Do Politics Better Podcast

Rep. Jeff McNeely asked Rep. Abe Jones a question with racial overtones during a heated House floor debate in May that landed both legislators in national and state news stories.  While the Iredell County Republican immediately apologized and Rep. Jones accepted, Rep. McNeely continues to feel regret for hurting his friend and others.   Rep. McNeely opens up about what he was trying to convey that day, the consequences of his actions, and his views about race, poverty, and access to education.  He also talks about his life growing up in Iredell County, his fondness for colorful suits and bowties, and his political journey.   Skye and Brian also discuss the Moore v Harper SCOTUS decision, a rare Monday night Senate session, abortion law clarifications, veto overrides, two more LGBTQ+ bills advance to Governor Cooper, former Rep. Dewey Hill dies, 2024 campaign news, #TOTW, and more.  The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council. 

Sen. Paul Lowe has served in the Senate since 2015.  However, his political work and public service started in the fall of 1991 when he was named as pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church.  Sen. Lowe reflects on his abiding faith and political beliefs and the intersection of both in policymaking.   The Winston-Salem Democrat talks about how important relationships with his Republican colleagues produce better outcomes in legislation and gets him the room where it happens.   Skye and Brian discuss the lawsuit that rocked the #ncpol world on Sunday night, the Governor's latest vetoes overridden in the Senate, controversial bills continuing to move, session timeline update, legislator's reaction to abortion lawsuit, #TOTW, and more.  The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council. 

NC State Treasurer Dale Folwell is known as a fix-what's-broken political leader going back to his days serving in local government in Winston-Salem, his tenure in the General Assembly, and recent service in the executive branch.   Folwell is now focused on the Governor's Mansion in 2024, but he's in a three-person GOP primary with a herculean front-runner known for his fiery speeches and record breaking fundraising.  Can a proven problem solver win the Republican nomination?  Folwell says he's done it before and will do it again.   Skye and Brian also talk about Governor Cooper's proposed UNC System governance changes as Senate leaders move a pair controversial of election bills, transgender sports bill nearing final votes, the budget (and maybe adjournment) is delayed, #TOTW, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council. 

Rep. Abe Jones is a man of many accomplishments: student leader in high school, a standout runner, double Harvard graduate, attorney, and Superior Court judge.   That's why a question from a House colleague a couple weeks back questioning his achievements was so hurtful. But, it was not the first time the Wake County Democrat, who is black, has been asked such a question.   Skye and Brian also discuss part two of Governor Cooper's bully pulpit campaign, a party switch elections bill, the Farm Act and sports wagering bills pass, budget update, more Dan Bishop rumors, a pair of big decisions at the NC GOP Convention this weekend, TOTW, and more. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council.   

Senators Benton Sawrey and Mary Wills Bode were guests on the podcast in the weeks following the 2022 election.  They return to the podcast this week to talk about their freshman terms, the ups and downs, and their perspectives on crossover week when they were on opposing sides of the abortion debate.  Skye and Brian also cover Sen. Bill Rabon's committee testimony about his cancer journey and use of medical marijuana, sports gambling's winning hand, Governor's ad buy, budget update, tragedy in NC politics, a new GOP candidate for Lt. Governor, rumors, #TOTW, and more.  The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council.   

Axios Raleigh reporter Lucille Sherman has broken some blockbuster stories that in many ways have defined the 2023 legislative session:  Auditor Beth Wood’s car accident, Rep. Tricia Cotham’s party switch, and the Medicaid expansion deal.   Lucille talks about her career as a journalist, her path to North Carolina, and her approach to covering North Carolina politics.   Skye and Brian also discuss Governor Cooper’s State of Emergency speech, pair of House Republicans resign leadership positions, sports wagering moves in the Senate, medical marijuana scheduled for House committee, and John Locke Foundation’s gubernatorial head-to-head poll.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council. 

Rep. Jennifer Balkcom is an 8th generation Henderson County native whose life was shaped by family, farming, and profound loss.   The freshman Republican legislator talks about the heartbreak she experienced as child, helping her family make ends meet to keep their family farm, finding love, and her journey to the General Assembly, where she has been on the forefront of the leadership's legislative priorities this session.   Skye and Brian also talk about the abortion bill veto override, the Senate budget, tension in the House and the apology that followed, sports wagering in the Senate, more statewide candidates, #TOTW, nostalgia, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council. 

Cory Bryson is a Senior Policy Advisor to the Speaker Tim Moore.  However, the Gaston County native wasn't always so fortunate.  Cory was raised by his maternal grandparents, grew up eating food from a local church pantry, and struggling in school.   In this heartfelt conversation, Cory takes listeners through his incredible life, including his enlistment in the U.S. Marines, how a decision to volunteer at the Gaston County Republican Party elevated him to one of the highest offices in North Carolina politics, and how met his wife Britt.  Skye and Brian also talk about the aftermath of the abortion bill, 2024 governor's race polling and updates, the Growler, #TOTW, brunch, and the Coronation.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council. 

This week was supposed to be about the crossover deadline on May 4, the day policy bills had to pass either the House or Senate in order to be eligible for consideration by the General Assembly in the biennium.  However, a 12-week abortion bill was rolled out late Tuesday night and legislators took to their partisan battle stations.   Skye and Brian also talk about the three major NC Supreme Court decisions announced last Friday, a divisive obscenity bill isn't so divisive after all, #TOTW, Paul Coble punishes protestors by denying them couches, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council. 

Rep. Jeffrey Elmore is the go-to legislator in the House, maybe even in the General Assembly, on all things K-12 related.  That's because he's spent 23 years as an active teacher in Wilkes County, a job he still holds.   The 6-term Republican talks to Skye and Brian about how he balances his career with his service in the General Assembly where he has risen to the 'Big Chair' ranks of House budget writers.  They also talk education policy, his art, family, and how teaching keeps him grounded in the needs of public education.   It's also the week before the crossover deadline, a controversial education bill is on the move, the internal politics of Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson's gubernatorial announcement, Congressman Dan Bishop running for Attorney General (?), #TOTW, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, and the NC Pork Council.