Pod Virginia

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.

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Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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