Do Politics Better Podcast

Sen. Sydney Batch on Legislating Effectively from the Back Row

Sen. Sydney Batch knows that if she's going to positively affect legislation in the Senate she's got to work across the aisle and through back channels.  The Wake County Democrat also compares her one term in the NC House with her current term in the NC Senate.  

Brian and Skye also discuss the House and Senate budget agreement and negotiations with Governor Roy Cooper, a predicted veto of an executive power bill, a contentious legislative hearing about liquor, a courageous Tweet of the Week, and the announcement of the Do Politics Better kickball game scheduled for the coming week.  

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.   

Rep. Brenden Jones, a Hard-Charger or ‘the Easiest Teddy Bear in the Building‘?

Rep. Brenden Jones is as plain-spoken and to-the-point as legislators come at the General Assembly.  But, beneath the Columbus/Robeson County Republican's strong personality is someone with a deep and abiding faith, a love of family, and a servant's heart for a legislative district that relies on him to get the job done in Raleigh.  

The Deputy Majority Leader also discusses his "odd couple" friendship with House Rules Chairman Destin Hall, how his mother's cancer diagnosis when he was in high school required he take on adult responsibilities, and how he wants to see our political discourse improve. 

Brian and Skye also review the week, including a court decision on a voter identification law, a Senate memorial service for former Sen. Marc Basnight, driverless car legislation, another retirement announcement, the Tweet of the Week, and more.

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.  

 

 

Rep. Terry Brown on the Importance of Quality Committee Work

While Rep. Terry Brown is a freshman legislator, he's a throwback in many ways as he is known for his preparation and readiness to improve legislation in committees.  The Mecklenburg County Democrat talks about why he believes spending more time and focus on marking-up legislation before a floor vote makes for better policy outcomes and bipartisanship.  

Rep. Brown also talks about being raised in Fayetteville by his two public school teacher parents, his political start at UNC Charlotte, and the importance of carving out time in his business law practice to represent domestic violence survivors in court.  

Brian and Skye also unpack the legislative week, including a revised budget timeline, two vetos, a bill limiting the Attorney General's powers, a House discharge petition, a retirement announcement, the arrival of Do Politics Better merch', and more. 

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame and the NC Travel Industry Association.

Rep. Erin Paré, Former Federal Lobbyist Turned State Legislator

If Rep. Erin Paré makes legislating at the General Assembly look easy it may have something to do with the fact she spent seven years on Capitol Hill as a federal lobbyist.  

The freshman Wake County Republican also talks about her stint as a Washington (Redskins) cheerleader, how it led to meeting her military husband in Iraq, and how she now manages to juggle family, running a small business, and her work as an effective state legislator.  

Brian and Skye also unpack a week at the General Assembly that looks to be winding down, an emergency powers bill, a liquor bill, a budget update, a contempt-of-court threat by a judge, a Sen. Danny Britt sighting, the Tweet-of-the Week, and more. 

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame and the NC Travel Industry Association.

Rep. Brian Farkas: ‘Be Kind and Be Respectful‘

Rep. Brian Farkas is a moderate Democrat who thrives in a coin-toss Pitt County district that gives him the freedom to work across the political aisle.  The freshman legislator also talks about being one of the younger members in the General Assembly. 

This week's podcast also welcomes guest-host Dylan Reel, counsel to House Rules Chairman Destin Hall, who is standing in for Brian Lewis as he takes his daughter to college.    

Skye David and Dylan unpack a two-veto week at the General Assembly that includes gun legislation and a hotel bill, which mysteriously caught the disapproval of Governor Roy Cooper.  Other topics covered: the riot bill, a primer on what a concurrence vote is, the responsibilities of committee conferrees, critical race theory, a budget update, and redistricting. 

And if that's not enough, legislative staffer Carl Gilmore (of Skye’s kickball team) makes a cameo appearance.
 

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame and the NC Travel Industry Association.

Rep. Chris Humphrey, a Republican Winning in a Democratic District

Rep. Chris Humphrey is a Republican who knows how to win in a Democratic district, something he's been doing since he was elected as a La Grange town councilman and county commissioner in Lenoir County.

The self-described moderate talks of how a Democratic activist convinced him to join the Republican Party in 1990. The former UNC classmate of Speaker Tim Moore also reveals what a failed 2010 primary loss to a now prominent NC state senator taught him about politics.   

Brian and Skye also unpack another full week at the General Assembly, including a tense Senate committee meeting debate on critical race theory, budget negotiations, the child marriage bill, anti-riot legislation, high school athletics, the Tweet of the Week, and more. 

The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame and the NC Travel Industry Association.

Sen. Don Davis on Legislating from the Center: 'I'm Getting it from the Left, I'm Getting it from the Right'

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: 'I Am Here to Solve Problems'

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: 'If You Get to Know Me, You'll Like Me'

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.  

 

 

 

Rep. Jamie Boles Puts the 'Fun' in Funeral & Legislating

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.