Buy, Sell, or Hold? With Sarah Taylor, Delegate Alfonso Lopez, and Delegate Marcus Simon

IN THE NEWS:

Advocates for people incarcerated in Virginia prisons say it shouldn’t be a financial burden for them to stay in touch with their family. Now lawmakers are moving forward with a compromise bill that doesn't mandate free telephone calls, but does provide some oversight of those lucrative telecommunications contracts.

Governor Glenn Youngkin is working with House Republicans to have a proposal now under consideration that would give $350 million in corporate tax cuts. Senate Democrats say they have no appetite for it.To work out their differences, a handful of senior lawmakers will meet behind closed doors in a secret conference committee that's not open to the public or the press.

In support of recent bills to legislate the contents of school libraries, Delegate Tim Anderson had teenagers removed from the House chamber so he could read from explicit passages from books he thinks are inappropriate. Thomas and Michael discuss the disturbing trend toward book-banning in Virginia and nationwide.

At the Watercooler:

In the US Senate, Tim Kaine introduced the Reproductive Freedom for All Act.

A Democratic House member who was so angry about her bill being killed without a hearing that she surreptitiously recorded the chairman of a committee--as well as the many abortion bills never got docketed in the Republican-led House.

Trivia: When did Virginia bring back the mace that gets paraded down the House of Delegates?

Mark Greenough: Why does the House of Delegates have a mace?

Several bills passed the state House this session that would harm transgender kids--as well as all 1.2 million students in Virginia. This week, Thomas and Michael are joined by Bo Belotti, an activist and National Recruitment Director for the Trans Radical Activist Network. They talk about the harm of a bill that would require student athletes to verify their genitalia with adults before being able to compete in sports, as well as one that would require schools to notify parents of their child's transition. They also cover Delegate Danica Roem's fierce rebuttal to these bills that left many proponents without answers.

IN THE NEWS:

Solitary Fail: Advocates who want to ban solitary confinement were hopeful they were finally going to see a victory when Republican Delegate Glenn Davis signed on. The bill sailed through committees and reached the House floor--but Davis then substituted a version that stripped out the maximum of 15 days in solitary confinement.

Playing the Odds: Virginia's betting and casinos are currently overseeen by a patchwork of agencies--an approach that has some lawmakers bothered. A new bill would lay the groundwork for creating a Gambling Commission that would oversee all gambling instead of the patchwork approach.

At the Watercooler:

Virginia says ‘human’ error led to $200 million shortage in local school funding – The Virginian-Pilot (pilotonline.com)

How Delegate Holly Siebold deftly handled her hazing during her first bill through the General Assembly.

Trivia: Our first episode was titled “ERA, Guns and Marijuana.” Who was the FIRST GUEST?

State Senator John Bell of Loudon County joins Thomas and Michael to discuss the complex topic of casinos--Virginia is set to develop its fifth casino in the state, but the details are still up in the air. Richmond voters rejected the casino, but Petersburg may want it. Senator Bell explains the economic and social thinking behind the state's casino legislation as well as his pragmatic approach to the question of state-regulated gambling.

IN THE NEWS:

Return of the Payday Lenders: A new app allows users to get quick cash based on hours they've already worked, and the emergence of this new financial technology is leading lawmakers in Richmond to start thinking about state regulations for this growing market. But some worry that earned wage access looks a lot like a loan, and may get consumers caught in a debt trap.

Ending Solitary Confinement: Republican Delegate Glenn Davis and Democratic House Leader Don Scott are working together to ban solitary confinement at state prisons. They say it'll improve the lives and mental health of people who are incarcerated--though it may face difficulties as it moves forward through the House Appropriations Committee.

Thermostatic Politics: People who have smart thermostats in Virginia can sign up for a rebate program that allows them to save money if they allow utility companies to reduce the drain on the power grid during the hottest part of the summer. Some lawmakers are looking to prohibit utilities from making any adjustments.

At the Watercooler:

Not an anomaly: 2020's red states have higher murder rates (axios.com)

The latest on the effort to build another casino somewhere in Virginia--and what casinos mean for the local area.

Trivia: What is the origin of Virginia's lynch law?

Harry Godfrey of Advanced Energy United--and Pod Virginia's favorite energy guy--joins the show this week to break down the energy and utility regulation bills working their way through the General Assembly this session. The first: the Affordable Energy Act, which would restore utility oversight and regulation abilities to the State Corporation Commission. The second, and more controversial: the Phase II Energy Bill, which would allow utilities to add certain line-items to base rates, as well as other changes opposed by AEU.

IN THE NEWS:

During the pandemic, election officials started making ballot drop boxes available to make voting easier. Now those drop boxes are an object of suspicion. Voting advocates say the recent updates to election laws make Virginia a leader in easy and convenient voting, despite its past history of voter restriction.

The cost of maintaining a line of communication to people behind bars in Virginia prisons can be burdensome for many families. Companies that provide vending services for telecommunications contracts make millions of dollars while the families of people who are incarcerated suffer.

At the Watercooler:

Alexsis Rodgers is running for the seat that will be vacated by Senator Jennifer McClellan when she is elected to Congress on Feb. 21

Democrats have a blue wall that is standing in the way of any changes to abortion rights. Last week, a Senate subcommittee rejected a 15-week ban, a 24-week ban and a total ban. Plus they rejected a resolution saying life begins at conception.

Delegate Danica Roem and Senator Chap Petersen are working together to keep data centers out of Prince William County. They say these things are a drain on the power grid, a serious problem for stormwater management and an eyesore next to Civil War battlefields.

In his State of the Commonwealth Address, the governor talked about throwing the book at people who witness an overdose. The idea is to go after drug dealers. But the way it would actually work is that people won't call for help because they’ll be afraid of being charged with felony murder.

Trivia: How many Indian tribes does Virginia have?

If you're in Richmond TONIGHT--Thursday, January 19th, 2023--, check out Michael's speech on the Byrd Machine in Virginia--6 PM at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. And pick up a copy of The Byrd Machine in Virginia.

Delegate Schuyler VanValkenburg joins the show this week to discuss what he knows best--history and government. In this case, the histoy of machine politics in Virginia from Reconstruction through the modern dark, including the multiracial Mahone Machine and the Readjusters, the Martin Machine of the early 1900s, and the eventual shift into the famous Byrd Machine that operated Virginia politics for half a century. What is a political machine and how does it maintain power? Do we see any echoes of it in the modern day?

If you're in Richmond this Thursday, check out Michael's speech on the Byrd Machine--6 PM at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture.

IN THE NEWS:

The Manchurian Candidate: Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin used his State of the Commonwealth speech as an opportunity to take aim at China, saying he wants to see lawmakers to prohibit foreign entities tied to the Chinese Communist Party from purchasing Virginia farmland. But Thomas and Michael discuss how this is a smokescreen and a bad move for Virginia's social and economic future.

Virginia's Budget: With the state government divided between Republicans and Democrats, the 2023 budget is going to require compromise. There's some room for bipartisanship, especially with the push to double the standard deduction, but Democrats are ready to put up a fight against corporate tax cuts and other proposed measures.

At the Watercooler:

Senator Joe Morrissey is back in the limelight after his wife alleged infidelity and manipulation--read more with Brandon Jarvis' Tweet

A portrait of Harry Byrd in the state Capitol has been quietly replaced by one of Pocahontas; it seems the former Governor has been effectively banished from the halls of Richmond.

Trivia: When was the Senate of Virginia created?

FLASHBACK: Thomas and Michael take a look back at the 1998 standoff in the Virginia House of Delegates to elect a new Speaker--involving shouted objections, day-long voice votes, and the occasional quote from The Wizard of Oz.

IN THE NEWS:

As the 2023 General Assembly kicks off, Senator Scott Surovell joins Thomas and Michael to discuss Governor Glenn Youngkin's State of the Commonwealth address--covering his comments on a range of topics, including inflation, education, energy, taxes, and even foreign policy.

FLASHBACK: Thomas and Michael take a look back at the 1998 standoff in the Virginia House of Delegates to elect a new Speaker--involving shouted objections, day-long voice votes, and the occasional quote from The Wizard of Oz.

IN THE NEWS:

"Make Virginia Home" -- That's the message from Governor Glenn Youngkin, who says he's concerned that Virginia is adding half as many residential units as were constructed 20 years ago. That's why he wants lawmakers to consider legislation to get rid of what he calls unnecessary regulation. Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson says all those permits are there for a reason, and short circuiting requirements might end up being counterproductive.

At the Watercooler:

Rumors around Richmond that Representative Jennifer McClellan may not endorse Lamont Bagby to replace her state Senate seat--but instead support activist Alexsis Rodgers.

Delegate Wren Williams of Patrick County has been acquitted of the misdemeanor assault charge brought against him by Delegate Marie March (see our episode here)

Tomorrow is the special election in Virginia Beach, where voters will be selecting a replacement for Jen Kiggans, who was elected to Congress in November. Democrats are hopeful they can flip the seat with Aaron Rouse, a member of the Virginia Beach City Council who is a former NFL football player. Republican Kevin Adams is a retired lieutenant commander in the Navy and a small business owner.

Trivia: Virginia’s early governors were elected by the General Assembly, not by voters. What year was the first time actual voters got to choose the governor of Virginia?

Tanner Long (@TannerLLong) answered our latest trivia question correctly-- “Richmond got its name from William Byrd after he saw the James River from what is now Libby Hill Park. He was reminded of the River Thames in Richmond in England and named the area after it.”

Sarah Taylor, Assistant City Manager and Legislative Director for the City of Alexandria, joins the show once more to break down what we can expect from the upcoming General Assembly session that starts next week. What's going on with Governor Youngkin's mental health funding and affordable housing promises? Why is Alexandria advocating for local control of its health department? And how will a divided government affect it all?

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

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?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.