Dear Friends,
The April 5, 2024, Friday Power Lunch explored what really happens in Richmond during the General Assembly. In other words, how the legislative sausage is made.
Our opening music video was a mash-up of the Schoolhouse Rock classic “I’m Just a Bill” and the 2018 hit song “High Hopes” by pop rock group – Panic! At the Disco. Download our Mashup here. Watch the recording of the entire show here.* LUISA BOYARSKI from the Virginia Grassroots Coalition gave an overview of where we are with our priority bills. She pointed out that she will be sending out some last-minute Calls to Action for the reconvening session of the General Assembly April 17-24. Louisa ended by reminding us that throughout this primary season, we all have had our favorite candidates but asked us to be respectful so as not to burn bridges with a potential general election candidate. The goal is to elect Democratic candidates, whether the primary winner was your first choice or not. Watch this segment.
* DELEGATE SAM RASOUL (HD38 – Roanoke) explained how the process for getting legislation passed in the General Assembly works in theory and in practice. He also shared how citizens play a vital role in this process even though it may not appear that way from the outside.
* DELEGATE JOSH THOMAS (HD21 – Prince William County) talked about his surprises, delights, and disappointments from his first session.
* MICHAEL POPE (Journalist and host of Pod Virginia) shared stories about what he has seen, heard, and learned covering Virginia politics. He started off by referencing the 2005 collection of essays about Virginia politics Notes from the Sausage Factory and read a passage by Congressman Don Beyer from when he was a state Senator. The passage paints a picture of what the “sausage making” actually looks like from senators sneaking off the floor just before a vote to avoid having to go on the record to “…the failing developer who would sit in the front row of the gallery day after day hoping for a Hail Mary pass piece of legislation that would restore some value to her property”. Michael went on to tell stories from this session that sounded surprisingly like the ones recounted by Beyer 25 years ago.
* DELEGATE JACKIE GLASS (HD93 – Norfolk) wrapped up the conversation on how the legislative process works in Richmond and the important role activists play in this process. Though Del. Glass had some Zoom connection problems and had to drop off the call, hosts CARRIE SHORT and KATHERINE WHITE finished the conversation.
Onward,
Stair
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Compliments of Network NOVA & the Virginia Grassroots – When We Vote We Win