Speaker Bill Howell, speaker since 2003 and entering his third decade as a delegate, joins us to preview this session as well as discuss the balance between politics and policy, getting ready for session, the retirement announcement of Del. Mark Dudenhefer [1] and how federal mandates and reforms affect General Assembly decision making. Specifically, Howell also talks about the budget, capitol police, reforming VRS, COPN and more.
Then Brian and I delve into the week that was the first week of 2017. Personally, I’m ready for a reboot. And that’s not entirely a pun. But what a first week it was: the LG race on the GOP side flared up [2], Tom Perriello announced his candidacy [3] for governor, potentially creating some competition for our friends in the Democratic Party, the 115th Congress kicked-off and Rep. Bob Goodlatte got into hot-water [4] with the president-elect, and my post about the late Sen. Charles Colgan [5] was not exactly appreciated in some circles.
VPOD can always be heard on demand [6] at Bearing Drift. Or you can take the show with you wherever you go by subscribing via iTunes [7]. Jim’s favorite way to listen to podcasts is through his phone and connect it via bluetooth to his car radio (or, in his wife’s car, via the USB input) and listen during commutes. Or you can download it to your MP3 player. Or you can stream right here on the desktop by clicking this player:
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