perception, Reality, ...And Justice For All with Del. Danica Roem

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 10:00:16 -0000

Delegate Danica Roem (D-Prince William) joins the Transition Team to discuss her bill to outlaw the panic defense, which allows defendants to use a victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity against them in court. She explains why the 1998 murder of Matthew Sheperd left her and the LGBT+ community traumatized. We also talk about a related bill in the state Senate that would expand the definition of what a hate crime means. Finally, we take a break from politics and rank all the Metallica albums from her least favorite to most favorite.

Read the transcript at www.transitionva.com

S2E4 - Transition VA Celebrates One Year

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 18:05:01 -0000

Transition Virginia turns 1 this week! To celebrate, we have our very first guest back on the show, Whittney Evans, from Virginia Public Media (VPM), and the team listens to messages from its friends and listeners.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S2E5 - Andy Elders & Cynthia Nwarache: Should expungement be automatic or petition-based?

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 10:00:03 -0000

Should expungements be automatic or petition-based? What are the relative advantages of the House and Senate versions? We also wargame the conference committee process to determine which provisions of each bill might be included in the final versions.

Guests: Andy Elders of Justice Forward VA, and Cynthia Nwarache with OAR of Richmond, advocates for automatic expungement provisions.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S2E6 - Why are Virginia felons disenfranchised?

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 19:21:08 -0000

Virginia's legislature is considering a constitutional amendment that could make felon re-enfranchisement an automatic process. Episode guests are A.E. Dick Howard, a UVA professor and author of Virginia's 1971 Constitution, and Paul Levengood, Executive Director of The Marshall Foundation and former president of the VA Historical Society. They brief the Transition Team on why the Blue Ribbon Commission to update Virginia's 1901 Jim Crow constitution still included felon disenfranchisement and what the General Assembly should do about it now.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S2E7 - What happened in Virginia's 2021 General Assembly Session?

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 20:58:53 -0000

Journalists Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Amy Friedenberger of the Roanoke Times join the Transition Team to evaluate the major legislation in the 2021 General Assembly session. They break down what passed, what didn't pass, and what else is there to look forward to in 2021.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
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S2E8 - Del. Marcus Simon & Shruti Shah: Why does Virginia need campaign finance reform?

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 15:23:51 -0000

Del. Marcus Simon (D-Falls Church), Chairman of the House Privileges and Elections Committee, and Shruti Shah with the Coalition for Integrity brief the Transition Team on the need for campaign finance reform in Virginia. We discuss a history of perceived corruption in the legislature and the fact that any person or corporation can contribute and unlimited amount of money. Finally, we preview the campaign finance reform study that passed in the General Assembly this year.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
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S2E9 - Trevor Southerland: What happened at the first Democratic debate for Lieutenant Governor?

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 13:00:05 -0000

There are 8 Democratic candidates vying to be the next Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. They all came together at the "Peoples' Debate," the first time many voters have had a chance to meet them. What happened and how did everybody do? We break it down with Trevor Southerland.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
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S2E10 - Rep. Bobby Scott & Doris Crouse Mays: Protecting the Right to Organize

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 09:00:22 -0000

Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) and Doris Crouse-Mays, President of the Virginia AFL-CIO brief the transition team on the congressman's PRO Act to protect the right to organize. All of Virginia's Democratic house members and Sen. Tim Kaine are co-sponsors of the bill, which would weaken state Right-to-Work laws at the national level and enforce penalties for worker misclassification.

Read the transcripts and more at www.transitionva.com

S2E11 - David Ramadan: Evaluating the GOP candidates for Lieutenant Governor

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 12:56:33 -0000

Former Delegate David Ramadan (R-Loudoun) gives us a rundown on the many candidates vying to be the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 2021 and evaluates their chances of winning the May "unassembled convention."

S2E12 - Quentin Kidd: What happened at the Democratic Primary debate for Governor?

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 21:03:48 -0000

Dr. Quentin Kidd from CNU joined the Transition Team to analyze what happened at the first televised Democratic primary debate for Governor. Is Terry McAuliffe still the front-runner? What the heck did Justin Fairfax say this time?

Kidd is the Professor and Chair of the Department of Government and Director of the Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University.

S2E13 - Del. Danica Roem & Del. Chris Hurst: What makes a journalist run for elected office?

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 09:00:06 -0000

Delegate Danica Roem and Chris Hurst discuss their transition from journalists to lawmakers and how it informs the issues they care about.

We cover everything from FOIA laws to local issues.

See more online at www.transitionva.com

S2E14 - Chaz Nuttycombe: Which incumbent Democratic Delegates could lose their primary?

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 13:22:18 -0000

Chaz Nuttycombe the Executive Director of CNalysis evaluates the Democratic House Primary races with the Transition Team.

Which races does he think will prove most competitive? Are any incumbents going to lose? This episode covers all that and more.

S2E15 - David Ramadan & Matt Colt Hall: Who are the Republican candidates for Governor?

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 20:30:49 -0000

Fmr. Delegate David Ramadan (R-Loudoun) and conservative analyst Matt Colt Hall, a reporter for the Virginia Star, brief the Transition Team on the GOP candidates for governor and assess their chances of winning the nomination.

They also answer some mail from a listener who inquired about the likelihood of there being Republican voters who vote in both the convention and the Democratic primary.

S2E16 - Brad Kutner & Mel Leonor: Who are the Democratic candidates for Attorney General?

Fri, 07 May 2021 15:00:43 -0000

Brad Kutner of Courthouse News and Mel Leonor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch have been covering AG candidates Jay Jones and Mark Herring. What are the issues and which candidate has the edge? Our guests break everything down for the Transition Team and tell us who they think is most likely to win.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
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S2E17 - Dr. Quentin Kidd: Evaluating the GOP Statewide Nominees

Fri, 14 May 2021 19:02:37 -0000

How much do you know about Virginia Republican nominees Glenn Younkin, Winsome Sears, and Jason Miyares?

Dr. Quentin Kidd of CNU's Wason Center and Jackie DeFusco of Richmond's News Channel 8 (WRIC) evaluate the GOP nominees for the 2021 statewide elections. They identify likely campaign issues, relative challenges and advantages for the nominees, and the likelihood that any of them might beat a Democratic opponent in November.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
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S2E18 - Graham Moomaw & Trevor Southerland: Democratic Candidates Make Their Closing Arguments

Tue, 25 May 2021 09:00:06 -0000

Graham Moomaw, Virginia politics & policy reporter for the Virginia Mercury joins the Transition Team, along with Trevor Southerland, the former Exec. Director of the VA House Dems to discuss the last Democratic gubernatorial debate and the closing arguments that each of the candidates are making.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
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S2E19 - Sean Perryman: Thinking critically about Critical Race Theory

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 15:52:15 -0000

What is Critical Race Theory? Dr. Jatia Wrighten is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at VCU and an expert in Critical Race Theory. Sean Perryman is a democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor and the former head of the Fairfax County NAACP. They help the Transition Team understand what it is, and the role Critical Race Theory plays in American society, and how it's being weaponized against Democrats in the 2021 elections.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
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S2E20 - GMU's Schar School & UVA's Center for Politics: What do we think about the 2021 Democratic primaries?

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 09:05:07 -0000

The 2021 Democratic Primaries are finally behind us. Now it's time to decompress and analyze the results. This time we're joined by Mark Rozell, Dean of the Schar School of Policy and Government, as well as Kyle Kondik at the UVA Center for Politics.

What do we think about the Democratic statewide nominees? What about the results in the House races? Listen and find out.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
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S2E21 - VA Interfaith & Legal Aid Justice Center: How can businesses protect workers from heat stress?

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 09:05:09 -0000

How can businesses maximize productivity in extreme conditions? Kim Bobo at the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and Rachel McFarland at the Legal Aid Justice Center advocate for worker protections and describe how they successfully urged new regulations to prevent vulnerable workers from developing heat stress.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
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Twitter: @transitionva
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S2E22 - Mark Greenough: Why does the House of Delegates have a mace?

Sun, 04 Jul 2021 21:08:09 -0000

The mace of authority is a symbol that traces back to the British Monarchy. So, why does Virginia use a symbol for monarchic power? Mark Greenough is the Tour Supervisor and Historian for the Virginia state Capitol. He explains the history behind the mace and why Virginia even has one in the first place. Who tried to steal it? How heavy is it? Has the Sargent at-Arms ever used it? Find out on this episode of Transition Virginia.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
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Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S2E23 - Sen. Jennifer McClellan and VA Advanced Energy Economy: Dive Into the Virginia Clean Economy Act

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 09:00:04 -0000

The Virginia Clean Economy Act is landmark legislation that set Virginia on a path to a clean energy future by 2050. How exactly does it do that? Isn't 2050 going to be too late? Find out from the bill's patron, Sen. Jennifer McClellan, and Harry Godfrey, at the Virginia Advanced Energy Economy. They negotiated the VCEA and explain the 4 pillars by which it changed the climate on renewable energy.

Join the Transition Team on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Read the transcript at www.transitionva.com

S2E24 - John Provo: How do we bridge the urban-rural divide?

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 17:39:52 -0000

Michael and Thomas are fresh from their vacations and back at the podcast studio. Their guest this week is John Provo, director of the Center for Economic and Community Engagement at Virginia Tech and the author of Vibrant Virginia, a forthcoming book about the Urban-Rural divide in the Commonwealth. Often framed as weak rural economic development, John reframes the issue as one that really has more to do with our understanding of wealth and class.

We discuss rural broadband and how telecom providers rigged the system against local governments from providing or subsidizing municipal infrastructure.

Click here to sign up to be notified when the book publishes: https://cece.vt.edu/VibrantVirginia/VVBookNotifications.html

Join the Transition Team on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Read the transcript at www.transitionva.com

S2E25 - Brad Kutner: How will VA spend stimulus cash & unpack the court?

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 14:45:28 -0000

The Transition Team covers what the VA legislature did in the special legislative session to spend federal stimulus money. Then they analyze how accurate their primary predictions were.

Brad Kutner briefs you on the General Assembly’s effort to unpack the court and appoint enough judges to the Appellate Court that will let Virginians finally have their right to an appeal.

Join the Transition Team on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Read the transcript at www.transitionva.com

S2E26 - Conservatives for Clean Energy: Could clean energy power a conservative win?

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 09:10:05 -0000

Former Del. Dave Ramadan (R-Loudoun) joins the Transition Team to discuss a measure in the COVID relief budget that has upset some school districts. Michael objects to the names of new judicial appointees not being published and Ramadan and Thomas explain the nuances of the judicial appointee system. Then they take a listener voicemail on whether Democrats should repeal the so-called Right to Work law.

The Team interviewed Ron Butler with Conservatives for Clean Energy. Their new poll reveals solar developments have bipartisan appeal, and it's possible Republicans could win by seizing on the issue. So why are some rural localities standing in the way?

See the poll here: https://bit.ly/2W9Uvp6
Transcript at www.transitionva.com
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Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S2E27 - Va Tech: What's slowing down municipal broadband?

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 09:15:06 -0000

Two professors from Virginia Tech explain how legacy telecoms cornered the market on broadband in Virginia, and how they harmed communities and municipalities. They provide their recommendations to expand high speed internet throughout the Commonwealth.

Michael and Thomas also discuss new developments from the redistricting commission and speculate about what certain outcomes might be.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transitionvapodcast/
Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S2E28 - Trailer #1: Exclusive Patreon Feed for Transition VA Fans

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 19:46:30 -0000

We've launched a new feed exclusive to our patrons. Click the link below to join the Transition Team and access to the feed from your regular podcast app.

Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva

S2E29 - VA Poverty Law Center: What happens now that the eviction moratorium is gone?

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 09:05:10 -0000

Senator Ghazala Hashmi and Del. Jeff Bourne will introduce legislation to grant reparations to the decedents of people prevented from building generational wealth. Did Democratic primary challengers actually run from the left? What happens now that landlords can proceed with evictions? Michael and Thomas interview Christie Marra of the Virginia Poverty Law Center about the implications of the SCOTUS decision, and what it means for renters.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
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Twitter: @transitionva
Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S2E30 - Exclusive Patreon Feed Trailer #2

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 03:40:58 -0000

Available only for Patrons: Michael and Thomas reminisce about their first meeting during a campaign victory party and what Michael almost caught on a live mic in 2015. Then they debrief after their interview with Christie Marra of the Va Poverty Law Center to discuss implications of the eviction crisis.

Access the patron feed here: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva

S2E31 - David Toscano: How can we fight political gridlock?

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 09:10:18 -0000

Michael and Thomas interview former House Democratic Leader David Toscano, who has a new book out this week called "Fighting Political Gridlock: how states shape our nation and our lives."

They also discuss the lawsuit from rural counties seeking to reinstate prison gerrymandering, and listen to a voicemail about the Red Flag Laws the General Assembly passed in 2020.

Get the book here: https://bit.ly/3ldHK5J

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
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S2E32 - David Broder & Tammie Wondong of SEIU 512: Why should Virginia localities want public sector unions?

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 09:10:11 -0000

The Transition Team analyzes Rep. Don Beyer's proposal to mandate COVID vaccines for train and air travel. Then they answer a listener message about the state of House of Delegates races. Thomas and Michael also interview David Broder and Tammie Wondong of SEIU 512 about collective bargaining for public employees, and reasons why localities should support it.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionVA/
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Email: transitionvapodcast@gmail.com

S2E33 - Dwayne Yancey: Innovating regional news in Southside and Southwest Virginia

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 14:58:14 -0000

The Transition Team discusses the recent contentious Gubernatorial debate and evaluates the policy differences between Terry McAuliffe and Glenn Youngkin. Then they check a voicemail about prison gerrymandering from Buckingham County Supervisor Thomas Miles. Miles wants to know why it's more fair for people in prison to be counted in their home localities than the localities in which they reside.

Later Michael and Thomas interview Dwayne Yancey who will launch Cardinal News Sept. 27, a new online news service covering complex regional issues affecting Southwest and Southside Virginia. Cardinal News will launch as the first news organization west of I-81 with a bureau in Richmond Virginia. Yancey discusses his experience innovating local news during his long career with the Roanoke Times. What economic challenges does regional news face? Which issues will they cover that doesn't get covered today? All this and more on this episode of Transition Virginia.

See more at www.CardinalNews.org.

Transcript at www.transitionva.com
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S2E34 - Dr. Jatia Wrighten: What happened between Terry McAuliffe and Glenn Youngkin in the final debate?

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 09:15:00 -0000

Dr. Jatia Wrighten (VCU) provides her perspective on the big issues featured in the final debate between Glenn Youngkin and Terry McAuliffe.

S2E35 - Planned Parenthood: Protecting abortion access in uncertain times

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 09:05:00 -0000

Planned Parenthood explains why abortion rights are on the line this November and demystifies what an abortion procedure is.

S2E36 - Supply chain shortages & catalytic converter theft with Gonzi Aida

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 09:15:10 -0000

First, the supply lines are getting crunched and that's leading to shortages of everything from Lunchables to auto parts. Next, Attorney General Herring is prosecuting two companies for stealing wages owed to workers building the new General Assembly. Unions want "general contractor liability" so there's greater incentive for employers to ensure their subcontractors deal honestly with their workers on construction projects. Finally, Gonzi Aida is with the VA Independent Auto Dealers. He discusses the economic realities for mom & pop auto dealers and the reasons for rise of catalytic converter thefts.

Subscribe for more.

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S2E37 - Chaz Nuttycombe: Which House of Delegates elections are the most competitive?

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 09:15:17 -0000

Virginia's 2021 election is only a couple weeks away, so how are the competitive House of Delegates races shaping up? Chaz Nuttycombe is an election forecaster and the director of CNalysis. He reveals which incumbents that he thinks could be in trouble and the ones in competitive races who should be able to hold on. Support independent media on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva

See more about CNalysis at https://cnalysis.com

Transcript: www.transitionva.com
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S2E38 - Previewing the 2021 statewide election with Sean Perryman & Mike Allers

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 16:54:46 -0000

The 2021 election is upon us and the candidates have made their final pitch. Who's up? Who's down? What will happen on Tuesday? Democrats might have a blue wall in Northern Virginia, but Republicans smell blood. Sean Perryman is the Executive Director of the Payne Center for Social Justice Thurgood Marshall College Fund and a former Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor. Mike Allers is a former Republican candidate for the 50th House of Delegates district and co-host of Grand New Podcast. We analyze the statewide elections between Terry McAuliffe and Glenn Youngkin for Governor, Hala Ayala and Winsome Sears for Lieutenant Governor, and Mark Herring and Jason Miyares for Attorney General.

Become a patron to hear an extended interview where Allers shares the inside story about why Winsome Sears fired her entire campaign team, and Perryman shares what he learned as a statewide candidate: https://www.patreon.com/transitionva

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S2E39 - Bold Dominion Crossover: What happened to the Democrats in the 2021 Election?

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 09:15:10 -0000

Republican Glenn Youngkin will be the next Governor of Virginia, managing to erase decades of trends moving Virginia to the left. What went wrong for Terry McAuliffe and the Democrats swept out of power? The Bold Dominion podcast joined the Transition Team to discuss their first impressions as they process the results.

What happened and what might happen next? Listen to find out.

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S2E40 - Quentin Kidd: Which seven unlucky Democrats lost reelection?

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 10:15:18 -0000

Virginia Democrats lost seven seats in the House of Delegates and Republicans gained control of the Chamber. Where did Democrats lose and what were some contributing factors? We analyze the election results with Dr. Quentin Kidd, a Professor of Political Science at Christopher Newport University.

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S2E41 - Steve Descano: To prosecute or not to prosecute? ...That's discretion

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 10:15:12 -0000

Steve Descano is the Commonwealth's Attorney for Fairfax County. He comes out swinging in his response to allegations from the incoming Attorney General, Jason Miyares, that he's putting criminals first.

But first on the podcast, does Fmr. Delegate David Ramadan (R-Loudoun) regret his decision to endorse Democrat Terry McAuliffe over Republican Gov.-Elect Glenn Youngkin? He's on the podcast to explain his choice and what he thinks Miyares's chances are for passing his marquee legislation.

Transcript: www.transitionva.com
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S2E42 - Election Fraud: Scott Taylor for Congress

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 10:15:02 -0000

After an investigation found hundreds of falsified signatures on a 3rd-party candidate's ballot petition, one former Republican Congressman's entire campaign staff has been indicted or convicted on dozens of counts related to election fraud. Fmr. Congressman Scott Taylor (VA-02) also remains under investigation. Michael and Thomas take a Thanksgiving break from their usual interview format to bring you up-to-date on a real Virginia political true crime.

SOURCE MATERIALS:
- DCCC's Opposition Research Book: https://bit.ly/32lBQK6
- Initial investigation and court ruling: https://bit.ly/3nNA2So
- Most Recent Development: https://bit.ly/3FP0xxd

OTHER LINKS
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S2E43 - The Transition Team checks its voicemails

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 10:15:02 -0000

Michael and Thomas are back from the break and excited to tease what's coming in Season 3. They also have some voicemails and other housekeeping to catch up on, including one from Frank Mahoney of the Carpenter's Union on wage theft and general contractor liability.

THE NEWS:
Philip Van Cleve of the Va Citizens Defense League wants the new Republican administration to repeal laws the organization thinks are legislative overreach - like local prohibitions on guns at local parks, DMVs, and polling places. Lower on their priority list is to repeal the Red Flag Law that takes guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. What are the chances of those measures getting to Governor Youngkin's desk?

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1) Jackleg Media is hiring a P/T Ad Manager. Thomas and Michael created Jackleg Media to spin off other podcasts, and they are looking for someone to recruit and manage underwriters / sponsor relationships. Email us at Team@JacklegMedia.com.

2) A big welcome Emily Cottrell, who was writing our transcripts and is now our new Social Media Management Intern :)

See more at: linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S2E44 - Tom Garrett: exposing global persecution in Exile

Fri, 10 Dec 2021 10:15:02 -0000

Tom Garrett is a former Republican Congressman from Virginia's fifth district. Matt Whitworth is a documentary filmmaker known for HBO's "The Swamp." They are teaming up for a new project called "Exile" to expose the global crisis of religious and ethnic persecution. Tom wants to travel to some of the most dangerous places on earth to tell the stories of those who are persecuted, and they need to crowdsource the funds to do it. Learn more at www.exileproject.com.

Thomas and Michael also discuss a bill from David Suetterlein to categorize absentee ballots by precinct and respond to some messages from twitter and Patreon.

See more at: https://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia.

S2E45 - Clark Mercer: Live from Virginia's Executive Mansion

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 10:15:02 -0000

Did Ralph Northam accomplish the goals he set when he entered office? How did the Blackface Scandal change the trajectory of Northam's Administration? Why does the Governor support repealing the grocery tax?

Clark Mercer is the Chief of Staff to Gov. Ralph Northam. Ricardo Alfaro is the Chairman of Agenda Alexandria, and this is a special crossover episode with On the Agenda. Mercer details his experiences over the last four years and his perspective on some of the biggest events over the last four years.

Subscribe to Agenda Alexandria on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3EZbMTD.

More from Transition Virginia: linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S2E46 - Alfonso Lopez: What happens once you win election to the General Assembly?

Fri, 24 Dec 2021 16:12:21 -0000

So you got elected Delegate... now what? Alfonso Lopez explains the nitty gritty of being a new legislator, what to expect, and how to set yourself up for success.

But first, critics of the Department of Corrections want an ombudsman to provide oversight over the conditions in Virginia jails. Also, the Division of Legislative Automated Systems has been crippled by ransomware right before the session, when lawyers and legislators scramble to make their final requests and revisions.

The team also responds to listener tweets about their interviews with Clark Mercer and Tom Garrett.

See more at: https://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia.

S2E47 - What were the most popular episodes of 2021?

Fri, 31 Dec 2021 10:15:02 -0000

The team took a break from their interviews to review the top-10 most downloaded episodes in 2021. Check them out at www.transitionva.com

See more at linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Get ready for season 3

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 10:15:02 -0000

The podcast formerly known as Transition Virginia has a new name - Michael and Thomas unveil Pod Virginia along with a new publication schedule. Season 3 premiers Monday, Jan 10.

S3E1 - Sarah Taylor: What can you expect from the 2022 General Assembly session?

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 10:15:02 -0000

There's yet another transition of power in Virginia. What election scenarios might happen under the new political maps published by the Supreme Court? How will COVID impact the state legislature? What can we expect during the upcoming General Assembly session?

Sarah Graham Taylor is on Pod Virginia to preview legislation to be considered by the new General Assembly and she explains the importance of local autonomy when a municipal government has a philosophical disagreement with its state government.

Michael and Thomas also responded to listener messages.

See more at linktr.ee/JacklegMedia.

S3E2 - Chaz Nuttycombe: who will win elections in Virginia's new House districts?

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 10:15:02 -0000

Up first, Gov. Glenn Youngkin is making waves in his first day in office with Executive Orders that some Virginia localities say they'll ignore. New Republican Speaker Todd Gilbert has already thrown the first punch by tweeting an insult at Ralph Northam in the middle of his farewell speech.

Redistricting is the episode topic with the most fan requests, and we finally have new maps to discuss. We start with the House of Delegates. Some districts have two or even three incumbents while others have none. What are each party's chances at winning the chambers in the newly redistricted maps? Analyst Chaz Nuttycombe is on the pod to walk you through it all.

The full interview was too long to include in a standard episode so we've made the entire conversation available exclusively to Patreons. Want more Pod VA? Find the link and more on our linktree. https://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia.

S3E3 - JM Pedini: Hazy future for legal cannabis

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 10:15:02 -0000

The General Assembly is considering legalizing psilocybin (aka magic mushrooms), which have proven medical utility in mitigating the effects of depression and PTSD. That bill has the support of veterans groups, and it's got the support of Senate Republican leader Tommy Norment.

People who are victims of a disinformation campaign think their doctors should treat COVID with hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin. However, doctors who prescribe those would face potential disciplinary action from the Board of Medicine. A bill from Sen. Amanda Chase would prohibit those medical boards from disciplining those doctors who violate their hippocratic oath to do no harm. Should Virginia's legislature intervene?

JM Pedini is the development director for NORML and the executive director of Virginia NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. They are on the front lines of Virginia's legislative fight to legalize cannabis use, which requires a final vote from the General Assembly to implement. There are proposals to reinstitute a misdemeanor crime for marijuana possession in amounts 6 oz to 1 lb., and tweaks to creating a legal market without consideration for social equity, a priority for the Democratic caucus.

See more at https://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia.

S3E4 - Michael Town: Defending Virginia's clean economy

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 10:15:03 -0000

IN THE NEWS: The Senate will vote this week on many of Gov. Younkin's nominees, including Andrew Wheeler for Secretary of Natural & Historic Resources. Senate Democrats are posturing to reject the nomination, but can their caucus stick together?

Also, some Republicans in the General Assembly want to prohibit the teaching of "inherently decisive concepts" in K-12 classrooms, after reports emerged of some students learning about social privilege via "privilege walks" and "privilege bingo." What does that mean and what are the chances of that and similar legislation passing?

INTERVIEW: This week's guest is Michael Town, the Executive Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. He's got the scoop on efforts to ditch the Clean Economy Act, leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and strip the Air Pollution Control Board of the power to regulate pollution.

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S3E5 - Fairfax County School Board: What to do with inherently divisive concepts

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 10:15:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS: Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Chesterfield) wants to stop colleges from blocking the release of transcripts to students who owe them money. The practice has forced over 50,000 Virginians to retake classes or fail to qualify for jobs despite having the necessary credentials.

Sen. Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax) wants to ban public utilities from making political contributions. The bill failed, but is there a better policy?

Glenn Youngkin got heckled in an Alexandria City Safeway for failing to wear a mask during a pandemic. With the governor choosing to endanger vulnerable constituents, that prompted one resident to shout "read the room," spawning a meme that could last a while.

INTERVIEW: Stella Pekarsky, Chair of the Fairfax County School board, and Laura Jane Cohen, Springfield District. What is a privilege walk and why should kids do one in school? School Boards are fighting back against legislative efforts to censor "inherently divisive concepts," and partisan opposition to educating students about diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Support the show and learn more http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia.

(PATREON EXCLUSIVE) Ethan Lynne: Waiting for Glenn Youngkin's apology

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 19:24:30 -0000

PATRON EXCLUSIVE - Ethan Lynne is a high school student from Ashland and the victim of cyberbullying by Gov. Glenn Youngkin's campaign account. What about Ethan, who is 17, scares Team Youngkin enough to attack him on Twitter?

Glimpse Ethan's world, including how he mentally processed being attacked by his Governor and what his family expects from Youngkin moving forward.

Support our work to hear this exclusive Patreon content: https://www.patreon.com/PodVA

S3E6 - Del. Jeion Ward and Mike Mullen: Why would a black traveler need a green book?

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 10:15:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS: The Senate approved legislation to codify Glenn Youngkin's executive order undermining school mask mandates. The House is expected to pass it quickly. It also rejected nominee Andrew Wheeler, Glenn Youngkin's choice for Secretary of Natural Resources. That move set off a cascade of partisan machinations that threaten to leave Wheeler in place for another year as a recess appointment.

INTERVIEW: Delegates Jeion Ward (D-Hampton) and Mike Mullen (D-Newport News) introduced legislation to honor sites listed in the "green book," a handbook for black travelers that showed them which sites were safe during the era of Jim Crow segregation. What kind of sites were featured, and why is it still important today?

Check our Link Tree for more information https://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia.

S3E7 - Alexsis Rodgers: Senate Democrats embrace Jim Crow

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 10:15:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS: The General Assembly passed legislation allowing parents to opt their children out of following local mask mandates during a pandemic. What consequences might this pyrrhic victory have for Virginia residents? The General Assembly is debating equity licenses for marijuana retailers. What terms might they agree to in a compromise to expedite legal cannabis? Finally, the Governor wants to double the standard tax deduction and Democrats prefer a modest increase that preserves the state's fiscal options. What are the risks to the Senate putting a compromise bill on Youngkin's desk?

INTERVIEW: Alexsis Rogers is the State Director of Care in Action and a former candidate for Mayor of Richmond. She's opposing an effort, supported by most Senate Democrats, to write Jim Crow language back into the Code of Virginia and strip farm workers and domestic workers of overtime protections.

Learn more at https://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia.

S3E8 - Goad Gatsby: Extreme politics at the General Assembly

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 10:15:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS: When the Air Pollution Control Board denied a permit for a pipeline compressor station in Chatham, some criticized the ability of a citizen-led board to issue permits. One of those people is Republican Senator Richard Stuart of King George County. Now he has a bill stripping the Air Pollution Control Board of deciding who gets a permit and who doesn't. The Senate has already approved Stuart's bill, and a House committee approved it Wednesday. So it's on its way to the House floor, where it's likely to get a welcome reception.

Virginia has some of the weakest public disclosure laws in the country for police files. Documents that are widely available in other states are not available in Virginia, even for closed cases. Last year, lawmakers approved a new bill that allowed for some access in closed cases. But now Gil Harrington says that law puts family members of crime victims in the crosshairs. She's the mother of Morgan Harrington, who was murdered in 2010. She's working with Republican Delegate Rob Bell to roll back the new public documents to prevent salacious material from appearing on a made-for-TV movie. But Megan Rhyne at the Virginia Coalition for Open Government says returning to the old system would harm public access. Lawmakers are trying to work out a compromise that would block access to photos and videos for now and send the rest of the bill to the FOIA Council to study for next year.

Senator Amanda Chase’s effort to spend $70 million of taxpayer money to conduct a “full forensic audit” of the 2020 election. It was denied, but it’s worth noting senators who failed to vote against it. Four Republican senators voted for it: Amanda Chase, Jen Kiggans, Mark Peake, Bryce Reeves

GUEST INTERVIEW: (Christopher) Goad Gadsby is a Richmond Twitter legend. The guy with the disco mustache, tweeter of extreme politics, and host of the radio show Richmond Cryptoids. You may recognize him from his reporting during the Black Lives Matter protests in Richmond where he had a run-in with RPD. Goad endures hours of committee hearings, detailing them on Twitter so people who aren't there know what's happening. He discusses Republicans moving the "Overton window" and political arsonists setting fires with fake issues like "Critical Race Theory."

Find out more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia.

S3E9 - Dylan Bishop: the GOP's puff puff pass on legal Marijuana

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 10:15:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS: The House ended a discussion to speed up efforts to legalize marijuana in Virginia. Senator Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) believes that Republicans are afraid to act on a policy already implemented. Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax) is the patron of a bill that would allow local police to use AI facial recognition technology to catch criminals. The General Assembly prohibited that practice last year, but supporters of the bill say that was a bad decision.

GUEST: Dylan Bishop, Virginia Cannabis Business Association. The Association of small and medium businesses in the marijuana industry are disappointed the General Assembly declined to speed up legal marijuana sales. He takes you into the weeds to explain what the debate was and what went wrong.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S3E10 - Brad Kutner: Will judges force state delegates to run for reelection this year?

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 09:00:03 -0000

Happy Sine Die! We're talking about some bills that passed this Session that you may have missed.

IN THE NEWS: Local government advisory boards and commissions lost the ability to meet virtually when the State of Emergency ended. Now, a new law from Del. Bennett-Parker (D-Alexandria) will restore the ability for uneleected local governmental bodies to meet virtually.

Two teenagers who created thee VA Bipartisan Civic Engagement Coalition worked with lawmakers to craft a bill establishing a new advisory board of students to help the Board of Education make policies.

Students with lunch debt will finally be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities thanks to a new bill from Del. Danica Roem (D-Prince William). She's been working for years to stop schools from punishing children for being poor.

GUEST: Brad Kutner, reporter for the National Law Journal, discusses a federal lawsuit that could upend Virginia politics and force a special election for the House of Delegates this year.

More att http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S3E11 - Bold Dominion: Wait wait... Don't tell me what happened at Session

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 09:05:01 -0000

Celebrate Sine Die and test your knowledge about Virginia politics against the hosts of Pod Virginia and Bold Dominion in a cross over styled as a game show about what happened in the 2022 legislative session.

Subscribe to the Bold Dominion podcast for more news and analysis on Virginia politics https://bolddominion.org/

Learn more at https://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Learn more about our sponsor: www.saara.org

S3E12 - Rep. Don Beyer: Defending against Russian disinformation

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 09:05:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS:
Governor Youngkin has appointed a new elections commissioner: Susan Beals, a former member of the Chesterfield Electoral Board and a former aide for Republican state Senator Amanda Chase.

A new bill on the Governor's desk could allow police departments to use facial recognition AI to identify subjects, but faces pushback from critics of disproportionate policing.

A judge has ruled that mask mandates could be considered reasonable for students at high risk of COVID-19 under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

GUEST:
Rep. Don Beyer (VA-08) is the sponsor of new federal legislation to educate Americans on how to spot Russian disinformation and misinformation campaigns. He modeled the bill on a program in Finland that's been successful for decades and would create a commission to study misinformation and develop successful ways to inoculate the American public against by improving media literacy. Beyer sat down with Pod Virginia to discuss his new legislation and explain how Russian disinformation campaigns work.

See more at https://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia.

MORE INFORMATION ON OUR SPONSOR: www.saara.org

S3E13 - Chaz Nuttycombe: How does redistricting impact the State Senate?

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 09:05:02 -0000

TODAY'S STORIES:

First, Gov. Glenn Youngkin called the legislature into Session to resolve the budget despite the House and Senate not having an agreement on how to resolve a $3 billion gap between each chamber's version. Wile the Governor can call them into session, they can gavel in and gavel out until neegotiators have a deal.

Second, Youngkin is pressuring the leegislature to pass a gas tax holiday to ease the pain at the pump. The only problem is that gas tax savings would put that cash back in the pockets of the oil companies, not stay in yours. It would also deprive funds for public transit and public infrastructure improvements.

Third, Republicans are forcing the state government to purge reference to equity from their websites. The Virginia Education Association is stepping up to preserve their important work, announcing it will serve as a clearinghouse for diversity training materials and other resources that might be purged from state websites.

GUEST - Chaz Nuttycombe, director of CNalysis

Chaz discusses the new state senate districts that have two or more incumbents in them and how those incumbents might fare. He also covers other interesting races like Sen. Joe Morrissey v. former Del. Laschrecse Aird, and former delegates Hala Ayala vs Jennifer Carroll Foy.

See more at https://Linktr.ee/JacklegMedia. Learn more about our sponsor, SAARA of Virginia, at www.saara.org

S3E14 - Jahd Khalil: What are the sticking points of budget negotiations?

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 09:15:03 -0000

Jahd Khalil is a journalist with WVTF who's reported on the disagreements between House Republican and Senate Democratic budget negotiators. We explain the big sticking points, such as money for schools and cuts to the investment into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

However, localities offer teacher contracts in April, and they're pressuring legislators to cut a deal - even if it's a bad deal - with the promise of budget certainty.

Generally, the Senate budget includes more funding for services and the House budget wants tax cuts. Where do you come down?

See more at https://Linktr.ee/JacklegMedia.

Find out more about our sponsor, the Substance Abuse & Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia at www.saara.org.

S3E15 - Chris Saxman and Beck Stanley: how lobbying works

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 09:15:03 -0000

IN THE NEWS:
Glenn Youngkin is vetoing over two dozen bills, which is more than any recent governor in their first year. Democrats say they were blind-sided and that the Governor cares more about politics than policy.

Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) wins the award for most bills vetoed - nine. He says its retribution for voting against Andrew Wheeler's nomination for Sec. of Natural Resources. The politics of revenge is not unheard of in Richmond, so what comes next?

Finally, we discuss what the bills did that Youngkin vetoed, such as Del. Cia Price's bill to give local governments the authority to crack down on slumlords and another bill from Del. Nadarious Clark (D-Portsmouth) that would have created a statute of limitations to collect medical debt.

INTERVIEW: Chris Saxman, Executive Director of VA Free and Beck Stanley, director of government affairs for the Virginia Agribusiness Council. the power duo are part of a team that teaches a class on lobbying at the University of Richmond School of Professional and Continuing Studies. If you've only ever seen Schoolhouse Rock's explanation of how a bill becomes a law, you may not have a complete picture of how it works. The people who lobby state government aren't exactly corporate fat cats--the interests they represent are as diverse as the subject matter expertise required to advocate effectively for a bill. Saxman and Stanley provide an introduction to how lobbying works and what it takes to become one.

S3E16 - Del. Danica Roem: Burn the Page

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 13:10:26 -0000

Michael Pope is out this week so Lauren Burke of the BURKEFILE podcast filled in as guest host.
IN THE NEWS:
Lawmakers are returning to Richmond for a Reconvene Session, and they're faced with more than two dozen vetoes from the Governor's Office. One of those vetoes was a bill introduced by Del. Patrick Hope to establish a work group to study whether juvenile justice services should be moved from the Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security to Health and Human Resources.

Also, several Virginia media organizations are filing suit to see submissions to a tip line for parents to submit complaints about objectionable material in the classroom.

Finally, VA Attorney General Jason Miyares filed a brief with the Supreme Court to oppose the reformed admissions process at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, which he calls "discriminatory."
INTERVIEW: Delegate Danica Roem talks about her new book, Burn the Page: A True Story of Torching Doubts, Blazing Trails, and Igniting Change. She talks about the way trauma and tragedy can bond people, the responsibility of elected representatives to serve their communities, and the importance of being able to tell your own story.

See more at https://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia.

Learn about our sponsor SAARA of Virginia: www.saara.org.

S3E17 - Jackie DeFusco: Why did House Dems remove their leader?

Mon, 02 May 2022 09:15:02 -0000

Jackie DeFusco, a reporter for WRIC, is on the show to discuss the House Democrats removing leader Eileen Filler Corn after Del. Don Scott launched a surprised coup. However, the splintered factions were unable to reach consensus on someone to replace her.

We also discuss some of the Gov. Youngkin's amendments and vetoes, including new penalties for marijuana possession, cracking down on Delta 8 loopholes, slumlords, limits on insurance companies levying a surcharge on tobacco users, religious expression, and the insane politics of Loudoun County.

See more at https://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia.

Learn about our sponsor at www.saara.org.

S3E18 - [ICYMI] Planned Parenthood: protecting abortion access in uncertain times

Thu, 05 May 2022 09:15:02 -0000

The US Supreme Court is poised to eliminate your right to access reproductive healthcare. We previously interviewed Planned Parenthood about their efforts to protect access to abortion in Virginia back in Oct. 2021.

Hear from Jamie Lockhart, Exec. Director of the Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia and Dr. Shanthi Ramesh, of the Virginia League for Planned Parenthood, who are on the front lines defending your reproductive rights.

Originally Aired: Oct. 8, 2021.

Click here to donate to Planned Parenthood Action Fund of VA: https://www.weareplannedparenthoodaction.org/a/ppav.

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S3E19 - Chaz Nuttycombe: How will the new districts impact Virginia's congressional races?

Mon, 09 May 2022 09:15:06 -0000

HEADLINES: A leaked Supreme Court document revealed the justices are poised to overturn Roe v. Wade. Might such action backfire on Republicans?

Delegate Patrick Hope is asking an informal working group of official government entities and stakeholders to study a bill vetoed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin that would study whether the Department of Juvenile Justice should be re-homed under the Department of Health and Human Services. It's an interesting idea, but would Youngkin allow executive agencies to participate?

INTERVIEW: Congressional elections in 2022 are on track to be rough for Democrats unless SCOTUS overturning Roe v. Wade can energize their voters. Chaz Nuttycombe, the Director of CNalysis sounds off on the most competitive elections in VA02 (Luria), VA07 (Spanberger) and VA10 (Wexton). Which Republicans stand the best chance of knocking off an incumbent Democrat?

Sponsored by www.saara.org.

More at https://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia.

[CNalysis Podcast] Competition in Kansas (feat. Jackson Martin)

Thu, 12 May 2022 14:37:28 -0000

The CNalysis Podcast is now part of the Jackleg Media Network. Check out our first episode together in this special bonus episode.

The head oddsmaker of CNalysis, Jackson Martin, evaluates the highly competitive races in the Kansas House. Plus we discuss some of the latest news in national state legislative politics.

Subscribe to the CNalysis Podcast through our linktree https://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia.com

S3E20 - Atif Qarni: Promoting Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in VA Schools

Mon, 16 May 2022 09:15:02 -0000

NEWS:
Virginia will end rental assistance programs this week, which advocates fear could lead to a "tsunami of evictions." Faith communities and community organizers want the state government to expand subsidies to people trying to pay their rent.

Gov. Youngkin eliminated a "societal cost" test for regulators to use that would account for the financial impacts to families and businesses when considering whether to approve a new fossil fuel infrastructure project. But it's not "newfangled," it's a practice first implemented on the federal level by Pres. George W. Bush and standardized by Pres. Barack Obama.

Early voting for the 2022 primaries are underway, and several Republican conventions will be held on May 21. PSA: Vote early if you want to a void incessant communications from the various campaigns.

GUEST:
Atif Qarni, former Sec. of Education under Governor Ralph Northam. He’s now the managing director for external affairs at the Hope Center for College, Community and Justice at Temple University. He explains his efforts to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion through EdEquity VA - which is now scrapped by Gov. Youngkin. He also addresses misinformation in Loudoun County and opines on the conservative effort to ban books from the classroom.

Learn more at https://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia.

Retrospective: Christie Marra and the coming eviction crisis

Fri, 20 May 2022 12:06:35 -0000

In this retrospective episode, Michael and Thomas look back on an interview with Christie Marra of the Virginia Poverty Law Center that was conducted in September 2021. They discuss the ever-looming eviction crisis in Virginia--what they got right and wrong last year, and where Virginia renters stand as of this week.

Learn more at https://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia.

S3E21 - Dr. Joanna Lahey: A History Of Abortion Rights in VA

Tue, 24 May 2022 09:15:02 -0000

THE NEWS:

Former Republican Delegate Dr. David Ramadan analyzes the newly minted Republican congressional nominees who emerged from caucuses in VA-05, VA-08, and VA-10. He also discusses the possible Republican candidates in a primary to come later this year to contest Abigail Spanberger in VA-07 and Elaine Luria in VA-02.

He also weighs in on how the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade could upend the midterm elections if Democrats are able to capitalize on it effectively.

GUEST:
Dr. Joanna Lahey at Texas A&M's George W. Bush School of Government & Public Service is an expert on the history of abortion rights in the Commonwealth of Virginia. She explains how abortion went from legal to illegal and back again.

See more at https://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia.

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Recovery Alliance of Va. Learn more at www.saara.org.

S3E22 - David Toscano: A Tell-All on Virginia Politics

Tue, 31 May 2022 09:00:03 -0000

THE NEWS:

This week, the General Assembly returns to the Capitol to consider a possible deal on the state budget, left undone after the regular session earlier this year.

New census data shows 40% of days are worked from home in Virginia, a trend that has long-lasting consequences for local governments. Experts say there may be a shift toward "un-transit" and plummeting demand for commercial real estate.

A federal judge in Richmond is giving preliminary approval to a class-action settlement for victims of an online predatory lending scam. The victims were charged more than 600% interest, and they may see a final settlement worth nearly $500 million.

GUEST:
Former House Democratic Leader David Toscano talks about his new book, Bellwether, a tell-all about Virginia politics. He discusses corruption in Virginia's history, former Governor Ralph Northam's blackface scandal, and the troubling origin of "the Virginia Way."

See more at https://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia.

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Recovery Alliance of Va. Learn more at www.saara.org.

S3E23 - Brian Moran: what's a caucus leadership coup?

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 08:15:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Our first story: The VA House Democrats have a new leader: Del. Don Scott from Portsmouth was elected by his peers to get the party out of the wilderness and take back the majority for Democrats.

Our second story: After months of secret negotiations, the House and Senate cut a deal on the state budget. One of those items re-criminalizes marijuana possession. Now, Gov. Glenn Youngkin will consider signing a measure that creates a new felony for possessing more than 4oz of cannabis. The Family Foundation says that's a good thing, but advocates for legal weed call it a step backward.

Our third story: Republican candidate for the 8th District Karina Lipsman first said that Fauci should be jailed. However, she's shaking her etch-a-sketch and walking back that statement now that she's the nominee. However, when asked about it, she refused to answer reporter's questions. Why would a candidate do that?

GUEST: Brian Moran is the former Sec. of Public Safety & Homeland Security for Gov. Ralph Northam and also a former delegate who was part of a successful leadership coup to remove fmr. Del. Frank Hall in favor of Ward Armstrong in 2007. He explains the expectations and responsibilities of a caucus leader, what distinguishes a good leader from a bad leader, and takes you behind the scenes into his conspiracy to overthrow a former leader.

Learn more at https://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia.

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse & Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia. See more at www.saara.org

S3E24 - Del. Amanda Batten: helping victims of human trafficking

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 09:30:02 -0000

Michael Lee Pope is on vacation today and Lauren Burke of the Burkefile Podcast filled in as guest host.

IN THE NEWS:
1. The redistricting lawsuit was dead and now its alive again. After a court ruled that Paul Goldman lacked standing to bring the case, Jeff Thomas, author of the Virginia Way, filed another federal lawsuit seeking to force new state elections in 2022.

2. The Commanders found themselves in a "dust up" with the Virginia General Assembly, which pulled a bill providing incentives for a new stadium after a coach called the Jan. 6 insurrection a "dust up" and compared it with peaceful protests.

3. VA Gov Glenn Youngkin is forcing all state employees to work from their office instead of their homes. Dems say this hurts the state’s competitiveness with the private sector. We say think it might violate the ADA.

INTERVIEW:
Del. Amanda Batten (R-James City County) is the House Republican Caucus Chair. Governor Glenn Youngkin just signed her bill to grant in-state tuition to victims of human trafficking living in Virginia at state colleges and universities.

See more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

SPONSORED BY THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE & ADDICTION RECOVERY ALLIANCE OF VIRGINIA (www.saara.org)

S3E25 - Chaz Nuttycombe: Which Republicans are competing to face Rep. Abigail Spanberger?

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 09:15:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

The General Assembly passed a budget and now it's on Gov. Glenn Youngkin's desk to sign or line-item veto.

1. Gov. Youngkin’s proposal to give oil companies a tax holiday is out of gas. Will Republicans find electoral success accusing Democrats of voting against a bill to lower gas prices, or will Democrats win because they blocked hand outs for oil companies?

2. Senate Democrats also rejected an amendment from Governor Youngkin that would have denied state funding for abortions. Specifically, state funds for abortions are limited to extreme cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is at risk, and it was limited to low-income people who couldn’t otherwise afford these procedures.

3. One of the governor’s amendments pitted Black college students against brown college students. The idea was to redirect $5 million that would have gone to undocumented students and instead give that money to financial aid for students who go to HBCUs.

GUEST:
Chaz Nuttycombe, director of CNalysis, evaluates the relative strengths and weaknesses of the Republican primary challengers vying to face off against Rep. Abigail Spanburger in CD-07. It's one of the hottest races in the country this year, so we break down the candidates and their issues.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E26 - Shruti Shah: Why is Virginia ranked so poorly when it comes to corruption?

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 09:00:03 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

1. The Supreme Court has overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade. Virginia now has the power to bring back a ban on abortion--which Governor Youngkin has already proposed for pregnancies past fifteen weeks.

2. Prince William Supervisor Yesli Vega won the Republican primary for Virginia's 7th District, and now goes up against Democratic incumbent Abigail Spanberger in the fall.

3. In Virginia's 2nd District, State Senator Jen Kiggans won the Republican primary, and now goes up against Democratic incumbent Elaine Luria who is scheduled to lead an upcoming hearing for Congress' January 6th Committee.

GUEST:
Shruti Shah of the Coalition for Integrity explains Virginia's lack of campaign finance regulation and subsequent issues with corruption.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E27 - Sarah Taylor: The fall of Roe v. Wade and abortion in Virginia

Mon, 04 Jul 2022 09:00:03 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, abortion rights are now an open question in Virginia politics. Sarah Taylor, Assistant City Manager for the City of Alexandria, joins the podcast to break down the future of abortion in Virginia--including a proposal by Governor Youngkin to ban abortions past fifteen weeks.

Also in the news: leaked audio of Republican Congressional candidate Yesli Vega saying it "wouldn't surprise" her if a woman's body prevents pregnancies from rape.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E28 - Shawn Weneta: Virginia's broken promise to thousands of inmates

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 09:00:03 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Governor Glenn Youngkin is creating a new Office of Regulatory Management, designed to reduce regulatory requirements by 25%. Former Trump EPA Chief Andrew Wheeler will head the office.

Also in the news: Prosecutors in nine Virginia counties have announced that they will not prosecute new restrictions on abortion--but some lawmakers are pointing out ways that state Republicans could get around the local authority.

Also in the news: Black teenagers are 2.6x more likely to be referred to the juvenile justice system than white teenagers; that creates a disproportionate burden on young people trying to escape poverty. Policies designed to eliminate court fines and fees for juveniles could be a step to help families in need.

GUEST: Shawn Weneta of the ACLU of Virginia explains how thousands of Virginia's incarcerated people earned early release--but with a recent budget amendment passed by the General Assembly, around 8,000 inmates with violent offenses have lost the opportunity.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E29 - Harry Godfrey: What's next for Virginia's proposed offshore wind farm?

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 09:00:03 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

In the wake of Supreme Court decisions revoking civil rights, Governor Glenn Youngkin claimed that Virginia law protects same-sex marriage--in truth, the state constitution has an anti-gay amendment passed in 2006.

Also in the news: Census data shows that Fairfax County is the largest-growing county in the state over the last 50 years, while Norfolk has experienced the most population decline. Still, the prognosis for Northern Virginia's growth is grim, thanks to the cost of housing and the recent rise of telework.

Also in the news: States across the country have begun exploring laws to restrict women from seeking out-of-state abortions. Democratic Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger has introduced federal legislation to prevent such laws, but faces Republican opposition.

GUEST: Harry Godfrey of Virginia Advanced Energy Economy explains what's next for the offshore wind farm being built off the coast of Virginia Beach. Right now, the State Corporation Commission is deciding on a proposal from Dominion Energy--and the cost controls they'll impose on the project.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E30 - David Ramadan: Evaluating campaign finance reports in competitive congressional races

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 09:00:03 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Last week, all seven Democrats representing Virginia in the House of Representatives voted in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act, protecting gay and interracial marriage from future Supreme Court rulings. A total of 47 Republicans also voted for the bill--but none of them from Virginia.

Also in the news: Governor Glenn Youngkin's appointment to the Board of Historic Resources, Ann Hunter McLean sparked controversy with her belief that the statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee's statue on Monument Avenue was erected to promote virtue in the public; she also describes Confederate statues as "vehicles of moral uplift in a time of rapid urbanization and social change."

Also in the news: If you know someone posting violent fantasies online, Virginia has new red-flag laws to disarm those people--but only if citizens take action by calling law enforcement. Safer Country founder Paul Freedman is working with Fairfax County on a public awareness campaign: "Prevent a Gun Tragedy, Speak Up."

GUEST: Former Delegate Dr. David Ramadan breaks down the latest campaign finance reports in three crucial Congressional districts: VA-02 (incumbent Democrat Elaine Luria vs Republican Jen Kiggans), VA-07 (incumbent Democrat Abigail Spanberger vs. Republican Yesli Vega), and VA-10 (incumbent Democrat Jennifer Wexton vs. Republican Hung Cao).

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

Lauren Burke: 10 Things Comms Directors Need to Know About Journalists (Patreon Sample)

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 20:03:14 -0000

In this Patreon-exclusive bonus episode, Lauren Burke of the BURKEFILE podcast joins us to discuss the latest trends in journalism, as well as 10 tips for elected officials and communications directors trying to work with reporters.

Subscribe to our Patreon to hear the full 50-minute episode! https://www.patreon.com/PodVA

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

BURKEFILE: https://burkefile.libsyn.com/

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E31 - Our Seat at the Table: How a New Generation is Shaping Virginia Politics

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 09:00:03 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Amidst news of the CHIPS Act, Youngkin administration is currently marketing three potential sites for semiconductor fabrication plants in Southside Virginia, potentially bringing thousands of jobs to the region, as well as benefits to national security and local higher education.

Also in the news: At a local school board meeting, Congressman Bob Good (VA-05) proposes putting video cameras in classrooms to allow parents to watch for "indoctrination" and Critical Race Theory.

Also: Thomas and Michael reflect on some mistaken takes--such as the Democratic handling of Critical Race Theory and their original discussion of the Roe v. Wade decision leak.

GUEST: Russell Swartz, Salaar Khan, and Maggie Sheerin of the Our Seat at the Table podcast talk about their experiences working in politics, the ways politicians have succeeded (or failed) to reach Gen Z voters, and the responsibility of young people in upcoming elections.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia
Our Seat at the Table: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-seat-at-the-table/id1607868033

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E32 - Holly Seibold: The Six-Year Journey to Eliminate Virginia's Tampon Tax

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 09:00:03 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

With the federal passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, the Mountain Valley Pipeline may be back on the table--potentially bringing fracked natural gas from West Virginia to Virginia. Thomas and Michael discuss the environmental impact, as well as the merits of arguments related to energy storage and the state's soon-to-be-built wind farm.

Also in the news: As Kansas overwhelmingly voted down an anti-abortion constitutional amendment--but friend of the show Chaz Nuttycombe says not to expect a blue wave. In fact, it's more likely to be a "Blue Mirage" in the polling, snapping back to reality in the fall.

Around the watercooler: Graham Moomaw's recent story in the Virginia Mercury, "Federal judge throws out second redistricting suit seeking new Va. House elections" (https://www.virginiamercury.com/2022/08/01/federal-judge-throws-out-second-redistricting-suit-seeking-new-va-house-elections/) and Virginia State Delegate Dave LaRock is accused of destroying neighbors’ property
(https://www.washingtonblade.com/2022/08/03/va-lawmaker-accused-of-destroying-neighbors-property/)

GUEST: Holly Seibold, founder of BRAWS (Bringing Resources to Aid Women's Shelters) discusses her work helping women's shelters and the six-year process of convincing the General Assembly to eliminate the state sales tax from pads, tampons, and other hygiene products.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E33 - Lauren Burke: 10 Things Comms Directors Need to Know About Journalists

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 09:00:04 -0000

In this episode taken from our Patreon feed, Lauren Burke of the BURKEFILE podcast joins us to discuss the latest trends in journalism, as well as 10 tips for elected officials and communications directors trying to work with reporters.

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PodVA

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

BURKEFILE: https://burkefile.libsyn.com/

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E34 - Junk Science Conversion Therapy and Challenging the Earned Sentence Credit Limit

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 09:00:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Thousands are behind bars right now, even though they should've been released--that's the result of a recent budget amendment that changed how "earned sentence credits" worked. A lawsuit by the ACLU challenges whether the amendment can undo the credits earned since the 2020 law was passed.

Also in the news: While conversion therapy is illegal to perform on LGBTQ+ children, it's still not illegal for adults. Despite the practice being widely discredited, the Virginia Department of Health Professions is telling licensed state health professionals that it's okay to keep using this junk science on adults.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E35 - Paul Friedman: The Cost of Gun Violence and Building a Safer Country

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 09:00:03 -0000

Executive Director of Safer Country Paul Friedman joins Michael and Thomas to talk about the true costs of gun violence in America--not only the priceless lives lost, but the material cost to American citizens in the forms of economic destruction, healthcare costs, and community harm. They also discuss the economic forces fighting against gun reform, as well as gun policy solutions to help build a safer America.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E36 - Extensions for the Mountain Valley Pipeline and Changing Tides for the Midterms

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 09:00:03 -0000

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is giving the Mountain Valley Pipeline an additional four years to obtain all the necessary permits to finish construction. This isn't the first time FERC has granted an extension--but some experts say it's a bad deal for Virginians, both environmentally and economically.

According to a new Roanoke College survey, consumers are feeling better about the economy--eight points up from the spring. While consumer confidence is still at a historic low, the upturn might be one good sign for Democrats in what's otherwise looking to be a difficult midterm election.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E37 - Dr. Stephen Farnsworth: Abigail Spanberger, Yesli Vega, and the Fight for Virginia's 7th District

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 09:00:03 -0000

Professor Stephen Farnsworth, Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, joins Michael and Thomas to talk about the hotly contested midterm election for Virginia's 7th District. Democratic incumbent Abigail Spanberger faces a challenge from Republican Yesli Vega in a newly-redrawn district: what do these candidates want their voters to take away and how will the election shape up?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E38 - Labor Day Roundup: Virginia's Racial Wage Gap, Railroad Traffic, and Hanover's Transgender Student Bathroom Policy

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 09:00:03 -0000

"The State of Working Virginia," a new report from the Commonwealth Institute and the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, details a variety of new findings, including a shocking headline: Hispanic workers in Virginia are paid an average of 68 cents on the dollar, while Black workers are paid just 74 cents on the dollar.

The study's recommendations to help working Virginians include raising the minimum wage, providing paid sick days, and offering further protection to farm workers, who are currently exempt from overtime protections.

The Hanover County School Board has approved a new policy requiring transgender students to submit a written request formally asking to use the bathroom aligned with their gender identity. Opponents say the approach is "deeply concerning," forcing transgender students to share private medical information and out themselves to the school board unnecessarily.

Virginia's passenger rail service logged over 110,000 passengers in July--a record-breaking month that represents a 20% increase over the previous year. A spokesperson from Amtrak says that could be a sign of things to come across the country.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E39 - Dr. Michael Thom: Are Virginia's Film Subsidies Really Worth It?

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 09:00:03 -0000

Between a 1999 grant program and a 2010 tax credit program, Virginia taxpayers are paying roughly $10 million every year to help attract film and television productions to the state. The Virginia Film Office says the incentives have a 1.85x return on investment. We're joined by Professor Michael Thom of USC's Price School of Public Policy, who disagrees--he says incentive programs are a bad investment for taxpayers and for the state treasury.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E40 - New VA Election Integrity Office, A Stalemate over the SCC, and Youngkin's Support for a Controversial Governor

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 09:00:03 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Attorney General Jason Miyares is creating a new election integrity unit he says will “restore confidence in our democratic process.” Democrats responded by asking--who doesn’t have confidence in a system that just elected Republicans to all three statewide offices?

Will Governor Youngkin appoint a new head POPE: Stalemate at the State Corporation Commission: Members of the General Assembly arrived at a stalemate for appointing a new member of the State Corporation Commission. which regulates public utilities, predatory lenders, insurance companies and even railroad safety. Now the question is whether the governor will try to appoint one because lawmakers have failed to take action, and that could come down to a question of how the General Assembly adjourned.

Governor Glenn Youngkin was back on the campaign trail supporting former Maine Governor Paul LePage. He called LePage a "unifying force" while denouncing his racially inflammatory comments, including statements that suggest "the enemy" to be overwhelmingly "people of color or people or people of Hispanic origin."

Former Delegate Mark Keam is no longer a member of the House of Delegates, and now voters in his district will have a special election to fill the seat. Voters the Democratic primary have to choose between School Board member Karl Fristch and BRAWS founder Holly Seibold.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E41 - Harry Godfrey and Tim Cywinski: What's New With Dominion's Offshore Wind Farm?

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 09:00:03 -0000

As Dominion Energy's Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project continues, negotiations with the SCC will help determine how much it will cost for Virginians to receive the newly-captured wind energy. Harry Godfrey (Managing Director of Virginia Advanced Energy Economy) and Tim Cywinski (Communications Manager for the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club) join us to talk about the latest development in Dominion's negotiations with the State Corporation Commission: an SCC performance guarantee that the project will produce energy 42% of the time.

What exactly does that mean, and how will the performance guarantee affect Virginia consumers? We go into the latest on this episode of Pod Virginia.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E42 - Dropping Child Poverty Rates, New EV Standards, and Removing Memorials to Confederate Soldiers

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 09:00:03 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Child poverty fell to a record low of 5.2% this week. Analysts say that's partly the result of pandemic programs like stimulus payments and the Child Tax Credit. But with many of these programs expired or expiring, what does that mean for American children?

A new mandate from a California board now applies in Virginia, requiring all new automobiles delivered to Virginia will be electric by 2035. While that's receiving some pushback, analysts are pointing out that the alternative is for Virginia to follow federal standards instead. In addition to the environmental benefits, there's a lot of money to be made to the push for electric vehicles, too: for charging infrastructure, for automobile dealers, and for Virginia consumers.

Fairfax County is on its way to removing "Robert E. Lee" and "Stonewall Jackson" from the names of prominent highways, and the Navy is considering renaming ships that honor the Confederacy. Some are also arguing that the Confederate memorial at Arlington National Cemetery should also be removed.

At the watercooler: the leadership of the Libertarian Party of Virginia recently voted to dissolve, causing a stir. Plus, more spirited discussion on whether it's "Tysons Corner" or simply "Tysons" up in Northern Virginia.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E43 - Dr. Rebecca Bromley-Trujillo: Elaine Luria, Jen Kiggans, and the Race for Virginia's 2nd District

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 09:00:03 -0000

Dr. Rebecca Bromley-Trujillo, Associate Professor of Political Science and Research Lab Director of the Judy Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University, joins Michael and Thomas to talk about the hotly contested midterm election for Virginia's 2nd District. Democratic incumbent Elaine Luria faces a challenge from Republican Jen Kiggans in a newly-redrawn district: what do these candidates want their voters to take away and how will the election shape up?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E44 - Early Voting, Financial Data Transparency, and New Guidelines for Transgender Students

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 09:00:05 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Republican Delegate Phillip Scott says Virginia's 45-day early voting period is too long, causing an undue burden on Virginia's registrars and Department of Elections. Thomas and Michael discuss early voting and the possibility of getting a recurring absentee ballot sent directly to your house.

Transparency in government: Senator Mark Warner has introduced the Financial Data Transparency Act, which would require state and local governments to submit financial documents in a machine-readable format--something private corporations have been required to do for years. This would make it easier to read, research, and verify financial information in government documents.

New state guidelines for school districts suggest policies that would allow teachers to misgender students. Delegate Danica Roem had some choice words in response to the new policy, which currently has no enforcement mechanisms. Public comments can be provided at the Virginia Townhall website: https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/GDocForum.cfm?GDocForumID=1953

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E45 - Markus Schmidt: Marie March Charges Wren Williams With Assault, Battery

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 09:00:03 -0000

Markus Schmidt of Cardinal News joins the show to discuss the contentious Republican primary for Virginia's 47th District, where redistricting pits two incumbents against each other, Marie March and Wren Williams.

March filed criminal charges against Williams for assault and battery, alleging he shoved her at a GOP event. Schmidt discuses the security camera footage and political implications.

Cardinal News on the story: https://cardinalnews.org/2022/09/26/surveillance-video-of-march-williams-incident-doesnt-show-confrontation/

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E46 - Drop Box Security, School Accreditation, and Bringing Semiconductor Jobs to Virginia

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 09:00:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

The conservative Heritage Foundation recently gave Virginia a perfect score on its "Election Integrity Scorecard" because of the strong security around its election drop boxes. As Michael and Thomas discuss, that news directly counters fearmongering around election integrity issues in the state.

Researchers at Virginia colleges are on the cutting edge of semiconductor research--that's paired with an attempt by Virginia lawmakers to encourage domestic semiconductor manufacturing. Three sites are currently being marketed by the Youngkin administration, mostly in Southside Virginia, representing billions of dollars in potential revenue and improved security.

Governor Youngkin says Virginia's new new accreditation standards reflect a broken system that doesn't measure learning loss or the achievement gaps--but education experts say the new system encourages improvement and doesn't punish schools with struggling students.

At the Watercooler: A New York Times investigation reveals that Bon Secours hospital chain was committing fraud--taking federal dollars intended to help low-income citizens access life-saving medicine, and distributing that money to wealthier people in the medical system.

The comment period for Virginia's latest guidelines on transgender students is now open through October 25th. You can leave a public comment here: https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/Comments.cfm?GdocForumID=1953

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E47 - Christine Kuglin: Virginia Faces Nearly $1B of Unfunded Debt Obligations

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 09:00:02 -0000

Christine Kuglin, Director of Truth in Accounting's Daniels College of Business, explains how Virginia's constitutionally-required "balanced budget" can be reconciled with the Commonwealth's billion-dollar debt burden. While some debt can be good, it also carries risk, such as when worker pensions are leveraged and tied to stocks and bonds.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E48 - Collective Bargaining, Wartime Profiteering, and Government Contract Favoritism

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 09:00:02 -0000

Michael is out with a new book! "The Byrd Machine in Virginia: The Rise and Fall of a Conservative Political Organization"
https://www.amazon.com/Byrd-Machine-Virginia-Conservative-Organization/dp/1467139203

IN THE NEWS:

Collective bargaining in the classroom: With restrictions against public-sector collective bargaining removed, teachers, firefighters, and other government employees have now been allowed to organize. Research shows that collective bargaining helps morale, staffing retention, and educator pay, giving teachers more say in their job. Richmond's school system has been the fastest to organize, but other school districts aren't far behind.

Wartime profiteering: new orders for defense capital goods are steadily increasing, according to new numbers from the Census Bureau. Like it or not, Russia's invasion of Ukraine is profitable for Virginia's military-industrial complex, with the state's access to D.C. and logistics command at nearby Fort Lee. As the war continues, the demand for weapons shows no signs of stopping.

The welcome project: While there's a long history of state governors getting publicity by re-issuing road maps and welcome messages with their own names and faces, a new scandal faces the Youngkin administration: Virginia's latest ad campaign was produced by Poolhouse Media, which helped then-candidate Youngkin win the governorship. Their bid was prepared on the first day the contract became available--easily beating out the other bidders, including the longstanding Martin Agency.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E49 - Dr. Jatia Wrighten: Why Do Black Women Carry the Burden of American Democracy?

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 09:00:10 -0000

Dr. Jatia Wrighten, Professor of Political Science at Virginia Commonwealth University, joins Thomas and Michael to discuss a notable political trend--that Black women are more likely to win seats in state legislatures and achieve leadership positions at a faster rate than both Black men and white women. To explain this phenomenon, she discusses her "heavy lifters" theory, which suggests Black women have been historically burdened with the responsibility of carrying their communities--a unique shared outcome of American slavery and their experience targeted by both racism and sexism. In this conversation, they discuss the outcomes of this theory and how it relates to Virginia politics--particularly last year's gubernatorial election, which saw three Black women running for the position.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E50 - Live from Richmond: New Midterm Polls, Cross-Party Support, and Rising Natural Gas Prices

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 09:00:03 -0000

Live from the Linden Row Inn in Richmond, Virginia, where we attended the RESONATE Podcast Festival this weekend! https://www.resonatepodfest.com/

IN THE NEWS:

New polling numbers from the Wason Center at Christopher Newport University reveal a host of interesting results: Virginians overwhelmingly support legal abortions, but also show narrow majority support for a 15-week ban. Meanwhile, President Biden's approval rating sits around 40%, with Governor Youngkin at around 50%.

Former Republican Congressman Denver Riggleman is endorsing Democrat Abigail Spanberger in a new ad--joining a long tradition of cross-party support in Virginia politics.

Natural gas is leading the list of items rising in price on the new Consumer Price Index--along with food and other household items. With energy prices tied so heavily to the world economy and Russia in particular, that rise in prices has far-reaching geopolitical implications.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

Michael is out with a new book! "The Byrd Machine in Virginia: The Rise and Fall of a Conservative Political Organization"
https://www.amazon.com/Byrd-Machine-Virginia-Conservative-Organization/dp/1467139203

S3E51 - Michael Pope: The Rise and Fall of the Byrd Machine in Virginia Politics

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 09:00:02 -0000

Check out Michael's launch party today, Thursday 10/20 at 7 PM at the Atheneum in Alexandria, Virginia!

On this episode, Pod Virginia producer Aaryan Balu interviews Michael Pope about his new book, "The Byrd Machine in Virginia: The Rise and Fall of a Conservative Political Organization." They discuss the origins of machine politics in the early 20th century, the legacy of Byrd's anti-union and massive resistance positions, and the ways echoes of the machine still resonate in Virginia politics.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E52 - On a JLARC: The Latest Data on Virginia Casinos, More Progressive Tax Brackets, and Affordable Housing Struggles

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 09:00:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Place Your Bets: Virginia may soon have four casinos up and running by 2025. Last week, members of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission received a report titled “Oversight and Administration of Gaming in the Commonwealth" which details the pros, cons, and recommendations for Virginia casinos going forward.

Another new report from JLARC maps out ways to reduce the tax burden on low-income people while leaning more on wealthy people to balance the books--primarily, fixing the tax brackets that were set more than 30 years ago and adjusting them for the modern day.

Zoning for the Missing Middle: When the JLARC outlined ways lawmakers in Richmond could increase the stock of affordable housing last year, hopes were high. But then the General Assembly failed to take action. Now JLARC director Hal Greer listed last year's recommendations on affordable housing as unimplemented but important recommendations for the 1 in 3 Virginians who are considered "cost burdened" by housing.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

Michael is out with a new book! "The Byrd Machine in Virginia: The Rise and Fall of a Conservative Political Organization"
https://www.amazon.com/Byrd-Machine-Virginia-Conservative-Organization/dp/1467139203

S3E53 - Chaz Nuttycombe and Bold Dominion: What To Look For In the Midterms

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 09:00:03 -0000

On this episode, Michael is joined by CNalysis' Chaz Nuttycombe, as well as Nathan Moore and Alana Bittner from WTJU's Bold Dominion podcast, to discuss the upcoming midterm elections in November. From Congressional races to local elections, Virginia could be a bellwether--are we in store for a Red Wave or the Democrats holding control?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E54 - Early Voting October Surprises, and a Corrupt Contract for Fairfax County's Sheriff's Office

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 09:00:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Early Voting Processing: A new Virginia law will make it easier for localities to process absentee ballots before election night, hopefully avoiding the "Red Mirage"-- a phenomenon where Republican Election Day voting totals look higher until early votes and absentee ballots, processed later, swing things back toward Democrats. Still, there's little evidence that increased voting helps any one political party anyway.

October Surprise Come Early: With the rise of early voting, we've also seen Election Day turn more into Election Month, and that's changed the pace of campaigning. So-called "October Surprises"--revelations that change the game--have started coming earlier, such as President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan.

Falling Test Scores: Governor Youngkin claims a new federal report card reveals "catastrophic learning loss" in state public schools. But scholars say Virginia's accreditation system paints a more complete picture--and the main problem is a lack of resources to help with staffing shortages and in-school services. As Thomas and Michael discuss, struggling schools are often those that need the most government support.

At the Watercooler: https://theappeal.org/smart-communications-cruises-trips-florida/
A new report from The Appeal reveals a contract between the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office and a telephone vendor for county jails--a contract that included the ability for the Sheriff's office to go on a Caribbean cruise. While the office says nobody has gone on a cruise, Thomas and Michael highlight how this sort of contract is indicative of huge issues in America's incarceration system.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E55 - Chris Piper: How Virginia Protects Election Integrity

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 09:00:02 -0000

On this episode, Thomas and Michael are joined by Chris Piper, former Virginia Elections Commissioner and now COO of the nonpartisan Elections Group. Chris explains how Virginia's Department of Elections prevents voter fraud in multiple ways--from strict protection of Internet-free voting machines to coordination with other states and the "Master Death File" that keeps track of recently-deceased Virginians.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E56 - Election Day Special: Guns, Cameras, and Sample Ballots at Polling Places (with Lauren Burke)

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 10:00:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Guns at Polling Places: This election cycle is seeing a rise in armed poll-watchers, raising concerns about voter intimidation. Guns are prohibited at polling places in Virginia, but that only applies to 40 feet from the front door of the voting location. As Thomas, Michael, and Lauren discuss, there's a clear difference between ordinary gun-carrying citizens and clear attempts at voter intimidation.

Cameras at Polling Places: Polling places have become a hotspot for vigilante surveillance, with cameras attached to political signs pointed toward ballot drop-boxes and polling places. Other reports show people taking photos of license plates and individuals traveling to and from polling places. While journalists still need to be able to do their jobs at polling places, how do we draw the line between good-faith journalism and more voter intimidation?

Sample Ballots at Polling Places: Local polling places have sample ballots to help explain the voting process, but political parties also mail out their own sample ballots--often indicating the party-endorsed positions. Analysts call this an important heuristic, especially for smaller races. But what about attempts at misleading sample ballots designed to confuse voters about their local party positions?

At the Watercooler: Lauren Burke discusses her latest reporting on the campaign trail following incumbent Democrats Elaine Luria and Abigail Spanberger, Thomas notes a controversy at a Prince William County polling place where Republican policies have made it difficult to field enough poll workers, and Michael highlights a ProPublica story that reveals how many Fortune 500 companies have failed to uphold their pledges after January 6th (https://www.propublica.org/article/companies-funding-election-deniers-after-january-6)

Lauren Burke's podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/burkefile/id1481418341

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E57 - Dr. Stephen Farnsworth: Jen Kiggans, Abigail Spanberger, and Virginia's Midterm Results

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 10:00:02 -0000

On this episode, Thomas and Michael are joined by Dr. Stephen Farnsworth of the University of Mary Washington to discuss the Virginia races in the 2022 midterms--including takeaways for Republicans and Democrats, as well as the landscape moving forward.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E58 - [ICYMI] Election Fraud: Scott Taylor for Congress

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 10:00:02 -0000

With a midterm election that saw incumbent Congresswoman Elaine Luria unseated for Virginia's 2nd Congressional District, we thought it'd be a good time to look back at a strange moment in the history of that seat--the election fraud scandal of former Congressman Scott Taylor just a few years ago.

After an investigation found hundreds of falsified signatures on a 3rd-party candidate's ballot petition, one former Republican Congressman's entire campaign staff has been indicted or convicted on dozens of counts related to election fraud. Fmr. Congressman Scott Taylor (VA-02) also remains under investigation.

Originally Aired: Nov. 26, 2021.

SOURCE MATERIALS:
- DCCC's Opposition Research Book: https://bit.ly/32lBQK6
- Initial investigation and court ruling: https://bit.ly/3nNA2So
- Most Recent Development: https://bit.ly/3FP0xxd

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E59 - Jordan Miles: The Trouble with Virginia's Gold Rush

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 10:00:02 -0000

Prospectors hope to strike it rich in rural Buckingham County, about 60 miles west of Richmond. Residents are worried the mining process will contaminate fundamental things like air, soil, and even drinking water. Buckingham County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jordan Miles joins Thomas and Michael to discuss why he thinks a ban on gold mining would be a good idea to protect his constituents--and where such proposals might stand in the General Assembly.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E60 - January Elections, Republicans Dump Trump, and Indexing the Income Tax to Inflation

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 10:00:03 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Republicans are having an identity crisis. Is Donald Trump the leader of the Republican Party? Several prominent Virginians don’t think so. Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears says it’s time to dump Trump--and she's not the only one who seems to be getting off a sinking ship.

Virginia has two special elections on the horizon next January for seats in the General Assembly. In Northern Virginia, voters will fill a seat vacated by former Delegate Mark Keam, who stepped down to take a position in the Biden administration. Voters in Virginia Beach will also fill the vacancy in the state Senate created by Jen Kiggans, who was recently elected to Congress.

Indexing the Income Tax. Virginia is one of 13 states that does not currently index income tax brackets for inflation, and advocates for this reform have been pushing the idea for decades. Some scholars say that's easier said than done.

At the Watercooler: The Virginia Department of Elections delayed approval of new social science education standards provided by the Youngkin administration last week--which had several clear missteps including referring to Virginia Indians as "America's first immigrants" and omitting mention of President Barack Obama while mentioning President Ronald Reagan five times.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/11/17/virginia-history-standards-review/

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E61 - A Pod Virginia Thanksgiving

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 10:00:02 -0000

No full episode this week, but Thomas and Michael want to wish you a happy Thanksgiving—and a quick discussion on the origins of the tradition.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E62 - Offshore Wind, Pipeline Transparency, Uranium in Virginia, and Upcoming Elections

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 10:00:03 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

The end of fossil fuels is blowing in the wind. The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind proposal would be a massive new wind farm off the coast of Virginia Beach. But only if state regulators approve it. That decision is expected in the next month or so, even the membership of the three-member commission is in flux.

Do a better fracking job: That’s the message from the Government Accountability Office, which says the federal agency responsible for regulating pipelines needs to do a better job with availability of data and consistency of enforcement. Opponents of pipelines say a lack of transparency and inconsistency of enforcement go way beyond the problems outlined in the GAO report.

The Golden Goose. Virginia is sitting on one of the largest uranium deposits in the world in. Plus the recent discovery of gold in Buckingham County is reopening old discussions about commercial mining operations. Lawmakers are about to considering a ban on gold mining in Virginia that would be similar to the longstanding ban on uranium mining in Virginia, which dates back to the early 1980s.

At the Watercooler: Former Congressman Tom Garrett is seeking a return to the House of Delegates, while Delegate Sally Hudson is running for the state Senate against Senator Creigh Deeds.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E63 - Congressman Bobby Scott: What Democrats Got Done in Congress

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 10:00:03 -0000

Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA 3rd) returns to the show to discuss his time spent as chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, his work on the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act helping to protect worker pensions and reduce drug costs, as well as investments in historically Black colleges and school meal plans.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E64 - Gun Violence in Virginia, Teenage Voters, and Remembering Congressman McEachin

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 10:00:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

The death of Aston Donald McEachin. The late congressman served four terms in the House of Delegates, two terms in the state Senate and three terms in Congress. He was just elected last month to what would have been his fourth term. Now people across Virginia are remembering a man who was a lawyer who also had a master of divinity from Virginia Union University.

Teenage Voters: Back in the 1960s during the Vietnam War, advocates for changing the voting age from 21 to 18 adopted the slogan "old enough to fight, old enough to vote." Now advocates might be adopting a twist on that: Old enough to drive, old enough to vote. Elijah Lee is a 14-year-old activist who wants to vote in local elections when he turns 16.

More tragic gun violence in Virginia after a shooting at a Wal-Mart in Chesapeake killed six people. Thomas and Michael discuss the state of gun control in Virginia and difficulty of achieving much progress under the current administration.

At the Watercooler: Republican Delegate Tim Anderson seeks to repeal Virginia's anti-gay constitutional amendment.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E65 - Tarina Keene and Lexi White: Fighting for Reproductive Rights in Virginia

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 10:00:03 -0000

This week, Thomas and Michael are joined by Tarina Keene and Lexi White, the executive director and policy director of REPRO Rising Virginia, a pro-abortion organization fighting to protect reproductive rights in the state. They discuss their efforts to fight Republican attempts restrict abortion and contraceptives, as well as policy goals going into next month's General Assembly session.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E66 - Combating Antisemitism, Aging in Place, and AI Podcasting

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 10:00:03 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

A recent report from Virginia's Commission to Combat Antisemitism made several recommendations to aid in its mission, including increasing police training and improving data collection on hate crimes. One of its recommendations has come under scrutiny, following a theme of the Youngkin administration: a recommendation to "prohibit indoctrination in public education." Thomas and Michael discuss what this means and how it misses the mark as an actionable tactic.

Aging In Place: one in five Virginians is aged 60 or older, and that number is set to increase in coming years. A researcher at UVA's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service recently published research showing that rural people age in place at a higher rate than people in urban areas--and she also says it’s important not to romanticize aging in place.

AI Podcasting: This week, we used the aid of ChatGPT, and artificial intelligence chatbox, to help write the script for the episode. Some of its recommendations included new segments--such as a "behind the scenes" look at Virginia politics, as well as its own ideas for combating antisemitism.

At the Watercooler: The Family Foundation has some trouble getting a restaurant reservation in Richmond, and the remains of Confederate General Ambrose Powell Hill are set to be removed along with his statue in Richmond, marking one of the last Confederate statues to be removed from the state's capital.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E67 - Shawn Weneta and Ben Knotts: How Virginia Exploits the Incarcerated

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 10:00:03 -0000

This week, Thomas and Michael are joined by an unusual duo--Shawn Weneta of the ACLU of Virginia and Ben Knotts, Legislative Director of Americans for Prosperity. They discuss the lack of transparency in Virginia's prison system--including the exorbitant prices for phone calls and emails, the perverse incentives of the for-profit prison system, and the burden placed on poor families. This all comes in the context of Senator Joe Morrissey's new proposed bill calling for a study of fees that jails charge to people who are incarcerated.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E68 - A Snap Election, Proposed Corporate Tax Cuts, and Rethinking Criminal Justice Reform

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 10:00:03 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Balacing the Books: Governor Glenn Youngkin does not get to write Virginia's budget, he does get to kick off the process by making the first pass, sending his suggestion to members of the General Assembly. Outlining his proposal to the House and Senate money committees. As Thomas and Michael discuss, the Governor's controversial proposal prioritizes tax cuts for businesses and the wealthy over addressing the state's unmet needs.

Law and Order: A majority of voters in Virginia say they feel safe, even after all the criminal-justice reform efforts in recent years. That's the conclusion of a new poll from Data for Progress, which asked about decriminalizing marijuana, prohibiting racial profiling in traffic stops and ending the death penalty. The poll shows that Virginia voters prioritize community safety over prisons and jails, demonstrating a shift away from tough on crime policies.

Behind the Scenes: The primary to snag the Democratic nomination for the congressional seat formerly held by the late Donald McEachin is tomorrow, and the race features Senator Jennifer McClellan and Senator Joe Morrissey. Until a few days ago, it also featured Delegate Lamont Bagby, but he unexpectedly dropped out of the race last week.

Trivia:

Before George Vanderbilt selected Asheville, NC to construct the Biltmore mansion, he also considered a site in VA. Where was that site?
What Richmond landmark because the temporary home and office for the governor after a 1925 fire nearly burned down the Executive Mansion?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E69 - Chaz Nuttycombe and Ben Tribbett: A Very Special Elections Episode

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 10:00:03 -0000

As we await results from Tuesday's snap election for Virginia's 4th Congressional District, Michael is joined by fan-favorite guest Chaz Nuttycombe of CNalysis and longtime Democratic consultant Ben Tribbett to discuss the various special elections happening in Virginia this coming year: from filling the late Congressman Don McEachin's seat to replacing Congresswoman-elect Jen Kiggans and former Delegate Mark Keam.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E70 - Automatic Absenteeism, The Great Resignation, and Dog Licensing in Virginia

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 10:00:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Automatic, Asymmetric Abentee Voting: Some, but not all, Virginia voters get an absentee ballot in the mail every election. That has completely changed the dynamic in special elections, where one of the biggest hurdles to overcome is making sure people know that the election is happening. Friend of the podcast David Ramadan says this is a trend that is harming Republicans.

The Great Resignation: According to new numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 120,000 people in Virginia quit their jobs in October, a one-month increase of 14,000 people. That's the second largest increase in the country, second only to Florida. Michael Farren at George Mason University's Mercatus Center says more than anything, this is a sign of strength in Virginia's economy.

At the Watercooler: The Joint Subcommittee on Campaign Finance Reform had zero meetings in 2022 and no meetings are on the calendar for 2023. Meanwhile, an upcoming bill coming before the General Assembly might prevent local governments from issuing licenses for cats and dogs.

Trivia:

Virginia is known as the Old Dominion State. That nicknames refers to the Virginia colony being the dominion of...who?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S3E71 - 2022 Year In Review

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 10:00:05 -0000

In this year-end retrospective, Thomas and Michael discuss some clips from the top ten episodes of Pod Virginia aired in 2022--everything from elections to lawmaking to education policy and campaign finance. Here's to another great year of Pod Virginia!

#10: David Toscano: A Tell-All on Virginia Politics
#9: Brian Moran: what's a caucus leadership coup?
#8: Lauren Burke: Election Day Special: Guns, Cameras, and Sample Ballots at Polling Places
#7: Chaz Nuttycombe: who will win elections in Virginia's new House districts?
#6: On a JLARC: The Latest Data on Virginia Casinos, More Progressive Tax Brackets, and Affordable Housing Struggles
#5: Dr. Stephen Farnsworth: Jen Kiggans, Abigail Spanberger, and Virginia's Midterm Results
#4: Chaz Nuttycombe and Bold Dominion: What To Look For In the Midterms
#3: Shruti Shah: Why is Virginia ranked so poorly when it comes to corruption?
#2: Early Voting October Surprises, and a Corrupt Contract for Fairfax County's Sheriff's Office
#1: Chris Piper: How Virginia Protects Election Integrity

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E1 - Season 4 Premiere: Treating Substance Use Disorder and Goodbye Grocery Tax

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 10:00:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Governor Youngkin's campaign promise to end the 1.5% state grocery task has been fulfilled; Thomas and Michael discuss the merits of the policy and how it relates to Holly Siebold's six-year struggle to end the tampon tax.

Treating Substance Use Disorder: Back in the 1850s, the campus that now houses the Catawba Hospital was the Roanoke Red Sulphur Springs Resort.Now it could be adding a new substance-use disorder treatment and recovery facility. Delegate Sam Rasoul says he hopes it will become an approach that can be replicated all over Virginia.

At the Watercooler:
Michael Town: Governor Youngkin’s working to cut off a lifeline for Virginia communities
and a discussion of a recent Zoom fundraiser held by Delegate Kaye Kory.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E2 - Sarah Taylor: What to expect from the 2023 General Assembly

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 09:53:35 -0000

Sarah Taylor, Assistant City Manager and Legislative Director for the City of Alexandria, joins the show once more to break down what we can expect from the upcoming General Assembly session that starts next week. What's going on with Governor Youngkin's mental health funding and affordable housing promises? Why is Alexandria advocating for local control of its health department? And how will a divided government affect it all?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E3 - Speaker Chaos, Home-Building Regulations, Rumors Around Richmond, and More Trivia!

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 10:00:02 -0000

FLASHBACK: Thomas and Michael take a look back at the 1998 standoff in the Virginia House of Delegates to elect a new Speaker--involving shouted objections, day-long voice votes, and the occasional quote from The Wizard of Oz.

IN THE NEWS:

"Make Virginia Home" -- That's the message from Governor Glenn Youngkin, who says he's concerned that Virginia is adding half as many residential units as were constructed 20 years ago. That's why he wants lawmakers to consider legislation to get rid of what he calls unnecessary regulation. Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson says all those permits are there for a reason, and short circuiting requirements might end up being counterproductive.

At the Watercooler:

Rumors around Richmond that Representative Jennifer McClellan may not endorse Lamont Bagby to replace her state Senate seat--but instead support activist Alexsis Rodgers.
Delegate Wren Williams of Patrick County has been acquitted of the misdemeanor assault charge brought against him by Delegate Marie March (see our episode here)
Tomorrow is the special election in Virginia Beach, where voters will be selecting a replacement for Jen Kiggans, who was elected to Congress in November. Democrats are hopeful they can flip the seat with Aaron Rouse, a member of the Virginia Beach City Council who is a former NFL football player. Republican Kevin Adams is a retired lieutenant commander in the Navy and a small business owner.

Trivia: Virginia’s early governors were elected by the General Assembly, not by voters. What year was the first time actual voters got to choose the governor of Virginia?

Tanner Long (@TannerLLong) answered our latest trivia question correctly-- “Richmond got its name from William Byrd after he saw the James River from what is now Libby Hill Park. He was reminded of the River Thames in Richmond in England and named the area after it.”

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E4 - Senator Scott Surovell: Breaking Down Youngkin's State of the Commonwealth Speech

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 10:00:03 -0000

As the 2023 General Assembly kicks off, Senator Scott Surovell joins Thomas and Michael to discuss Governor Glenn Youngkin's State of the Commonwealth address--covering his comments on a range of topics including inflation, education, energy, taxes, and even foreign policy.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E5 - Virginia's Budget Woes, Youngkin's New Red Scare, and Morrissey's Family Drama

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 10:05:01 -0000

If you're in Richmond this Thursday, check out Michael's speech on the Byrd Machine--6 PM at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture.

IN THE NEWS:

The Manchurian Candidate: Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin used his State of the Commonwealth speech as an opportunity to take aim at China, saying he wants to see lawmakers to prohibit foreign entities tied to the Chinese Communist Party from purchasing Virginia farmland. But Thomas and Michael discuss how this is a smokescreen and a bad move for Virginia's social and economic future.

Virginia's Budget: With the state government divided between Republicans and Democrats, the 2023 budget is going to require compromise. There's some room for bipartisanship, especially with the push to double the standard deduction, but Democrats are ready to put up a fight against corporate tax cuts and other proposed measures.

At the Watercooler:

Senator Joe Morrissey is back in the limelight after his wife alleged infidelity and manipulation--read more with Brandon Jarvis' Tweet
A portrait of Harry Byrd in the state Capitol has been quietly replaced by one of Pocahontas; it seems the former Governor has been effectively banished from the halls of Richmond.

Trivia: When was the Senate of Virginia created?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E6 - Schuyler VanValkenburg: The History of Virginia Political Machines

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 10:05:01 -0000

If you're in Richmond TONIGHT--Thursday, January 19th, 2023--, check out Michael's speech on the Byrd Machine in Virginia--6 PM at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. And pick up a copy of The Byrd Machine in Virginia.

Delegate Schuyler VanValkenburg joins the show this week to discuss what he knows best--history and government. In this case, the histoy of machine politics in Virginia from Reconstruction through the modern dark, including the multiracial Mahone Machine and the Readjusters, the Martin Machine of the early 1900s, and the eventual shift into the famous Byrd Machine that operated Virginia politics for half a century. What is a political machine and how does it maintain power? Do we see any echoes of it in the modern day?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E7 - Ballot Boxes, Prison Phone Calls, and a Rejected Abortion Bill

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 10:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

During the pandemic, election officials started making ballot drop boxes available to make voting easier. Now those drop boxes are an object of suspicion. Voting advocates say the recent updates to election laws make Virginia a leader in easy and convenient voting, despite its past history of voter restriction.

The cost of maintaining a line of communication to people behind bars in Virginia prisons can be burdensome for many families. Companies that provide vending services for telecommunications contracts make millions of dollars while the families of people who are incarcerated suffer.

At the Watercooler:

Alexsis Rodgers is running for the seat that will be vacated by Senator Jennifer McClellan when she is elected to Congress on Feb. 21
Democrats have a blue wall that is standing in the way of any changes to abortion rights. Last week, a Senate subcommittee rejected a 15-week ban, a 24-week ban and a total ban. Plus they rejected a resolution saying life begins at conception.
Delegate Danica Roem and Senator Chap Petersen are working together to keep data centers out of Prince William County. They say these things are a drain on the power grid, a serious problem for stormwater management and an eyesore next to Civil War battlefields.
In his State of the Commonwealth Address, the governor talked about throwing the book at people who witness an overdose. The idea is to go after drug dealers. But the way it would actually work is that people won't call for help because they’ll be afraid of being charged with felony murder.

Trivia: How many Indian tribes does Virginia have?

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Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E8 - Harry Godfrey: Explaining Energy Legislation in the General Assembly

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 10:05:01 -0000

Harry Godfrey of Advanced Energy United--and Pod Virginia's favorite energy guy--joins the show this week to break down the energy and utility regulation bills working their way through the General Assembly this session. The first: the Affordable Energy Act, which would restore utility oversight and regulation abilities to the State Corporation Commission. The second, and more controversial: the Phase II Energy Bill, which would allow utilities to add certain line-items to base rates, as well as other changes opposed by AEU.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E9 - Ending Solitary Confinement, Smart Thermostats, and the Return of Payday Lending

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 10:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Return of the Payday Lenders: A new app allows users to get quick cash based on hours they've already worked, and the emergence of this new financial technology is leading lawmakers in Richmond to start thinking about state regulations for this growing market. But some worry that earned wage access looks a lot like a loan, and may get consumers caught in a debt trap.

Ending Solitary Confinement: Republican Delegate Glenn Davis and Democratic House Leader Don Scott are working together to ban solitary confinement at state prisons. They say it'll improve the lives and mental health of people who are incarcerated--though it may face difficulties as it moves forward through the House Appropriations Committee.

Thermostatic Politics: People who have smart thermostats in Virginia can sign up for a rebate program that allows them to save money if they allow utility companies to reduce the drain on the power grid during the hottest part of the summer. Some lawmakers are looking to prohibit utilities from making any adjustments.

At the Watercooler:

Not an anomaly: 2020's red states have higher murder rates (axios.com)
The latest on the effort to build another casino somewhere in Virginia--and what casinos mean for the local area.

Trivia: What is the origin of Virginia's lynch law?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E10 - Senator John Bell: What's Next for Virginia's Fifth Casino?

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 10:05:01 -0000

State Senator John Bell of Loudon County joins Thomas and Michael to discuss the complex topic of casinos--Virginia is set to develop its fifth casino in the state, but the details are still up in the air. Richmond voters rejected the casino, but Petersburg may want it. Senator Bell explains the economic and social thinking behind the state's casino legislation as well as his pragmatic approach to the question of state-regulated gambling.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E11 - Solitary Politics, A Casino Bet that Failed, and Missing Education Money

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 10:26:43 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Solitary Fail: Advocates who want to ban solitary confinement were hopeful they were finally going to see a victory when Republican Delegate Glenn Davis signed on. The bill sailed through committees and reached the House floor--but Davis then substituted a version that stripped out the maximum of 15 days in solitary confinement.

Playing the Odds: Virginia's betting and casinos are currently overseeen by a patchwork of agencies--an approach that has some lawmakers bothered. A new bill would lay the groundwork for creating a Gambling Commission that would oversee all gambling instead of the patchwork approach.

At the Watercooler:

Virginia says ‘human’ error led to $200 million shortage in local school funding – The Virginian-Pilot (pilotonline.com)
How Delegate Holly Siebold deftly handled her hazing during her first bill through the General Assembly.

Trivia: Our first episode was titled “ERA, Guns and Marijuana.” Who was the FIRST GUEST?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E12 - Bo Belotti: The Bills Attacking Trans Kids

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 10:05:01 -0000

Several bills passed the state House this session that would harm transgender kids--as well as all 1.2 million students in Virginia. This week, Thomas and Michael are joined by Bo Belotti, an activist and National Recruitment Director for the Trans Radical Activist Network. They talk about the harm of a bill that would require student athletes to verify their genitalia with adults before being able to compete in sports, as well as one that would require schools to notify parents of their child's transition. They also cover Delegate Danica Roem's fierce rebuttal to these bills that left many proponents without answers.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E13 - Banning Books, Prison Phone Calls, and Killing Bills Without a Hearing

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 10:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Advocates for people incarcerated in Virginia prisons say it shouldn’t be a financial burden for them to stay in touch with their family. Now lawmakers are moving forward with a compromise bill that doesn't mandate free telephone calls, but does provide some oversight of those lucrative telecommunications contracts.

Governor Glenn Youngkin is working with House Republicans to have a proposal now under consideration that would give $350 million in corporate tax cuts. Senate Democrats say they have no appetite for it.To work out their differences, a handful of senior lawmakers will meet behind closed doors in a secret conference committee that's not open to the public or the press.

In support of recent bills to legislate the contents of school libraries, Delegate Tim Anderson had teenagers removed from the House chamber so he could read from explicit passages from books he thinks are inappropriate. Thomas and Michael discuss the disturbing trend toward book-banning in Virginia and nationwide.

At the Watercooler:

In the US Senate, Tim Kaine introduced the Reproductive Freedom for All Act.
A Democratic House member who was so angry about her bill being killed without a hearing that she surreptitiously recorded the chairman of a committee--as well as the many abortion bills never got docketed in the Republican-led House.

Trivia: When did Virginia bring back the mace that gets paraded down the House of Delegates?
Mark Greenough: Why does the House of Delegates have a mace?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E14 - Buy, Sell, or Hold? With Sarah Taylor, Delegate Alfonso Lopez, and Delegate Marcus Simon

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 10:05:01 -0000

On this week's live-to-tape game show, Michael sits down with Delegate Alfonso Lopez, Delegate Marcus Simon, and Alexandria Assistant City Manager Sarah Taylor to get their takes on a variety of hot topics--from the Petersburg casino to corporate tax cuts to secret recordings and the prospect of a state pony.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E15 - A State Pony, Bicycle Stops, and Acknowledging Virginia's Grave-Robbing History

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 10:40:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

The Idaho Stop: Senator Deeds proposed legislation that would give local governments authority to adopt local ordinances giving cyclists more leeway at stop signs--something that would benefit cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians alike. But the momentum of the legislation stalled after House Republicans voiced their concerns.

A bill to make the Chincoteague pony the official state pony of Virginia has faced opposition from the Southwest delegation, whose members also have wild ponies roaming their districts.

A new Democratic resolution would have Virginia acknowledge its sordid past of grave-robbing Black cemetaries for medical experimentation in the 1800s. But a Republican-controlled House panel rejected the bill last week.

At the Watercooler:

The casino bill is dead for now, which is good news for the potential of a Richmond casino.
In the absence of formal abortion legislation, Democrats are attempting a rules-change maneuver to force floor discussion of abortion and put both Republicans and Democrats on the record for where they stand.

Trivia: The end of the General Assembly session is known as sine die. That’s a Latin expression for what?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E16 - Dylan Bishop: Sorting Through This Year's Marijuana Legislation

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 10:05:01 -0000

This week Dylan Bishop, attorney and lobbyist with Eckert Seamans, joins Thomas and Michael to discuss the status of marijuana legalization in Virginia, the mix of cannabis-related bills in the General Assembly this year, and the "mess" that currently exists around retail marijuana and hemp regulation.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E17 - Representative Retirements, Closed-Door Committees, and a Tribute to Ken Plum

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 10:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Almost a dozen House members are running for the Senate, so they are not running for reelection in their House districts. And more than a handful of other House members are not seeking reelection at all.

When the House and Senate have different versions of the same bill, they send it into a committee of conference -- a way to get all the key players together and resolve differences. Those conference committees happen in secret. They are not open to the public or the press, and that's a lack of transparency that's worrisome to many.

Delegate Ken Plum of Reston has seen it all, literally as the longest serving member of the House of Delegates. He’s seen Democrats in power, Republicans in power and he even was around to witness the last gasp of the Byrd Machine. Michael had a chance to talk with Delegate Plum about his career before he retires.

At the Watercooler:

The firehouse primary for Jennifer McClellan’s Senate seat, which features Dawn Adams, Alexsis Rodgers and Lamont Bagby
New leadership for the Virginia Capitol Correspondents Association

Trivia: How many Confederate statues are CURRENTLY in Capitol Square?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E18 - Chaz Nuttycombe: Who's Retiring from the General Assembly This Year?

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 11:47:38 -0000

Chaz Nuttycombe of CNalysis joins Michael to run through the list of state Senators and Representatives who won't be seeking re-election next year, and why--from redistricting to spending more time with family, next year's General Assembly will look starkly different from the one we've come to know.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E19 - Superintendent Resignation, Trouble With the Education Budget, and Amazon Pausing HQ2

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 10:05:01 -0000

Michael will be speaking at the Arlington Historical Society about The Byrd Machine in Virginia this Thursday, March 9.

IN THE NEWS:

The Department of Education's $200 million mistake in estimating school aid still hasn't been fixed--what analysts are saying and how the General Assembly's initial "skinny budget" doesn't go far enough to solve the problem.

Virginia’s superintendent of public instruction, Jillian Balow, has resigned--and Governor Youngkin still hasn't answered why, despite facing direct questions about what went down.

According to a new poll, Governor Youngkin's job approval is at 57 percent, and his unfavorability rating is at 35 percent. The poll also explores interesting head-to-head matchups between President Biden and prospective 2024 Republican presidential candidates in Youngkin, De Santis, and Trump.

At the Watercooler:

- Delegate Lamont Bagby has won the Democratic firehouse primary for Jennifer McClellan’s Senate seat.
- Amazon pauses development on its HQ2 in the face of remote work.

Trivia: What's the name for the old-fashioned practice of political candidates serving booze to voters. Hint: BLANK the BLANK with BLANK

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E20 - Laura Goren and Chad Stewart: The Big Math Error in Virginia's Education Budget

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 10:05:01 -0000

Due to calculation errors, Virginia's Department of Education made a $200 million mistake in estimating basic aid for local school divisions this year--which caused schools to budget for far more than they're likely to get. The General Assembly wasn't able to agree on a budget before the regular session ended--and their compromise "skinny budget" accounts for only $16 million of the $200 million deficit.

How did the error happen, what can be done to fix it, and where does it leave Virginia's school systems? This week, Thomas and Michael are joined by Laura Goren, Director of Research and Education at the Commonwealth Institute, as well as Chad Stewart, the Policy Analyst at the Virginia Education Association, to explain.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E21 - Big Milk, Holes in the SCC, and Even More Retirements

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 09:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

After our episode on retirements, we learned of two more members who say they won’t be coming back, former Speaker Eileen Filler Corn and Senator Lynwood Lewis. That makes thirteen House members who say they will not run for reelection, and another thirteen say they won’t run for reelection in the House because they're running for the Senate.

The State Corporation Commission has outsized influence over how electric utilities are regulated, and the three member commission currently has only one member. That's because Democrats and Republicans can NOT agree on appointments. But does this inability for the SCC to regulate certain industries mean better outcomes in the face of climate changes?

Whole milk was prohibited from school cafeterias a decade ago as part of the Department of Agriculture's School Lunch Program as part of the Obama administration Let's Move initiative. Now people are starting to second guess that idea, including Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat from Northern Virginia’s 7th District. But does this really matter?

At the Watercooler:

- Republican Delegate Matt Fariss of Campbell County is facing two felony charges
- Both Democrats and Republicans are both having a hard time getting people to run for the Loudoun County School Board as it comes under heavy national right-wing scrutiny.

Trivia: What was the name of the Nazi leader who ran for governor in 1965?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E22 - Markus Schmidt: Del. Fariss' Felony Charges and the March/Williams Primary Fight

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 09:05:01 -0000

Markus Schmidt of Cardinal News joins the show to discuss a busy week for Southside Virginia. Delegate Matt Fariss of Campbell County is facing two felony charges after a woman accused him of hit and run with his 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe on U.S. 501. Meanwhile, a judge says the commonwealth "fell short" of proving Delegate Marie March's misdemeanor assault allegations against Delegate Wren Williams. What do those stories mean for the upcoming primary elections and the future of Southwest VA?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E23 - Public School Unions, Payday Lenders, and Virginia's White Supremacists

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 09:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Empty Seats: Several members of the General Assembly are moving to new addresses so they can run later this year under new district maps, as some incumbents may no longer live in the districts they represent. But a line in the Virginia Constitution means those members can't participate in any special session to deal with the budget this year.

Collective Bargaining: Teachers and support staff and cafeteria workers across Virginia are trying to hammer out new collective bargaining agreements. It's happening in Albemarle, Arlington, Charlottesville, Fairfax and Prince William. Union leaders say groups considering collective bargaining in their local school divisions should be on the lookout for unreasonable requirements for union elections.

Return of Payday Lending: A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office recommends that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau decide whether "earned wage access" cash advance qualifies as a loan.

At the Watercooler:

- White Supremacist propaganda is hitting an all-time high, especially in Virginia. According to the ADL, Virginia ranks #3 in incidents of hate, extremism, antisemitism and terrorism by state.
- The March 20 issue of the New Yorker has an article by Virginia local D.T. Max about a famous Cuban author who turned out to be a compulsive liar, drawing parallels to Congressman George Santos.

Trivia: What document is former Governor Terry McAuliffe signing in his official portrait?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E24 - Jess Brown: Closing Margins in Safe Red Districts

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 09:05:01 -0000

Jess Brown, the chair of the Competitive Commonwealth Fund (an organization co-founded by none other than our own Thomas Bowman), joins the show to discuss the Fund's mission: to invest in Democrats running in strongly Republican districts, closing election margins in hopes of flipping seats.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E25 - School Sanctions, Registrar Resignations, and More Earned Wage Controversy

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 10:18:31 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Money on the Line: Virginia is facing sanctions for failing to provide services to students with disabilities. This comes at a time when lawmakers are still trying to fix a $200 million math error in calculating basic aid to school divisions. The latest revelations about failure to meet federal expectations comes from the U.S. Department of Education, which means federal dollars might be at risk.

Registrar Rage: The environment of threats and intimidation being experienced right now by election workers is just not sustainable for some, with a recent national survey showning that one in six local election officials say they've experienced threats Many have decided to move on rather than confront yet another election cycle of harassing phone calls and intimidating emails.

When a Loan Isn't a Loan: A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office recommends that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau decide whether "earned wage access" cash advance qualifies as a loan--drawing parallels to the payday loan and car-title loan controversy twenty years ago.

At the Watercooler:

- Strategist Jeff Roe is leaving the Youngkin team in favor of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
- This weekend, Michael will be moderating a panel on podcasting for the Society of Professional Journalists with some notable names-- Marc Filippino, Ellein Weiss, and David Schultz, to name a few.

Trivia: Which former vice president was arrested for treason?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S1E1 - Shawn Weneta: Restoring Voting Rights to People Convicted of Felonies

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 09:05:01 -0000

Shawn Weneta of the ACLU of Virginia joins the show to discuss Virginia's constitutional policy of stripping voting rights from people convicted of felonies--a policy born in the Jim Crow era. Bipartisan policies from Governors McDonnell, McAuliffe, and Northam have restored rights to thousands of disenfranchised voters based on public criteria, but that policy has stopped with Governor Youngkin. Now, thousands of people being released from prison aren't getting the right to vote, and they don't know why.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E1 - Nuclear Politics, Marijuana Amendments, and Predatory Towing

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 08:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

High Times: When session ended their session last month, the General Assembly sent the governor a bill to crack down on the kind of products with THC available at smoke shops and gas stations. One of the Governor's recent amendments seems aimed at making sure CBD products were not excluded in the process.

Radioactive Politics: With all the talk of renewable energy in recent years, the General Assembly is now considering a clean source of energy that is not renewable: nuclear energy. While small modular reactors are still in the research phase, they could represent a promising energy future as long as nuclear waste is accounted for.

Towing the Line: Governor Youngkin is signing a bill that will help people whose cars have been towed. Currently some operators prohibit people from having access to the stuff that's in the car without paying a fee--things like laptops, car seats, and even life-saving medicine. That new bill will go into effect on July 1.

At the Watercooler:

- Former Governor Terry McAuliffe is endorsing Destiny Bolling for the House District 80 seat recently vacated by Lamont Bagby.
- Some interesting races for Commonwealth's Attorney in Fairfax and Loudoun, as incumbents in both counties are facing primary challengers.

Trivia: In which foreign country did Transition Virginia first chart?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E2 - Dr. Stephen Farnsworth: The Wildest Election for Governor in Virginia's History

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 08:05:01 -0000

Dr. Stephen Farnsworth of the University of Mary Washington joins the show to discuss the 1965 election for Virginia's governor--tracking the fall of the Byrd Machine in the wake of Massive Resistance, a third-party candidate who earned more than 13% of the vote, and a candidate running from Virginia's Nazi party.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E3 - Massive Resistance Reparations, Road Rage Veto, and the Return of Rate Review

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 08:10:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Youngkin Signs Reparation Bill: Massive Resistance is a dark chapter in Virginia history, a time when Virginia closed public schools rather than integrate them. Now the governor is putting his signature on a bill introduced by Democrats that will extend an existing education fund to help victims of Massive Resistance who were denied education because of the racist policy.

Stick It In Your Tailpipe: On the flipside, Governor Youngkin vetoed a bill that would create a work group to look at cars modified to have so-called "macho mufflers" that make a lot of noise. It's rare for a work-group bill to pass both houses of the General Assembly only to get vetoed, so Michael and Thomas discuss what might've happened.

Regulating Dominion: The often-mentioned "Dominion Bill" has passed the General Assembly and is likely to see just a few technical amendments from the governor. That bill would restore power to the State Corporation Commission to help regulate Dominion's rates and profits.

At the Watercooler:
- Lots of last-minute campaign announcements in advance of last week's filing deadline.

Trivia: In October 2020, we had a guest who predicted the events of January 6th, 2021. Who was that guest?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E4 - Buy, Sell, or Hold? With Sarah Taylor, Delegate Alfonso Lopez, Delegate Marcus Simon, and Senator Scott Surovell

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 09:05:01 -0000

On this week's live-to-tape game show, Michael sits down with Senator Scott Surovell, Delegate Alfonso Lopez, Delegate Marcus Simon, and Alexandria Assistant City Manager Sarah Taylor to get their takes on a variety of hot topics--from last-minute budgets to presidential runs and small nuclear reactors.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia
Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E5 - Marijuana Ratios, Restoring Voting Rights, and Rising Support for Transgender Virginians

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 08:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Marijuana Bill Gets Ratioed: Earlier this year, the General Assembly passed a bill cracking down on intoxicating products with THC. But Governor Glenn Youngkin added some amendments to make sure the bill didn't outlaw some CBD products that help with epilepsy. But the amendments sparked controversy over whether the ratio system is more useful than a standard milligram measurement.

The Ghost of Jim Crow: Virginia's 1902 constitutional convention added a provision calling for voting rights to be stripped from anyone convicted of a felony--and while recent governors created a system of automatically restoring voting rights, Governor Youngkin has discontinued the automatic practice. Democratic House Leader Don Scott says that's a return to the days of Jim Crow.

On the Wrong Side of Public Opinion: According to a new poll from the Schar School, most Virginia voters oppose efforts to prevent transgender girls from competing in sports, and disagree with legislation that would prevent transgender students from using the bathroom of the gender they identify with. The dean of the Schar school says puts Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin in an awkward position, given his positions on transgender issues.

At the Watercooler:
- Governor Youngkin vetoed only 3 bills this year, compared to 33 last year.
- Governor Youngkin is raising record amounts of campaign cash. Last week, his fundraising groups announced $2.75 million in the first quarter of 2023
- DC claps back against Attorney General Jason Miyares’s letter criticizing its criminal justice system--by pointing out a large part of the problem is gun trafficking that originates in Virginia.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E6 - Col. Larry Wilkerson: How Climate Change and the Energy Sector Affect National Security

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 08:05:01 -0000

In this first of a two-part interview, Colonel Larry Wilkerson joins Thomas and Aaryan to discuss a variety of topics related to national security--why the Pentagon considers climate change to be the biggest threat to America, how the balance of geopolitical power involves the energy sector, and the role Virginia will have in these issues going forward.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E7 - Windbag Diplomacy, Labor History, the Budget Standoff, and Chaz Nuttycombe's VA Predictions

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 08:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Governor Youngkin recently proposed an amendment to a bill that would allow non-utility third parties to compete to operate offshore wind turbines. The amendment had lots of support, but the General Assembly rejected it without a vote.

Labor leaders want to make sure Virginia's labor history is part of the history standards currently under consideration by the Virginia Board of Education.

Virginia's budget negotiations are still apparently at a standoff, as lawmakers adjourned their one-day reconvene session this week without voting on the budget. Local organizations are still waiting to see exactly how much money they'll have to budget around next year.

Chaz Nuttycombe of CNalysis joins us to discuss his forecast for a host of Virginia races that'll be on the ballot this year.

At the Watercooler:
- Cong. Jennifer Wexton revealed a recent Parkinson's diagnosis.
The Dept. of Elections revealed they accidentally provided user data to an unauthorized third party, but claim they recovered the data before it was accessed.
- The latest fundraising numbers for key Senate races provide some insight into how they might shake out.

TRIVIA: Name the seven states that were once part of Virginia.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E8 - Col. Larry Wilkerson: The Ford EV Plant, China's Economic Position, and the Threat of White Supremacy

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 08:05:02 -0000

In this second half of our interview with, Colonel Larry Wilkerson, Thomas and Aaryan ask about his thoughts on the failed Ford electric vehicle plant, the threat of white supremacy in society and the military, and how China's biggest threat to the US is economic, rather than physical--and how we might just want to have more faith in America's ability to compete in the market.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E9 - Rising Employment, Dedicated Bus Lanes, and Huge Primary Fundraising

Mon, 01 May 2023 08:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Both parties are showing huge fundraising numbers, suggesting this election cycle will be one of the hardest-fought in recent memory--as some incumbents race against each other and many new seats have opened up to challengers. Democrats have a fundraising edge, but they may burn through a significant amount of cash before the June 20 primary.

Virginia is finally seeing a labor force participation rate that is slightly higher than it was before the pandemic started. While some of that is due to rising wages, some is also due to the end of stimulus funding and emergency Medicaid availability.

Richmond city leaders are considering an expansion to the bus rapid transit system known as the Pulse--and similar systems are under consideration in Fairfax County, Arlington, and Alexandria.

At the Watercooler:
- Senator Louise Lucas is throwing shade at Northern Virginia senators who put their names on an invitation to a fundraiser for her primary challenger, Senator Lionell Spruill.
- Lots of endorsements in Virginia races, including from Lt. Governor Winsome Earl-Sears and Congresswoman Lauren Boebert.

TRIVIA: What is the highest peak in Virginia?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E10 - Trevor Southerland: Virginia Primaries to Watch

Thu, 04 May 2023 08:05:01 -0000

This week, old friend of the show Trevor Southerland joins the Thomas and Michael to discuss the chaotic upcoming primaries for Virginia's state legislature--including campaign fundraising numbers, the influence of Dominion Energy and Clean Virginia, and some of the latest drama across the aisle.

- Senator Louise Lucas vs Senator Lionel Spruill in Senate District 18
- Senator Jeremy McPike vs Delegate Elizabeth Guzman in Senate District 29
- Senator Joe Morrissey vs Delegate Laschrese Aird in Senate District 13
- Delegate Suhas Subramanyam vs former Delegate Ibraheem Samirah in Senate District 32.
- Senator Amanda Chase vs Tina Ramirez vs Glen Sturtevent in Senate District 12.
- Delegate Kelly Fowler vs Susan Hippen, Brandon Hutchins, and Sean Monteiro in House District 96

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E11 - Equity Controversy, Fundraising Red Flags, and the Lab School Fund

Mon, 08 May 2023 08:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Governor Glenn Youngkin has removed "equity" from the title of his director of diversity, equity and inclusion, calling the term "confusing." But experts say the term is important to capture the unequal playing field in the United States, and the governor now faces calls for his DOI chief to resign.

The latest campaign finance disclosures show several incumbent members are falling behind the competition: Senator Joe Morrissey, Senator Amanda Chase and Delegate Kelly Convirs-Fowler. Some say that shows controversial candidates are not appealing to the donor base.

Public funds are for public schools. That's the message from supporters of Virginia schools, who say the governor should not be appropriating money from the lab school fund to private institutions.

At the Watercooler:
- Adult video sites are threatening to pull out of Virginia
- Arlington County Board Elections and the "missing middle"

Shows Mentioned:
- Bold Dominion
- CNalysis
- BURKEFILE
- Full Disclosure

TRIVIA: Which British monarch was the first to call Virginia his “old dominion”?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E12 - Bill Leighty: Virginia's Capitol Secrets

Thu, 11 May 2023 08:05:01 -0000

This week, Michael and Thomas are joined by Bill Leighty, former Chief of Staff to Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine and author of "Capitol Secrets", where he dives into his long history in Virginia politics--from Kaine and Warner's leadership styles, the legislative tricks of Senator Ed Willey, and convincing Tom Hanks to film a historical miniseries in Virginia.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E13 - Landfill Solar Panels, Equity Controversy, and Virginia Leading in Gun Trafficking

Mon, 15 May 2023 08:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Virginia is the capital of gun trafficking in America according to data compiled by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco showing Virginia has the shortest time to crime ratio. That’s the amount of time between the last known legal purchase of a firearm and its use in the commission of a crime.

Norfolk is considering a proposal to install 35 acres of solar panels on a former landfill.

Governor Glenn Youngkin's campaign against the word "equity" continues, and he's now railing against environmental and social governance on corporate boards, also known as ESG. Last week he told reporters DEI and ESG have gone "off the rails."

At the Watercooler:
- Report cards from the Family Foundation and Repro Rising for the members of the General Assembly.

TRIVIA: What is Virginia's state beverage?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E14 - Bob Brink: How Conspiracy Theories Harmed Virginia's Election Integrity

Thu, 18 May 2023 08:05:01 -0000

This week, Michael and Thomas are joined by Bob Brink, former Chairman of Virginia's State Board of Elections, to discuss the ERIC system-- the Electronic Registration Information Center, which allowed neighboring states to share voter registration information with each other and help prevent voter fraud. Governor Youngkin has pulled Virginia out of ERIC, so what does that mean for elections going forward?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E15 - License Plate Surveillance, Republican Primaries, and Age-Restricting Explicit Websites

Mon, 22 May 2023 08:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Out of the 40 seats in the Virginia Senate, only seven districts will conduct Republican primaries. Meanwhile, Democrats will hold primary elections in more than twice that number of districts. Republican voters who go to the polls on June 20 will see some familiar names from the House of Delegates: Dave LaRock, Emily Brewer, Tim Anderson and Tara Durant will all be on the ballot seeking a promotion from the House to the Senate.

Your license plate might be coming to a database soon. That's because local law enforcement agencies are about to get new high tech license plate reader technology from pandemic stimulus recovery money.

Virginia's new law gives individuals a right to bring a lawsuit if they feel a website that shows adult material has failed to verify the age of a minor.

At the Watercooler:
- Saddam Salim, the Democrat primarying Senator Chap Petersen, gets a key labor endorsement
- Roben Farzad's Full Disclosure podcast interviewed Face the Nation's Margaret Brennan live in Charlottesville

TRIVIA: What is Virginia's state salamander?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E16 - Wanda Bertram: The Virginians Kept Imprisoned After Serving Their Sentences

Thu, 25 May 2023 08:05:01 -0000

This week, Michael and Thomas are joined by Wanda Bertram, Communications Strategist for the Prison Policy Initiative, to discuss Virginia's practice of using "civil commitment centers"-- facilities that continue incarcerating people convicted of sexual crimes after they've finished their prison sentences. Sometimes, they're held in those facilities indefinitely. With less data from these treatment facilities than we get from prisons, Wanda, Michael, and Thomas discuss the constitutionality and ethics of this practice--and what might need to change in the future.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E17 - Endorsement Politics, Prosecutor Primaries, and More on Morrissey

Mon, 29 May 2023 08:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Every group makes endorsements, but which ones make a difference? Experts say it's generally those that have cash to back up the affirmation. And what's going on with the endorsements in the Deeds vs Hudson state senate primary?

Speaking of endorsements--while school board races are technically nonpartisan, endorsements from political parties are quickly becoming huge factors in school board races across the country. As a result, some state parties are creating a primary system so voters can participate in which candidate gets the nod.

Four years ago, a group of commonwealth's attorneys were elected and started taking a new approach to law and order. They called themselves Progressive Prosecutors for Justice, and they advocated for the abolition of the death penalty, ending cash bail and getting rid of mandatory minimum sentences. Now a few of their most prominent members have challengers in the Democratic primary in Fairfax and Loudoun and Arlington

At the Watercooler:
- Joe Morrissey's estranged wife Myrna files suit with allegations of abuse
- A deep dive from the Virginian Pilot about the history of Virginia's slightly-revealing state seal

TRIVIA: What is Virginia's state insect?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E18 - Heidi Drauschak and Saddam Salim: Challenging Incumbent State Senators

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 08:05:01 -0000

This week, Michael and Thomas are joined by Heidi Drauschak and Saddam Salim, two Democrats who are primarying incumbent state Senators in the upcoming election. Heidi is running in the newly drawn State Senate District 35, challenging Senator Dave Marsden, while Saddam is running in the 37th District, challenging Senator Chap Petersen. In this interview, Heidi and Saddam discuss where they stand on the issues, where their opponents have made mistakes, and why they're the best fit to help shape Virginia's upcoming General Assembly.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E19 - Battlefield Data Centers, Mobilizing the Guard, and the Mountain Valley Pipeline

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 08:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Mobilized and Politicized: Governor Glenn Youngkin is sending 100 National Guard troops to the southern border in Texas next month, a move that will cost milions every month, and which critics say is politically motivated.

The Budget Standoff Continues: Everyone involved in the negotiatons for Virginia's budget amendment is waiting for the June 20th primary deadline to pass...and with many state reps involved in active primary fights, the Democrats reluctant to give Youngkin a win, and both parties hoping for a shake-up that'll bring the next General Assembly in their favor, it's unlikely we'll see a deal in the next few weeks at all.

The War of Wireless Aggression: The Prince William County Board of Supervisors is considering a huge data center next door to the Manassas Battlefield, a proposal that is raising alarm among people who are concerned about urbanization of rural land. Others say data centers bring in huge revenue for local governments.

At the Watercooler:
- The Mountain Valley Pipeline may well move be moving forward after all--eminent domain and all
- Six Virginia newspapers are moving from a daily model to three days a week

TRIVIA: What is Virginia's state liquor?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E20 - Kellen Squire: Abortion Politics in the Spotlight

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 08:05:01 -0000

This week, Michael is joined by Kellen Squire, an emergency care nurse and a candidate running in the Democratic primary for Virginia's 55th state House District. Squire recently came under fire for a 2017 draft of his campaign website that claimed he was "pro-life," only to advocate for progressive policies rather than restriction of abortion access. Squire says the framing was intended to build credibility with Republican voters who agree with progressive positions (such as providing maternal care, school lunches, and sex education)--and that he dropped the tactic shortly after receiving feedback that it would backfire.

In this episode, Squire explicitly rules out any restrictions on abortion access and discusses the criticism from his primary opponent, who he says was aware of his position before the most recent wave of of media attention.

Content Warning: This episode includes a description of an ectopic pregnancy and abortion.

Note: this episode includes some distorted audio. When asked about 35 minutes into the episode whether he supports any restrictions on abortion, the first word of Squire's response is "No."

S4E21 - Early Voting, Un-gerrymandered Prisons, and the Fracking Debt Ceiling

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 08:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Charlottesville is taking the lead in early turnout. That's true in both the Senate race with the most early votes and two House races that have the highest turnout so far according to an analysis from the Virginia Public Access Project. The high-stakes Senate primary between Senator Creigh Deeds and Delegate Sally Hudson might be driving the trend.

The controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline is moving ahead as part of the deal reached on the federal debt ceiling negotiations. But as the effects of climate change continue to rear their heads, environmentalists say the pipeline continues to lock us into a key greenhouse gas--methane.

Before the new set of political maps was created by the state Supreme Court last year, Virginia engaged in a process critics call prison gerrymandering. People who are incarcerated were counted at the prison or jail instead of their home or last known address. Now, that's no longer the case.

At the Watercooler:
- The Richmond shooting that left two dead--and what Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl-Sears had to say in the immediate aftermath
- Primary day is coming up!

TRIVIA: What shade of blue is Virginia's flag supposed to be?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E22 - Emily LaBar and Jacob Cruz: Pushing School Boards on LGBTQ+ Rights

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 08:05:01 -0000

This week, the Virginia Beach School Board held an eight-hour meeting that ended at 2 AM, voting on two resolutions: passing one that affirmed a commitment to non-discrimination against LGBTQ+ youth, and rejecting a proposal that would create a list of library materials with "objectionable content."

On this episode, we're joined by Emily LaBar and Jacob Cruz, two student organizers who worked with dozens of fellow students and school board members over several months to help pass the non-discrimination resolution. They discuss their path to organizing their community, passing the resolution, and affirming the safety of LGBTQ+ students in the face of model policies that threaten their rights.

Read more on the story: Virginia Beach School Board approves LGBTQ resolution (pilotonline.com)

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E23 - Last Notes on Tomorrow's 2023 Primaries

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 08:05:01 -0000

Thomas and Aaryan sit down to discuss some last thoughts on some of the top primary races going into tomorrow's election: Foy vs Ayala? Aird vs Morrissey? Will Amanda Chase hold on? And what's going on in Northern Virginia?

Happy Juneteenth!

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E24 - David Ramadan: The 2023 Primaries

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 08:05:01 -0000

The day's finally here. Primary results are in, and the results is a surprising amount of turnoveer. Saddam Salim defeats Chap Petersen. Lashrecse Aird defeats Joe Morrissey. Glen Sturtevant defeats Amanda Chase...and a whole host of other races. Fmr. Delegate David Ramadan (R-Loudoun) joins Thomas and Michael to break down what Tuesday's results means for November's general election and the future of Virginia's legislature.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E25 - Cross-Party Voting, Crime Stat Myths, and Electric Vehicle Politics

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 08:55:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Despite sensationalist media coverage, recent FBI statistics reveal that crime rates in Virginia, and nationwide, have actually decreased significantly over the past three decades--with blue states having lower crime rates than red states. So what causes the news reports and political rhetoric that says these are the most dangerous times?

Virginia doesn't require primary voters to register as Democrats or Republicans; and last week, Democrats were worried by Republican calls for their voters to vote in Democratic primaries potentially shifting the results. But those worries weren't borne out--and evidence shows that cross-party voting has never been an effective political rool.

With the primaries finished, both Democrats and Republicans are calling the other side extremists--with Democrats pointing to the MAGA movements and Republicans pointing to recent electric vehicle mandates that'll go into effect by 2030.

At the Watercooler:
- "Tiger King"'s Doc Antle was just convicted in Virginia for trafficking endangered lions
- Republicans House candidates have been especially quiet in their respose to last week's primary results

TRIVIA: What county did George Washington represent in the House of Burgesses?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E26 - Sam Shirazi: Virginia's Biggest Races This November

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 08:05:01 -0000

With the 2023 primaries over, attorney and Virginia election-watcher Sam Shirazi joins Thomas and Michael to discuss the toss-up Virginia House and Senate races coming up in November. With control of the Senate up for grabs, some of these races are seeing an influx of money closer to Congressional campaigns--so what does the funding mean, and what does low turnout at the primaries bode for Election Day in November?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E27 - Southside Slump, Budget Woes, and Dominion/Clean Virginia Primary Results

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 08:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

This weekend marked the beginning of the new fiscal year, although Virginia is beginning the new year without any budget amendments.That means that all the laws passed earlier this year are not funded. So while the government won't shut down, a whole host of new initiatives are simply not going to get moving until someone blinks in the negotiations.

A few years ago, Dominion Energy donated to the campaigns of just about every member of the General Assembly. Then in 2018, a PAC called Clean Virginia, funded by a millionaire, became a counterbalance. Now the two sides are battling for dominance, and each side can claim some victories in the primary elections.

Southside Virginia has the highest unemployment rates in the commonwealth. That’s according to new numbers from the Virginia Employment Commission. Places like Petersburg, Emporia, Brunswick County and Danville have unemployment rates that are about twice as high as Northern Virginia.

At the Watercooler:
- The Koch machine is likely to fall in behind Ron DeSantis for President...which would mean dire things for Governor Youngkin's chances
- Some of the strongest Democratic candidates to come out of the primaries--Russet Perry, Kimberly Pope Adams, and Susanna GIbson--all have one thing in common: they graduated from Delegate Danice Roem's Emerge Virginia earlier this year.

TRIVIA: What were the other two British colonies that remained loyal (other than the Canadas)?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E28 - Trevor Southerland: How Primary Candidates Spent Their Money

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 08:05:01 -0000

This week, friend of the show Trevor Southerland joins Thomas and Michael to break down the results of the 2023 primaries--specifically, where candidates spent their money to reach voters. While topline fundraising numbres are one part of the story, targeted spending can make a huge difference. How does investing in mailers compare to TV ad buys? What does heavy investment in robo-calls mean for a flagging campaign? And can any amount of money paper over a message that misunderstands the base?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E29 - Virginia's Budget Failure, Marijuana Stalling, and Beanbag Policing

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 08:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

The new fiscal year has started, and there's still no budget amendments coming out of the General Assembly--which means no funding for any new laws, including the bipartisan mental health initiative passed last year. Plus, that $180 million hole in the education budget is still causing problems...and neither Republicans nor Democrats seem incentivized to blink or negotiate.

Fairfax County's police department has converted its store of largely-unused shotguns into less-lethal beanbag guns, meant to surprise and stun without killing the target. While that might mean safer encounters, it might also cause cops to be more likely to draw their weapon in an encounter.

At the Watercooler:
- Efforts to legalize marijuana in Virginia seem dead in the water
- Pod Virginia is now on Threads!

TRIVIA: Who led the raid on Richmond in January 1781?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E30 - Teo Armus: Arlington's Ranked-Choice Voting and the Missing Middle

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 08:05:01 -0000

This week, the Washington Post's Teo Armus joins Thomas and Michael to break down the Democratic primaries in Arlington -- a six-candidate race that included ranked-choice voting and a huge battle over "missing middle" zoning, a type of medium-density housing that would serve as a diverse alternative to single-family zoning. How did the elections go down--and how much of a role did the ranked-choice voting system have to do with it?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E31 - Learning from Maryland, Virginia Ceasefire, and Bribes for Badges

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 08:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Virginia legalized possession of marijuana in small amounts in 2021. But nobody has a license to sell it because the General Assembly has failed to create a licensing structure. Now one of Glenn Youngkin’s key officials says the governor is not interested.

Attorney General Jason Miyares is launching a new public relations campaign to let young people know that gang violence is a dead end. It's part of a program known as Virginia Ceasefire that balances prevention with prosecution--but critics say it's heavier on the prosecution and leaning toward a surveillance state.

Federal prosecutors say Culpeper Sheriff Scott Jenkins took more than $70,000 campaign contributions in exchange for making donors auxiliary sheriff's deputies, complete with badges, ID cards and the ability to carry concealed firearms without a permit in all 50 states.

At the Watercooler:
- Rumors that AG Miyares has a pretty progressive work-from-home policy for his staff
- Republicans finally embrace early voting

TRIVIA: Which presidents are buried in Hollywood cemetery?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E32 - Chris Piper: How VPAP Works and Where It's Going

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 08:05:01 -0000

On this episode, Thomas and Michael are joined by Chris Piper, former Virginia Elections Commissioner and now executive director of the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP). Chris explains how VPAP interprets and displays campaign finance information in a non-partisan manner, collects news stories from across the Commonwealth, and displays complex data to help Virginians make more informed election choices.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E33 - Loan Shark Attacks, Single Transferable Votes, and Semiconductor Diplomacy

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 08:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Attorney General Jason Miyares is signing on in support of a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The lawsuit calls into question the funding model, which finances regulation of industries with money that comes from the industries that are regulated. Oral arguments in the case are expected this fall.

The Democratic primary was a historic first for voters choosing candidates for the Arlington County Board, which had two open seats. But many voters raised objections about a "single transferable vote," essentially that they were able to cast only one vote even though there were two open seats in an election with six candidates. So the Arlington County Board did a 180 last weekend, returning to a traditional system for the general election.

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin is working with Democratic Senator Mark Warner to lure semiconductor manufacturing companies to Virginia. They appeared together last week at a summit hosted by Virginia Tech.

At the Watercooler: The Youngkin administration's new model policies on transgender students are damaging and restrictive, and the Arlington County School Board has remained completely silent on the issue--despite Michael's best efforts.

TRIVIA: What year was Ken Plum first elected to the House of Delegates?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E34 - Sam Shirazi: This Year's Contested House Races

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 08:05:01 -0000

Attorney and Virginia election analyst Sam Shirazi joins Michael to discuss the dozen Virginia House seats that Republicans have set their sights on for November's election. With Democrats only needing to win six of twelve (and three of those seats being likely pickups), the Republicans are splitting their effort between offensive and defensive efforts to keep their majority.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E35 - FBI Headquarters, Fundraising Numbers, and What Youngkin Can Achieve

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 08:05:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Democrats have an edge in fundraising overall, but Republicans are heading into the November election with more cash on hand for House of Delegates races. The latest round of campaign finance disclosures saw a record amount of campaign cash for an off-year election, and we're just getting started.

Virginia once had a big advantage over Maryland in landing the new FBI because of its proximity to the FBI Academy at Quantico. But now the government agency that will choose the location is changing the criteria to give less weight to proximity to Quantico and more weight to cost and social impact.

At the Watercooler: Thomas discusses the potential for Glenn Youngkin to serve as a less-catastrophic Republican presidential nominee than Donald Trump, and Michael talks about the national politics on the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

TRIVIA: What was Virginia's most expensive state Senate race?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E36 - Atif Qarni: Youngkin vs Northam's Model Policies for Transgender Students

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 08:05:02 -0000

Atif Qarni, former Sec. of Education under Governor Ralph Northam, joins the show to discuss Governor Youngkin's latest model policies for how Virginia school systems should treat transgender students. He compares the policies to the 2021 policies that developed in his office under the Northam Administration--including where the new policies are lacking and the false narratives around parents' rights.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E37 - Voodoo Economics, Candidate Diversity, and Rising Childhood Poverty

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 08:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Child poverty numbers are about to spike with the expiration of a whole host of programs--the child tax credit, food stamp benefits, rent-relief program, and even some Medicaid eligibility. Solutions to the child poverty problem could be solved with the record surplus money that's now at issue in the ongoing budget impasse, but lawmakers are still considering whether they want to spend it on tax cuts instead.

This election will feature a record number of female candidates and a record number of Black candidates for the state Senate– 28 female candidates and 17 Black candidates. And it brings to mind questions on the nature of descriptive and substantive representation, as well as how that representation might look in House and Senate leadership.

In December, Governor Glenn Youngkin will unveil his legacy budget, which means state agencies are already hard at work crafting the next two-year budget. Meanwhile the budget amendments that were supposed to be in place a month ago are still caught up in a disagreement between House Republicans and Senate Democrats. When the latest financial projections were released last month, Governor Glenn Youngkin was hopeful they could break the logjam--but Democrats say his projections are "voodoo economics."

At the Watercooler: The fight for state Senate leadership might be drawing key Democratic attention from November's races. Plus, concerns that Democratic caucus chair Charniele Herring has allegedly not shared fundraised money with the caucus.

TRIVIA: What Virginia newspaper added NIMBY to the vernacular?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E38 - Vishal Agraharkar: Using Reconstruction-Era Law to Restore Voting Rights

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 08:05:02 -0000

Vishal Agraharkar of the ACLU of Virginia joins the show to discuss a new lawsuit aimed at restoring voting rights to Virginians convicted of felonies. As a requirement for re-entry into the Union after the Civil War, Virginia was required to pass th Readmission Act of 1870. In an effort to prevent former Confederate states from disenfranchsing Black people, the Readmission Act prohibits Virginia from depriving citizens of the right to vote, except as punishment for crimes that are "now felonies at common law."

Common-law felonies at the time included crimes like murder, but didn't include felonies introduced after 1870, including many drug-related crimes. But Virginia still strips the right to vote from all people convicted of felonies. Agraharkar walks us through the ACLU's lawsuit, which seeks to overturn that precedent, restore voting rights to Virginians convicted of non-common-law felonies, and protect that right to vote going forward.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E39 - Partisan Enthusiasm, Geriatric Incarceration, and the Politics of Abortion

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 08:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

But 10 percent of Democrats in a recent poll by the Wilder School at VCU say they would prefer Republicans control the House. What's going on there?

In the last decade, the population of people over the age of 55 who are incarcerated in Virginia has doubled, increasing from 7 percent to 14 percent. Advocates say that's because of over-policing of vulnerably populations, as well as the abolition of parole back in the 90s.

Of the dozen races where Republicans are targeting Democrats running for the House of Delegates, only two so far are races where Republicans are raising the issue of abortion rights — House District 97 in Virginia Beach and House District 82 in Petersburg. What's behind the gap on the topic of abortion, and how do the political conversations intersect with the real stories of Virginians?

At the Watercooler: The money committees are set to meet in the coming weeks...but there are still no budget amendments, and it's looking less likely as time goes on.

TRIVIA: What's the name of the famous mountain that Harry Byrd climbed every year for his birthday?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E40 - Senator Dick Saslaw: The Past, Present, and Future of the General Assembly

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 08:05:01 -0000

Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw joins Michael for a broad-ranging interview on his time in the General Assembly--from his origins in the 1980s, through his time as Majority Leader, and advice for the next generation of Assembly members. Along the day, he discusses the changing tactics and politics in the legislature, as well as things he might've done differently in hindsight--such as support for the recent redistricting commission.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S4E41 - Secret Recordings, Transgender Model Policies, and The Casino Ballot Question (with Lauren Burke)

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 08:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

When he ran for governor, candidate Glenn Youngkin was secretly recorded talking about why he couldn't say more about abortion. Now, a candidate for the House of Delegates is explaining why a secretly recorded audio clip reveals he supports a 100 percent ban on abortion. What's going on with these secretly recorded audio conversations, and what are the journalistic ethics around reporting on the findings?

Last month, the state Department of Education released model policies for school divisions across Virginia relating to transgender students. The model policies suggest that parents should have the final say about names, pronouns and bathrooms – not the students. Now the Spotsylvania School Board is the first to adopt those new model policies.

Will voters in Richmond have a ballot question on a new casino this November? The question is working its way through the courts even now.

At the Watercooler: Democrat Trudy Berry had all the paperwork she needed to run in Mecklenburg, but a clerical error is leaving her out of the race--and she's wondering why the State Board of Elections denied her appeal when similar issues were successfully appealed in the past. Plus, local elected officials are frustrated by the lack of a state budget.

TRIVIA: How many incumbents are running unopposed in Virginia this year?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E42 - Dr. Mahmut Cengiz: Fentanyl in Virginia and the USA

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 08:05:02 -0000

Dr. Mahmut Cengiz, Assistant Professor at George Mason's Schar School, joins Thomas and Michael to discuss the causes and effects of the fentanyl crisis in Virginia, how Glenn Youngkin's has handled the crisis, and how Virginia could move forward to help the lives of those affected.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E43 - Senate Turnover, Solar Panel Carports, and Model Policy Mishaps

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 08:05:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Eleven senators are retiring. Five won't be returning because they lost the primary. Three senators are in hotly competitive races and might lose in November. Keep in mind that the Senate has only 40 members. That means we’re expecting to see a turnover of 40 to 50 percent in the Senate.

One out of four elections this November has no challenger, candidates running unopposed. Most of those are incumbents, but the list of unchallenged elections includes people who aren't even in the General Assembly yet.

Dulles International Airport will be the site forlike the largest renewable energy project ever developed at a U.S. airport with solar panels and electric vehicles. When all those solar panels are up and operational, Dominion Energy expects they will power 37,000 homes and businesses by 2026.

At the Watercooler: AG Jason Miyares seems to believe local school boards are required to adopt the Governor's model policies, and Michael's presentation on the Byrd Machine will be on C-SPAN this Friday, September 1 at 8:30 PM.

TRIVIA: When was the last time a Governor of Virginia became POTUS?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E44 - Laura Goren and Rodrigo Soto: Potential Compromises in Virginia's Budget

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 08:05:02 -0000

Check out Michael's presentation on the Byrd Machine in Virginia on C-SPAN 2 this Friday, September 1st at 8:45 PM EST

Laura Goren and Rodrigo Soto of the Commonwealth Institute join Michael to discuss the latest details on Virginia's budget crisis--while meetings have been happening in secret, we're getting a few details about the compromise. Those include: potentially no permanent tax cuts, potential additional funding for education, potentially removing the age limit on military retirement, potential one-time rebates for Virginians, and a potential return of the sales tax holiday. Again, all of this is what we expect to be in the version of the deal that goes to the Governor's desk, but only time will tell.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E45 - The Last Mile, Rolling the Dice, and Youngkin's Exit Strategy

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 13:49:12 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Virginia is getting a huge infusion of cash from Uncle Sam to help expand broadband coverage to underserved parts of the state -- especially areas where speeds are less than 25 megabits per second. Thanks to a program created by the Inflation Reduction Act, Virginia is getting $1.5 billion for broadband expansion

Governor Glenn Youngkin wants Virginia to leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and he's already removed Virginia from the Electronic Registration Center. One has to do with the environment, and the other is about elections. David Becker at the Center for Election Innovation and Research tells me the multi-state compact known as ERIC has helped Virginia though Republican administrations and Democratic administrations.

Richmond is getting a first look at new plans for a proposed casino from Churchill Downs and Urban One. Voters will have to approve of the casino proposal in November, which is why the developers are taking this opportunity to unveil the new name and brand identity.

At the Watercooler: Bobby Scott's Cookout, plus turnover at Virginia's Parole Board.

TRIVIA: James Monroe has two non-consecutive terms as governor. Why did he resign as governor?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E46 - Buy, Sell, or Hold? Special Session Edition with Sarah Taylor, Delegate Alfonso Lopez, Delegate Marcus Simon, and Senator Scott Surovell

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 08:05:01 -0000

On this week's live-to-tape game show, Michael sits down with Delegate Alfonso Lopez, Delegate Marcus Simon, and Alexandria Assistant City Manager Sarah Taylor to get their takes on the latest in Richmond--from the budget special session to the FBI headquarters and spouses running for office.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E47 - Special Session Recap: Tax Rebates, Mobile Crisis Unites, and Farewell Speeches

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 08:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Governor Glenn Youngkin is now considering a secret backroom deal worked out by a small handful of senior members of the money committees. The long-awaited budget amendments are several months late for a fiscal year that started three months ago. Part of the reason for the delay was because Republicans were insisting on permanent tax cuts. In the end, they settled for rebates.

One of the key sticking points during the debate over budget amendments was the cap on spending for support staff in Virginia schools. The Senate wanted to spend $270 million to essentially eliminate the cap, creating a ratio of 21 students for every support staffer. The final compromise spends $153 million for a ratio of 24 students for every support staffer.

Virginia is about to get 15 new mobile crisis units as well as millions of dollars for crisis receiving centers and stabilization units. But the funding is several months late. But critics--including lawmakers--say people would already be receiving help if lawmakers got their act together earlier.

At the Watercooler: The farewell speeches from the General Assembly members who won't be returning...a mixed bag. Some fun, some surprises.

TRIVIA: Which US Senator endorsed then-candidate Glenn Youngkin to help him win the Republican nomination for Governor?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E48 - John Milliken and Mark Rozell: The Elections That Shaped Virginia

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 08:05:01 -0000

This week, Michael is joined by Professors John Milliken and Mark Rozell of George Mason University, editors of The New Dominion: The Twentieth-Century Elections That Shaped Modern Virginia. They discuss six statewide elections that shaped Virginia politics, how they shaped (and were shaped by) the state's culture, economy, and demographics, and what lessons we might be able to learn from those transformative moments.

The New Dominion - UVA Press (virginia.edu)

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E49 - Voters' Top Issues, Emigrating Populations, and Pearl-Clutching

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 08:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Virginia is not doing a great job of attracting new people. In fact, data from state agencies and the US Postal Service show the state is losing more people than it's gaining. Most of those leaving are young adults and families who are getting priced out of the state.

A new poll from Founder's Insights shows Virginia voters are, like always, most interested in the economy. This year, abortion is another key issue on many voters' priority list.

Plus, Michael and Lauren discuss the media reaction to the Susanna Gibson story--its origins from Republican operatives and how Gibson's team has handled the resulting PR.

At the Watercooler: Congressional Black Caucus Week and the debrief on the Richmond forum on affordable housing.

TRIVIA: What year was the Roanoake Star installed on Mill Mountain?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E50 - Eileen Cassidy Rivera: Hard Talks on Marketing, Communication, and Crisis Management

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 08:05:01 -0000

This week, communications and marketing expert Eileen Cassidy Rivera joins Michael to talk about her new book: Hard Talk: Confessions of an Accidental Marketing and Communications Professional. She discusses the growing importance of marketing and communications specialists for government contractors--providing insights into the coroporate side of conversations with journalists and media.

Hard Talk on Amazon

S4E51 - Competitive Race Fundraising, The Facts on Susanna Gibson, and the Return of Thomas Bowman

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 08:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Thomas and Michael discuss the top competitive races in the upcoming election, where Democrats are largely out-fundraising their Republican opponents. The races include: Russet Perry vs Juan Pablo Segura in Senate District 31, Monty Mason vs Danny Diggs in Senate District 24, Susanna Gibson vs David Owen in House District 57, Michael Feggans vs Karen Greenhalgh in House District 97, Kimberly Pope Adams vs Kim Taylor in House District 82, and Josh Thomas vs John Stirrup in House District 21.

At the Watercooler: Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton announced that she will not be seeking re-election on account of a serious medical diagnosis, plus the facts about what really happened with Susanna Gibson--and why there's nothing immoral about sleeping with your husband.

TRIVIA: When did Virginia Beach become the largest city? (Hint: We're looking for a Census year, so it’s going to be a year ending in 0)

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E52 - [ICYMI] Bob Brink: How Conspiracy Theories Harmed Virginia's Election Integrity

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 08:05:02 -0000

This week, Michael and Thomas are joined by Bob Brink, former Chairman of Virginia's State Board of Elections, to discuss the ERIC system-- the Electronic Registration Information Center, which allowed neighboring states to share voter registration information with each other and help prevent voter fraud. Governor Youngkin has pulled Virginia out of ERIC, so what does that mean for elections going forward?

Originally Aired: May 18, 2023.

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S4E53 - Save Samuels Library, Voter Polling, and LaRock Writes In

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 09:09:52 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Thomas and Aaryan discuss the fight over the funding for Samuels Library, where a local Catholic group has called for books featuring LGBTQ+ people to be banned and for ties to be cut with the American Library Association.

Delegate Dave LaRock launches a write-in campaign for Senate District 1, calling Republican nominee Tommy French a "Democrat."

A new poll from the University of Mary Washington reveals Virginians want the governor to have less power in the classroom, though he's nearly tied with Joe Biden in a head-to-head matchup for President.

TRIVIA: What political party did Virginia governor William Cameron belong to?

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S4E54 - Dr. Stephen Farnsworth: How Chuck Robb's 1981 Election Shaped Virginia Politics

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 08:05:02 -0000

This week, Michael is joined by Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, co-author of a chapter in The New Dominion: The Twentieth-Century Elections That Shaped Modern Virginia. They discuss the 1981 election of Chuck Robb for Virginia's Governor--how Robb escaped the legacy of the Byrd Machine and President Johnson's Great Society, pushing the Democratic message to a more centrist line that would hold for the next several decades.

The New Dominion - UVA Press (virginia.edu)

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E55 - Book Bans, Predatory Lenders, and Spending After Early Voting

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 08:05:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

A coalition of payday lenders is challenging the constitutionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which was set up in a way to make sure its funding source is protected from Congress. Now consumer advocates here in Virginia who have worked against payday loans, car title loans and high-interest online loans, they’re worried about what might happen if the court rules against the bureau.

Almost 400 book titles have been challenged this year in Virginia, according to the American Library Association. Advocates for free expression in literature say the recent trend of people challenging a list of books they got off the internet poses a real threat

Voting started last month, and so many people will have already voted when television commercials are airing and direct mail is arriving Virginia's 45 days of early voting is a recent development, and one that hasn't seemed to change much of how campaigns operate--but should it?

TRIVIA: What was the name of the Toni Morrison book that Tom Garrett read on the Senate floor in 2016. Here’s a hint: It’s NOT “Beloved.”

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E56 - David Ramadan and Sam Shirazi: Races to Watch This November

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 08:05:02 -0000

Pod Virginia favorites David Ramadan and Sam Shirazi joins Michael to discuss the competitive races in the upcoming elections, which will decide the fate of both the state House and Senate. The races include:

Russet Perry vs Juan Pablo Segura in SD31
Monty Mason vs Danny Diggs in SD24
Kara Durant vs Joel Griffin vs Monica Gary in SD27
Emily Brewer vs Clint Jenkins SD17
Susanna Gibson vs David Owen in HD57
Karen Greenhalgh vs Michael Feggans in HD97
Josh Thomas vs John Stirrup in HD21
Travis Nembhard vs Ian Lovejoy in HD22
Kim Taylor vs Kimberly Pope Adams in HD82
Baxter Ennis vs Karen Jenkins HD89
Joshua Cole vs Lee Peters in HD65

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E57 - Early Voting, Racial Profiling, and Partnership for Petersburg

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 08:05:01 -0000

IN THE NEWS:

Early turnout has been strongest in competitive Senate races in Newport News and Loudoun County as well as House races in Prince William County and Petersburg--and these early numbers could suggest a changing Republican strategy.

Virginia was the first state in the country to remove minor traffic violations as a reason to stop motorists, a law aimed at cracking down on racial profiling. Now some cities in Virginia want to revisit that law and bring back the ability of officers to stop drivers for expired inspection stickers or broken tail lights or even objects dangling from the rearview mirror.

Black people in Virginia are incarcerated at a rate that is four times than the rate for white people. That's according to a new report from the Prison Policy Initiative--likely due to decisions in the 80s and 90s to abolish parole and institute mandatory minimum sentences. Advocates for reducing mass incarceration in Virginia say state lawmakers should consider compassionate release and re-instituting a system for parole.

TRIVIA: Why did George Washington refuse to accept the sword of surrender from the British at Yorktown?

At the Watercooler:

Credit where credit's due to Governor Youngkin for his Partnership for Petersburg, bringing business and attention to a struggling region of the state.
A report from Informing Democracy points out some vulnerabilities in Virginia's electoral system.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E58 - Lauren Burke: Reacting to Candidates at Roland Martin's Town Hall

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 08:05:02 -0000

Friend of the pod Lauren Burke of BURKEFILE and Black Virginia News joins Michael to discuss clips from Virginia House and Senate candidates at Roland Martin's Town Hall. From early voting to assault weapons to book bans and the potential removal of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from Virginia's curriculum, the comments cover the range of topics that might sway November's election--especially those of interest to Virginia's Black community.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E59 - Battleground Fundraising, Approval Ratings, and Election Deniers in Power

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 08:05:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS:
Following The Money: Democrats raised more money overall, but Republicans have more cash on hand heading into the final weeks of election season. They also have the support of Governor Glenn Youngkin, whose PAC has given more than $700,000 to help incumbent Republican Senator Siobhan Dunnavant. Thomas and Michael talk about where the money is going--or not going--and what strategies might be running through the Governor's head.

Poll Position: Republicans are leaning into the issue of abortion, hoping that their support for a 15-week ban will resonate with voters. But a new poll from the Wason Center says they may have miscalculated. The poll also shows book bans are widely unpopular and that a majority supports parental notification if students want to use different pronouns.

Democracy in Virginia: Election deniers are in key positions of power in several Virginia jurisdictions: Albemarle, Frederick, Hampton, Loudoun, Lynchburg, Newport News, Portsmouth and Roanoke. That's according to a new report from the nonpartisan group Informing Democracy, which highlighted comments and social media posts of election officials.

TRIVIA: Who was the Republican senator who held that seat before John Bell defeated Republican Geary Michael Higgins in 2019?

At the Watercooler:
- Eileen Filler-Corn is considering a run for Congress.
- Senator Chap Petersen endorses a Republican for Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

A report from Informing Democracy points out some vulnerabilities in Virginia's electoral system.
Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E60 - Mark Rozell: Analyzing TV Commercials in This Year's Election Cycle

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 08:05:02 -0000

This week, Michael is joined by Mark Rozell, Dean of GMU's Schar School, to review and analyze TV commercials in several key House and Senate races. They break down what we can learn from the ads--including the consistent messaging on abortion and education, the massive price tags that look more like Congressional races, and what the messaging might mean for campaign strategy and voters this November.

The New Dominion - UVA Press (virginia.edu)

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E61 - Souls to the Polls, PAC Attack, and the Halloween Spooktacular

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 08:05:02 -0000

IN THE NEWS:
Souls to the Polls: Every jurisdiction in Virginia is required to offer voting for two Saturdays before election day. But Sunday is a different story. Registrars are allowed to schedule Sunday hours, but they're not required. House Democratic Leader Don Scott says he can understand smaller jurisdictions that are strapped for cash not having the resources to offer Sunday voting. But he says that does not explain Virginia's largest city, Virginia Beach, opting against Sunday voting this year even though they had it for the previous two years.

PAC Attack: So far, Governor Youngkin hasn't been forking over big money for Senate candidates in toss up races. Instead he saved his largest contribution for a seat that leans Democratic in Henrico. Many people are wondering why the governor is spending almost a million dollars in this election instead of the toss up races.

Early and Often: House District 71 includes James City County, Williamsburg and parts of New Kent County in the peninsula. It also has something special, the highest number of ballots cast so far. The race features incumbent Republican Delegate Amanda Batten and Democratic challenger Jessica Anderson--both of whom agree that 45 days of early voting is too much.

TRIVIA: What year was Delegate Ken Plum's first campaign for office? Hint: He actually had two unsuccessful campaigns BEFORE he was elected.

At the Watercooler:
- Republicans are getting desperate in the race against Susanna Gibson--mailing flyers containing explicit images to voters in the 57th district. All the while, Delegate Matt Fariss is in court for an alleged hit-and-run
- Alexandria politics are about to get upended with a vote on Zoning for Housing, Housing for All--a proposal to alter housing zoning laws and address equity issues.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E62 - Del. Don Scott: Where Democrats Stand Going Into the Election

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 08:05:02 -0000

This week, Michael and Lauren are joined by House Democratic Leader Don Scott for a final preview of the upcoming General Assembly elections. Leader Scott talks about the Democratic focus on abortion and education, responds to criticisms from House Speaker Todd Gilbert, and gives his takes on some of the hottest races that'll be decided next week--which might land him a role as Speaker if the Democrats win the majority.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E63 - Massive Campaign Ad Buys, Electric Vehicles, and Presidential Chatter

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 09:05:01 -0000

LINKS:
Sponsor: Early Impact Virginia
Learn more about Jackleg Media

IN THE NEWS:
On the Airwaves: If you've been watching TV, you've seen the ads--Democrats portraying Republicans as conspiracy theorists and extremists trying to criminalize abortions, while Republicans are portraying Joe Biden's America as dangerous and lawless. And these ads--the result some massive ad buys--all pretty much sound the same, no matter where in the state you are.

Plus, despite what the Republican ads say, crime is down in both Virginia and the United States. Violent crime is down almost 40 percent since the early 90s. Murder is down 20 percent. Property crime, is down 60 percent, and it's currently at one of the lowest rates ever.

One last bit of messaging news--one line of attack from Republicans takes aim at electric cars, and a bill signed by Governor Northam that would mandate all new car sales in the states to be EVs by 2035. Michael and Lauren discuss where Virginians stand on the issue of electric vehicles and how it might affect the election this week.

TRIVIA: How many members were in the ORIGINAL House of Burgesses?

At the Watercooler:
- Rumors of a Youngkin presidential run next week
- A great debate last week between Schuyler VanValkenburg and Siobhan Dunnavant--with a couple of moderate positions.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E64 - Jahd Khalil: Takeaways from the 2023 Election

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 07:02:07 -0000

LINKS:
Sponsor: Early Impact Virginia
Learn more about Jackleg Media

This week, Michael is joined by VPM's Jahd Khalil to break down some of the biggest takeaways from the Democrats' big win on Tuesday. With Don Scott now set to be the Speaker of the House, what will his leadership look like? How will new representatives work across the aisle? What can we learn from local results like Richmond's second denial of a casino? And who will become the new Senate Majority Leader?

S4E65 - Election Breakdown, Congressional Candidates, and the FBI Goes to Maryland

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 10:05:02 -0000

LINKS:
Sponsor: Early Impact Virginia
Learn more about Jackleg Media

IN THE NEWS:
Michael and Lauren break down the results in key races from the 2023 state House and Senate races--and what the Democratic win means for strategy this year and in 2024.

TRIVIA: Which newly elected member of the House of Delegates is in the most lopsided district in terms of partisan lean? Hint: this district goes +80.5 for the Democrats.

At the Watercooler:
- The FBI headquarters is set to be in Maryland, not Virginia--how did it happen, and did it have anything to do with Youngkin's comments as Governor?
- With Jennifer Wexton announcing her plans to retire from Congress, several Virginia Democrats have started looking toward running for her Northern Virginia seat.

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S4E66 - Karl Frisch: Democratic Wins at School Board Elections

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 09:05:01 -0000

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Karl Frisch, Vice Chair of Fairfax County's School Board, joins Michael to discuss last week's elections in terms of school boards across the Commonwealth. By and large, it was a rejection of book-bannings and anti-trans policies, with big wins for moderate and Democratic candidates in many localities, including some that went for Governor Youngkin in 2021. They also discuss the rise of several Fairfax County School Board members to statewide office, and how that will impact the incoming General Assembly as leadership power shifts away from Northern Virginia.

S4E67 - New Leadership, Recruiting Candidates, and a Narrow Majority in the General Assembly

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 09:05:02 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
While Democrats have a majority in the state House and Senate, those margins are razor-thin--which leaves open some questions about the balance of power. Can Republicans peel off votes for specific issues? What happens if Democrats are sick, out-of-town, or appointed to executive roles?

With Scott Surovell set to become the Senate Majority Leader and Don Scott as Speaker of the House, there's new leadership for the Democrats--and thirty new faces among the one-hundred seats in the Capitol building. What does that mean for the legislature this year?

The final votes are still being counted in the 2023 election, but both parties are already at work recruiting new candidates for 2025. Recent recruitment efforts like Senator-Elect Danica Roem's Emerge have seen some big wins across the state, so there's a lot to be said about the power of choosing wisely.

TRIVIA: When was the first Thanksgiving? Hint: It’s NOT the Pilgrims at Cape Cod in 1621. And it’s also NOT the Virginia Thanksgiving in 1619.

At the Watercooler:
- Susanna Gibson's comments about her election and the Washington Post piece that may have tilted things out of her favor. Michael and Lauren discuss crisis communications and the tricky balance Gibson may have faced in dealing with the situation.
- New leadership across Senate Committees--Louise Lucas will chair Finance, Mamie Locke will chair the Rules Committee, Scott Surovell will chair Judiciary, and more. Plus, shake-ups in the House seniority order that have huge effects on positions down the line.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E68 - Another Very Pod Virginia Thanksgiving

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 09:05:02 -0000

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No full episode this week, but Thomas and Michael want to wish you a happy Thanksgiving—and a quick discussion on the origins of the tradition.

This episode originally aired for Thanksgiving 2022.

S4E69 - {ICYMI] The New Dominion: Elections that Shaped Virginia

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 09:05:02 -0000

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Next week sees the release of The New Dominion: The Twentieth-Century Elections That Shaped Modern Virginia--which we've covered a few times on the show. The book traces six key statewide elections that altered Virginia politics, how they shaped (and were shaped by) the state's culture, economy, and demographics, and what lessons we might be able to learn from those transformative moments.

So we've pulled a few interviews covering the book, including our interview with editors John Milliken and Mark Rozell of George Mason University, plus Stephen Farnsworth at the University of Mary Washington, aired in September and October.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E70 - Laura Stokes: How To Unseat Chap Petersen

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 09:05:01 -0000

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This week, we're joined by Laura Stokes, the campaign manager for Senator-Elect Saddam Salim, who successfully primaried incumbent Senator Chap Petersen this summer before winning the general this month. Laura breaks down her campaign strategy--including win numbers, voter-outreach, and overcoming a money deficit--that earned the historic win.

S4E71 - Abortion Amendment, Assault Weapon Ban, and the Legacy Budget

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 09:05:01 -0000

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Check out Black Virginia News

IN THE NEWS:
The amendment to the Virginia Constitution introduced by Democrats protects the fundamental right to reproductive freedom. Supporters say it's a way to safeguard against future efforts to roll back existing rights. Opponents worry that the amendment actually expands existing rights.

The last time Democrats were in control of the General Assembly, advocates for preventing gun violence were hopeful they could ban assault weapons. But, in the end, that didn't happen. Legislation to ban assault-style weapons has already been filed in the House and the Senate. But even if Democrats are successful this time, they'll still be sending it to Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, who is widely expected to veto the bill.

Virginia has a two-year budget, which means that Governor Glenn Youngkin spent the first half of his time as governor revising and amending a budget he inherited from the previous governor. Now he'll finally get a chance to put together his own budget proposal -- a document often called the "legacy budget" because it's a governor's one and only shot at putting together a balance sheet from beginning to end. Tax cuts and education spending are likely to be key points of discussion as the new Democratic majorities in the House and Senate consider Youngkin's legacy budget in January.

TRIVIA: Who was the first woman elected to the Virginia Senate?

At the Watercooler:
- Candidates are already running for races next year--both statewide and Congressional, on account of Virginia's election schedule and some unexpected openings.
- Alexandria's City Council has unanimously voted to ditch single-family zoning--always ripe for controversy.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E72 - Mayor Justin Wilson: Alexandria's Housing, Bike Lanes, and the End of an Era

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 09:05:02 -0000

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This week, Michael is joined by Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson to discuss Alexandria's recent move to approve Zoning for Housing/Housing for All -- a bid to expand the city's housing supply by eliminating single-family-only zoning and to fight discriminatory housing policies. He talks about the rationale and the effect--estimated to convert fewer than 70 of the city's 9,000 single-family lots.
They also take a trip down memory lane through Wilson's mayoral history--highs and lows from his first-ever election launch party (which Michael attended back in 2007), all the way through recent changes to bike lanes, bus lanes, renaming streets, and responding to COVID.

S4E73 - Election 2025, Raising the Minimum Wage, and Filling the SCC Seats

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 09:05:01 -0000

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Check out Black Virginia News

IN THE NEWS:
With two years to go before the election of Virginia's next governor, the field seems largely set. Republicans are likely to nominate either Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears or Attorney General Jason Miyares. As for the Democrat, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney is throwing his hat into the ring to challenge Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger. But are our candidates forgetting that there's a whole 2024 election in the way?

House Bill number one and Senate Bill number one are both aimed at a top priority for the new Democratic majority -- raising the minimum wage from $12 an hour to $15 an hour. Members of the General Assembly will be hearing opposition from the business community. Democrats seemed poised to put a bill raising the minimum wage on the desk of Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, who will have the power to amend or veto.

The State Corporation Commission regulates everything from electricity and insurance to railroads and predatory lending. The commission has three members, although two seats are vacant, and Republicans and Democrats were unable to agree during the era of divided government. Now Democrats will get to fill the seat--with no input from the Governor. So who's going to fill them?

TRIVIA: When was the last time Alexandria had an open seat for mayor?

At the Watercooler:
- The lack of support for Trish White-Boyd's run from the Democrats
- Interesting new Committee Chairs in the House of Delegates

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E74 - Kim Bobo: Fighting for Paid Sick Leave

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 09:05:01 -0000

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This week, Michael is joined by Kim Bobo, Executive Director of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, to discuss a bill that'll soon be in front of the General Assembly. The bill would require Virginia businesses to provide employees 5 paid sick days per year, with 1 paid hour earned for 30 hours worked. It'll be introduced by Delegate Jeion Ward in the House and Senator Scott Surovell in the Senate, signaling strong support from Democratic leadership.

S4E75 - News Deserts, License Plate Readers, and Sports Stadium Scuttlebutt

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 09:05:01 -0000

LINKS:
Sponsor: Early Impact Virginia
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Check out Black Virginia News

IN THE NEWS:
Virginia has seven news deserts, and the news blackout is only growing. A new report from the State of Local News Project shows that in the last 20 years, one third of America's newspapers have stopped the presses.
.
The license plate on your car may soon be a data point followed by 73 local police departments and sheriff's offices, a dozen colleges and universities plus two dozen homeowners associations and civic associations. Critics worry that this technology can be used to investigate what store you shop at, which political rallies you are attending and even which doctors you are visiting.

Community service boards across Virginia are receiving almost $60 million as part of a plan to add new crisis receiving centers and stabilization units across Virginia. The administration says the receiving centers will play an important role in making sure people in a mental health crisis don't get caught up in the criminal justice system.

TRIVIA: Which neighborhood in Richmond got its name because of how the streets are arranged?

At the Watercooler:
- Chatter and buzz about DC sports teams looking to move to Alexandria
- Abigail Spanberger's push to bring whole milk back to public schools has successfully passed the House

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S4E76 - Steve Babson: Virginia's Forgotten Populist Farmers

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 09:05:01 -0000

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This week, Michael is joined by Steve Babson, a labor educator and author of Forgotten Populists: When Farmers Turned Left to Save Democracy. The book explores a forgotten chapter of history--the 1890s, before the era of Jim Crowe, when Black and white farmers allied under the mantle of "populists"--fighting to expand democracy and resist the robber barons of the era.

S4E77 - Pod Virginia's Top 10 of 2023 -- Part 1

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 09:05:01 -0000

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Check out Black Virginia News

This week, Michael, Thomas, and Lauren sit around the fireplace and talk about 2023 in Virginia politics--from Chinese farmland in the State of the Commonwealth through upset primary victories in redistricted seats all the way to the Democrats winning the general election. In this two-parter, they go through the top 10 episodes of Pod Virginia from the year, reacting to the stories and predictions that aired with the benefit of some holiday-season hindsight.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S4E78 - Pod Virginia's Top 10 of 2023 -- Part 2

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 09:05:02 -0000

S5E1 - Season 5 Premiere: New Year, New Budget

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 09:05:01 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
Governor Youngkin's legacy budget proposal is out, and to kick off the year, Michael and Lauren break down some of the biggest takeaways.

Youngkin is proposing cutting the top income tax bracket from 5.75% to 5.1%, giving a huge tax cut to the wealthiest Virginians -- especially the top one percent.

He's also proposing a "tech tax" capturing a sales tax on a new category of "digital personal property" -- including your download of Microsoft Word or your subscription to Spotify.

What the budget proposal does NOT include: any tricks to defund abortion. Advocates for reproductive freedom say they're pleased, but some are are worried the proposal removes funding for services to low-income Virginians who receive dangerous fetal diagnoses.

TRIVIA: Which Virginia Congressman did President Wilson appoint as Secretary of the Treasury?

At the Watercooler:
- Despite violent crime sitting at an all-time low--but some Republican ads from the last cycle contained racialized anti-crime messages straight out of the Willie Horton era, especially targeting Black candidates.
- Some political "odd-couples" in the new General Assembly--some combinations of committee chairs that might make for an interesting legislative session.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E2 - Greg LeRoy: The Cost of the Proposed Arena Deal

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 09:05:01 -0000

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Good Jobs First

This week, Michael is joined by Greg LeRoy, author of The Great American Jobs Scam: Corporate Tax Dodging and the Myth of Job Creation to break down the proposal to build a $2 billion sports arena in Alexandria. The proposal claims 30,000 jobs will be created in return for Virginia taxpayers footing the initial cost--but LeRoy says "economic development" projects don't create lasting jobs and tend to shuffle around existing money. They break down the mechanics of the deal, the costs and benefits, and how state subsidies for the arena might not be worth it after all.

S5E3 - Raising Taxes, Funding Childcare, and the Arena Deal

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 09:05:01 -0000

LINKS:
Pod Virginia | Patreon
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Check out Black Virginia News

IN THE NEWS:
Democrats, who are about to control the General Assembly have a variety of viewpoints on Governor Glenn Youngkin's proposal to create a new tax on "digital personal property" -- especially considering the governor wants to pair it with a huge income tax cut that will disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Virginians.

During the pandemic, the federal government provided millions of dollars to help families with childcare. Now that money is about to expire, and low-income parents across Virginia are trying to figure out what happens next. Governor Youngkin says the General Assembly need to step in and bridge the gap. That's why he's proposing more than $400 million to make sure low-income families are able to keep access to childcare. He also wants to invest $25 million to build capacity in childcare deserts.

If the General Assembly creates a new authority that would own a proposed sports arena in Alexandria, the land in Potomac Yard where the arena would be built would be taken off the tax rolls. Thats’ a huge tax break for sports franchises that stand to make a lot of money on the deal--but one Pod Virginia guest says the deal isn't nearly as good for the Virginia taxpayer.

TRIVIA: Which two Democrats are now seated on the other side of the aisle?

At the Watercooler:
- Ex-Capitol police officer Harry Dunn announces a run for Maryland's 3rd District
- Pod Virginia launches its officia Discord for listeners who want to support the show

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E4 - Buy, Sell, or Hold? State of the Commonwealth Edition ft. Sarah Taylor, Del. Alfonso Lopez, Del. Marcus Simon, and Sen. Scott Surovell

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 09:05:01 -0000

Everyone's favorite General Assembly game show is back as Michael sits down with Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, Delegate Alfonso Lopez, Delegate Marcus Simon, and Alexandria Assistant City Manager Sarah Taylor to get their takes Governor Youngkin's State of the Commonwealth Address, proposed taxes and tax cuts, the Potomac Yard arena deal, and the new General Assembly building.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E5 - Live from Richmond: The Car Tax, Voting Rights Restoration, and a Historic Speaker

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 08:59:27 -0000

LINKS:
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Check out Black Virginia News

IN THE NEWS:
Delegate Don Scott has become the new Speaker of the House--the first Black Speaker in Virginia's history. And his election came alongside several new Committee Chairs that could mean big changes in the balance of power in Richmond.

House Majority Leader Charniele Herring has introduced a constitutional amendment to change the restoration of voting rights for people convicted of felonies--making it automatic, rather than dependent on the Governor's will. And it seems there's some bipartisan energy behind the effort.

Governor Youngkin says he wants to get rid of the car tax--but he didn't put it in his legacy budget proposal. It doesn't seem likely to happen, but the issue may serve as a rhetorical win in upcoming elections .

TRIVIA: When the official portrait of Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax is added to the Senate Chamber, whose portrait will be removed?

At the Watercooler:
- Activate Virginia is making a FOIA request to learn more about the high school graduation shooting in Richmond. For some reason, the state is fighting it.
- GA Staffers say the emails they're receiving about the Arena deal are overwhelmingly negative.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E6 - Sen. VanValkenburg, Del. Cole, and Del. McClure: Bills to Help Virginia's Housing

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 09:05:01 -0000

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This week, Michael is joined by Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg, Delegate Joshua Cole, and Delegate Adele McClure to break down some of their proposed bills to address Virginia's ongoing housing crises: rising rents, increased homelessness, and Virginians getting priced out of home-buying across the state.

These bills include Delegate McClure's bill to allow single-staircase buildings--lowering staircase requirements to make development easier, Delegate Cole's bill on Faith in Housing--making it easier for faith-based organizations to build affordable housing on their property, and Senator VanValkenburg's bill to allowing housing in commercial zoning, encouraging mixed-use zoning. And, of course, the hot topic of localities eliminating single-unit zoning.

S5E7 - Skill Games, Marijuana Licensing, and Fixing FOIA

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 09:05:01 -0000

LINKS:
Pod Virginia | Patreon
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Check out Black Virginia News

IN THE NEWS:
During the pandemic, convenience store owners and truck stop owners benefited financially from having games similar to slot machines in their businesses. Now lawmakers are considering a bill that would bring them back permanently.

Senator Danica Roem, a former journalist, knows that local governments often use exorbitant fees to restrict access to public documents. That's why she has a bill aimed at fixing the problem. Her bill would require local governments to offer eight free hours of researching FOIA requests -- billable hours that they can currently charge for.

When Democrats were in control of the House, Senate and governor's office they failed to create a system to license people to sell marijuana. Then when Republicans took control of the House of Delegates, and further derailed the effort. Now Senator Adam Ebbin of Alexandria has a bill that will create a system of people to have licenses to sell marijuana--but the Governor insists he's not interested in partaking.

TRIVIA: Which Virginian was Governor of the free state of Franklin and Tennessee?

At the Watercooler:
- The decision by a Richmond judge to release the report of last year's graduation shooting--and what the report shows.
- Some classing hazing in the General Assembly for the new cohort of legislators.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E8 - Jay Speer and Christie Marra: Fighting Predatory Landlords, Lenders, and Realtors

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 09:05:01 -0000

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VPLC

This week, Michael is joined by Jay Speer and Christie Marra of the Virginia Poverty Law Center, to learn what bills the VPLC are supporting in this year's General Assembly sessions. Those bills include ones to combat shady practices from realtors, loophole payday loans, and unfair fees and rent increases from predatory landlords.

S5E9 - Casino Outcry, Marijuana Licensing, and Banning Assault Weapons (feat. Jeff Ryer)

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 09:05:01 -0000

LINKS:
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IN THE NEWS:
Members of the Senate are considering a bill that would allow Virginia's sixth casino, in Fairfax County. Some legislators say they're hearing strong negative feelings from constituents.

Senator Creigh Deeds has introduced a bill to ban assault weapons in Virginia, and it's now on the floor of the Senate Finance Committee. Unsurprisingly, that's receiving some pushback as well--and this type of will hasn't had a great track record in the state legislature.

Members of the Senate are still considering what a marijuana marketplace would look like in Virginia. Advocates say it'll take revenue away from cartels and bring it to the state, but the Governor seems like a hard no on marijuana.

TRIVIA: Which Senate Republican broke the rules last week by using a prop on the Senate floor?

At the Watercooler:
- Is Virginia going to have a Super Tuesday primary that's even worth going to, or will both Presidential nominations already be in the bag?
- The Arena Deal continues to plague Michael--as does the lack of hard answers on the claims of economic development.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E10 - David Ramadan and Brian Moran: Advice On This Year's Big Bills

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 07:43:25 -0000

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Former Delegates-turned-lobbyists Brian Moran (D-46) and David Ramadan (R-87) join Michael from the General Assemby building to talk about the strategy and prospects of a whole host of bills making their way through the General Assembly this year--from marijuana licensing to the car tax, plus the fall of Democratic priorities like paid sick days and the minimum wage. They also discuss the arena deal and skill games in small stores, topics on which they're currently serving as lobbyists.

S5E11 - Legacy Admissions, Banning Book Bans, and a Tighter Budget

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 09:05:01 -0000

LINKS:
Pod Virginia | Patreon
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Check out Black Virginia News

IN THE NEWS:
Democrats and Republicans are standing together in a rare bipartisan effort to get rid of legacy admissions in colleges and universities. But while the Governor has signaled his approval, his comments also suggest his dismissal of affirmative action.

A lot of Democratic priorities were cut from the budget, including paid sick days. Lawmakers say that's because the budget is tighter than Governor Youngkin's initial proposed budget let on.

School boards across Virginia might soon be out of luck if they want to ban books from their libraries, if a new bill from Senator Hashmi passes the legislature.

TRIVIA: Which member of the Virginia House of Delegates now ranks #1 in seniority? (Hint: he was elected in 1989)

At the Watercooler:
- Journalist Jeremy Lazarus will no longer be at the Richmond Free Press--and the larger dire straits of investigative journalism
- The prospective casino in Tyson's Corner is likely dead on arrival based on the signs from its first subcomittee meeting.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E12 - Ben Knotts & Shawn Weneta: Bipartisan Solutions to Virginia's Mass Incarceration

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 09:05:01 -0000

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Virginia's left and right wings join together on Pod Virginia once more; this time, as Michael is joined by Shawn Weneta of the ACLU of Virginia and Ben Knotts of Americans for Prosperity. They're working together to advocate for bills reform the state prison system. One bill would grant incarcerated people a "second look"-- a chance to petition the court to review and adjust their sentences if
they meet certain criteria and the court finds good cause to change the sentence. Another would reform the cost of phone calls to and from prisons. They say the bills would create incentives for incarcerated Virginians to improve their lives and stay connected with their families--improving recidivism rates and making prisons safer places for everyone.

S5E13 - Spending Limits, Zoning Changes, and Protesting the Arena

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 07:54:55 -0000

LINKS:
Pod Virginia | Patreon
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Check out Black Virginia News

IN THE NEWS:
Protestors gathered in Captiol Square to oppose the proposed Alexandria arena. Supporters of the arena say it'll create 30,000 jobs, but they have yet to provide information about what kind of assumptions were made to calculate those numbers.

Democratic Senator Jennifer Boysko of Herndon says Virginia should outlaw candidates using campaign money the way former Congressman George Santos did, paying for luxury goods from Farragamo and Sephora.

Senator Saddam Salim from Fairfax County has a bill that would legalize accessory dwelling units, but the idea that land owners might be able to subdivide their property into additional units is going too far for some Republicans.

TRIVIA: What does the L in "Senator L Louise Lucas" stand for?

At the Watercooler:
- A look into the too-short time given to testimony during session
- How much leverage do the Democrats and Republicans have in getting the Arena deal versus priorities like marijuana licenses?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E14 - Buy, Sell, or Hold? Crossover Edition with Delegate Alfonso Lopez, Delegate Marcus Simon, and Senator Scott Surovell

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 08:48:18 -0000

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Everyone's favorite General Assembly game show is back as Michael sits down with Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, Delegate Alfonso Lopez, and Delegate Marcus Simon, to get their takes on the Alexandria arena getting voted down, Governor Youngkin's partisan speech, kicking members off committees, bill hearings, and skill games.

S5E15 - The Fight for Fifteen, Mass Surveillance, and Attack of the Mama Bears

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 09:05:01 -0000

LINKS:
Pod Virginia | Patreon
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Check out Black Virginia News

IN THE NEWS:
Democrats say they're not worried about the governor's threat to veto a raise in the minimum wage. They campaigned on the issue, and now they have made this their top priority -- House Bill One and Senate Bill One.

License plate readers can read hundreds of license plates a second, technology that law enforcement officials say helps track down stolen cars or human trafficking. Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell says now is the time to create some guardrails, but the Senate rejected Suovell’s version of the bill last week after a passionate speech from Senator Laschrese Aird.

With a Republican in the Executive Mansion, the minority in the General Assembly actually plays a very important role in conversations here about everything from banning books to informing parents when students overdose on fentanyl. Republicans are hoping parental rights can be a powerful tool for leverage.

TRIVIA: Which state senator has appeared on the David Letterman Show AND the Daily Show?

At the Watercooler:
- The embarrassing Tweet from the Virginia GOP lying about House Speaker Don Scott's past
- The arena deal looks dead--and Michael explains the dubious claims on the released jobs proposal

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E16 - Susanna Gibson: Cracking Down on Revenge Porn

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 09:05:01 -0000

Former House candidate Susanna Gibson joins Michael and Lauren for her first-ever podcast appearance, discussing the Washington Post story and the Republican smear campaign that brought her race under scrutiny--all from videos that she never consented to being recorded, re-hosted, and distributed years after they were streamed.
They discuss her support for Delegate Irene Shin's bill to crack down on non-consensual distribution of intimate images--so-called "revenge porn," which does real damage to both private citizens and prospective candidates, especially as the prevalence of nude images has become more common.

Plus, some tidbits from the Speaker's Black and White Gala, the Virginia Capital Correspondents' Association Banquet, and some takeaways on crisis communications from both Lauren and Susanna.

S5E17 - Marching Against Rights, Labor vs the Arena, and Taxing Lost Causers

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 08:05:04 -0000

LINKS:
Pod Virginia | Patreon
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Check out Black Virginia News

IN THE NEWS:
The AFL-CIO is opposing the proposed arena and entertainment district in the Potomac Yard area of Alexandria, dealing a major blow to legislation now under consideration at the state Capitol in Richmond. The labor groups say the developer should have entered into a labor agreement, adding that the existing bill is a bad deal for workers.

The right to abortion has been a flashpoint in Virginia politics ever since the United States Supreme Court eliminated constitutional protections. Wednesday, thousands of people came to Richmond to call for abortion rights to be rolled back or repealed altogether. Many of them were not interested in talking to the legacy media.

On Tuesday, the Senate of Virginia passed a bill to eliminate tax exempt status for Confederate heritage organizations. But until lawmakers pass a bill to remove Stonewall Jackson, he will continue to occupy a prominent spot facing the north entrance to the Capitol.

TRIVIA: When did Virginia impose the one term limit on governors?

At the Watercooler:
- Takeaways from Speaker Scott's Black and White Gala
- Reacting to WAMU firing 15 journalists on their DCist project and taking down the archive

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E18 - Heywood Sanders and Neil deMause: Monumental's Questionable Arena Numbers

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 09:05:01 -0000

This week, Michael is joined by Professor of Public Administration Heywood Sanders, as well as journalist and blogger Neul DeMause (author of Field of Schemes) to break down the one-page jobs report for the proposed Alexandria arena, recently shared by Monumental after months of requests. They discuss the plausibility of the estimates, the questionable assumptions, and the lack of commitments for if the estimates don't pan out--and why they're skeptical about putting millions of taxpayer dollars into the project.

S5E19 - Slot Machine Politics, Jim Crow Wages, and Senatorial Misgendering

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 09:05:01 -0000

LINKS:
Pod Virginia | Patreon
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Check out Black Virginia News

IN THE NEWS:
During session, Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears publicly misgendered Senator Danica Roem, leading to chaos in the chamber, public outcry, and not much of an apology. Michael and Lauren discuss what happened and to what extent it might have been intentional.

Farm workers in Virginia are exempt from the minimum wage, on account of a racist compromise made during the Jim Crow era. The governor now has a bill on his desk that would remove the exemption, but business interests are lining up to defend the existing law.

The movement to bring skill games (or electronic gambling machines) into truck stops and gas stations is seeing pushback from opponents who say they represent a public safety risk.

TRIVIA: How many constititutions has Virginia had?

At the Watercooler:
- A new bill from Senator Russet Perry to restrict the travel of local officials, coming after a trip to Ghana from a member of the Loudon County Board of Supervisors.
- Michael discusses the historical election where cross-party voters actually did make a difference in a primary election--back in 1949.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E20 - Buy, Sell, or Hold? End of Session Edition with Sarah Taylor, Delegate Alfonso Lopez, Delegate Marcus Simon, and Senator Jeremy McPike

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 09:05:01 -0000

On this week's live-to-tape game show, Michael sits down with Delegate Alfonso Lopez, Delegate Marcus Simon, Alexandria Assistant City Manager Sarah Taylor, and pinch hitter Senator Jeremy McPike to get their takes on the end of the latest General Assembly Session: from passive-aggressive policies to "peace in the valley," invasive plants, and Jim Crow minimum wage exceptions.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

S5E21 - Arena Fail, Zoom-Room Politics, and Filing Suit Over FOIA

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 07:11:11 -0000

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Sponsor: My Own PAC

Pod Virginia | Patreon
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Check out Black Virginia News

IN THE NEWS:
This week, Governor Glenn Youngkin stood outside the Capitol talking about a proposed sports arena in Alexandria -- speaking about it in the past tense. Leading the charge against the arena proposal is Senate Finance Committee Chairwoman L Louise Lucas, who says the deal is no good for taxpayers.

In the era of Zoom, should state agencies and local advisory bodies be able to meet online? Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker has a bill that would expand the number of meetings that happen virtually, but opponents say this would remove an important facet of face-to-face public service.

Republicans who want to restrict the right to an abortion say they are tired of people being used as props. Democrats say they don't want a bunch of old, white men making decisions about women's healthcare. With government divided, the two sides are canceling out each other this year. But abortion rights are expected to be a major topic of conversation next year, when lawmakers will consider an amendment to the Virginia Constitution.

TRIVIA: What is the NEXT memorial to be added to Capitol Square? (Hint: planning is already underway, and Senate Clerk Susan Schaar gave the memorial a financial boost last week)

At the Watercooler:
- Former Richmond FOIA Officer Connie Clay is suing the City of Richmond, alleging she was fired after being blocked from doing her duties
- Breaking down the bills Governor Youngkin has signed, vetoed, and amended

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S5E22 - Speaker Don Scott: Breaking Down The Session

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 05:46:15 -0000

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This week, Michael and Lauren are joined by none other than House Speaker Don Scott to discuss his first session as Speaker--his relationship with the governor, the balance of power in the legislature, and the state of bills on gun control, skill, games and the arena.

S5E23 - Another Budget Standoff, Lobbying Bill Kills, and Prophylactic Politics

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 08:05:01 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
House Speaker Don Scott says he didn't appreciate Governor Glenn Youngkin showing up on the last day of the General Assembly session and asking Republicans to vote against the budget. The governor has a line item veto, which he can use to make all kinds of changes to the budget. When asked about the idea that he might issue a blanket veto of the entire bill, Youngkin said he wasn’t far enough in the process to know quite yet.

Senator Stella Pekarsky introduced a bill to make sure that DoorDash and StubHub weren't loading down customers with extra charges--and that bill died at the very end of the General Assembly session when some House Democrats did not support it. Likely, this was the work of some poweful lobbying from groups like the Virgina Chamber of Commerce.

Senator Ghzala Hashmi introduced a bill that would require health insurance plans in Virginia cover contraception, but now the governor is adding an amendment that would allow for a religious or ethical exemption for people who don't want to provide coverage.

TRIVIA: What happens if there is a tie in the election for Governor?

At the Watercooler:
- A Stateline article claims that Virginia's legislature has no working-class people holding office--but given the low pay for state officials, that's not quite true.
- The governor's been on a roll of vetos, and shows no signs of stopping. What does this say about his positions and relationship to the legislature?

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S5E24 - Greg LeRoy: Is The Arena Deal Dead?

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 08:05:01 -0000

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This week, Michael is joined by Greg LeRoy of Good Jobs First to break down the latest on the Northern Virginia arena deal which died in the General Assembly Session. While there's still a chance it'll get resurrected this year, that's looking unlikely--with Senator Lucas holding fast to her opposition and the one-page report full of questionable estimates. Plus, what does it mean that a Monumental executive cancelled last-minute before appearing on this episode?

S5E25 - Vetoed Train Regulations, Arena Job Numbers, and the Next Election

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 08:05:01 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
Next week is the final deadline for candidates who want to run for Congress this year, which means that the politics for this year's congressional races are already starting to take shape. The primary election that's currently attracting the largest number of candidates is the Tenth Congressional District, which is open because Jennifer Wexton is vacating the seat.

"30,000 jobs" has become a rallying cry for supporters of a proposal to create a sports arena in Alexandria. But is that a credible number? A request for more information about how that number was calculated was initially met with silence and delays. Finally, 54 days after the request, city officials responded with a one-page document that lays out some but not all of the details. For now the arena proposal is in a holding pattern after the General Assembly failed to include it in its budget proposal.

How many people should be working on trains that come through Virginia? Democrats say all those trains should have at least a two-person crew, and they sent the governor a bill that requires that. But the governor is vetoing that bill. His veto message says the proposed regulations disrupt the ability of railroad companies to access new markets.

TRIVIA: Which Virginia mayor in the 1990s worked with James Comey on the initiative "Project Exile"?

At the Watercooler:
- Operation Ceasefire--Speaker Scott and AG Miyares were at an event last week to announce a reduction in violent crime in parts of Virginia.
- What exactly is going on with the "radio silence" communications strategy from advocates behind the arena?

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S5E26 - Tom Sherwood: The Death of the Arena Deal

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 13:11:12 -0000

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This week, Michael is joined by political analyst for WAMU, Tom Sherwood, to discuss the breaking news as the Monumental Arena deal is now officially dead. What happened, and what does it mean for Virginia going forward?

S5E27 - To-Go Cocktails, Amending the Digital Tax Proposal, and the Monumental Failure

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
The secretive plan to bring a sports arena to Alexandria is over--and the folks involved seem to be blaming everybody but themselves.

Back in December, Governor Glenn Youngkin proposed a new digital tax for consumers. If you bought a digital book, for example, you would have to pay the same sales tax as a hard copy book you got at the bookstore. Now the General Assembly is agreeing with the governor about consumers and adding businesses to the governor's proposal.

"Cocktails-to-go" was one of the innovations of the pandemic. Now the governor is agreeing with lawmakers to allow the temporary fix to become permanent-- although the jury is still out on third-party vendors like DoorDash and Uber Eats.

TRIVIA: Which year did the cardinal become the state bird of Virginia?

At the Watercooler:
- Why is Governor Youngkin reviewing race-related education content at VCU and GMU?
- The Governor also vetoed a bill that would give the minimum wage to farm worker--which started as an explicitly racist Jim Crow-ear policy.

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S5E28 - Senator Tim Kaine: Walk Ride Paddle

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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This week, Michael is joined by former Governor and current Senator Tim Kaine to discuss his latest book, Walk Ride Paddle. Over the last few years, Senator Kaine hiked the Appalachian Trail, biked Skyline Drive, and canoed the James River. Along the way, he discusses the last few years of American politics, reflects on a lifetime of public service, and admires the natural beauty that exists across the state of Virginia.

S5E29 - Climate Denialism, Primary Excitement, and Abortion in the South

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 08:05:01 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
The new six-week ban on abortion in Florida will change the dynamics of abortion across the South. Advocates on both sides agree this means more people will come to Virginia to seek services that are not available in other states. But can Virginia handle the need?

Governor Glenn Youngkin is vetoing to a bill that would have expanded the availability of instructional materials about climate change in public schools. He says the bill is redundant because schools already teach about climate change and buying new materials would be an unfunded mandate.

The retirement of incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton is attracting the largest number of candidates in any race this year. So far, 13 Democrats are running in the Democratic primary and more might enter the race before the deadline this week. The list includes a former Speaker of the House of Delegates, three incumbent delegates and two incumbent senators. Because the election cycle differs from Virginia's state elections, many of these candidates have nothing to lose by throwing their hats into the ring.

TRIVIA: What was the name of the old General Assembly Cafeteria?

At the Watercooler:
- A meeting in Portsmouth to plan for the fallout of the bridge collapse in Maryland; how will local, state, and federal officials deal with the diverted sea traffic that will come to Virginia in the next few years?
- Michael was on the Friday Power Lunch podcast to talk about how the sausage gets made in Virginia politics, taking lessons from the book Notes from the Sausage Factory

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E30 - Sam Shirazi: The 2024 Primaries

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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As it happens every year in Virginia, primary season is just around the corner! And this week, Michael is joined by political analyst Sam Shirazi to break down a few of the most competitive Congressional primaries heading into the 2024 race. Those include the open seat in the 10th District following the retirement of Jennifer Wexton, as well as the open 7th District as Abigail Spanberger sets her sights on the Governor's Mansion. Plus, Bob Good in the 5th District faces a primary from the pro-Trump wing of the Republican Party and Gerry Connolly in the 11th District takes heat from a candidate running on a pro-Palestinian platform.

S5E31 - Skill Game Amendment, Abortion Vetoes, and Ranked Choice Voting

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
Lawmakers are weighing the odds about how to handle the governor's amendment to their legislation allowing skill games in convenience stores and truck stops. The amendment says skill game machines cannot be within 35 miles of a casino or a historic horse racing facility--which knocks out a lot of possible locations. Now supporters have a choice: Do they want to accept a limited program now and try to expand in the future, or do they want to bag it for now and try again next year?

Governor Youngkin now has the record for the most number of vetoes of any governor in recent memory, and he rolled out new abortion vetoes last weekend--including a bill that would have protected women and providers from being extradited to Tennessee or Texas, where abortion is much more restricted.

Glenn Youngkin got the nomination to run as the Republican candidate for governor in a ranked-choice vote at a party convention. But now he's vetoing a bill that would have clarified how the process is supposed to work in local elections.

TRIVIA: Which Senate Democrat had zero bills vetoed by the Governor this year?

At the Watercooler:
- The US House vote on FISA made strange bedfellows--Rep. Bobby Scott siding with Republicans on protecting warrant requirements for police surveillance, while Rep. Jen Kiggans sided with Democrats against it
- Pro-Palestinian protestors are calling for a ceasefire in Gaza in public forums at the local, state, and federal level--and this is what the campaign season is likely to hinge on.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E32 - Buy, Sell, or Hold? With Delegates Cia Price, Alfonso Lopez, and Marcus Simon

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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On this week's live-to-tape game show, Michael sits down with Delegates Cia Price, Alfonso Lopez, and Marcus Simon to break down the latest news out of the veto session--the Governor's vetoes and amendments, tell-all memoirs, part-time legislatures, and ice cream drumsticks.

S5E33 - Budget Do-Over, Skill Game Impasse, and Crumbling Schools

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
Forget public hearings and committee meetings--Virginia’s next budget will be crafted in secret behind closed doors with no input from the public and no transparency after lawmakers couldn't come to an agreement this week.

One of the most contentious debates in the General Assembly this year was the debate over what happens with slot-machine style gaming machines in convenience stores and truck stops. The governor's amendment limiting where the machines can be located was overwhelmingly rejected by the Senate.

Schools across Virginia are crumbling, which is why Senator Jeremy McPike of Prince William County introduced a bill to allow local governments to impose a sales tax to finance school construction. Some Republicans supported the original bill. But McPike was unable to persuade enough of them to get a supermajority vote to override the governor's veto.

TRIVIA: How many budget amendments were lawmakers considering last week?

At the Watercooler:
- Uri Berliner's article criticizing NPR for a liberal bias causing a lack of public trust
- Alexandria City Council debates--another will be held on May 4th, then a mayoral debate on June 8th.

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S5E34 - Kelly McBride: What Crime Reporting Gets Wrong

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 15:01:37 -0000

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Kelly McBride, a journalist and Senior VP at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, joins Michael to talk about her long experience on the crime beat and the problems with crime reporting -- how framing sets the narrative and misses the big picture, the peer pressure and race-to-the-bottom nature in some newsrooms, and the long fight for journalistic ethics in the modern world.

S5E35 - Closed-Door Budgets, Campaign Finance Disclosures, and the LG Shuffle

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
Forget public hearings and committee meetings--Virginia’s next budget will be crafted in secret behind closed doors with no input from the public and no transparency after lawmakers couldn't come to an agreement this week.

One of the most contentious debates in the General Assembly this year was the debate over what happens with slot-machine-style gaming machines in convenience stores and truck stops. The governor's amendment limiting where the machines can be located was overwhelmingly rejected by the Senate.

Schools across Virginia are crumbling, which is why Senator Jeremy McPike of Prince William County introduced a bill to allow local governments to impose a sales tax to finance school construction. Some Republicans supported the original bill. But McPike was unable to persuade enough of them to get a supermajority vote to override the governor's veto.

TRIVIA: How many budget amendments were lawmakers considering last week?

At the Watercooler:
- Congresswoman Spanberger has made her first endorsement--Leslie Mehta, an ACLU lawyer who represented Unite the Right organizer Jason Kessler
- Even Tennessee's legislature has open conference committees! Why can't Virginia?

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S5E36 - Markus Schmidt: The Bob Good/John McGuire Republican Primary

Thu, 02 May 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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Markus Schmidt of Cardinal News joins the show to break down the interesting Republican Primary in Virginia's 5th Congressional District, as Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good is facing a challenge from John McGuire. Good might be vulnerable after initially endorsing Ron DeSantis for president last year, and now faces accusations of being insufficiently loyal to Trump. What's likely to come from this race, and do Democrats have a chance at taking the seat?

S5E37 - Early Voting, Student Protestors, and Fracking Formalities

Mon, 06 May 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
Republicans opposed the creation of a 45-day window for early voting in Virginia. But then last year, they switched gears After the election was over, several Republican delegates introduced bills to roll back early voting. Now that early voting has started for this cycle, Republicans are trying to embrace early voting...again.

Governor Glenn Youngkin says he stands with law enforcement officials who arrested some students at Virginia Tech and Virginia Commonwealth University last week. A group of young Democratic opponents say it's important that students continue to have the right to speak their mind and assemble peacefully.

Clean up your act or shut down--that's the message from the Environmental Protection Agency to power plants that use fossil fuels. The new rules issued last week are aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

TRIVIA: When was the state flag of Virginia first adopted?

At the Watercooler:
- The state police crackdown at UVA's peaceful pro-Palestinian protest
- Michael's upcoming May 9th talk at the Arlington Historical Society about "Shotgun Justice," plus the May 18th Alexandria City Council Candidates Forum

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S5E38 - Antonio Olivo: The Race for Virginia's 10th Congressional District

Thu, 09 May 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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With the start of early voting, Antonio Olivo of the Washington Post joins Michael to discuss the race to succeed Jennifer Wexton in Virginia's 10th Congressional District--with twelve in the Democratic primary and and four in the Republican primary, what are the dynamics of the race this year?

S5E39 - Budget Compromise, Protest Crackdowns, and Lawmaker Investments

Mon, 13 May 2024 08:05:01 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
Virginia's budget is still a work-in-progress, but a deal was announced late last week--there's likely to be no RGGI, no ERIC, and no tax increases, but pay raises for Virginia teachers and state employees.

Police officers in riot gear cracked down on student protestors at the University of Virginia last week, pushing students on the ground and using pepper sprays. More than 2300 have been arrested in protests nationwide so far, and support for Palestinians doesn't seem to be decreasing.

What kinds of investments do members of the General Assembly make? The folks at VPAP made a chart--Democrats are likely to invest in Microsoft, Verizon, and Johnson & Johnson, while Republicans tend to be invested in Dominion, Tesla, and Amazon.

TRIVIA: Which two presidential elections did Virginia not participate in?

At the Watercooler:
- Will Trump actually try to contest Virginia, or is his stated plan a head-fake?
- The race in the 5th Congressional District between Bob Good and John McGuire--which type of leader do Virginia Republicans want?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E40 - Buy, Sell, or Hold? Special Session Edition with Sarah Taylor, Delegate Alfonso Lopez, Delegate Marcus Simon, and Senator Scott Surovell

Thu, 16 May 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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On this week's live-to-tape game show, Michael sits down with Senator Scott Surovell, Delegate Alfonso Lopez, Delegate Marcus Simon, and Alexandria Assistant City Manager Sarah Taylor to get their takes on Governor Youngkin's legacy budget, student protests, invasive plants, and Jeff Ryer on Pod Virginia.

S5E41 - Remembering Massive Resistance, Budget Compromise, and the Endless Special Session

Mon, 20 May 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
After failing to pass a budget before they left town, the General Assembly returned for a special session last week to strike a deal. No new taxes, skill games remain unresolved, and several Democratic priorities were cut--but both sides call it a win.

On last week's game show, Senator Scott Surovell pointed out that the General Assembly never really adjourned, so we're in a sort of neverending special session--a common practice to prevent the Governor from being able to appoint judges.

This month is the 70th anniversary of the landmark 1954 Supreme Court case Brown v Board. And so it’s worth remembering how Virginia responded.

TRIVIA: What town was once located where Dulles Airport is now?

At the Watercooler:
- Senator Lucas' observation that the Washington Post's endorsements in the 7th and 10th district oppose the 13 total women and minority candidates for both races
- The controversy over Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito's upside-down American flag stunt--and journalistic confusion when it comes to Fairfax County and Alexandria

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S5E42 - Trevor Baratko: Inside NoVa's 7th Congressional District Race

Thu, 23 May 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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This week, Trevor Baratko, editor of Inside NoVa and Fauquier Now, joins Michael to break down the dozen or so candidates for Virginia's 7th Congressional District and the race to replace Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger. The Democratic primary is being led by Eugene Vindman, but with plenty of other candidates including Margaret Franklin, Andrea Bailey, Elizabeth Guzman, Brianna Sewell, Carl Bedell, and Clifford Heinzer; while the Republican race is led by Derrick Anderson, with Cameron Hamilton, Maria Martin, Jonathon Myers, John Prabhudoss, and Terris Todd. What differentiates the candidates, and what will the truly competitive general election race look like?

S5E43 - AI Voices, Predatory Lenders, and Confederate-Favoring Vetoes

Mon, 27 May 2024 08:05:01 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
In his final round of record-breaking vetoes, Governor Glenn Youngkin is taking action against contraception and in favor of Confederates. He vetoed a bill that would have allowed slot machine style games at convenience stores and truck stops. He also vetoed two bills that were opposed by Confederate groups: one would have eliminated tax breaks for the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the other that would have eliminated two state-issued license plates, one celebrating Robert E. Lee and another celebrating the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Some predatory lenders advance cash to grieving relatives about to gain an inheritence while trying to claim the money isn't a loan--but a new bill signed by the Governor would help fight those practices.

Did Sam Altman steal the voice of Scarlett Johansson? That's a question that's troubling for Congressman Don Beyer, who introduced the AI Foundation Model Transparency Act. The idea is that OpenAI should share the identity behind "Sky” – the now-suspended voice of artificial intelligence bot ChatGPT. Beyer is focused on building trust in an era of deep fakes.

TRIVIA: What Virginia county claims to be the birthplace of Father's Day?

At the Watercooler:
- Eileen Filler-Corn's response to progressive attacks in the race for the 10th Congressional district -- and why responding to criticism might increasingly be the right move
- Voting has opened for the June primary! An Arlington Democratic candidate forum on Wednesday, June 5 at Innovation Elementary School, and an Alexandria Mayoral forum for on Saturday, June 8th at Taqueria Picoso

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S5E44 - Sam Shirazi: The 1st District Primary to Unseat Rob Wittman

Thu, 30 May 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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This week, Pod Virginia favorite Sam Shirazi joins Michael to break down the Democratic primary in Virginia's 1st Congressional Distict, a longtime Republican seat that includes the Historic Triangle of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. Democrats Leslie Mehta and Herb Jones are facing off to see who will face incumbent Republican Rob Wittman in November. Who are these candidates, and how will the presidential race factor into their chances for the general election and beyond?

S5E45 - Presidential Deadlock, MAGA Appeal, and the Bullying Breakdown

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
A new poll from Roanoke College has the presidential election tied in Virginia, with Biden at 42 percent and Trump also at 42 percent. The poll was conducted right before the guilty verdict in the New York hush money trail, but points to a murky presidential year ahead. The poll also shows that Democrats are not all that positive about the Biden years, but nine out of ten Republicans view the Trump years as mostly good.

Former President Donald Trump lost Virginia in 2016 and in 2020, but Republicans across the state are clamoring for his endorsement. Now two candidates are receiving just that from the leading Republican candidate for president. One is Hung Cao, a Republican running in the U-S Senate primary against four other candidates; the other is state Senator John McGuire, who is running against incumbent Congressman Bob Good in the 5th Congressional District.

Are some students bullied more than others? Delegate Joshua Cole wanted to change the definition of bullying to protect the most vulnerable--students with disabilities, Black and brown students, and LGBTQIA+ students--but Governor Youngkin vetoed the bill, saying it might cause confusion.

TRIVIA: Who was the New Deal Democrat who defeated Congressman Colgate Darden in the 1936 Democratic primary? (Hint: he was the publisher of the Portsmouth Star)

At the Watercooler:
- Biden's Black Voter Engagement event...that almost nobody heard about. So what's the plan for Black voters in Virginia?
- Can you run for President from prison? Socialist Eugene V. Debs managed it in 1920, getting 3% of the vote.

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S5E46 - Teo Armus: The Candidates in Arlington and Alexandria

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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This week, Michael is joined by the Washington Post's Northern Virginia reporter, Teo Armus, to break down the candidates in Arlington and Alexandria's Democratic primaries for Mayor and City Council—with the winners all but guaranteed to win the general. With housing as a key issue (the Missing Middle and Housing for All) and the fallout of the Arena Deal, which candidates will differentiate themselves?

First up, for Alexandria Mayor: up Alyia Gaskins, Amy Jackson, and Steve Peterson
For Alexandria's City Council (6 seats total): John Taylor Chapman, Kirk McPike, Jesse O'Connell, Abdel Elnoubi, Canek Aguirre, Jimmy Lewis, Sarah Bagley, Jacinta Greene, Jonathan Huskey, and Charlotte Scherer
For Arlington County Board: Natalie Roy, J.D. Spain, Tenley Peterson, Julie Farnam, and James DeVita

S5E47 - Executive Overreach, Texting Voters, and Hot Economy Summer

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
Don't California My Virginia--that was the platform Republicans ran on last year, and now the governor is following through by ditching California emission standards, even though Democrats who control the General Assembly don't agree. Members of the General Assembly are also clashing with the governor about whether Virginia should be part of two multi-state groups, one to combat climate change and another to update voter information.

A text ding might be the sound of modern campaigning in Virginia. Campaigns for everything from Congress to your local City Council are increasingly embracing a new way to reach potential voters. But does this kind of campaigning get too personal?

Virginia's unemployment rate is 2.8 percent, and inflation is going down. But are ordinary people actually feeling these economic trends?

TRIVIA: Who was the first member of Congress to represent the 10th Congressional District?

At the Watercooler:
- Jonathan Haidt's Anxious Generation and the effect of cell phones and technology on younger Americans
- Major news for friend of the show Sarah Taylor--congratulations on her new job at Capitol Square Strategies!

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S5E48 - Tom Davis: A Republican Perspective on Next Week's Primaries

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 10:15:35 -0000

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This week, Michael is joined by Tom Davis, a former Republican Congressman and former Chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, to break down the statewide and local primary races now underway. Who are the Republicans vying to challenge Tim Kaine, and will they have a chance in November? How is the Good vs. McGuire race affected by the switch to a primary system over conventions? Could Virginia be in play for the presidential race in November?

S5E49 - Last Minute Allegations, Attack PACs, and Veteran Candidates

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
Any time big news breaks right before an election, that’s a big red flag. So the story we are about to talk about has a huge timing problem.
The Democratic primary in the 10th Congressional District is being rocked at the last possible minute by allegations from an anonymous woman who was a member of the Loudoun Democratic Committee who says the frontrunner in the primary, Delegate Dan Helmer, groped her breast at a political event in 2018. The first outlet to report on the story was NOTUS, which is associated with the Allbritton Journalism Institute. The Loudoun Times-Mirror also laid out all the known facts and the timeline. And now five of the other Democrats in the congressional primary are calling for Helmer to drop out of the race.

In this primary election, a PAC for Republican candidate Hung Cao has become a source of controversy for how it spent its money; another PAC has attracted attention because it was created to attack Democratic candidate Eileen-Filler-Corn. What's going on with PACs and their influence in Virginia politics?

In the 7th Congressional District, the candidates who have raised the most amount of money are veterans--Democrats and Republicans alike. Same thing in the neighboring 10th Congressional District in Loudoun County, where a bumper crop of candidates is vying for attention. We're actually in an era of comparatively few veterans in office, so what does this surge mean for the next generation of lawmakers?

TRIVIA: Which Virginia senator got into a duel with Henry Clay?

At the Watercooler:
- More on Lauren's experience with allegations against office-holders--and her critiques of the large media outlets that fail to do their due diligence.
- Secret recordings from Lauren Windsor of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, his wife, and Chief Justice Roberts. What are the ethics of secret recordings, how should media outlets use them, and is Windsor a journalist or an activist?

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S5E50 - Sam Shirazi: Breaking Down the 2024 Primaries

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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This week, Pod Virginia favorite Sam Shirazi joins Lauren to break down this week's primary results across Virginia, including victories from Democrat Suhas Subramanyam's in the 10th District, Republican Hung Cao in the Senate primary, and the still-close race in the 5th Congressional District between Republicans Bob Good and John McGuire. What can we expect from these matchups heading into the November general elections--and how much of the results will be settled by the presidential results?

S5E51 - Trump and Virginia, Good vs McGuire, and VMSDEP Chaos

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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With Michael off, WTVR's Cameron Thompson joins Lauren to break down the week's headlines...

IN THE NEWS:
Good vs McGuire: The 5th District Republican primary is still too close to call and likely headed for a recount--though McGuire likely leads by about 300 votes. Still, Congressman Good is already casting doubts about election integrity.

Trump Time: Former President Trump featured heavily in the Good vs McGuire race, and he'll also be showing up at a rally in Chesapeake following this week's presidential debate. Virginia might be in play on the Presidential level this year, and it seems Governor Youngkin is embracing Trump's presence a little bit more.

Senate Session: The Virginia House of Delegates will return to Richmond this week, where it will likely repeal changes to VMSDEP--a tuition waiver program for spouses and children of military veterans who were killed or severely disabled. This follow's last week's Senate meeting that was ostensibly supposed to do the same thing...but that never happened. It seems like there's been some miscommunication in the legislature that needs to be sorted out.

In the 7th Congressional District, the candidates who have raised the most amount of money are veterans--Democrats and Republicans alike. Same thing in the neighboring 10th Congressional District in Loudoun County, where a bumper crop of candidates is vying for attention. We're actually in an era of comparatively few veterans in office, so what does this surge mean for the next generation of lawmakers?

TRIVIA: Which Virginia constitution eliminated the requirement for men to own property in order to vote?

At the Watercooler:
- The Virginia Democratic Convention--a good time, some expensive food, and a pro-Palestinian protest that bodes ill for President Biden's election campaign.
- Cameron talks the NHL -- the Staney Cup Finals between the Florida Panthers and Canada's Edmonton Oilers; Game 7 is Monday night!

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E52 - Alex Goyette and Jason Schwartz: The Successful YIMBYs of Northern Virginia

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 08:35:02 -0000

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This week, Alex Goyette of the Alexandria YIMBYs ("yes in my backyard"-s) and Jason Schwartz of the Arlington YIMBYs join Michael to talk about recent primary victories in both cities for candidates that their groups sponsored--in general, a strong showing for candidates who supported "Zoning for Housing/Housing for All" reform and the end of exclusionary single-family zoning. They break down those races, the argument for greater housing density, and the future of housing policy Arlington and Alexandria going forward.

S5E53 - Special Debate Edition: Buy, Sell, or Hold with Delegates Alfonso Lopez, Cia Price and Marcus Simon

Sat, 29 Jun 2024 11:05:01 -0000

On this special edition live-to-tape game show, Michael sits down with Delegate Alfonso Lopez, Delegate Marcus Simon, and Delegate Cia Price to get their reactions to a variety of topics, including President Biden's debate performance, mute buttons, message discipline, bowties, and urban legends surrounding the Washington statue in Richmond.

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S5E54 - Debate Freakout, Veteran Lobbying, and Youngkin Embraces Trump

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 10:00:07 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
"If we finally beat Medicare"--that was one of the incomprehensible, raspy incoherent whispers of a feeble president during a televised debate last week, prompting calls by media outlets for the Democrats to dump Biden and put somebody else on the ticket. Over the weekend, the Pod Virginia All Stars addressed the topic.

"The best Trump rally ever"--that was how Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin described his first public appearance with the former president in Chesapeake on Friday. Trump spoke for more than 80 minutes in a rambling and disjointed speech that would have otherwise been forgettable. But because it was right after the debate and because he was on the stage with Glenn Youngkin, it actually had some resonance to it.

The Senate will be gaveling into session again today to debate financing for a college tuition program called the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program. The program was created back in the 1930s to aid the families of World War I vets, and in recent years it’s been expanded to cover out-of-state residents, graduate students and relatives of service members with non-combat related injuries. That means the cost of the program has spiraled out of control from $12 million in 2019 to $65 million last year.

TRIVIA: When did Virginia declare milk as its official state drink?

At the Watercooler:
- Regarding the debate: if the media won't fact-check, then what's the point?
- Jane Mayer's "Dark Money," the impact of corporate money, and the rise of Glenn Beck a decade ago

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E55 - Leslie Mehta, Gloria Witt, and Karen Baker: Democrats Running in Deep-Red Districts

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 08:57:40 -0000

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This week, Michael and Lauren are joined by three Democratic Congressional candidates running in deeply Republican districts: Leslie Mehta, running in the 1st against Rob Wittman; Gloria Witt, running against John McGuire in the 5th District; and Karen Baker, who is challenging Morgan Griffith in the 9th.

S5E56 - Virtual Quorum, Cocktails to Go, and Protecting Gay Marriage

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 08:03:40 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
From the UVA Board of Visitors to the Virginia Potato Board, open records laws have requirements for what qualifies as a public meeting. Now those requirements are shifting online for state agencies, regional bodies and local advisory commissions. Public bodies that were once allowed to conduct 25 percent of their meetings virtually are now able to conduct 50 percent of those meetings online.

Cocktails-to-go was one of the silver linings of the pandemic, new rules allowing restaurants to sell margaritas or old fashions in takeout containers. Now a new law in Virginia will extend the pilot program for that indefinitely. But state regulators say third-party vendors like DoorDash and Uber Eats are compliant only half the time.

Nine years ago, the United States Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage and overturned the part of Virginia's Constitution that banned it. Now, Governor Youngkin has signed a law ensuring that same-sex marriage will remain legal in Virginia regardless of any future court decisions.

TRIVIA: Who was the Republican who held the 9th Congressional District seat before Rich Boucher in 1982?

At the Watercooler:
- The media's continuing focus on President Biden's mental condition--and its effect on the November election
- When was the last time a Democrat running for President won a majority of the white vote--and what does that tell us?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E57 - Marian van Landingham: Celebrating Alexandria's Torpedo Factory

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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This week, Michael is joined by an Alexandria legend, former Delegate Marian van Landingham; who served in the General Assembly for twenty-four years and spearheaded the transformation of Alexandria's Torpedo Factory from military storage into a world-famous art center.

S5E58 - Recounting the Fifth, the Opioid Crisis, and Jennifer Wexton's AI Voice

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 11:10:02 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
If you're looking for an example of a recount that changed the results of an election, you'll have to go all the way back to Indiana, 1985. Here in Virginia, recounts have been conducted in three congressional elections since 1967, and none of them changed the outcome--but Bob Good in the 5th District is pushing for one anyway.

With the aid of AI, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton has regaied her voice; trained up on her public speeches, the AI voice sounds much like Wexton did before she was silenced by Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, and she says this tool could be life-changing for Americans with disabilities.

The rapid rise of fentanyl overdoses is causing concern among lawmakers, although they are not yet on the same page about how to handle the situation.That's why the General Assembly created a new task force to consider the policy choices and how they would work. For example, how much does an individual need to have to be prosecuted as a dealer versus helped as a patient suffering from substance abuse disorder?

TRIVIA: What is the statewide recount that did not happen because the loser couldn't afford the $120,000 price tag?

At the Watercooler:
- The Democrats are still trying to figure out if Biden will be their nominee
- The 1932 Democratic convention, where Harry Byrd tried to unseat Franklin Roosevelt

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S5E59 - Jeff Ryer: Breaking Down the Republican National Convention

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 19:20:44 -0000

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The guest for this episode is a delegate to the Republican convention in Wisconsin. He is a member of the platform committee, and he's the chairman of the First Congressional District Republican Committee -- Jeff Ryer. He joins us to give us an inside look at what's happening in the Virginia delegation and give us a sense as to how Republicans are feeling about the election heading into the fall campaign season.

S5E60 - Biden Drop Out, Crime Is Down, and the Price of Eggs

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 08:05:07 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
President Joe Biden has dropped out of the race, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris and throwing the presidential race into total chaos. We have no precedent for this because nothing like this has ever happened. How are Virginia politicians responding?

According to the latest FBI data, crime is down across the country. Here in Virginia, crime spiked in the early 1990s and has been steadily going down ever since. Violent crime, for example, is one third of what it was at that time.

The price of new cars is going down. So are the prices for blue jeans and microwave ovens. That's according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which shows even the prices of eggs in Virginia is dropping. But the recent spike in inflation disproportionately harmed low-income people in Virginia.

TRIVIA: How many Presidential candidates (other than Trump) have received a party's nomination three times?

At the Watercooler:
- More on Biden dropping out
- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's interpretive rule on "paycheck advances" counting as loans

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S5E61 - Nathan Moore: A Deep Dive on Appalachian Radio

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 15:11:49 -0000

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Friend of the show Nathan Moore (station manager of WTJU Charlottesville and writer of Apple Atchin Radio) joins Michael to discuss his tour of community radio stations in Appalachia; the importance of trust and community bonds to the public radio model, and what VP nominee J.D. Vance gets wrong about the area.

S5E62 - Relaunching the Campaign, Data Center Spike, and Snail Mail Newspapers

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
Before Joe Biden dropped out of the race for president, several polls took a look at how Kamala Harris would do against Donald Trump in a head-to-head matchup in Virginia. Mark Rozell of the Schar School says any Democrat running against Trump would probably fare as well as Biden if not marginally better. And, he says, that could win the election.

Northern Virginia has long been the global capital of data centers, but now they are expanding to the rest of Virginia. According to the Piedmont Environmental Council, Virginia already has about 200 data centers with applications pending for 100 more. Some members of the General Assembly are sounding alarm bells on the rapid growth.

Virginia has the worst on-time delivery rates in the country ever since the United States Postal Service made changes to the Richmond Regional Processing and Delivery Center. That's a problem for newspapers that are delivered using periodical delivery rates.

TRIVIA: Which congressional district has the largest partisan lean?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E63 - Jon Baliles: The Richmond Mayor Race

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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Jon Baliles (former Richmond City Councilman, advisor to Mayors Wilder and Stoney, and author of RVA 5x5 Substack) joins Michael to discuss the candidates for Richmond's mayoral election, which has a unique structure that requires the winning candidate to win 5 of 9 districts to avoid a runoff.

S5E64 - Progressive Prosecutors, Illegal Skill Games, and Trump Force 47

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 08:05:01 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
In a 2019 memoir, Kamala Harris described herself as a "progressive prosecutor.” But many criminal justice reform advocates aren't so sure about her record, which includes prosecuting parents when their students were truant and notifying immigration authorities when undocumented juveniles were charged with felonies.

Trump Force 47 is the name of the Republican get-out-the-vote operation this year. It involves training sessions at various locations across Virginia where volunteers are learning about how to target potential voters in critical precincts. But will it actually expand the base?

The Fraternal Order of Police of Virginia is calling on the Virginia Association of Commonwealth's Attorneys to investigate slot-machine style devices known as skill games--specifically, Fairfax, Henrico and Portsmouth. Some of those prosecutors note that it's law enforcement's job to investigate crimes.

TRIVIA: What industry was supposed to be cultivated by Jamestown?

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S5E65 - Hot Ones with Michael Phillips and Graham Moomaw

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 08:05:04 -0000

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The Richmonder: https://richmonder.org

This week we are joined by the founder of the Richmonder and one of his new star reporters, Michael Phillips and Graham Moomaw. They explain what they hope to accomplish with the launch of the new site on Sept. 9, and they'll also share some thoughts about hot sauce.

S5E66 - Unwelcome Visitor, Data Cold Storage, Unintelligent AI

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 08:20:03 -0000

SPONSOR:
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IN THE NEWS:
When the House of Delegate unanimously approved the appointment of Lindsey Burke to the George Mason University board of visitors, members of the General Assembly did not know that she would later play a prominent role in Project 2025. That’s the conservative think-tank plan to reshape the federal government’s functions and benefits. Now Speaker of the House Don Scott is calling on the governor to remove the co-author of Project 2025 chapter on education.

Experts say Virginia will benefit from tens of millions of dollars from the Infrastructure Act to finance energy storage for data centers. Supporters of clean energy are hopeful this program in Manassas will show how new technology can address the rising demand from data centers without the need for new energy generation from fossil fuels.

From the hills of Appalachia to the melodic tones of the Piedmont, Virginia has some of the most perplexing accents in the country. A survey conducted by language-learning platform Guide2Fluency shows Appalachia and Piedmont accents have artificial intelligence stumped.

TRIVIA: What town in Virginia is trying to withhold 3,000 emails about a proposed Amazon data center?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E67 - Susanna Gibson and Kelly McBride: Leaks, Hacks, and Journalistic Ethics

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 08:10:02 -0000

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This week, Michael and Lauren are joined by former candidate Susanna Gibson and the Poynter Institute's Kelly McBride to discuss the recent hacked information regarding Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance, the Washington Post story detailing explicit videos of Susanna, and how those stories relate to other instances of leaks and hacks through the evolving media landscape.

S5E68 - Golden Silence, At-Risk Students, and Prison Pell Grants

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 08:10:02 -0000

SPONSOR:
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IN THE NEWS:
The tradition in Virginia politics for many years was for state Democrats to remain quiet about national Democrats they did not like and didn’t want to vote for. Now things are much more explicit--and some experts are predicting more Never Trump Republicans will emerge in Virginia.

For years, schools identified how many students lived in poverty by taking a look at who received free or reduced-price lunches. That left many high-poverty students out of the equation, and the system had to be scrapped when many divisions started making meals universally available. The new way of identifying high-poverty students is based on participation in federal assistance programs, and the Department of Education estimates that 43 percent of public students are at-risk.

For many years, Pell Grants were not available to people who are incarcerated. But now the law has changed, and about 14,000 people who are incarcerated have access to the money to pay for college classes. But only 11 of Virginia's 45 prisons offer college classes.

TRIVIA: How much blood did George Washington’s doctors remove from his body the day he died?

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S5E69 - Mary Garner McGehee: A New Bold Dominion

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 08:10:02 -0000

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This week, Michael is joined by Mary Garner McGehee, audio producer for the Virginia Audio Collective and the new host of Bold Dominion, our longtime sister show. They discuss the revamped explainer for state politics, including episodes on Virginia's recycling, minimum wage, and other state politics topics that often fly beneath the radar.

S5E70 - Virginia Goes Midwest, Cell Phone-Free Schools, and Youngkin's Approval Ratings

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
As Democrats arrived in Chicago for their convention, a new Roanoke College poll showed that Vice President Kamala Harris has a 3% edge in Virginia over former President Donald Trump.

In July, Governor Youngkin issued Executive Order 33, directing the Virginia Department of Education to draft guidance for public school divisions to adopt local policies and procedures establishing cell phone-free education. With school starting this week, what might the future hold for students and cell phone usage?

Speaking of polls, Governor Youngkin’s approval has jumped to its highest number.
In a new Roanoke College survey of Virginia likely voters, Youngkin’s popularity surged to 59%. When compared to others, that rating makes him the sixth-most popular governor in the nation.

TRIVIA: What was Virginia's walk-up song at the 2024 DNC Convention, and what is the song's connection to the state?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E71 - John Milliken: The Byrd Machine In Audio

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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This week, Michael is joined by John Milliken, co-editor of The New Dominion and Senior Fellow-In-Residence at George Mason University's Schar School, to illustrate the history of the Byrd Machine with the help of archival audio from the LIbrary of Virginia.

S5E72 - Republican Poll Watchers, Harris Housing Policy, and Campaigning Spouses

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 16:14:06 -0000

SPONSOR:
The Richmond Forum

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IN THE NEWS:
Republicans have a goal of identifying 5,000 volunteers to serve as poll watchers for every precinct during all 45 days of voting. But there are concerns about Republican attempts to block certification of elections results that don't go their way.

If elected to the White House, Vice President Kamala Harris says she wants to offer $25,000 in downpayment assistance for first-time homebuyers. Harris is also talking about taking on corporate landlords by restricting rent increases to 5 percent for landlords with more than 50 units. In addition to that, she also wants to create tax incentives for the construction of new homes. While Democrats are talking about increasing the supply of housing, Republicans are talking about decreasing demand by deporting undocumented immigrants as well as allowing some housing development on federal lands and reducing mortgage rates.

Over the weekend, we saw spouses of the Democratic ticket barnstorming the state, which is a time-honored tradition in American politics.

TRIVIA: What two words were put together to create the word “tabloid?”

At the Watercooler:
- JD Vance getting booed by the Firefighter's Union.
- Right-wing outlet "The Daily Wire" attacking a Virginia journalist without bothering to contact him.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E73 - Ben Knotts & Shawn Weneta: Youngkin's Plan to Reduce Recidivism

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 08:35:01 -0000

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This week, Michael is joined by Shawn Weneta of The Humanization Project and Ben Knotts of Americans for Prosperity to discuss Governor Youngkin's Executive Order 36: "Stand Tall, Stay Strong, Succeed Together," meant to help Virginians on probation re-enter society and avoid recidivism.

S5E74 - Early Voting, Icing out ICE, and the Alexandria Tax Base

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 08:10:02 -0000

SPONSOR:
The Richmond Forum

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IN THE NEWS:
During a recent training event for Republican poll watchers in Arlington, Virginia party chairman Rich Anderson didn't mince words about the 45 days of voting that starts Friday, September 20. But some of the people urging their supporters to vote early now were trying to undermine the 45 days of early voting during the General Assembly session earlier this year, says House Privileges and Elections Committee Chairwoman Cia Price.

Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares says local law enforcement officials have the authority -- and a moral duty -- to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. In a statement, he thanked sheriffs who are working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE. But advocates worry that people who feel like they are in danger of being deported might stop contacting the police when they need help or stop cooperating with investigations.

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson has a message for his constituents. It's all about that tax base. That's the headline in his latest newsletter. He says his city will be missing out on $11 million this year because of the declining values of commercial real estate in Alexandria

TRIVIA: Who is the famous sculptor who made the statue of George Washington at the Capitol?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E75 - David Bier and Jeffrey Singer: The Narrative About Drugs and Illegal Immigration

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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This week, Michael is joined by the Cato Institute's Director of Immigration Studies David Bier and Senior Fellow Dr. Jeffrey Singer to break down the false narrative that ties illegal immigration to the fentanyl crisis. They say the real source of fentanyl comes from US citizens at ports of entry, and argue that harder drug prohibition leads directly to harder drugs being manufactured.

S5E76 - Paying for Schools, Debate Stage Racism, and Skill Games Are Back

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 08:25:01 -0000

SPONSOR:
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IN THE NEWS:
A bunch of new polls in Virginia are showing Virginia is no longer a battleground state, if it ever was one. When Biden was the candidate, the polls indicated that Republicans would be targeting Virginia as a swing state. Now all that is slipping out of reach for Trump voters.

The funding formula for how public schools currently receive state money uses Census data to figure out the staffing levels needed for the school-age population in an area. Now a bipartisan group of lawmakers is considering a plan to move to a new formula that calculates money based on students.

Reporting for Richmonder.org, Graham Moomaw has a bombshell story revealing that skill games are back--three new machines at a sports bar in Henrico that are practically daring authorities to test their legal case.

TRIVIA: Who is the non-president bust in the rotunda at the Capitol building?

At the Watercooler: Lauren and Michael react to the racist lies peddled on the national debate stage targeting Hatian immigrants--and how it's part of a standard playbook.

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E77 - Sam Shirazi: Previewing Virginia's 2024 Elections

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 08:45:01 -0000

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Early voting in Virginia begins tomorrow! And this week, Pod Virginia favorite Sam Shirazi brings us an update on the national, statewide, and local elections happening around Virginia from now through November.

S5E78 - Early Voting, Banning Books, and Skill Games

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 14:32:59 -0000

SPONSOR:
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The Richmond Forum

LINKS:
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IN THE NEWS:
Today is election day in Virginia--and so are the next 45 days. And despite Republican efforts to shorten or eliminate early voting and ballot dropboxes, these new programs were voted on before the pandemic ever began.

Skill games continue to be hotly-debated in Virginia, and now everal of these machines are back up and running in Henrico County. These machines operate in a gray area of state law, since a cashier or bartender acts as a middleman for the money, and a company is making full use of the legal muddiness.

Governor Glenn Youngkin recently got into the politics over banning books in school districts--a practice which he seemed to distance from himself, despite his parents'r-rights rhetoric and public questions about books like Beloved.

TRIVIA: What famous designer recently purchased a home on Monument Avenue in Richmond?

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S5E79 - Graham Moomaw: The Race for Richmond Mayor

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 06:36:11 -0000

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With a whole bunch of competitive races in Virginia this way, we narrow things down to the very exciting race for Richmond's mayor. The winning candidate will need to win 5 of the city's 9 districts to avoid a runoff. So who's on the ticket? Michael sits down with The Richmonder's Graham Moomaw to break it all down.

S5E80 - Ad Watch, Job Numbers, and the Politics of Consent

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 08:30:01 -0000

SPONSOR:
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The Richmond Forum

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IN THE NEWS:
Broadcast TV ads once held such a significant place in American politics that candidates would raise millions of dollars to flood the airwaves in an effort to get elected. Now a significant chunk of that is moving online.

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin is taking credit for record job growth in Virginia. That's despite what he calls "inflationary headwinds from Washington."

Ask Susanna Gibson about consent. She's got a lot of thoughts because last year a Republican operative shared nonconsensual images of her that upended her campaign for the House of Delegates. Now she's working with a bipartisan coalition to do something about it, and she says draft legislation now circulating among lawmakers would have given her some protection.

TRIVIA: Which election saw bumper stickers in Virginia supporting “Barry and Harry”?

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S5E81 - Ad Watch: The Hottest Political Ads of the Year

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 08:10:02 -0000

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This week, Michael is joined by Ben Tribbett, Founder of Pocket Aces Consulting, and former state Delegate David Ramadan to break down the political ads for Virginia races in the upcoming election. What are the messages that candidates are putting out, and how effective will they be?

S5E82 - Senate Success Records, Queen of Virginia, and Crime Is Down

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 08:05:02 -0000

SPONSOR:
The Richmond Forum

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IN THE NEWS:
On question after question in a televised debate last week, Republican Senate candidate Hung Cao responded by mentioning undocumented immigrants. He also tried to claim that Kaine is a feckless senator based on the number of bills he sponsored that became law--a rate that beats most other sitting senators, including VP candidate JD Vance.

Queen of Virginia is the name of a game that looks similar to a slot machine that can be found at convenience stores across Virginia. Some of them were recently modified so they no longer accept cash, although even those machines are illegal according to a memo from Attorney General Jason Miyares. Governor Glenn Youngkin says reaching a deal to legalize them has become a tall mountain to climb.

According to the latest quarterly report from the FBI, crime rates for the second quarter of this year are down in every category. Violent crime is down 10 percent; robbery is down 14 percent. And murder is down 23 percent. Remember those numbers when political candidates are trying to sell the narrative of a crime wave.

TRIVIA: What is Virginia's official state pony?

At the Watercooler:

Is Virginia in play after all for the Presidential election?
One of the Progressive Prosecutors for Justice is trash-talking an Alexandria judge for failing to impose a harsher sentence. What's going on?
Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E83 - Kenneth C. Davis: The World in Books

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 08:25:02 -0000

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This week, author Kenneth C. Davis (of the Don't Know Much About history books) joins Michael to break down 52 great works of short nonfiction that span from the beginning of history to the modern era--and what they say about history, culture, and humanity.

The World in Books on Amazon

S5E84 - Election Violence, Advertising Imbalance, and NoVa Problems

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 08:05:03 -0000

SPONSOR:
The Richmond Forum

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IN THE NEWS:
A coalition led by the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy is advocating for peace during a tense election cycle. They're also participating in "Souls to the Polls" Sunday voting across the state.

Campaign finance documents compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project show political ad spending in favor of incumbent United States Senator Tim Kaine is outpacing ads in favor of Republican challenger Hung Cao by more than 16 to one. That’s more than $3 million in favor of the Democrat compared to $200,000 in favor of the Republican.

According to a recent report, Northern Virginia is seeing stagnant wages, flat salaries and rising unemployment. Virginia is often mentioned as a great place to do business, but experts say that masks the reality that Northern Virginia is falling behind other major metro areas across the country.

TRIVIA: Who was the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman who went to federal prison for accepting bribes from developers?

Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

S5E85 - Dr. Julian Hayter: The Historic Election of Governor Doug Wilder

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 08:15:02 -0000

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This week, Michael is joined by the University of Richmond's Associate Professor of Leadership Studies, Dr. Julian Hayter, to discuss the historic 1989 election of Virginia's first Black governor, Doug Wilder--including context, aftermath, and lasting legacy. Hayter wrote the chapter on Wilder's election for the The New Dominion: The Twentieth-Century Elections That Shaped Modern Virginia.

S5E86 - Voter Roll Purges, Election Lawsuits, and Next Steps for VMSDEP

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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Guest hosts Cameron Thompson, Tyler Englander, and Brad Kutner take the reins...

IN THE NEWS:
The U.S. Department of Justice is suing Virginia over its purging of the voter rolls. The lawsuit alleges the Commonwealth is violating a federal law -- the National Voter Registration Act -- by systematically removing potential non-citizens from voter rolls within 90 days of a federal election -- something banned by what's called the "Quiet Period Provision".

Two Republican members of the Waynesboro Board of Elections have filed a suit challenging how Virginia's votes are counted and are threatening that they won't certify the results of the November 5th election.

The Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP) story is reaching its next chapter. JLARC put out its findings earlier this month with its recommendations for funding the troubled program, but they reminder lawmakers that they're only options--the final decisions rest with legislators themselves.

TRIVIA: Who is the city of Alexandria named after?

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S5E87 - Laura Vozzella and Greg Schneider: Executive Order 35 and the Voter Roll Purge

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 08:05:02 -0000

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This week, The Washington Post's Laura Vozzella and Greg Schneider join Michael to explain the purges of Virginia's voter rolls. They start with Governor Youngkin's Executive Order 35, which called for registrars to report voter roll changes on a daily basis, rather than the monthly basis required by law.

They also discuss the lack of evidence for widespread voter fraud in Virginia, as well as the design of the DMV form that makes it easy for Virginia citizens to accidentally mark themselves as non-citizens and set off a process that might see them kicked off the rolls.

S5E88 - Swing Seats, Presidential Endorsements. and Voter Roll Purges

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 08:40:02 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
During a dramatic hearing in federal court last week, a lawyer representing the governor said he believes some of the people whose voter registration was canceled are noncitizens. Judge Patricia Giles wasn’t having it. She stopped him and said she wasn't dealing with beliefs, she was dealing with evidence.

In the 1890s, election after election was contested with allegations of voter fraud and stuffing the ballot box. That led to a Jim Crow Constitution that disenfranchised Black voters as well as some poor whites; some experts say the voter purge that happened 120 years ago offers lessons for today.

If Democrats are going to take control of the House of Representatives, they’re going to need seats like the Second Congressional District in Virginia Beach. And a new poll from the Wason Center shows the lead that Republican incumbent Jen Kiggans used to have over challenger Missy Cotter Smasal has evaporated.

TRIVIA: Which Virginia congressman representing the Second Congressional District later became a Byrd Machine governor?

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S5E89 - Sam Shirazi: The 2024 Election

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 08:15:02 -0000

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Pod Virginia all-star Sam Shirazi returns to break down next week's election: where does Virginia fall in the race for the presidency? What about all of the competitive downballot races? And just how many millions are getting spent on political ads that blanket the airwaves?

S5E90 - Motor Voter Laws, PAC Attack, and the Salem Rally

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 09:30:03 -0000

SPONSOR:
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IN THE NEWS:
Donald Trump closed out his campaign for president in the most unlikeliest of places over the weekend, Salem Virginia in deep red Southwest Virginia. The rally featured Governor Glenn Youngkin and the entire Republican establishment, including Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl Sears finally endorsing the former Republican president.

2006 was Governor Tim Kaine's first General Assembly session in the Executive Mansion, and at the time lawmakers were focused on a budget battle and a transportation package. But there was one bill that required the DMV to produce a list of people who should be stricken from the list of eligible voters--which some say was a reaction to the Motor Voter Law.
Campaigns tend to have political ads that celebrate their candidates or maybe attack an opponent. But those are nothing like a PAC attack, which often go for the jugular -- attacking a candidate for having a fake family or failing to show up for meetings.

TRIVIA: Which election saw Virginia splitting its electoral votes between two candidates

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S5E91 - The Press Room: Reacting to the 2024 Election

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 09:25:01 -0000

SPONSOR:
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Tyler Englander, Cameron Thompson, and Brad Kutner join Michael and Lauren to react to the 2024 election results--Kamala Harris' razor-thin victory in the state, Tim Kaine's victory, and the possibilities for Republican leaders to be shuffled into the upcoming Trump administration as we already look toward the 2025 gubernatorial election.

S5E92 - Margins of Victory, Asian-American Influence, and Special Elections

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 09:20:02 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
Senator Tim Kaine's margin of victory was almost double the margin of victory for Kamala Harris in Virginia, which seems to indicate some cross-party voting.

The election is not over yet. Two sitting members of the state Senate were elected to Congress last week, which means at least two special elections. One of the special elections for state Senate will be in Northern Virginia, where Delegate Kannan Srinivasan is expected to face Buta Biberaj, a former Progressive Prosecutor for Justice. The other Senate special election will be in the suburbs and exurbs between Richmond and Charlottesville.

There's no place in Northern Virginia where the influence of the Asian community is reflected more than state Senate District 32. That’s the seat in Loudoun County that will soon be vacated by Congressman-elect Suhas Subramanyam. The district has a population that is more than 30 percent Asian.

TRIVIA: Who was the Lieutenant Governor elected in a statewide special election after the death of Lt. Governor Sargeant Reynolds in 1971?

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S5E93 - Sam Shirazi: The Elections Coming Up

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 09:30:06 -0000

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Pod Virginia all-star Sam Shirazi joins Michael to break down the special elections happening in the next few weeks (filling the House seats vacated by Suhas Subramanyam and John McGuire), as well as the Virginia statewide elections in 2025.

S5E94 - Firehouse Primary, Amendment Theater, and Campaign Regrets

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 09:15:06 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
Freshman House Delegate Kannan Srinivasan will be the Democrat on the ballot in the January 7 special election to fill the seat vacated by Congressman-elect Suhas Subramanyam. Loudoun Democrats chose him as the party’s nominee over the weekend in an election that will determine which party controls the Senate. Republicans also selected their candidate for this seat over the weekend, Tumay Harding. She is a former teacher who ran an unsuccessful campaign for the Ashburn District of the Loudoun Board of Supervisors.

Democrats have introduced three new amendments to Virginia's Constitution: one to protect abortion rights, another to undo the amendment prohibiting gay marriage, and the third to ditch Virginia's practice of requiring the governor to restore voting rights to people convicted of felonies. All three of those amendments would have to go through many steps before being added to the state Constitution, including being approved by voters in November 2026.

Former Governor Terry McAuliffe says the numbers tell a story, and it's one that's not good for Democrats. In 2020, Democrats won young people in Virginia by a margin of 23 points. This year it was only 8 points. In the last election Democrats won women by 15 points. This year it was only 9. He also says Democrats looking for a ray of hope can expect a good performance in 2025, when Virginia voters will elect a governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general -- plus all 100 seats of the House of Delegates.

TRIVIA: What are the two kinds of votes where Virginia's lieutenant governor can NOT break a tie?

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S5E95 - Former Senator John Bell: Revisiting the Censure of Amanda Chase

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 09:50:06 -0000

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Former State Senator John Bell joins Michael to break down his decision to sponsor the 2021 resolution to censure then-Senator Amanda Chase after she repeated baseless election fraud claims and spoke in support of the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

S5E96 - The Race for Governor and a Skill Games Lawsuit

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 09:05:06 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
Earlier this year, Democrat Abigail Spanberger seemed to have cleared the field of opposition among Democrats, though Congressman Bobby Scott may still throw his hat into the ring. Last week, Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears was able to clear the field of Republican opposition, and now she stands alone as the Republican who will be running for governor.

The race for attorney general is taking shape, and it’s gonna be a doozy. Incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares is unlikely to face opposition in the Republican primary, but the Democrats will have a VERY interesting primary. One of the candidates will be a founding member of the Progressive Prosecutors for Justice, Shannon Taylor, who will face former Delegate Jay Jones.

Virginia is named for a Queen of England, the virgin Queen Elizabeth I. Now the Queen of Virginia is suing the attorney general and the Henrico prosecutor. That’s because the skill game company that goes by that name, Queen of Virginia, is trying to stop the Republican attorney general from conducting an investigation and prevent the Henrico commonwealth’s attorney from enforcing a ban on skill games.

TRIVIA: Who was the senator who was censured by the Senate in 1987? (Hint: He was a senator from Norfolk, and he was censured for willingly violating the conflict-of-interest law by voting to kill a bill that would have harmed one of his legal clients.)

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S5E97 - Frank Atkinson: Virginia's 1973 "Armageddon" Election

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 09:05:06 -0000

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This week, Michael is joined by Frank Atkinson, author of The Dynamic Dominion, to discuss the 1973 "Armageddon" gubernatorial race between Henry Howell and Mills Godwin, which Atkinson wrote about in his chapter of The New Dominion: The Twentieth-Century Elections That Shaped Modern Virginia.

S5E98 - Prisoner Abuse, Predatory Loans, and Preliminary Ballots

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 09:20:06 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
People who are incarcerated at the infamous Red Onion Supermax Prison in Wise County say conditions are so bad there that they are setting themselves on fire to protest conditions. Allegations include: racial epithets, physical abuse, medical neglect, solitary confinement, violent dog attacks, and inedible food with maggots.

After a 2020 law cracking down on predatory lending, companies are now using "rent-a-banks" from out of state to charge massive interest rates on loans.

The number of provisional ballots cast in this election was more than five times the number cast in the last election, an indication that same-day registration is an idea that's catching on. One thing all those many key locations had in common: college students.

TRIVIA: Who was Henry Howell's campaign manager for his 1977 run for Governor?

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S5E99 - Warren Fiske and Bob Holsworth: Virginia's 1993 Election

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 09:15:07 -0000

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This week, Michael is joined by Warren Fiske and Bob Holsworth to discuss the 1993 gubernatorial race between George Allen and Mary Sue Terry--including how Terry had a double-digit advantage in early polls and a significant fundraising lead, only for Allen to win in a landslide.
They wrote about the election in their chapter of The New Dominion: The Twentieth-Century Elections That Shaped Modern Virginia.

S5E100 - License Plate Readers, Parental Consent, and Shackled Justice

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 09:15:07 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
License-plate readers will be on the agenda next month when the General Assembly gavels into session next month. Critics of surveillance-state politics worry about misidentification -- innocent people getting caught up in a high-tech frenzy.

Back in 1997, then-governor George Allen signed a bill achieving a long-term goal of social conservatives. The new law required parental consent for minors seeking an abortion. Now former governor Allen says he worries that law will be eliminated by a constitutional amendment lawmakers will consider in January. The amendment has language guaranteeing abortion rights for "every individual" rather than "every adult."

Advocates at Justice Forward Virginia are working on a bill that would require a judge to make an individual determination about whether a juvenile needs to be shackled – rather than allowing sheriffs to indiscriminately shackle every juvenile who appears before a judge.

TRIVIA: What was the name of the notorious Loudoun woman who poisoned her husband and children with arsenic?

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S5E101 - The Final Buy, Sell, or Hold? With Sarah Taylor, Delegate Alfonso Lopez, Delegate Marcus Simon, and Senator Scott Surovell

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 09:25:06 -0000

On this special FINAL live-to-tape game show, Michael sits down with the Pod Virginia All-Stars Sarah Taylor, Senator Scott Surovell, Delegate Alfonso Lopez, and Delegate Marcus Simon to get their opinions on approving resolutions before sessions, catered press conferences, tabloid newspapers, hackneyed phrases, and the end of Pod Virginia.

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S5E102 - Detainer Requests, Legislator Pay, and the Gambling Lobby

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 09:00:07 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
Holding inmates longer than their release date is hard ask for many sheriffs, who say they won't be voluntarily holding people for 48 hours after their release date -- even if federal immigration officials request it for specific people. Now the Virginia Sheriffs Association is supporting legislation that removes discretion of the sheriffs and requires they work with federal immigration officials.

Lobbying disclosures posted to the Virginia Public Access Project show that special interests in the gambling industry are hoping to strike it rich during the General Assembly session. In the last year, Pace-o-matic spent half a million dollars. Caesars spent $420,000. Churhill Downs spent $300,000. And MGM spent more than $200,000. Lawmakers are expected to consider legislation to legalize slot-machine style games at convenience stores and truck stops as well as new potential casino in Northern Virginia.

If you're looking for a plan for lawmakers to get around their reluctance on voting for a pay raise, look to former Governor Jerry Baliles. In the late 1980s, he was able to secure a pay raise for members of the General Assembly by creating a blue-ribbon panel that could make the recommendation and take the heat for it.

TRIVIA: Where is infamous Nazi leader George Lincoln Rockwell buried?

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S5E103 - Chris Piper and Steve Humble: The Future of Pod Virginia

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 09:20:06 -0000

It's finally here! This week, Michael is joined by Chris Piper, Executive Director of VPAP, and Steve Humble, Chief Content Officer for VPM, who explain how both organizations are partnering to create the next evolution of Pod Virginia...

The Virginia Press Room, a weekly round-table podcast bringing news and analysis from journalists across the Commonwealth. Every Monday, Michael will lead journalists on a roundup of stories they've covered the previous week, diving deep into their investigation and previewing what's ahead.

For current subscribers to Pod Virginia: no changes needed! Stay subscribed to this podcast feed, and you'll automatically get episodes of The Virginia Press Room when it launches in January 2025.

S5E104 - Youngkin's Budget, Dem Reactions, and Nuclear Power

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 09:45:06 -0000

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IN THE NEWS:
Last week, Governor Glenn Youngkin presented his budget proposal, highlighting a budget surplus which he used to propose a rebate on the car tax, an initiative to eliminate taxes on tips, stricter policies on sanctuary cities. a new police training facility, expanding mental health services, and more. He's also going all-in on nuclear energy.

Democrats have offered mixed reactions to Governor Youngkin’s 2025 budget amendments, and have put forth their own legislative priorities: rural health care, increased SNAP benefits for seniors, extending the standard deduction to inflation, maternal health deserts, and preparing for a potential loss of federal money under the Trump administration.

TRIVIA: What is the nickname for Jackson Ward's Second Street?
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S5E105 - Pod Virginia's Top Five Episodes of 2024

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 09:00:08 -0000

In our penultimate episode, Michael looks back at the five most popular episode of Pod Virginia in 2024.

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S4E1 - Game Show Champions, Trivia Winners, and An Evolving Podcast

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 09:25:07 -0000

In this final episode of Pod Virginia (before the Virginia Press Room launches next week!), Michael is joined by co-host Lauren Burke, producer Aaryan Balu, and advertising manager David O'Connell to reminisce about the podcast, announce winners for Pod Virginia's trivia contest and game shows, and take one last look around the watercooler.

Happy New Year!