Pod Virginia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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