In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Oregon House Majority Leader Ben Bowman, Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton, and Georgia Democratic Caucus Chair Representative Tanya Miller. These three NewDEAL Leaders reflect on their 2024 accomplishments – from lowering prescription costs for Pennsylvania seniors to passing landmark, bipartisan bills addressing Oregon's housing shortage. They then look towards the year ahead and discuss their top priorities for the 2025 legislative session, which include improving government oversight to ensure that states can serve constituents effectively, developing new strategies to better communicate with voters and the press, and focusing on economic issues from jobs to housing to healthcare. Tune in to hear which bills Bowman, McClinton, and Miller think will become laws in 2025 and what issues need policymakers’ attention.

IN THIS EPISODE

• [01:04] Introduction to today’s episode, a preview of what to expect in 2025 state legislative sessions.

• [02:11] House Speaker Joanna McClinton tells us what things are looking like in Pennsylvania.

• [04:48] House Majority Leader Ben Bowman shares how he and his team have held onto their majority in Oregon. 

• [08:08] What’s on Representative Tanya Miller’s mind with Democrats still in the minority this session. 

• [13:06] Speaker McClinton shares where there are opportunities to bring parties together to drive results. 

• [16:03] How Representative Bowman is going to follow up on messaging to get tangible results for Oregonians. 

• [20:11] Representative Miller overviews her strategies for reaching people with Democrat messages. 

• [24:41] Speaker McClinton discusses aligning with other party members to speak to issues in her state.  

• [27:27] How Representative Bowman thinks about the relationship between the state legislature and the federal government in the new Trump Administration. 

• [30:11] Representative Miller talks about ‘playing defense’ and her focus for this term. 

• [33:54] Our guests speak about their hopes for positives in 2025.