Pod Virginia

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

See more on our linktree https://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia.

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.

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.