Do Politics Better Podcast

Senator Don Davis is known for working across the political aisle at the General Assembly which, as he explains, is not easy in these polarizing times.   The eastern North Carolina Democrat also shares his story of being raised by his grandmother as his teenage mother defied the odds by continuing her education and was eventually reunited with her son.  A young Don Davis would go on to enter the Air Force Academy and later launch a successful political career at age 29.   Brian and Skye also break down a General Assembly week that includes criminal justice reform legislation, medicinal marijuana, sports wagering, a budget status update, redistricting, the Tweet of the Week, and so much more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame and the NC Travel Industry Association.    

Sen. Paul Newton likes to say "good policy makes for good politics".   Learn more about the Republican Senate Finance Chair, his career at Duke Energy, and his life now as a "gentleman farmer" who runs a wedding venue with his wife (and dogs) in Cabarrus County. Brian and Skye also review a rollercoaster House budget week, what's next in the budget process, and share the latest on the riot bill, the child marriage bill, a gun bill, election redistricting, the Tweet of the Week and more.  The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame and the NC Travel Industry Association.

Rep. Zack Hawkins, in his second term at the General Assembly, has already contributed to the passage of two major bills addressing elections and autism.  Learn how the Durham Democrat learned the importance of House rules, seeks opportunities to work across the political aisle, and finds inspiration from his two younger sons who are living with autism.   Brian and Skye also talk about the House budget, a Senate bill that legalizes sports gambling, the ongoing politics of COVID-19, and somber news that hit the Senate and House this week. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame and the NC Travel Industry Association.        

House Justice & Public Safety Appropriations Chair Jamie Boles, who has represented Moore County since 2008, recalls the General Assembly transition from Democratic-control to Republican-control after the 2010 election, relates the funeral business to NC politics, discusses his side career as a fire truck driver and EMT, and shares how humor has served him in the General Assembly. Brian also reflects on how a day with Rep. Boles in 2013 helped him through a career crisis and how it led to New Frame and #DoPoliticsBetter.   Brian and Skye talk about ALEC, the politics of COVID-19, a closed-door meeting between legislative leaders and the leadership of the NC High School Athletic Association, the Tweet-of-the-Week, and more. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame and the NC Travel Industry Association.

House Democratic Leader Robert Reives talks about how his late mother impressed upon him the responsibility to serve his community with these words: "If it’s not you, who is it going to be?" Rep. Reives also talks about his role as the chief negotiator for House Democrats and his relationship with the House GOP Leadership, including House Majority Leader John Bell, who is co-hosting the podcast this week with Brian.   Rep. Bell and Brian also review the week at the General Assembly, including the latest on the House budget, the Senate's frustration with the NC High School Athletic Association, a Senate Finance Committee vote on medicinal marijuana, a tribute to Rep. Melanie Wade Goodwin, and a look at the U.S. Senate race in North Carolina.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame and the NC Travel Industry Association.  

Senator Vickie Sawyer shares her journey growing up in a trailer with a mother and father struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues to her service in the North Carolina Senate fighting for those who need a voice.   The Iredell County Republican also shares what it was like to face one of the most powerful North Carolina politicians in a 2018 primary, which against all odds she prevailed.   In this 20th edition of the podcast, Brian and Skye also walk listeners through a midnight session vote on the House's energy bill, the Senate's criminal justice bill in a House judiciary committee, and they preview an upcoming Senate committee hearing on the medicinal marijuana bill.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame and the NC Travel Industry Association.  

With the General Assembly on a holiday break this week, the podcast records from Carolina Beach and includes a visit from fellow beach vacationer President George W. Bush. The week before recess, Brian and Skye recorded a conversation with Rep. Vernetta Alston, a Durham Democrat, who talks about her transition from local government service to serving in the General Assembly, her work as a death penalty lawyer, balancing family as a legislator, and how she would improve North Carolina politics.   The podcast also reviews Governor Cooper's veto of the unemployment bill, his signature of the Farm Act, and tells the story of how Tomato Sandwich Day at the General Assembly began.      

Rep. Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) opens up about his childhood and the role his grandparents played in raising him and shaping his life.  The powerful House Rules Chairman also talks about his leadership position and an unwritten rule he wants more House members to follow.  Brian and Skye also talk about the Senate Judiciary Committee's approval of a medicinal marijuana bill, Governor Cooper's veto of an abortion bill, the General Assembly's response to the NC State baseball debacle, and a venomous snake on the lam in Raleigh.   All that and more in a shortened week at the General Assembly as the July 1-12 recess begins. 

Senator Bill Rabon talks about his powerful position within the North Carolina Senate as the Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, his old-school conservatism, his career has a veterinarian, and how his inability to hear affects the way he leads and legislates.   Brian and Skye also discuss the Senate budget, the process as it moves to the House, and the options for interest groups with a stake in the spending plan.   The podcast also introduces the Tweet of the Week, which includes video of a state senator catching a snooze during a medicinal marijuana bill hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee.  

As the Senate prepares to propose its version of a spending and tax reform plan for the state, Brian and Skye talk with Senator Kirk deViere about his unique brand of politics, how growing up poor shaped him, and, of course, his pocket squares.   Plus, the energy bill is unveiled, a partisan vote on three elections bills in the Senate, a NC abortion bill could be heading to the US Supreme Court, and Brian and Skye answer a question about legislative pilot programs.  Skye also reads a mean tweet about last week's podcast.