EPISODES

Dr. Jatia Wrighten: Why Do Black Women Carry the Burden of American Democracy?
Podcast, News Pod Virginia Podcast, News Pod Virginia

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

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.

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Collective Bargaining, Wartime Profiteering, and Government Contract Favoritism
Podcast, News Pod Virginia Podcast, News Pod Virginia

Collective Bargaining, Wartime Profiteering, and Government Contract Favoritism

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.

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Early Voting, Financial Data Transparency, and New Guidelines for Transgender Students
Podcast, News Pod Virginia Podcast, News Pod Virginia

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

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.

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