Do Politics Better Podcast

The last days of the 2022 NC legislative short session, including bills moving, dying, and legislative maneuvering, from the viewpoint of lobbyists Skye David and Brian Lewis.  The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.  

Before arriving in the General Assembly in 2021, Sen. DeAndrea Salvador was already a star.  The TED Talk fellow's 2018 TED Talk on energy policy has over 1.5 million views.   The Mecklenburg County Democrat talks (13:37) about her life's journey, including being born to a teenage mother and having a father who was incarcerated when she was young.    Skye and Brian also cover a wild week at the General Assembly, including a dramatic loss for sports gambling, medical marijuana goes up in smoke, Medicaid expansion in the House, budget talks, a US Supreme Court decision, and more. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.

Sen. Jim Perry has a beautiful family, is a successful businessman, and is a powerful state senator.   However, his childhood is a different story.   On this Father's Day edition of the podcast, the Lenoir County Republican opens up about growing up without a father, in economic hardship, and how both motivated him to want more in life.   Sen. Perry also talks about rumors circulating about him in the General Assembly, gives insight into what drives him, and explains how his challenging childhood shapes his conservative politics today.   Skye and Brian also wrap up another busy week at the General Assembly, including a budget update, an announcement by Speaker Moore about a controversial bill, a staffing announcement, and so much more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.

Rep. Grier Martin announced last week he was resigning his legislative seat in July to take a job at the Pentagon.  The Raleigh Democrat, who is a Afghanistan War veteran, talks about his life, reflects on his service in the General Assembly since 2005, and makes a bold announcement about his future in North Carolina politics.   Skye and Brian also talk about another busy week at the General Assembly, including the latest on the budget, a fun idea on future lobby days, seersucker suit season, and lessons learned from a 'gut and replace' legislative maneuver.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.  

Sen. Warren Daniel was one of the young guns in the General Assembly in 2011.  His freshman class of Republicans had just ushered in GOP control of the Senate, a chamber controlled by Democrats for over a century.   The Burke County Republican talks about his legislative work over the last decade as well as his childhood in western North Carolina, his decision to attend the prestigious U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and even talks about what his political future may, or may not, hold.   Skye and Brian also talk about two hemp bills moving in the General Assembly, an expansive Medicaid expansion bill, a controversial Parents Bill of Rights bill on the move, a House resignation, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.   

Kody Kinsley serves as Secretary of the NC Department of Health and Human Services, a position that puts the 36-year old in the middle of North Carolina politics' most high profile policy debates between Governor Roy Cooper and the General Assembly.   Secretary Kinsley talks about his job, his public service to the Obama and Trump administrations, and his life, which began in Wilmington, NC.   Skye and Brian also talk about a week full of action in the General Assembly, including a divisive bill with possible election consequences, a Medicaid expansion bill in the Senate, a fast-track budget process, and more.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.   

Stephen B. Wiley knows what it takes to win legislative races.  As the NC House Republican Caucus Director, he's the campaign manager for 120 House races in the general election.   Stephen shares his take on a surprising primary election night and what it portends for NC legislative candidates in the fall.  Skye and Brian also talk about the start of the legislative short session, recount a blown tire incident on Tuesday driving through Harnett County, 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.   

The General Assembly short session begins Wednesday, May 18 and House Majority Leader John Bell and Senate Democratic Whip Jay Chaudhuri preview what we can expect to be accomplished and not accomplished in the next two months by lawmakers.   Skye and Brian also talk about the optimistic revenue forecast, a budget proposal by Governor Roy Cooper, what General Assembly races they are watching on Tuesday night, and The Growler returns on May 24.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association. 

Rep. Jimmy Dixon's mother was unmarried in 1944 when she was living and working in Wilmington, NC.  She was also pregnant.  In 1945, Rep. Dixon was born and an arrangement was made for him to live and grow up with his "Granny" in  Friendship, NC.  While his mother would visit him frequently, Rep. Dixon has never known who his father is.   This is an endearing Mother's Day story of a powerful legislator whose start in life was unlike many of those he grew up with in the middle of the 20th century in Duplin County.  It's also a story of love, sacrifice, and the power of family, no matter what it looks like.    Plus, Skye and Brian unpack the week in North Carolina politics, including the latest from Madison Cawthorn, a Meredith University poll, and the General Assembly session this week that was not.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.   

Joe Stewart is a fixture in NC politics who is parts lobbyist, politico, historian, and stand-up-comic.  The 35-year political veteran, who wears suspenders and bowties sans coat, talks about his life, his many jobs in politics and policy, and how lobbying is a lot like bowling.   Skye and Brian also discuss the latest debacle from Congressman Madison Cawthorn, a Leandro update, and a debrief on Skye's camping trip to McDowell County last weekend.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, and the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association.