LINKS: Sponsor: https://www.earlyimpactva.org/ http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia https://blackvirginianews.substack.com/ IN THE NEWS: The amendment to the Virginia Constitution introduced by Democrats protects the fundamental right to reproductive freedom. Supporters say it's a way to safeguard against future efforts to roll back existing rights. Opponents worry that the amendment actually expands existing rights. The last time Democrats were in control of the General Assembly, advocates for preventing gun violence were hopeful they could ban assault weapons. But, in the end, that didn't happen. Legislation to ban assault-style weapons has already been filed in the House and the Senate. But even if Democrats are successful this time, they'll still be sending it to Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, who is widely expected to veto the bill. Virginia has a two-year budget, which means that Governor Glenn Youngkin spent the first half of his time as governor revising and amending a budget he inherited from the previous governor. Now he'll finally get a chance to put together his own budget proposal -- a document often called the "legacy budget" because it's a governor's one and only shot at putting together a balance sheet from beginning to end. Tax cuts and education spending are likely to be key points of discussion as the new Democratic majorities in the House and Senate consider Youngkin's legacy budget in January. TRIVIA: Who was the first woman elected to the Virginia Senate? At the Watercooler: - Candidates are already running for races next year--both statewide and Congressional, on account of Virginia's election schedule and some unexpected openings. - Alexandria's City Council has unanimously voted to ditch single-family zoning--always ripe for controversy. Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

LINKS: Sponsor: https://www.earlyimpactva.org/ http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia This week, we're joined by Laura Stokes, the campaign manager for Senator-Elect Saddam Salim, who successfully primaried incumbent Senator Chap Petersen this summer before winning the general this month. Laura breaks down her campaign strategy--including win numbers, voter-outreach, and overcoming a money deficit--that earned the historic win.

LINKS: Sponsor: https://www.earlyimpactva.org/ http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Next week sees the release of https://www.upress.virginia.edu/title/5812/--which we've covered a few times on the show. The book traces six key statewide elections that altered Virginia politics, how they shaped (and were shaped by) the state's culture, economy, and demographics, and what lessons we might be able to learn from those transformative moments. So we've pulled a few interviews covering the book, including our interview with editors John Milliken and Mark Rozell of George Mason University, plus Stephen Farnsworth at the University of Mary Washington, aired in September and October. Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

LINKS: Sponsor: https://www.earlyimpactva.org/ http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia No full episode this week, but Thomas and Michael want to wish you a happy Thanksgiving—and a quick discussion on the origins of the tradition. This episode originally aired for Thanksgiving 2022.

LINKS: Sponsor: https://www.earlyimpactva.org/ http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia https://blackvirginianews.substack.com/ IN THE NEWS: While Democrats have a majority in the state House and Senate, those margins are razor-thin--which leaves open some questions about the balance of power. Can Republicans peel off votes for specific issues? What happens if Democrats are sick, out-of-town, or appointed to executive roles? With Scott Surovell set to become the Senate Majority Leader and Don Scott as Speaker of the House, there's new leadership for the Democrats--and thirty new faces among the one-hundred seats in the Capitol building. What does that mean for the legislature this year? The final votes are still being counted in the 2023 election, but both parties are already at work recruiting new candidates for 2025. Recent recruitment efforts like Senator-Elect Danica Roem's Emerge have seen some big wins across the state, so there's a lot to be said about the power of choosing wisely. TRIVIA: When was the first Thanksgiving? Hint: It’s NOT the Pilgrims at Cape Cod in 1621. And it’s also NOT the Virginia Thanksgiving in 1619. At the Watercooler: - Susanna Gibson's comments about her election and the Washington Post piece that may have tilted things out of her favor. Michael and Lauren discuss crisis communications and the tricky balance Gibson may have faced in dealing with the situation. - New leadership across Senate Committees--Louise Lucas will chair Finance, Mamie Locke will chair the Rules Committee, Scott Surovell will chair Judiciary, and more. Plus, shake-ups in the House seniority order that have huge effects on positions down the line. Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

LINKS: Sponsor: https://www.earlyimpactva.org/ http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia Karl Frisch, Vice Chair of Fairfax County's School Board, joins Michael to discuss last week's elections in terms of school boards across the Commonwealth. By and large, it was a rejection of book-bannings and anti-trans policies, with big wins for moderate and Democratic candidates in many localities, including some that went for Governor Youngkin in 2021. They also discuss the rise of several Fairfax County School Board members to statewide office, and how that will impact the incoming General Assembly as leadership power shifts away from Northern Virginia.

LINKS: Sponsor: https://www.earlyimpactva.org/ http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia IN THE NEWS: Michael and Lauren break down the results in key races from the 2023 state House and Senate races--and what the Democratic win means for strategy this year and in 2024. TRIVIA: Which newly elected member of the House of Delegates is in the most lopsided district in terms of partisan lean? Hint: this district goes +80.5 for the Democrats. At the Watercooler: - The FBI headquarters is set to be in Maryland, not Virginia--how did it happen, and did it have anything to do with Youngkin's comments as Governor? - With Jennifer Wexton announcing her plans to retire from Congress, several Virginia Democrats have started looking toward running for her Northern Virginia seat. Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

LINKS: Sponsor: https://www.earlyimpactva.org/ http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia This week, Michael is joined by VPM's Jahd Khalil to break down some of the biggest takeaways from the Democrats' big win on Tuesday. With Don Scott now set to be the Speaker of the House, what will his leadership look like? How will new representatives work across the aisle? What can we learn from local results like Richmond's second denial of a casino? And who will become the new Senate Majority Leader?

LINKS: Sponsor: https://www.earlyimpactva.org/ http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia IN THE NEWS: On the Airwaves: If you've been watching TV, you've seen the ads--Democrats portraying Republicans as conspiracy theorists and extremists trying to criminalize abortions, while Republicans are portraying Joe Biden's America as dangerous and lawless. And these ads--the result some massive ad buys--all pretty much sound the same, no matter where in the state you are. Plus, despite what the Republican ads say, crime is down in both Virginia and the United States. Violent crime is down almost 40 percent since the early 90s. Murder is down 20 percent. Property crime, is down 60 percent, and it's currently at one of the lowest rates ever. One last bit of messaging news--one line of attack from Republicans takes aim at electric cars, and a bill signed by Governor Northam that would mandate all new car sales in the states to be EVs by 2035. Michael and Lauren discuss where Virginians stand on the issue of electric vehicles and how it might affect the election this week. TRIVIA: How many members were in the ORIGINAL House of Burgesses? At the Watercooler: - Rumors of a Youngkin presidential run next week - A great debate last week between Schuyler VanValkenburg and Siobhan Dunnavant--with a couple of moderate positions. Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia

This week, Michael and Lauren are joined by House Democratic Leader Don Scott for a final preview of the upcoming General Assembly elections. Leader Scott talks about the Democratic focus on abortion and education, responds to criticisms from House Speaker Todd Gilbert, and gives his takes on some of the hottest races that'll be decided next week--which might land him a role as Speaker if the Democrats win the majority. Learn more at http://linktr.ee/JacklegMedia