Do Politics Better Podcast

Senate Rules Chairman Bill Rabon on Leading & Listening with a Hearing Disability

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.  

Sen. Kirk deViere Talks Politics, Poverty, and Pocket Squares

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.  

Sen. Todd Johnson: 'Problem Solving is What I Do', and a Budget Cap Agreement Announced

As a budget spending cap deal is announced by Senate and House leaders, Brian and Skye sit down with Senator Todd Johnson, who talks about his practical, problem solving style of legislating.  

Plus, the latest on the U.S. Senate race in North Carolina, why members of Congress are visiting state legislators, the need for better pay for legislators, the reason we have skeletal sessions, and more.  

 

'Battle Lines Are Being Drawn' and a Conversation with Democratic Senate Whip Jay Chaudhuri

As battle lines are drawn between the House, Senate, and Governor Roy Cooper over a budget cap and a troubled nominee for a cabinet secretary, Brian and Skye talk to Sen. Jay Chaudhuri about his role as the Democratic Whip in the Senate.   

Brian and Skye also discuss two unemployment bills pending in the House and Senate and what's in store (or not in store) in the coming week. 

House Majority Leader John Bell on Leadership: 'Like Carrying a Wheel Barrow Full of Frogs'

Rep. John Bell talks about his role leading the House Republican Caucus, negotiating with the Senate, and the joy he's found in working with Rep. Robert Reives, his Democratic counterpart.  

Brian and Skye discuss the latest in budget talks, what a major Senate press conference this week may indicate for spending negotiations, and how an inside-the-General Assembly protest means we may be getting back to normal post COVID-19.  

 

 

 

'The Real World' with Rep. Brian Turner: MTV to the NC House

Rep. Brian Turner talks zipper merging, his early career at MTV, his legislative accomplishments, and why he likes camping when he's in Raleigh.  

Brian and Skye also talk about a Senate oversight hearing, explain a campaign finance law specific to NC lobbyists, and shares their thinking on when to testify, and when not to tesify, in a General Assembly committee hearing.  

 

Sen. Danny Britt Keeps Winning on Election Day and in the General Assembly

Sen. Danny Britt talks about his 67% Democratic leaning district, his impressive work on criminal justice reform, and how he works across the political aisle to move major legislation.  

Brian and Skye also follow a bill during crossover that was a roller-coaster ride, explain why the Tennessee flag was flying atop the NC State Capitol, and so much more.   

Crossover Week, a Conversation with Senator Mutjaba Mohammed, and Legislative Maneuvers

Brian and Skye talk about long days and late nights this week at the North Carolina General Assembly, which is running at a frenetic pace as we enter "crossover" week.  

Senator Mutjaba Mohammed talks about his collaborative work with Republican legislators and interest groups on criminal justice reform legislation while staying true to his progressive values.

The podcast also breaks down the motion to a lay a motion on the table, a rare legislative maneuver made this past week in the House.  

 

NC Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson, the Personification of Do Politics Better

NC Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson talks about how we wants to keep North Carolina's workers safe, his political career and philosophy, and his bipartisan reputation as a consensus-builder who listens to all voices.  

The former McDowell County legislator also opens up about our toxic political environment and what he would do to improve it. 

Brian and Skye also talk about Apple coming to North Carolina, the child marriage bill making its way in the Senate, how a House member cast floor votes a week late, and much more.

Do Politics Better also welcomes the North Carolina Travel Industry Association as a sponsor of the podcast.  

Rep. Graig Meyer, a 'Loyal Opposition' Leader and the Struggle to Do Politics Better

Rep. Graig Meyer talks about his role in the House Democratic caucus and the barrier it creates to working with his Republican colleagues.  The Chapel Hill Democrat also talks about his kinship with a House Republican leader, recounts his participation in a Do Politics Dinner in 2019, and offers up how he would fix our politics. 

Brian and Skye also talk about a dust up in the House this past week, a Republican-Democrat team effort to deny a proposed committee substitute (PCS) from getting heard, and an April Fools’ joke that is still getting laughs.