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.

Read More
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.

Read More
Why should VA localities want public sector unions?
Podcast Pod Virginia Podcast Pod Virginia

Why should VA localities want public sector unions?

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.

Read More
Speaking Truth to Power
Podcast Pod Virginia Podcast Pod Virginia

Speaking Truth to Power

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.

Read More