Virginia's left and right wings join together on Pod Virginia once more; this time, as Michael is joined by Shawn Weneta of the ACLU of Virginia and Ben Knotts of Americans for Prosperity. They're working together to advocate for bills reform the state prison system. One bill would grant incarcerated people a "second look"-- a chance to petition the court to review and adjust their sentences if they meet certain criteria and the court finds good cause to change the sentence. Another would reform the cost of phone calls to and from prisons. They say the bills would create incentives for incarcerated Virginians to improve their lives and stay connected with their families--improving recidivism rates and making prisons safer places for everyone.

IN THE NEWS:

1. Democrats and Republicans are standing together in a rare bipartisan effort to get rid of legacy admissions in colleges and universities. But while the Governor has signaled his approval, his comments also suggest his dismissal of affirmative action.

2. A lot of Democratic priorities were cut from the budget, including paid sick days. Lawmakers say that's because the budget is tighter than Governor Youngkin's initial proposed budget let on.

3. School boards across Virginia might soon be out of luck if they want to ban books from their libraries, if a new bill from Senator Hashmi passes the legislature.

At the Watercooler:

• Journalist Jeremy Lazarus will no longer be at the Richmond Free Press--and the larger dire straits of investigative journalism

• The prospective casino in Tyson's Corner is likely dead on arrival based on the signs from its first subcomittee meeting.

Former Delegates-turned-lobbyists Brian Moran (D-46) and David Ramadan (R-87) join Michael from the General Assembly building to talk about the strategy and prospects of a whole host of bills making their way through the General Assembly this year--from marijuana licensing to the car tax, plus the fall of Democratic priorities like paid sick days and the minimum wage. They also discuss the arena deal and skill games in small stores, topics on which they're currently serving as lobbyists.

IN THE NEWS:

• Members of the Senate are considering a bill that would allow Virginia's sixth casino in Fairfax County. Some legislators say they're hearing strong negative feelings from constituents.

• Senator Creigh Deeds has introduced a bill to ban assault weapons in Virginia, and it's now on the floor of the Senate Finance Committee. Unsurprisingly, that's receiving some pushback as well--and this type of will hasn't had a great track record in the state legislature.

• Members of the Senate are still considering what a marijuana marketplace would look like in Virginia. Advocates say it'll take revenue away from cartels and bring it to the state, but the Governor seems like a hard no on marijuana.

At the Watercooler:

• Is Virginia going to have a Super Tuesday primary that's even worth going to, or will both Presidential nominations already be in the bag?

• The Arena Deal continues to plague Michael--as does the lack of hard answers on the claims of economic development.

This week, Michael is joined by Jay Speer and Christie Marra of the Virginia Poverty Law Center, to learn what bills the VPLC are supporting in this year's General Assembly sessions. Those bills include ones to combat shady practices from realtors, loophole payday loans, and unfair fees and rent increases from predatory landlords.

IN THE NEWS:

• During the pandemic, convenience store owners and truck stop owners benefited financially from having games similar to slot machines in their businesses. Now lawmakers are considering a bill that would bring them back permanently.

• Senator Danica Roem, a former journalist, knows that local governments often use exorbitant fees to restrict access to public documents. That's why she has a bill aimed at fixing the problem. Her bill would require local governments to offer eight free hours of researching FOIA requests -- billable hours that they can currently charge for.

• When Democrats were in control of the House, Senate, and governor's office, they failed to create a system to license people to sell marijuana. Then when Republicans took control of the House of Delegates, and further derailed the effort. Now, Senator Adam Ebbin of Alexandria has a bill that will create a system of people to have licenses to sell marijuana--but the Governor insists he's not interested in partaking.

At the Watercooler:

• The decision by a Richmond judge to release the report of last year's graduation shooting--and what the report shows.

• Some classing hazing in the General Assembly for the new cohort of legislators.

This week, Michael is joined by Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg, Delegate Joshua Cole, and Delegate Adele McClure to break down some of their proposed bills to address Virginia's ongoing housing crises: rising rents, increased homelessness, and Virginians getting priced out of home-buying across the state.

These bills include Delegate McClure's bill to allow single-staircase buildings--lowering staircase requirements to make development easier, Delegate Cole's bill on Faith in Housing--making it easier for faith-based organizations to build affordable housing on their property, and Senator VanValkenburg's bill to allowing housing in commercial zoning, encouraging mixed-use zoning. And, of course, the hot topic of localities eliminating single-unit zoning.

IN THE NEWS:

• Delegate Don Scott has become the new Speaker of the House--the first Black Speaker in Virginia's history. His election came alongside several new Committee Chairs that could mean big changes in the balance of power in Richmond.

• House Majority Leader Charniele Herring has introduced a constitutional amendment to change the restoration of voting rights for people convicted of felonies--making it automatic rather than dependent on the Governor's will. And it seems there's some bipartisan energy behind the effort.

• Governor Youngkin says he wants to get rid of the car tax--but he didn't put it in his legacy budget proposal. It doesn't seem likely to happen, but the issue may serve as a rhetorical win in upcoming elections.

At the Watercooler:

• Activate Virginia is making a FOIA request to learn more about the high school graduation shooting in Richmond. For some reason, the state is fighting it.

• GA Staffers say the emails they're receiving about the Arena deal are overwhelmingly negative.

Everyone's favorite General Assembly game show is back as Michael sits down with Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, Delegate Alfonso Lopez, Delegate Marcus Simon, and Alexandria Assistant City Manager Sarah Taylor to get their takes Governor Youngkin's State of the Commonwealth Address, proposed taxes and tax cuts, the Potomac Yard arena deal, and the new General Assembly building.

IN THE NEWS:

• Democrats, who are about to control the General Assembly have a variety of viewpoints on Governor Glenn Youngkin's proposal to create a new tax on "digital personal property" -- especially considering the governor wants to pair it with a huge income tax cut that will disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Virginians.

• During the pandemic, the federal government provided millions of dollars to help families with childcare. Now that money is about to expire, and low-income parents across Virginia are trying to figure out what happens next. Governor Youngkin says the General Assembly need to step in and bridge the gap. That's why he's proposing more than $400 million to make sure low-income families are able to keep access to childcare. He also wants to invest $25 million to build capacity in childcare deserts. I

• If the General Assembly creates a new authority that would own a proposed sports arena in Alexandria, the land in Potomac Yard where the arena would be built would be taken off the tax rolls. Thats’ a huge tax break for sports franchises that stand to make a lot of money on the deal--but one Pod Virginia guest says the deal isn't nearly as good for the Virginia taxpayer.

At the Watercooler:

• Ex-Capitol police officer Harry Dunn announces a run for Maryland's 3rd District

• Pod Virginia launches its officia Discord for listeners who want to support the show

Michael is joined by Greg LeRoy, author of The Great American Jobs Scam: Corporate Tax Dodging and the Myth of Job Creation to break down the proposal to build a $2 billion sports arena in Alexandria. The proposal claims 30,000 jobs will be created in return for Virginia taxpayers footing the initial cost--but LeRoy says "economic development" projects don't create lasting jobs and tend to shuffle around existing money. They break down the mechanics of the deal, the costs and benefits, and how state subsidies for the arena might not be worth it after all.

IN THE NEWS:

• Governor Youngkin's legacy budget proposal is out, and to kick off the year, Michael and Lauren break down some of the biggest takeaways.

• Youngkin is proposing cutting the top income tax bracket from 5.75% to 5.1%, giving a huge tax cut to the wealthiest Virginians -- especially the top one percent. He's also proposing a "tech tax" capturing a sales tax on a new category of "digital personal property" -- including your download of Microsoft Word or your subscription to Spotify.

• What the budget proposal does NOT include: any tricks to defund abortion. Advocates for reproductive freedom say they're pleased, but some are worried the proposal removes funding for services to low-income Virginians who receive dangerous fetal diagnoses.

AT THE WATERCOOLER:

• Despite violent crime sitting at an all-time low--some Republican ads from the last cycle contained racialized anti-crime messages straight out of the Willie Horton era, especially targeting Black candidates.

• Some political "odd-couples" in the new General Assembly--some combinations of committee chairs that might make for an interesting legislative session.

Once again, Michael, Thomas, and Lauren sit around the fireplace and talk about 2023 in Virginia politics--from Chinese farmland in the State of the Commonwealth through upset primary victories in redistricted seats all the way to the Democrats winning the general election. In this two-parter, they go through the top 10 episodes of Pod Virginia from the year, reacting to the stories and predictions that aired with the benefit of some holiday-season hindsight.

This week, Michael, Thomas, and Lauren sit around the fireplace and talk about 2023 in Virginia politics--from Chinese farmland in the State of the Commonwealth through upset primary victories in redistricted seats all the way to the Democrats winning the general election. In this two-parter, they go through the top 10 episodes of Pod Virginia from the year, reacting to the stories and predictions that aired with the benefit of some holiday-season hindsight.

Michael is joined by Steve Babson, a labor educator and author of Forgotten Populists: When Farmers Turned Left to Save Democracy. The book explores a forgotten chapter of history--the 1890s, before the era of Jim Crowe, when Black and white farmers allied under the mantle of "populists"--fighting to expand democracy and resist the robber barons of the era.

IN THE NEWS:

1. Virginia has seven news deserts, and the news blackout is only growing. A new report from the State of Local News Project shows that in the last 20 years, one-third of America's newspapers have stopped the presses.

2. The license plate on your car may soon be a data point followed by 73 local police departments and sheriff's offices, a dozen colleges and universities, plus two dozen homeowners associations and civic associations. Critics worry that this technology can be used to investigate what store you shop at, which political rallies you are attending, and even which doctors you are visiting.

3. Community service boards across Virginia are receiving almost $60 million as part of a plan to add new crisis-receiving centers and stabilization units across Virginia. The administration says the receiving centers will play an important role in making sure people in a mental health crisis don't get caught up in the criminal justice system.

At the Watercooler:

• Capitals, Wizards moving to Virginia.

• Abigail Spanberger's push to bring whole milk back to public schools has successfully passed the House.

This week, Michael is joined by Kim Bobo, Executive Director of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, to discuss a bill that'll soon be in front of the General Assembly. The bill would require Virginia businesses to provide employees 5 paid sick days per year, with 1 paid hour earned for 30 hours worked. It'll be introduced by Delegate Jeion Ward in the House and Senator Scott Surovell in the Senate, signaling strong support from Democratic leadership.

IN THE NEWS:

1. 2025 Gubernatorial Election

   • With two years to go before the election of Virginia's next governor, the field seems largely set. Republicans are likely to nominate either Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears or Attorney General Jason Miyares. As for the Democrat, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney is throwing his hat into the ring to challenge Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger. But are our candidates forgetting that there's a whole 2024 election in the way?

2. Minimum Wage Increase?

   • House Bill Number One and Senate Bill Number One are both aimed at a top priority for the new Democratic majority -- raising the minimum wage from $12 an hour to $15 an hour. Members of the General Assembly will be hearing opposition from the business community. Democrats seemed poised to put a bill raising the minimum wage on the desk of Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, who will have the power to amend or veto.

3. Open Seats on the SCC

   • The State Corporation Commission regulates everything from electricity and insurance to railroads and predatory lending. The commission has three members, although two seats are vacant, and Republicans and Democrats were unable to agree during the era of divided government. Now, Democrats will get to fill the seat--with no input from the Governor. So who's going to fill them?

TRIVIA: When was the last time Alexandria had an open seat for mayor?

At the Watercooler:

• The lack of support for Trish White-Boyd's run from the Democrats

• Interesting new Committee Chairs in the House of Delegates.

This week, Michael is joined by Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson to discuss Alexandria's recent move to approve Zoning for Housing/Housing for All -- a bid to expand the city's housing supply by eliminating single-family-only zoning and to fight discriminatory housing policies. He talks about the rationale and the effect--estimated to convert fewer than 70 of the city's 9,000 single-family lots. They also take a trip down memory lane through Wilson's mayoral history--highs and lows from his first-ever election launch party (which Michael attended back in 2007), all the way through recent changes to bike lanes, bus lanes, renaming streets, and responding to COVID.

IN THE NEWS:

1. The amendment to the Virginia Constitution introduced by Democrats protects the fundamental right to reproductive freedom. Supporters say it's a way to safeguard against future efforts to roll back existing rights. Opponents worry that the amendment actually expands existing rights.

2. The last time Democrats were in control of the General Assembly, advocates for preventing gun violence were hopeful they could ban assault weapons. But, in the end, that didn't happen. Legislation to ban assault-style weapons has already been filed in the House and the Senate. But even if Democrats are successful this time, they'll still be sending it to Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, who is widely expected to veto the bill.

3. Virginia has a two-year budget, which means that Governor Glenn Youngkin spent the first half of his time as governor revising and amending a budget he inherited from the previous governor. Now he'll finally get a chance to put together his own budget proposal -- a document often called the "legacy budget" because it's a governor's one and only shot at putting together a balance sheet from beginning to end. Tax cuts and education spending are likely to be key points of discussion as the new Democratic majorities in the House and Senate consider Youngkin's legacy budget in January.

At the Watercooler:

• Candidates are already running for races next year--both statewide and Congressional, on account of Virginia's election schedule and some unexpected openings.

• Alexandria's City Council has unanimously voted to ditch single-family zoning--always ripe for controversy.