An Honorable Profession The NewDEAL

In this week’s episode, NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks with Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon. In 2022, Secretary Simon was named by TIME Magazine as a “Defender of Democracy,” and – as we pass the six-month mark in the lead up to November’s election – he talks about his work to make this election one with high turnout and low drama. Simon reflects on Minnesota’s historically high voter turnout over the years, how young voters are feeling about this election, and some of the exciting legislation he’s collaborated on this legislative session to both expand ballot access and bolster election security. Secretary Simon also talks about Minnesota’s historical accomplishments as early adopters of Election-Day voter registration starting in 1973 and longstanding laws that give eligible voters the option to vote from home. Tune in to learn about Secretary Simon’s early interest in current events and how that led him to public service, and his exciting story of meeting the cast of Hamilton.
• [01:04] Introducing Minnesota Secretary of State and New Dealer, Steve Simon.
• [02:21] The cautious optimism he currently feels in respect to the upcoming elections.
• [04:28] Minnesota’s consistently high election turnout.
• [08:03] Why 2023 was such an epic year for democracy especially in regard to legislation.
• [10:41] The reasoning behind opening voter registration to 18 year olds.
• [13:21] An insight into the sentiment of young people leading up to this year’s election.
• [20:26] Restoring trust in leadership through transparency.
• [25:31] Secretary Simon’s view on the partisan issue of voting by mail.
• [27:06] New means to detect the validity of information with the rise of AI.
• [31:16] Advice for those feeling apprehension about the upcoming elections.
• [33:39] The story of Secretary Simon’s first glimpse of public service.
• [36:14] Hanging out with the cast of Hamilton.

Recorded on stage at the NewDEAL Forum Ideas Summit in Phoenix, AZ, this week’s episode features Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb in conversation with host Ryan Coonerty. They talk about Bibb’s aspirations for improving his city, how he has set his top priorities, and his strategy to improve public safety and revitalize underserved neighborhoods using the influx of federal resources from the Biden Administration. They also talk about Bibb’s plans for building climate resilience and chartering healthy and safe communities. In addition, Bibb shares examples from his experiences as a first-time Mayor to highlight opportunities he has found for Democrats and Republicans to work together in Ohio. Tune in to hear about how Bibb manages a packed schedule and his predictions for the Buckeye State this November.
 
• [01:04] The story of how Justin Bibb came to be Mayor of Cleveland in 2022.

• [01:39] Maximizing the impact of Biden-era investments in Cleveland.
• [04:00] Two main areas that the city is allocating its recent investments.

• [06:09] How Mayor Bibb plans to leverage technological advancements to benefit Cleveland.

• [08:00] The once-in-a-generation opportunity that investment is affording cities.

• [09:38] Climate resilience in Cleveland and Mayor Bibb’s advocacy in this area.

• [11:40] The evolving role of mayors and the movement toward a country of city-states.

• [13:17] Predictions for Ohio’s voting and the unique opportunity to work together as Democrats and Republicans.

• [14:20] Expunging low-level marijuana convictions in his first year of office.

• [16:08] How Mayor Bibb uses structure to ensure he honors his priorities.

Recorded at the NewDEAL Forum Ideas Summit in Phoenix, AZ, this week’s episode features infectious disease doctor and Iowa State Representative Megan Srinivas. She and co-host Ryan Coonerty talk about her journey as the child of immigrants in a small Iowa town, to a life changing visit to Kenya, to Harvard, and back to Iowa home to represent disadvantaged communities. They discuss her storytelling strategies to create a middle ground on key issues like abortion and why medical professionals are well-positioned to run for office. Srinivas also explains how she embraces the diverse experiences of Iowans to align her messaging on key policy issues with people’s needs. Tune in to learn about her big policy ideas rooted in her unique background and how she balances her medical and legislative duties.
 
• [01:06] An introduction to Iowa Representative Dr. Megan Srinivas and what motivates her to
work in the legislature while practicing medicine.

• [05:30] Her work to improve the Prior Authorization policy in the form of a bipartisan bill.
• [07:42] A trip to rural Kenya that transformed how she relates to others.

• [09:17] Formative experiences that sparked Dr. Srivas’s interest in global health and policy.

• [13:02] Applying global practices to rural Iowa by adopting a broader interpretation of
healthcare.

• [16:42] Reframing key policies in order to create a middle ground with those who disagree.

• [19:38] Iowa’s identity as a Purple State and what it takes to connect with Iowans.

• [22:35] Predictions for 2024 and the messaging necessary to move the needle.

• [24:45] Advice for healthcare practitioners who might want to run for office.

• [26:01] How being a medical professional has helped Dr. Srinivas to build relationships.

• [29:23] The dearth of mental health support and facilities in Iowa and what needs to change.

• [31:46] Why there is an education crisis in Iowa and how this could be solved.

• [33:22] How Dr. Srinivas chooses to focus her energy in order to enact change.

Recorded at the NewDEAL Forum Ideas Summit in Phoenix, AZ, this week’s special episode features Oregon State Representative and recently elected majority leader Ben Bowman. He recaps Oregon’s uniquely short legislative session, shares what the rest of the country can learn from the state’s approaches to housing and addiction, and highlights the importance of campaign finance reforms. Ryan and Bowman also talk about his professional journey, his early engagement in public service through student government, and how he aims to foster bipartisan relationships in his new role. Tune in to hear his advice for other young, LGBTQ+ leaders who are interested in getting involved in public service but are afraid their voices won’t be heard. 
 
 
• [01:51] Ben Bowman highlights the recent Oregon Legislature short session and his
appointment as majority leader.

• [03:18] The key housing issues that were discussed and possible changes on the horizon.
• [05:35] Assessing the Oregon housing market and in particular, affordability.

• [06:51] How Oregon aims to curb its addiction crisis, and a brief look at California’s plans.
• [13:11] Our guest walks us through his state’s campaign finance reforms.

• [15:03] Ben’s professional journey and why he joined public service at such a young age.

• [19:15] His advice to minorities who want to get into public service but are too afraid to do so.

• [21:11] How he views his new role as majority leader, and how he plans to get the job done.

• [24:13] The bipartisan relationships he’d like to foster as majority leader.

• [26:14] Oregon in 2034, as projected by Ben.
 

In our latest episode, co-host Ryan Coonety talks with Michigan Senator and Congressional candidate Kristen McDonald Rivet. They discuss Michigan’s Democratic leadership and how the state is adapting to the changing economy, addressing the public’s frustration with out-of-touch leaders, and enduring threats from extremist insurrectionists. Senator McDonald Rivet discusses her caucus’s priority of improving the economy and how, with the newly instated Democratic trifecta in the state, she has successfully championed the Working Family Tax Credit. In addition, she explains that, although Democrats have earned impressive successes, there are still political divides across Michigan with the public showing signs of frustration. McDonald Rivet talks about her journey in and out of public service positions and offers critical insights on building coalitions centered around a singular cause. Tune in to learn why she believes leading with hope is essential for the future of our country.
 
IN THIS EPISODE
[01:05] An introduction to Michigan State Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet.
[02:02] Senator McDonald Rivet offers an overview of the current political climate in Michigan, which she refers to as ‘The Blue Wall’ of the midwest.
[03:37] Legislative changes and the economic focus behind the senator’s ‘Michigan Dream.’
[08:55] How policies championed by Michigan Democrats are translating to political sentiment on the ground.
[11:55] Reclaiming the concept of patriotism with a sense of hope.
[15:00] How working on Head Start programs with impacted families has changed her approach to policymaking and governing.
[16:00] Senator McDonald Rivet’s move into elected office after working behind the scenes.
[18:13] Why building a coalition starts with one person.
[23:20] What McDonald Rivet thinks is often behind the decision to vote for Trump in Michigan communities.
[25:20] Her decision to run for Congress and how she hopes to lead if elected.
 

In today’s special bonus episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Arizona Corporation Commissioner Anna Tovar about last week’s state Supreme Court ruling to resurrect an 1864 near-total abortion ban. Commissioner Tovar gives us an on-the-ground report of the ruling and the fallout in Arizona, including the decision led by extremist Republicans in the state legislature to block an appeal of the draconian law. They also talk about a recent poll conducted by NewDEAL showing that a strong majority of Arizonans believe that the government should protect reproductive rights and, by a large margin, believe that Democrats, more than Republicans, are working to protect the basic freedoms that are important to them. Tovar tells us what the ruling means for Arizona’s election this November, including a potential ballot measure to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution and the fate of two Arizona Supreme Court justices who are on the ballot. Tune in to hear Tovar talk about the work happening on the ballot measure and find more information on our polling at www.newdealleaders.org.