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Latest episodes from Generally Assembled

Helping the Service Industry – Generally Assembled – 10-10-24

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2024 23:50


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper discuss the struggles facing the service industry in PA; Also, bucket list concerts and backhanded compliments.

Career Education, Halloween Candy, and National Pride – Generally Assembled – 10-3-24

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2024 29:03


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper discuss career and technical education, favorite Halloween candy, and their faith in the dominance of American golf.

Missed Opportunities – Generally Assembled – 9-17-24

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2024 21:46


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper discuss the unfinished business still before the House as we approach the final session weeks of the year.

The Cool Side of the Pillow – Generally Assembled – 7-5-24

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2024 17:02


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper discuss late budgets – who is impacted and how this affects negotiations moving forward.

Like Planning a Family Vacation – Generally Assembled – 6-28-24

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2024 20:55


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper compare the budget process to family vacation planning, debate the power of milkshakes, and suggest some relaxation techniques.

Budgeting for a Diverse Commonwealth – Generally Assembled – 6-21-24

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2024 26:46


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper discuss the process as we dive into the final week before the state budget deadline.

Transforming PA's Education System – Generally Assembled – 6-13-24

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2024 28:23


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper discuss the shortfalls of House Democrats' latest education funding proposal and get everyone in the spirit of summer for Father's Day.

Not a Continental Divide, A Political One – Generally Assembled – 6-6-24

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2024 20:06


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper discuss the events and natural wonders of PA, and also talk Education funding and the State Budget.

House Back to Full Strength – Generally Assembled – 5-23-24

Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2024 21:46


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper talk about the PA House returning to its full complement, Topper describes the experience of a first-time member; Golf and law enforcement controversy.

As Optimistic as a Pirates' Fan – Generally Assembled – 5-9-24

Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2024 20:05


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper discuss how Pennsylvania should deal with a budget surplus, umpiring technique, and entertainment reviews.

Spending Other Peoples' Money – Generally Assembled – 5-2-24

Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2024 18:18


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper discuss the upcoming budget negotiations, including how government should treat taxpayer dollars; also, umpiring philosophy.

A Great Career in Saying Development – Generally Assembled – 4-18-24

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2024 28:13


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper discuss the origin of iconic phrases, the goals for higher education in PA, and a quite thorough Master's recap.

Making Higher Ed. Work for Pennsylvania – Generally Assembled – 4-11-24

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2024 21:33


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper discuss higher education policy in PA, the Pirates' hot start, and Master's predictions.

Making Higher Ed. Work for Pennsylvania – Generally Assembled – 4-11-24

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2024 21:33


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper discuss higher education policy in PA, the Pirates' hot start, and Master's predictions.

Voter ID and Energy Policy – Generally Assembled – 3-28-24

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2024 22:04


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper discuss election security and Voter ID, as well as the difference between wishful thinking and sound energy policy in PA.

90 Day Fiancé Budget – Generally Assembled – 3-22-24

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2024 22:43


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper discuss Gov. Shapiro's energy policies, next steps in state budget negotiations, and some love for Scottie Scheffler.

Education Funding, Golf Aspirations – Generally Assembled – 3-7-24

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2024 19:32


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper discuss the House Appropriations Committee Budget Hearings in Harrisburg, and how the Commonwealth funds Education. Also, spring golf fever, and some discussion of “NASCAR Vehicles.”

School Choice in PA – Generally Assembled – 1-24-24

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2024 21:28


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper return to discuss School Choice in PA – how we must balance support for public schools with the need to provide quality education options to those in struggling districts. Also, Jason manifests a good day, and a rare golf achievement.

Too Many Farm Show Milkshakes? – Generally Assembled – 1-10-24

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2024 30:30


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper return from the holiday season to discuss the wonders of the PA Farm Show – including the milkshakes – how to address issues with public faith in higher education, and the end of an era for Nike Golf.

No Get Out of Jail Free Card – Generally Assembled – 12-15-23

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2023 23:00


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper discuss a House Democrat proposal to let convicted criminals out of prison early, urgency to complete legislative priorities before a 3 month recess, and a tax increase under the guise of a family medical leave program.

Another Brick in the Wall – Generally Assembled – 11-16-23

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2023 19:57


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper are back to discuss education issues – Successfully funding higher education, Issues remain on educational tax credits and the school code.

House Republicans Making Higher Ed More Affordable – Generally Assembled – 11-2-23

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2023 20:37


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper return to action – Discussion includes House passage of funding for State Related Universities, along with transparency and tuition freeze provisions.

We Have to Accomplish Something – Generally Assembled – 9-28-23

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2023 19:42


Jason Gottesman and State Rep. Jesse Topper are back to discuss the legislation that has been achieved (or not) this year, the debate over education funding in PA, and Ryder Cup predictions.

Update from the Bunker - Generally Assembled – 7-20-23

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2023 12:24


Jason Gottesman and Mike Straub cover the latest in the PA budget stalemate, and how House Democrats are prioritizing political positioning over ensuring the future of our schools and state operations.

More than a Podcast - Generally Assembled – 6-23-23

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2023 22:40


Jason Gottesman and Jesse Topper discuss budget negotiations, the results of loose fiscal policy, and how Democrat planning has put the Commonwealth behind the 8-ball when it comes to passing a spending plan on time.

The Pendulum Will Swing - Generally Assembled – 6-15-23

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2023 13:24


Jason Gottesman and Jesse Topper talk about the difference between governing for show and taking responsibility for the Commonwealth's finances and the prudence of acting for the present at the expense of the future; Also I-95 and transportation infrastructure.

Spending Like There's No Tomorrow - Generally Assembled – 6-8-23

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2023 20:07


Jason Gottesman, Mike Straub and Jesse Topper talk about the Budget passed by House Democrats that would spell fiscal disaster for the Commonwealth, what should be done to address a shortage of teachers in PA, and golf merger news.

Getting Down to Business - Generally Assembled – 5-25-23

Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2023 21:14


Jason Gottesman, Mike Straub and Jesse Topper talk about the politicization of House proceedings, and the upcoming responsibilities that lawmakers must concentrate on in the coming months. Also, hot golf takes.

Keystone Commitment to the People of PA - Generally Assembled – 5-12-23

Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2023 12:15


Jason Gottesman and Mike Straub discuss a blueprint for the future of the Commonwealth – the Keystone Commitment. Tackling issues that matter to the people of PA.

Was There A Dunkin Discount? - Generally Assembled – 4-28-23

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2023 14:34


Jason Gottesman and Jesse Topper discuss how the Democrat-run House's slow start is already exerting budget pressure, how the pandemic response has affected the labor market, and Jesse's first “senior moment.”

The North Star of Education - Generally Assembled – 3-31-23

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2023 23:08


Jason Gottesman, Mike Straub, and Jesse Topper discuss how the Commonwealth must re-imagine our public education system to better serve students, and how this will affect budget negotiations; also – stories of learning to drive and baseball's opening day.

Chasing the Game - Generally Assembled – 3-22-23

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2023 19:15


Jason Gottesman and Jesse Topper discuss the Education budget, what our priorities should be when it comes to schools, the World Baseball Classic and March Madness.

Resignation, Budget, Banks, and a Lost Chicken - Generally Assembled – 3-16-23

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2023 11:05


Jason Gottesman and Mike Straub review the week's events, including a member's resignation; a closer look at the Governor's budget proposal, banks under duress, and a story about a lost chicken.

Should've Taken the Over - Generally Assembled – 3-9-23

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2023 16:13


Jesse Topper and Jason Gottesman discuss the Governor's long-winded budget proposal – some good ideas like regulatory reform, some bad ideas like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and some trickery in shifting some spending away from public scrutiny – also - sneaker shopping wisdom.

Budget Address Pregame - Generally Assembled – 3-7-23

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2023 17:49


Jesse Topper and Jason Gottesman speculate about the Governor's inaugural budget address, examine the tactics being employed to stifle economic growth, and discuss how crime is hurting Philadelphia and the Commonwealth as a whole.

Focus on Education - Generally Assembled – 2-23-23

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2023 23:15


Jesse Topper rejoins Jason Gottesman and Mike Straub for discussion on how the debate on education should be focused on students rather than simply dollars and cents, unprecedented special session House Rules, and a little sports and entertainment.

Education Funding, Rozzi Rules - Generally Assembled – 2-17-23

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2023 10:15


Jason Gottesman and Mike Straub are back to discuss how a recent court decision affects education funding in PA, the House's lack of action under Speaker Rozzi, and what really matters to the people of the Commonwealth.

By The Way… Did You Know… It's Generally Assembled – 1-26-23

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2023 16:25


Jason Gottesman and Mike Straub join Rep. Torren Ecker from BTWDYK, and Rep. Thomas Kutz for a discussion on Voter ID, citizen confidence in our voting system, and Jason's take on Chicago based TV dramas.

Next-Gen Governor - Generally Assembled – 1-19-23

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2023 14:40


Jason Gottesman and co-host Mike Straub discuss the inauguration of a new Governor in PA, and what to expect from a new chief executive who is well-experienced in government, but significantly younger than his predecessor.

Razor-Thin Margins - Generally Assembled – 1-13-23

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2023 12:50


Jason Gottesman and co-host Mike Straub talk about the challenges facing the State House when operating with the parties so evenly matched; Also, Coffee and Doomscrolling Twitter Feeds – or how to stay sane during Special Session.

Plot Twist! - Generally Assembled – 1-6-23

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2023 15:18


Jason Gottesman and co-host Mike Straub discuss the election of an independent speaker, and what that means for the next two years in Harrisburg… Also, fever-dreams of Hawaiian golf vacations.

Game Mismanagement - Generally Assembled – 12-22-22

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2022 15:21


Jason Gottesman and co-host Mike Straub deliver an update to the December Democrat Power Play, outline the normal procedure for special elections, and discuss holiday traditions.

An Advent Calendar of Legislative Minutiae - Generally Assembled – 12-15-22

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2022 17:00


Jason Gottesman and new co-host Mike Straub discuss December drama including fuzzy Democrat math, an attempt at redefining what party has majority power, and World Cup predictions.

Chastity Belt Approach to Governing - Generally Assembled – 11-17-22

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2022 18:18


Jason Gottesman, Jesse Topper, and Jordan Frei look back at the last 8 years of the Wolf administration and debate the proper role of government in the lives of citizens as our world moves toward the future; also – a theory on the origin of the beard.

PA Supreme Court: Election Laws Count - Generally Assembled – 11-3-22

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2022 18:31


Jason Gottesman and Mike Straub hit the studio to discuss the World Series, and how the PA Supreme Court has shown its support for election law as written, when it comes to mail-in ballots.

Acting to Fix Philly's Crime Problem - Generally Assembled – 10-31-22

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2022 14:52


Rep. Jesse Topper returns to join Jason Gottesman for another lively discussion of the latest developments in the Larry Krasner Saga; Also, diet and fashion for the bow-tie set.

Krasner Being Krasner - Generally Assembled – 10-21-22

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2022 18:08


Jason Gottesman is joined by guest-host Anthony Tezak to discuss how the latest developments in the Larry Krasner Philly Crime Saga; also, what is canon in the Alien universe?.

Election Confusion, Farewell to Neal - Generally Assembled – 10-14-22

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2022 15:27


Jason Gottesman is joined by guest-host Greg Gross to discuss how the US Supreme Court's recent election decision affects the Commonwealth, and a fond farewell to co-host Neal Lesher.

Deregulating PA, Jason v. Benedictine Monks - Generally Assembled – 9-22-22

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2022 17:18


Jason Gottesman and Neal Lesher are joined by Rep. Jesse Topper to talk about efforts to improve the business climate in PA by reducing and eliminating burdensome regulations. Also, Jason's voice offends a Monastery.

Impossible Whopper, Krasner Ignores Subpoena - Generally Assembled – 9-15-22

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2022 17:02


Jason Gottesman and Neal Lesher are joined by Reps Jesse Topper and Torren Ecker for discussion on Larry Krasner, and the awarding of the annual Generally Assembled golf trophies, and the ignominious consumption of Impossible Whoppers.

Get Out of Jail Free, Collect $2000 - Generally Assembled – 9-1-22

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2022 15:45


Jason Gottesman and Neal Lesher discuss the Wolf administration's push for more free money, and their ongoing efforts to let more criminals out of prison.

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