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LINKS: Pod Virginia | Patreon Learn more about Jackleg Media Check out Black Virginia News IN THE NEWS: The AFL-CIO is opposing the proposed arena and entertainment district in the Potomac Yard area of Alexandria, dealing a major blow to legislation now under consideration at the state Capitol in Richmond. The labor groups say the developer should have entered into a labor agreement, adding that the existing bill is a bad deal for workers. The right to abortion has been a flashpoint in Virginia politics ever since the United States Supreme Court eliminated constitutional protections. Wednesday, thousands of people came to Richmond to call for abortion rights to be rolled back or repealed altogether. Many of them were not interested in talking to the legacy media. On Tuesday, the Senate of Virginia passed a bill to eliminate tax exempt status for Confederate heritage organizations. But until lawmakers pass a bill to remove Stonewall Jackson, he will continue to occupy a prominent spot facing the north entrance to the Capitol. TRIVIA: When did Virginia impose the one term limit on governors? At the Watercooler: - Takeaways from Speaker Scott's Black and White Gala - Reacting to WAMU firing 15 journalists on their DCist project and taking down the archive Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Former House candidate Susanna Gibson joins Michael and Lauren for her first-ever podcast appearance, discussing the Washington Post story and the Republican smear campaign that brought her race under scrutiny--all from videos that she never consented to being recorded, re-hosted, and distributed years after they were streamed. They discuss her support for Delegate Irene Shin's bill to crack down on non-consensual distribution of intimate images--so-called "revenge porn," which does real damage to both private citizens and prospective candidates, especially as the prevalence of nude images has become more common. Plus, some tidbits from the Speaker's Black and White Gala, the Virginia Capital Correspondents' Association Banquet, and some takeaways on crisis communications from both Lauren and Susanna.

LINKS: Pod Virginia | Patreon Learn more about Jackleg Media Check out Black Virginia News IN THE NEWS: Democrats say they're not worried about the governor's threat to veto a raise in the minimum wage. They campaigned on the issue, and now they have made this their top priority -- House Bill One and Senate Bill One. License plate readers can read hundreds of license plates a second, technology that law enforcement officials say helps track down stolen cars or human trafficking. Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell says now is the time to create some guardrails, but the Senate rejected Suovell’s version of the bill last week after a passionate speech from Senator Laschrese Aird. With a Republican in the Executive Mansion, the minority in the General Assembly actually plays a very important role in conversations here about everything from banning books to informing parents when students overdose on fentanyl. Republicans are hoping parental rights can be a powerful tool for leverage. TRIVIA: Which state senator has appeared on the David Letterman Show AND the Daily Show? At the Watercooler: - The embarrassing Tweet from the Virginia GOP lying about House Speaker Don Scott's past - The arena deal looks dead--and Michael explains the dubious claims on the released jobs proposal Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Learn more about Jackleg Media Everyone's favorite General Assembly game show is back as Michael sits down with Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, Delegate Alfonso Lopez, and Delegate Marcus Simon, to get their takes on the Alexandria arena getting voted down, Governor Youngkin's partisan speech, kicking members off committees, bill hearings, and skill games.

LINKS: Pod Virginia | Patreon Learn more about Jackleg Media Check out Black Virginia News IN THE NEWS: Protestors gathered in Captiol Square to oppose the proposed Alexandria arena. Supporters of the arena say it'll create 30,000 jobs, but they have yet to provide information about what kind of assumptions were made to calculate those numbers. Democratic Senator Jennifer Boysko of Herndon says Virginia should outlaw candidates using campaign money the way former Congressman George Santos did, paying for luxury goods from Farragamo and Sephora. Senator Saddam Salim from Fairfax County has a bill that would legalize accessory dwelling units, but the idea that land owners might be able to subdivide their property into additional units is going too far for some Republicans. TRIVIA: What does the L in "Senator L Louise Lucas" stand for? At the Watercooler: - A look into the too-short time given to testimony during session - How much leverage do the Democrats and Republicans have in getting the Arena deal versus priorities like marijuana licenses? Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Learn more about Jackleg Media 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.

LINKS: Pod Virginia | Patreon Learn more about Jackleg Media Check out Black Virginia News IN THE NEWS: 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. 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. 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. TRIVIA: Which member of the Virginia House of Delegates now ranks #1 in seniority? (Hint: he was elected in 1989) 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. Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Learn more about Jackleg Media Former Delegates-turned-lobbyists Brian Moran (D-46) and David Ramadan (R-87) join Michael from the General Assemby 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.

LINKS: Pod Virginia | Patreon Learn more about Jackleg Media 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. TRIVIA: Which Senate Republican broke the rules last week by using a prop on the Senate floor? 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. Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Learn more about Jackleg Media VPLC 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.

LINKS: Pod Virginia | Patreon Learn more about Jackleg Media Check out Black Virginia News 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. TRIVIA: Which Virginian was Governor of the free state of Franklin and Tennessee? 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. Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

Learn more about Jackleg Media 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.