Podcasts about house agriculture

A House Agriculture reconciliation markup resumes while other panels also continue their markups. A Budget Committee requirement could be a stumbling block in the reconciliation process. Top Trump appointees continue their appearances before Congress regarding the fiscal 2026 budget proposal. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

ventual SALT cap debates loom over a Ways and Means budget reconciliation markup. Medicaid cuts are on the table at a House Energy and Commerce markup, though more controversial provisions have been avoided. States could be sharing SNAP costs under the House Agriculture reconciliation proposal that's getting marked up starting this evening. Jacob Fulton has your CQ Morning Briefing for Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

This week at the state capitol, Greg Whitehead, the Special Agent in charge of Tennessee's Ag Crime Unit, gave a presentation to the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on the response he and several of his officers provided to the ag community in Northeast Tennessee in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

The leaders of the House Agriculture committee shared their thoughts on developing a new farm bill at today's American Farm Bureau Convention in San Antonio. 

This week's Open Mic guest is former House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson.  The Minnesota Democrat is concerned how misinformation in the campaign for the White House is impacting voters across the nation. Peterson believes there's still time for the Congress to approve a new farm bill, but admits the results of the election could determine the political will for approving new policy.  Peterson says the respective agriculture committee's can approve final language of the bill, but will need the leaders of Congress to approve additional funds to pay for needed updates in both farm and nutrition programs.

Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Vice President of Government Affairs Ariel Wiegard for a conversation in Washington, D.C. with U.S. House Agriculture Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson focused on farm bill legislation. A republican from rural Pennsylvania, Chairman Thompson talks about the bi-partisan nature of the farm bill's conservation title II and the legislation's intersection between farming, ranching, hunting, and fishing. Episode Highlights: • Chairman Thompson kicks off the conversation with a story of how his shotgun ended up in Jamaica on his way to a duck hunt in Arkansas that nearly resulted in him bringing home a new Labrador retriever puppy from a Ducks Unlimited banquet. • Chairman Thompson talks about his work on the House's farm bill language that includes improved soil rental rates for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and a tripling in funding for Voluntary Public Access – Habitat Incentives Program (VPA-HIP). • Chairman Thompson also “handicaps the race” to get a new farm bill across the finish line before the current bill expires. onX Hunt is a proud supporter of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever and they want to thank everyone who gives back to the birds we all love to hunt and the places they call home. Click this link to get a free month of onX Hunt and then use code PFQF to get 20% off, and a portion will go back to supporting Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever's wildlife habitat mission.

Welcome to The Nonlinear Library, where we use Text-to-Speech software to convert the best writing from the Rationalist and EA communities into audio. This is: We Did It! - Victory for Octopus in Washington State, published by Tessa @ ALI on March 15, 2024 on The Effective Altruism Forum. In 2022, Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) led the charge in Banding Together to Ban Octopus Farming. In 2024, we are ecstatic to see these efforts come to fruition in Washington State. This landmark achievement underscores our collective commitment to rejecting the introduction of additional animals into the seafood system and positions Washington State as a true pioneer in aquatic animal welfare legislation. In light of this success, ALI is joining forces with various organizations to advocate for similar bans across the United States and utilizing these monumental examples as leverage in continuous European endeavors. 2022 Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) and members of the Aquatic Animal Alliance (AAA) comment on the Environmental Impact of Nueva Pescanova before the Government of the Canary Islands: General Directorate of Fisheries and the General Directorate for the Fight against Climate Change and the Environment. Allowing this industrial octopus farm to operate could result in serious bio security and biophysical risks with regard to effluents being produced from this facility and discharged to surrounding waterways. There were many issues associated with the information provided by Nueva Pescanova as it relates to the environmental impacts of the proposed project, which we addressed in detail. Through the launch of Aquatic Life Institute's Octopus Farming Ban Campaign, we exposed the dangers of Nueva Pescanova's commercial octopus farm in Gran Canaria, as well as an octopus farm in Yucatan, Mexico, masquerading as a research facility (Hiding in Plain Sight). 2023 If permitted to operate, just one farm could potentially produce 1 million octopuses each year. In an attempt to dissuade future development of this unsustainable and cruel farming endeavor, ALI pushed initiatives via our seafood certification campaign and focused on the certified marketability of this potential seafood "product" through the Aquaculture Certification Schemes Animal Welfare Benchmark. ALI expanded on our prior concerns related to impacts on animal welfare, the environment, and public health being priority points of intervention during conversations with seafood certification schemes as a premise for prohibition. As a result, RSPCA published a statement denouncing plans for the world's first octopus farm and Friend of the Sea provided us with a direct quotation explicitly stating they will not certify this species. If global seafood certifications refuse to create a "price premium" market for this product, perhaps this could serve as an indication to producers and investors that such products will not be welcomed or worth it. These demonstrations of opposition are a testament to our attempts at rejecting a dangerous development before it is an industrial disaster and translates to the prevention of unnecessary suffering for millions of animals. Through collaborative efforts with members of the Aquatic Animal Alliance (AAA) and the Aquatic Animal Policy focus group (AAP), spearheaded by the Aquatic Life Institute, we actively advocated for HB 1153 in Washington State. Several ALI team members were present during the public hearing for the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee to vote on HB 1153 - Prohibiting Octopus Farming and submitted subsequent written testimony in support. Our extensive communications with decision makers contributed to a series of successful milestones, ultimately resulting in its enactment into law. 2024 February proved to be a fast and furious month as we witnessed history being made: February 6, 2024: HB 1153 is pulled and passes the House Floor. February 14, 2024: ALI wrote to all Washington's Senate Senators of the Agriculture,...

Click to listen to episode (4:59). Sections below are the following:Transcript of AudioAudio Notes and AcknowledgmentsImagesExtra Information about the Virginia General AssemblySourcesRelated Water Radio EpisodesFor Virginia Teachers (Relevant SOLs, etc.)Unless otherwise noted, all Web addresses mentioned were functional as of 1-5-24. TRANSCRIPT OF AUDIO From the Cumberland Gap to the Atlantic Ocean, this is Virginia Water Radio for the weeks of January 8 and January 15, 2024. MUSIC – ~12 sec – instrumental. That excerpt of “Dance of the Aisle,” by No Strings Attached, opens our annual preview of the Virginia General Assembly.  On January 10, 100 members of the House of Delegates and 40 members of the Senate will gather in Richmond for their 2024 session, during which they'll renew what you might call the “dance” of working across the symbolic “aisle” between political parties.  The steps this year will be performed by a noticeably different group of people, because the 2023 elections resulted in significant changes in the age and years of service of the Assembly's membership.  Have a listen to the music for about 25 more seconds, and see if you know how the following pairs of numbers describe those membership changes:34 and 17;74 and 40;9 and 21;and, last, 52 and 34; MUSIC – ~24 sec – instrumental. If you knew some or all of these, you're a General Assembly genius! The 2024 General Assembly will have 34 new delegates and 17 new senators.Seventy-four members have served four years or less, compared to 40 such members in 2023.Nine members have served 20 years or more, compared to 21 such members in 2023.And 52 members will be age 45 or younger, compared to 34 such members in 2023. [Information not in audio: that the numbers for 2024, taken from the Virginia Public Access Project's Web site on January 4, 2024, do not include one House member and one Senate member who were to be chosen in special elections on January 9, 2024.] The General Assembly convenes each year on the second Wednesday in January.  So-called “long sessions” of 60 days are held in even-numbered years, while 30-to-45-day “short sessions” are held in odd-numbered years.  A new biennial budget is proposed in each even-numbered year, while amendments to the current budget may be considered every year. Besides the budget, the General Assembly typically considers two-to-three thousand bills and resolutions.  Usually about 150 to 200 of those measures relate to water resources, either directly through impacts on aquatic environments, water supplies, or other water uses, or indirectly through impacts on energy and land uses that, in turn, affect water.  The budget also affects water, especially through funding of natural resource-related departments, such as Conservation and Recreation, Environmental Quality, Wildlife Resources, and the Marine Resources Commission. Action on General Assembly measures involves sub-committees, full committees, and floor debate.  Passed bills go to the governor for approval, veto, or proposed changes, and bills with a governor's veto or proposed changes return to the Assembly for further consideration during a “reconvened session,” scheduled for April.   All along the way, citizens, interest groups, and other stakeholders vie to have a say.  You can join in by following the Assembly's work and by communicating with your local delegate or senator about issues of concern.  Tools to help you do so are available online at virginiageneralassembly.gov. Thanks to Randy Marchany for permission to use this week's music, and we close with about 15 more seconds of “Dance of the Aisle.” MUSIC – ~16 sec – instrumental. SHIP'S BELL Virginia Water Radio is produced by the Virginia Water Resources Research Center, part of Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment.  For more Virginia water sounds, music, or information, visit us online at virginiawaterradio.org, or call the Water Center at (540) 231-5624.  Thanks to Stewart Scales for his banjo version of “Cripple Creek” to open and close this episode.  In Blacksburg, I'm Alan Raflo, thanking you for listening, and wishing you health, wisdom, and good water. AUDIO NOTES AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS “Dance of the Aisle,” on the 1999 album “In the Vinyl Tradition Volume 2,” is copyright by No Strings Attached and Enessay Music, used with permission.  More information about No Strings Attached—a long-time Blacksburg- and Roanoke-based band which is no longer performing—is available online at http://www.enessay.com/index.html. Click here if you'd like to hear the full version (1 min./11 sec.) of the “Cripple Creek” arrangement/performance by Stewart Scales that opens and closes this episode.  More information about Mr. Scales and the group New Standard, with which Mr. Scales plays, is available online at http://newstandardbluegrass.com. IMAGESThe Virginia State Capitol Building in Richmond.  Image from the Virginia General Assembly, “Capitol Classroom,” accessed online at https://capclass.virginiageneralassembly.gov/High/AbouttheCapitol/CapitolHigh.html, 1/8/24.Screen shot of the Virginia Legislative Information System's online site for following legislation in the 2024 Virginia General Assembly, accessed at https://lis.virginia.gov/lis.htm, 1/8/24. EXTRA INFORMATION ABOUT THE VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY The General Assembly's main Web page, http://virginiageneralassembly.gov/index.php, offers several useful features, including member lists, session calendars, live video of floor sessions, and information on legislative processes.  The Legislative Information System (LIS) Web site, http://lis.virginia.gov/lis.htm, provides lists and summaries of all bills, searchable by topic, member, committee, etc.   For budget information specifically, see https://budget.lis.virginia.gov/. Video streams of sessions and meetings for both the House of Delegates and the Senate, including committees, are available online at https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/membersAndSession.php?secid=1&activesec=0#!hb=1&mainContentTabs=0. Committees are key parts of the General Assembly process.  Legislation about water or about activities that can affect water may be assigned to any of several standing committees, most of which meet weekly during the General Assembly session.  Two committees that receive many (but not all) of the water-related bills are the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee.  Information about all standing committees as of the 2024 session—including membership, meeting times, and legislation being considered—is available online at https://lis.virginia.gov/241/com/COM.HTM. To express an opinion on legislation, citizens are advised to contact their respective delegate of senator.  If you do not know your representatives or their contact information, you can use the online “Who's My Legislator” service, available at http://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/.  You can also find members' contact information at these links: House of Delegates, at http://virginiageneralassembly.gov/house/members/members.php; State Senate, at https://apps.senate.virginia.gov/Senator/. The Lobbyist-In-A-Box subscriber service also offers free tracking for up to five bills, and it offers tracking of more than five bills for a fee; visit http://lis.virginia.gov/h015.htm.  For more information or assistance, phone Legislative Automated Systems at (804) 786-9631 or Virginia Interactive at (804) 318-4133. The organization Open Virginia's Richmond Sunlight Web site, at https://www.richmondsunlight.com/, also offers tools for following the General Assembly and for learning about Virginia law. SOURCES USED FOR AUDIO AND OFFERING MORE INFORMATION Ballotpedia, “Virginia General Assembly,” online at https://ballotpedia.org/Virginia_General_Assembly. Andrew Cain, “Meet the 17 new state senators,” Richmond Times-Dispatch, November 24. 2023. David McGee, “'Road to Richmond”: Predictions vary on upcoming General Assembly session,” Bristol Herald-Courier, January 4, 2024. The Modern Republic, “Reach Across the Aisle,” online at https://www.modernrepublic.org/reach-across-the-aisle. Virginia Department of Elections, “January 9, 2024 General Assembly  Special Elections,” online at https://www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/candidate-list/january-9-2024-general-assembly-special-elections/, accessed 1-4-24. Virginia General Assembly, online at https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/index.php.  See particularly the following specific pages (all hyperlinked): About the General Assembly; Citizen Involvement; Legislative Terms. Virginia Public Access Project, online at https://www.vpap.org/, 1-4-24.  The main menu has a tab for “Legislators/Demographics,” online at https://www.vpap.org/general-assembly/legislators/, and there one can use a drop-down function to look for political party, gender, race, age, etc., and compare to previous sessions. Virginia Legislative Information System, online at https://lis.virginia.gov/.Virginia Water Resources Research Center, “Virginia Water Legislation,” online at https://www.vwrrc.vt.edu/virginia-water-legislation/.  This site provides access to inventories of water-related bills in the Virginia General Assembly from 1998 through 2023. RELATED VIRGINIA WATER RADIO EPISODES All Water Radio episodes are listed by category at the Index link above (http://www.virginiawaterradio.org/p/index.html).  See particularly the “Community/Organizations” subject category. Following are links to other episodes on the Virginia General Assembly. Episode 143, 1-7-13 – “Music for the Past and Present of the Virginia General Assembly” (annual General Assembly introduction). Episode 147, 2-4-13 – “Committees Guide the Flow of Bills in the Virginia General Assembly.” Episode 196, 1-13-14 – “The Virginia General Assembly on its 396th Opening Day, January 8, 2014” (annual General Assembly introduction). Episode 247, 1-5-15 – “January Means State Budget Time in the Virginia General Assembly” (annual General Assembly introduction, with a special focus on the state budget). Episode 252, 2-9-15 – “Voting on Water in the 2015 Virginia General Assembly.” Episode 297, 1-4-16 – “Water's on the Agenda—along with a Whole Lot Else—When the Virginia General Assembly Convenes” (annual General Assembly introduction). Episode 302, 2-8-16 – “Voting on Water in the 2016 Virginia General Assembly.” Episode 350, 1-9-17 – “Old English Music Helps Preview the Old Dominion's 2017 General Assembly” (annual General Assembly introduction). Episode 353, 1-30-17 – “Voting on Water in the 2017 Virginia General Assembly.” Episode 359, 3-13-17 – “Subcommittees are Where Many Proposed Virginia Laws Start to Float or Sink.” Episode 402, 1-8-18 – “The Virginia Legislature Begins Its 400th Year in 2018” (annual General Assembly introduction). Episode 405, 1-29-18 – “Voting on Water in the 2018 Virginia General Assembly.” Episode 410, 3-5-18 – “Virginia Electricity Regulation and Water” (on legislation in the 2018 session on electricity regulation). Episode 454, 1-7-19 – “The Virginia General Assembly, from Jamestown in 1619 to Richmond in 2019” (annual General Assembly introduction). Episode 460, 2-18-19 – “Voting on Water in the 2018 Virginia General Assembly.” Episode 506, 1-6-20 – “Action on Budget, Bills, and Other Business Commences January 8 for the 2020 Virginia General Assembly” (annual General Assembly introduction). Episode 510, 2-3-20 – “Voting on Water in the 2020 Virginia General Assembly.” Episode 522, 4-27-20 – “Virginia Enacts a New Energy Era” (on legislation in the 2020 session on electricity generation, carbon emissions, and recurrent flooding). Episode 558, 1-4-21 – “January 13 is Opening Day for the 2021 Virginia General Assembly” (annual General Assembly introduction). Episode 562, 2-1-21 – “Voting on Water in the 2021 Virginia General Assembly.”Episode 611, 1-10-22 – “The Second Wednesday in January Means the Virginia General Assembly Convenes” (annual General Assembly introduction). Episode 614, 1-31-22 – “Voting on Water in the 2022 Virginia General Assembly.”Episode 646, 1-9-23 – “”Near Richmond's James River Falls, Each Second Wednesday in January Calls the Virginia General Assembly to Order” (annual General Assembly introduction).Episode 647, 1-23-23 – “Virginia's State Budget and Money for Water.”Episode 648, 2-6-23: “Voting on Water in the 2023 Virginia General Assembly.” FOR VIRGINIA TEACHERS – RELATED STANDARDS OF LEARNING (SOLs) AND OTHER INFORMATION Following are some Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) that may be supported by this episode's audio/transcript, sources, or other information included in this post. 2020 Music SOLs SOLs at various grade levels that call for “examining the relationship of music to the other fine arts and other fields of knowledge.” 2018 Science SOLs Grades K-5 – Earth Resources 3.8 – Na

It's been more than two months that California Senator Dianne Feinstein has been away from Capitol Hill, as she recovers from a case of shingles that left her hospitalized in March. Her absence has created a critical vacancy on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and her fellow Democrats say it's hurting their ability to confirm judges nominated by President Joe Biden. Now the list of Democrats calling on Feinstein to resign is growing, amid Republican lawmakers' ongoing refusal to seat a temporary replacement on the Committee. We'll talk about the political impacts of Feinstein's extended absence. Guests: Ro Khanna, U.S. Congressman, California's 17th Congressional District (Silicon Valley); chairman, House Subcommittee on the Environment; member, House Oversight, House Agriculture and House Armed Services committees Annie Karni, congressional correspondent, New York Times Joanne Kenen, journalist in-residence, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health

On this week's episode of The Agri-Biz Show, we hear from Paul Coppin and Sean Estenson of Valley United Co-op about fertilizer trends entering the new growing season, highlights from a U.S. House Agriculture subcommittee hearing on producer priorities for the new farm bill, and the Red River Valley Fair's "Livestock Enrichment Program" for area youth with Cody Cashman and Elizabeth Birkemeyer.  Hosted by Rusty Halvorson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tokuda's Speaks up in First Congress Votes. The hosts for this show are Stephanie Dalton and Jay Fidell. The guest is Jill Tokuda. This episode's guest is U.S. Representative Jill Takuda, who serves Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District. She discusses her concern to stay on top of all Hawaii's islands' issues from the beginning of her term. She reports on her recent visit to the state to present her plans and activities to benefit Hawai'i at the federal level. She explains her new responsibilities in the U.S. Congress as an appointed member to the House Agriculture and Armed Services Committees. The ThinkTech YouTube Playlist for this show is https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQpkwcNJny6kM9iSIOM9VYSO4dIoRJXz1 Please visit our ThinkTech website at https://thinktechhawaii.com and see our Think Tech Advisories at https://thinktechadvisories.blogspot.com.

House Agriculture Ranking Member David Scott opposes additional work requirements  for SNAP recipients.

Weather patterns were both boom and bust for North Dakota farmer Paul Thomas. We check in for a third time to see how the year finished for him on his crops. We also find out how his other job - a legislator and the bills under consideration in the committee he chairs - House Agriculture.

CLICK HERE to listen to episode audio (5:58).Sections below are the following: Transcript of Audio Audio Notes and Acknowledgments ImageExtra InformationSourcesRelated Water Radio Episodes For Virginia Teachers (Relevant SOLs, etc.). Unless otherwise noted, all Web addresses mentioned were functional as of 2-3-23.TRANSCRIPT OF AUDIO From the Cumberland Gap to the Atlantic Ocean, this is Virginia Water Radio for the weeks of February 6 and February 13, 2023.  This is the last of a series of three planned episodes this winter on the Virginia General Assembly. MUSIC – ~12 sec – instrumental. That's part of “Midwinter Etude,” by Timothy Seaman of Williamsburg, Va.  The astronomical midwinter date of February 3 was also just about the midpoint of the Virginia General Assembly's planned 46-day session for 2023.  This year, the Assembly has been considering nearly 2400 bills, including budget bills with proposed amendments to the current biennial budget.  About 130 of those bills involve water, either focusing specifically on water resources or on land uses that have impacts on water. This is Virginia Water Radio's annual episode giving youa chance to imagine being an Assembly member, and to consider how you'd vote on some water-related measures.  I'll briefly describe nine measures.  After each description, you'll have a few seconds of a ticking clock sound to decide if you would vote for or against the idea, and then I'll give the measure's status, as of February 3. Nos. 1 and 2.  House Bill 2004 would require Virginia natural and historic resource agencies to establish policies and procedures for consulting with federally recognized Tribal Nations in Virginia when the agencies evaluate certain permits that potentially could impact those Tribal Nations.  [SOUND – ~2 sec – ticking]  The bill was in a House committee, while its companion bill, Senate Bill 1332, had passed the Senate. No. 3.  House Bill 1917would require the Board of Health to adopt regulations to adopt regulations governing public swimming pools and other public water recreational facilities.  [SOUND – ~2 sec – ticking]  The bill was in a House committee. No. 4.  Senate Bill 897 would allow the Governor's Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund to be used for aquaculture, and it would specifically designate money from that fund for a Blue Catfish Processing, Flash Freezing, and Infrastructure Grant Program.  [SOUND – ~2 sec – ticking]  The bill had passed the Senate. Nos. 5 and 6.  House Bill 1485and Senate Bill 1129 would (among other provisions) delay for four years or two years, respectively, the effective date for regulatory actions on certain agricultural practices under the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan, which was required by the 2010 federal Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load process.  [SOUND – ~2 sec – ticking]  The House bill had passed the House and was in a Senate committee; the Senate bill was on the Senate floor. Nos. 7 and 8: House Bill 2189 would require certain industries to test their wastewater for several of the substances known collectively as PFAS chemicals and to transmit the results to the relevant wastewater treatment facility.  And Senate Bill 1013 would require waterworks owners to notify customer when certain PFAS chemicals are present in the water supply above certain levels.  [SOUND – ~2 sec – ticking]  The House bill was on the House floor, and the Senate bill had passed the Senate.  And No. 9.  Senate Bill 1012 would prohibit state agencies from using single-use plastic bags, cutlery, straws, water bottles, or food containers, except during a declared state of emergency.  [SOUND – ~2 sec – ticking]  The bill failed in committee. These measures, like most bills or resolutions, involve much more detail than you've heard here, and bills often get amended significantly.  The Assembly's Web site, virginiageneralassembly.gov, has tools to help you get more information and to express your opinions to Assembly members.  The 2023 Virginia General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn on February 25, so time is quickly ticking away. Thanks to Timothy Seaman for permission to use this week's opening music.  We close with another musical selection, whose title reflects the rapid pace of important business that characterizes General Assembly sessions.  Here's about 25 seconds of “The Race,” by the Harrisonburg- and Rockingham County, Va.-based band, The Steel Wheels. MUSIC – ~25 sec – “Tempest turns and the winds are wailing.  Oh we got a race that must be run, oh we got a race that must be run; oh we got a race that must be run, oh we got a race that must be run.” SHIP'S BELL Virginia Water Radio is produced by the Virginia Water Resources Research Center, part of Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment.  For more Virginia water sounds, music, or information, visit us online at virginiawaterradio.org, or call the Water Center at (540) 231-5624.  Thanks to Stewart Scales for his banjo version of “Cripple Creek” to open and close this episode.  In Blacksburg, I'm Alan Raflo, thanking you for listening, and wishing you health, wisdom, and good water. AUDIO NOTES AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS “Midwinter Etude,” from the 1996 album “Incarnation,” is copyright by Timothy Seaman and Pine Wind Music, used with permission.  More information about Mr. Seaman is available online at http://timothyseaman.com/en/.  This music was used previously by Virginia Water Radio most recently in Episode 605, 11-29-21. “The Race,” from the 2013 album “No More Rain,” is copyright by The Steel Wheels, is used with permission.  More information about The Steel Wheels is available online at http://www.thesteelwheels.com/.  This music was used previously by Virginia Water Radio most recently in Episode 519, 4-6-20. Click here if you'd like to hear the full version (1 min./11 sec.) of the “Cripple Creek” arrangement/performance by Stewart Scales that opens and closes this episode.  More information about Mr. Scales and the group New Standard, with which Mr. Scales plays, is available online at http://newstandardbluegrass.com. IMAGES Photos are by Virginia Water Radio. Voting board during the floor session of the Virginia House of Delegates on January 31, 2018.Voting board during a meeting of a subcommittee of the Virginia House of Delegates' Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources, January 31, 2018.EXTRA INFORMATION ABOUT VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY LEGISLATION MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Following are Virginia Legislative Information System (LIS) summaries of the nine bills in the 2023 Virginia General Assembly mentioned in this episode, accessed at http://lis.virginia.gov/on February 6, 2023.  Please note that a bill's provisions often change during the legislative process, so the LIS summaries quoted here may or may not reflect the current provisions of a given bill.  The bill numbers are hyperlinked to the respective LIS pages for each measure. 1. HB 2004 – “SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED: Consultation with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth; permits and reviews with potential impacts on environmental, cultural, and historic resources.  Requires the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Historic Resources, and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to establish policies and procedures for consulting with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth when evaluating certain permits and reviews relating to environmental, cultural, or historic resources that potentially impact those federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth.  The bill directs the Secretary of the Commonwealth to designate an Ombudsman for Tribal Consultation to facilitate communication and consultation with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth.  The bill codifies Executive Order 82 (2021).” 2.  SB 1332 – Companion bill to HB 2004, with same LIS summary as introduced. 3.  HB 1917 – “SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED: Public pools; regulations.  Directs the Board of Health to adopt regulations governing swimming pools and other water recreational facilities operated for public use, including swimming pools and other water recreational facilities operated in conjunction with a tourist facility or health spa.” 4.  SB 897 – “SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE: Governor's Blue Catfish Industries Development Fund established.  Creates the Blue Catfish Processing, Flash Freezing, and Infrastructure Grant Program (Program) and adds aquaculture to the list of eligible activities to receive funds from the Governor's Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund.  Funds awarded by the Governor for blue catfish processing, flash freezing, and infrastructure projects will be awarded as reimbursable grants of no more than $250,000 per grant to political subdivisions to support such projects.  The bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry to develop guidelines for the Program that (i) require that grants be awarded on a competitive basis, (ii) state the criteria the Governor will use in evaluating any grant application, and (iii) favor projects that create processing, flash freezing, and infrastructure capacity in proximity to small-scale blue catfish watermen.  Such guidelines may allow contributions to a project by certain specified entities such as a nonprofit organization or charitable foundation.” 5.  HB 1485 – “SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED: Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan; effective date.  Changes the contingency for the effective date of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan provisions to (i) allow consideration of a combination of point or nonpoint source pollution reduction efforts other than agricultural best management conservation practices when determining whether the Commonwealth's commitments in the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan have been satisfied and (ii) bar such provisions from becoming effective unless the Commonwealth funds the Virginia Natural Resources Commitment Fund each year of the current or existing biennial period.” 6.  SB 1129 – “SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED: Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan; effective date.  Changes the contingency for the effective date of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan to (i) allow consideration of a combination of point or nonpoint source pollution reduction efforts other than agricultural best management conservation practices when determining whether the Commonwealth's commitments in the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan have been satisfied and (ii) bar such provisions from becoming effective unless the Commonwealth has fully funded the Virginia Natural Resources Commitment Fund until June 30, 2030.  The bill also advances from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2030, the contingency effective date of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan.  The bill requires the Department of Conservation and Recreation to submit an annual report analyzing the use of funds from the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-Share Program to demonstrate whether farmers or landowners are participating in the Program at levels to maximize nutrient load reductions.  The bill directs each soil and water conservation district to report to the Department any recommendations for improving the disbursement of funds from the Virginia Natural Resources Commitment Fund and program efficiencies that would expedite the disbursal of such funds.  Finally, the bill prohibits any regulatory action to be imposed on agricultural practices before the effective date of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan.” 7.  HB 2189 – “SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED: Requirements to test for PFAS; publicly owned treatment works; discharges into state waters.  Requires industrial users of publicly owned treatment works that receive and clean, repair, refurbish, or process items that contain PFAS, as defined in the bill, to test wastestreams for PFAS prior to and after cleaning, repairing, refurbishing, or processing such items.  The bill also requires prompt testing for PFAS following the discharge of certain toxic agents or materials listed in the federal Clean Water Act into state waters and requires the results of such tests to be submitted to the coordinator of emergency services for the affected political subdivision.” 8.  SB 1013 – “SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE: “Waterworks; contaminants; notification to customers.  Requires a waterworks owner that receives a finished water test result from an EPA-approved method for drinking water for any PFAS chemical subject to a PFAS advisory and such result exceeds the notification concentration, as defined in the bill, to (i) report such result to the Department of Health, (ii) provide public notice in the required consumer confidence report provided to the waterworks owner's customers and by posting on the waterworks owner's website, and (iii) provide such additional public notice as the Department may require on a case-by-case basis under applicable regulations.” 9.  SB 1012 – “SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED: State and local prohibition on single-use plastic and expanded polystyrene products.  Prohibits state agencies beginning July 1, 2024, from contracting for the purchase, sale, and distribution of (i) single-use plastic bags, cutlery, straws, or water bottles and (ii) single-use plastic food service containers and expanded polystyrene food service containers, except during a declared state of emergency.  The bill directs the Department of General Services to post public notice of all prohibited goods on its public procurement website.  The bill also authorizes any locality to prohibit by ordinance the purchase, sale, or provision, whether free or for a cost, of (a) single-use plastic bags, cutlery, straws, or water bottles and (b) single-use plastic food service containers and expanded polystyrene food service containers, with certain exceptions enumerated in the bill.” SOURCES Used for Audio Farmers' Almanac, “The Midpoint of Winter: When and What is It”?  Online at https://www.farmersalmanac.com/midwinter-midpoint-winter. Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, “Chesapeake Bay TMDLs [Total Maximum Daily Load], online at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/water/chesapeake-bay/chesapeake-bay-tmdls; and “Phase III WIP [Watershed Implementation Plan],” online at https://www.deq.virginia.gov/water/chesapeake-bay/phase-iii-wip. Virginia General Assembly main Web site, online at https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/index.php.  See particularly the following specific pages: About the General Assembly;Citizen Involvement;Legislative Terms;Senate of Virginia;Virginia House of Delegates Member Listings. Virginia Legislative Information System, online at https://lis.virginia.gov/.  For budget information, see https://budget.lis.virginia.gov/.  For session statistics, see https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+oth+STA.  For More Information about the Virginia General Assembly Ballotpedia, “Virginia General Assembly,” online at https://ballotpedia.org/Virginia_General_Assembly. Video streams of sessions and meetings for both the House of Delegates and the Senate, including committees, are available online at https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/membersAndSession.php?secid=1&activesec=0#!hb=1&mainContentTabs=0.Committees are key parts of the General Assembly process.  Legislation about water or about activities that can affect water may be assigned to any of several standing committees, most of which meet weekly during the General Assembly session.  Two committees that receive many (but not all) of the water-related bills are the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee, which meets weekly on Wednesdays at 1 p.m., and the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee, which meets weekly on Tuesdays, one-half hour after adjournment of the day's floor session.  Information about all standing committees as of the 2023 session—including membership, meeting times, and legislation being considered—is available online at https://lis.virginia.gov/231/com/COM.HTM. To express an opinion on legislation, citizens are advised to contact their respective delegate of senator.  If you do not know your representatives or their contact information, you can use the online “Who's My Legislator” service, available at http://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/.  You can also find members' contact information at these links:House of Delegates, at http://virginiageneralassembly.gov/house/members/members.php;State Senate, at https://apps.senate.virginia.gov/Senator/. The Lobbyist-In-A-Box subscriber service also offers free tracking for up to five bills, and it offers tracking of more than five bills for a fee; visit http://lis.virginia.gov/h015.htm.  For more information or assistance, phone Legislative Automated Systems at (804) 786-9631 or Virginia Interactive at (804) 318-4133. The organization Open Virginia's Richmond Sunlight Web site, at https://www.richmondsunlight.com/, also offers tools for following the General Assembly and for learning about Virginia law. Virginia Water Resources Research Center, “Virginia Water Legislation,” online at https://www.vwrrc.vt.edu/virginia-water-legislation/.  This site provides access to inventories of water-related bills in the Virginia General Assembly from 1998 through 2023. RELATED VIRGINIA WATER RADIO EPISODES All Water Radio episodes are listed by category at the Index link above (http://www.virginiawaterradio.org/p/index.html).  See particularly the “Community/Organizations” subject category. Following are links to other episodes on the Virginia General Assembly. Episode 143, 1-7-13 – “Music for the Past and Present of the Virginia General Assembly” (annual General Assembly introduction). Episode 147, 2-4-13 – “Committees Guide the Flow of Bills in the Virginia General Assembly.” Episode 196, 1-13-14 – “The Virginia General Assembly on its 396 Opening Day, January 8, 2014” (annual General Assembly introduction). Episode 247, 1-5-15 – “January Means State Budget Time in the Virginia General Assembly” (annual General Assembly introduction, with special focus on the state budget). Episode 252, 2-9-15 – “Voting on Water in the 2015 Virginia General Assembly.” Episode 297, 1-4-16 – “Water's on the Agenda—along with a Whole Lot Else—When the Virginia General Assembly Convenes” (annual General Assembly introduction). Episode 302, 2-8-16 – “Voting on Water in the 2016 Virginia General Assembly.” Episode 350, 1-9-17 – “Old English Music Helps Preview the Old Dominion's 2017 General Assembly” (annual General Assembly introduction). Episode 353, 1-30-17 – “Voting on Water in the 2017 Virginia General Assembly.” Episode 359, 3-13-17 – “Subcommittees are Where Many Proposed Virginia Laws Start to Float or Sink.” Episode 402, 1-8-18 – “The Virginia Legislature Begins Its 400th Year in 2018” (annual General Assembly introduction). Episode 405, 1-29-18 – “Voting on Water in the 2018 Virginia General Assembly.” Episode 410, 3-5-18 – “Virginia Electricity Regulation and Water” (on legislation in the 2018 session on electricity regulation). Episode 454, 1-7-19 – “The Virginia General Assembly, from Jamestown in 1619 to Richmond in 2019” (annual General Assembly introduction). Episode 460, 2-18-19 – “Voting on Water in the 2018 Virginia General Assembly.” Episode 506, 1-6-20 – “Action on Budget, Bills, and Other Business Commences January 8 for the 2020 Virginia General Assembly” (annual General Assembly introduction). Episode 510, 2-3-20 – “Voting on Water in the 2020 Virginia General Assembly.” Episode 522, 4-27-20 – “Virginia Enacts a New Energy Era” (on legislation in the 2020 session on electricity generation, carbon emissions, and recurrent flooding). Episode 558, 1-4-21 – “January 13 is Opening Day for the 2021 Virginia General Assembly” (annual General Assembly introduction). Episode 562, 2-1-21 – “Voting on Water in the 2021 Virginia General Assembly.” Episode 611, 1-10-22 – “The Second Wednesday in January Means the Virginia General Assembly Convenes” (annual General Assembly introduction). Episode 614, 1-31-22 – “Voting on Water in the 2022 Virginia General Assembly.” Episode 646, 1-9-23 – “Near Richmond's James River Falls, Each Second Wednesday in January Calls the Virginia General Assembly to Order” (annual General Assembly introduction). Episode 647, 1-23-23 – “Virginia's State Budget and Money for Water.” FOR VIRGINIA TEACHERS – RELATED STANDARDS OF LEARNING (SOLs) AND OTHER INFORMATION Following are some Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) that may be supported by this episode's audio/transcript, sources, or other information included in this post. 2020 Music SOLs SOLs at various grade levels that call for “examining the relationship of music to the other fine arts and other fields of knowledge.” 2018 Science SOLs Grades K-5 – Earth Resources3.8 – Natural events and humans influence ecosystems.4.8. – Virginia has important natural resources. Grade 66.9 – Humans impact the environment and individuals can influence public policy decisions related to energy and the environment. Life Science Course LS.9 – Relationships exist between ecosystem dynamics and human activity. Earth Science Course ES.6 – Resource use is complex.ES.8 – Freshwater resources influence and are influenced by geologic processes and human activity.ES.10 – Oceans are complex, dynamic systems subject to long- and short-term variations, including effects of human actions.ES.11 – The atmosphere is a complex, dynamic system subject to long-and short-term variations, including effects of human actions. Biology CourseBIO.8 – Dynamic equilibria exist within populations, communities, and ecosystems, and natural events and human activities influence local and global ecosystems and may affect the flora and fauna of Virginia. 2015 Social Studies SOLs Virginia Studies Course VS.10 – Knowledge of government, geography, and economics in present-day Virginia. Civics and Economics Course CE.1 – Social studies skills that responsible citizenship requires. CE.7 – Government at the state level. CE.10 – Public policy at local, state, and national levels. World Geography Course WG.18 - Cooperation among political jurisdictions to solve problems and settle disputes. Government Course GOVT.1 – Social studies skills that responsible citizenship requires. GOVT.8 – State and local government organization and powers. GOVT.9 – Public policy at local, state, and national levels. GOVT.15 – Role of government in Va. and U.S. economies, including examining environmental issues and property rights.

CLICK HERE to listen to episode audio (5:04).Sections below are the following: Transcript of Audio Audio Notes and Acknowledgments ImagesExtra InformationSourcesRelated Water Radio Episodes For Virginia Teachers (Relevant SOLs, etc.). Unless otherwise noted, all Web addresses mentioned were functional as of 1-6-23. TRANSCRIPT OF AUDIO From the Cumberland Gap to the Atlantic Ocean, this is Virginia Water Radio for the weeks of January 9 and January 16, 2023. MUSIC – ~12 sec – instrumental. That's part of “Falls of Richmond,” by Timothy Seaman of Williamsburg, Va.  The falls on the James River at Richmond are a notable geographicfeature of Virginia's capital city.  A relatively short distance from those turbulent sections of the James is one of the city's most notable humanfeatures, the State Capitol building, home of the Virginia General Assembly.  This episode is our annual overview of the General Assembly, which this year convenes on January 11 and is scheduled to adjourn on February 25.  To start, have a listen to the music for about 30 more seconds, and see if you know the General Assembly connection to the following numbers: 405, 2 and 4, 51 and 47, 21 and 19, and, last, about 163 billion. MUSIC – ~31 sec – instrumental. Here are the answers: This year will be the 405th consecutive sessions of the General Assembly started it as the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1619. House of Delegates members are elected for 2 year terms, and Senate members are elected for 4 year terms. The current House of Delegates has 51 Republicans and 47 Democrats, with two seats to be filled by upcoming special elections.  [1-10-23 addition, not in audio: Special elections to fill those House seats were held on January 10, 2023.] The current Senate has 21 Democrats and 19 Republicans.  [1-10-23 correction, not in audio: As of December 31, 2022, the Senate had only 18 Republicans, after Sen. Jennifer Kiggans, representing Virginia's 7th Senatorial District, resigned to take a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.  A special election to fill that Senate seat was held on January 10, 2023.] And finally, the Commonwealth's current two-year budget is about $163 billion dollars; proposed changes to that budget will be a big part of the work of the 2023 session. Besides the budget, the Assembly typically considers two-to-three thousand other bills and resolutions.  In recent years about 150 to 200 of those measures have related to water resources, either directly through impacts on aquatic environments, water supplies, or other water uses, or indirectly through impacts on energy or land uses that, in turn, affect water.  The budget also affects water, particularly through funding of natural resource-related departments, such as Conservation and Recreation, Environmental Quality, Wildlife Resources, and the Marine Resources Commission. Action on measures involves sub-committees, full committees, and floor debate.  Passed bills go to the governor for approval, veto, or proposed changes, and bills with a governor's veto or proposed changes return to the Assembly for further consideration during a reconvened session in April.   All along the way, citizens, interest groups, and other stakeholders vie to have a say through information and opinions.  You can join in by following the Assembly's work and by communicating with your local delegate or senator about issues of concern.  Tools to help you do so are available online at virginiageneralassembly.gov. Thanks to Timothy Seaman for permission to use this week's music, and we close with about 20 more seconds of “Falls of Richmond.” MUSIC – ~20 sec – instrumental. SHIP'S BELL Virginia Water Radio is produced by the Virginia Water Resources Research Center, part of Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment.  For more Virginia water sounds, music, or information, visit us online at virginiawaterradio.org, or call the Water Center at (540) 231-5624.  Thanks to Stewart Scales for his banjo version of “Cripple Creek” to open and close this episode.  In Blacksburg, I'm Alan Raflo, thanking you for listening, and wishing you health, wisdom, and good water. AUDIO NOTES AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS “Falls of Richmond,” part of the medley …., is from the 2004 album “Virginia Wildlife,” copyright 2004 by Timothy Seaman and Pine Wind Music, used with permission.  The “Virginia Wildlife” album was a collaboration between Mr. Seaman and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (now the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources).  More information about Timothy Seaman is available online at http://www.timothyseaman.com/, and complete list of his music is available online at online at https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ktkWi5LkEc2gqoPe9Brzv?si=cca5f241a3294604&nd=1.  “Falls of Richmond” was used previously by Virginia Water Radio most recently in Episode 87, 11-7-11. Click here if you'd like to hear the full version (1 min./11 sec.) of the “Cripple Creek” arrangement/performance by Stewart Scales that opens and closes this episode.  More information about Mr. Scales and the group New Standard, with which Mr. Scales plays, is available online at http://newstandardbluegrass.com. IMAGES   Screen shot of the Virginia Legislative Information System's online site for following legislation in the 2023 Virginia General Assembly, accessed at https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+men+BIL, 1/9/23.Screen shot of the Virginia Legislative Information System's online site for information about the Virginia state budget during the 2023 Virginia General Assembly, accessed at https://budget.lis.virginia.gov/, 1/9/23. EXTRA INFORMATION ABOUT THE VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY The General Assembly's main Web page, http://virginiageneralassembly.gov/index.php, offers several useful features, including member lists, session calendars, live video of floor sessions, and information on legislative processes.  The Legislative Information System (LIS) Web site, http://lis.virginia.gov/lis.htm, provides lists and summaries of all bills, searchable by topic, member, committee, etc. Video streams of sessions and meetings for both the House of Delegates and the Senate, including committees, are available online at https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/membersAndSession.php?secid=1&activesec=0#!hb=1&mainContentTabs=0.Committees are key parts of the General Assembly process.  Legislation about water or about activities that can affect water may be assigned to any of several standing committees, most of which meet weekly during the General Assembly session.  Two committees that receive many (but not all) of the water-related bills are the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee, which meets weekly on Wednesdays at 1 p.m., and the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee, which meets weekly on Tuesdays, one-half hour after adjournment of the day's floor session.  Information about all standing committees as of the 2022 session—including membership, meeting times, and legislation being considered—is available online at https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=221&typ=lnk&val=71.To express an opinion on legislation, citizens are advised to contact their respective delegate of senator.  If you do not know your representatives or their contact information, you can use the online “Who's My Legislator” service, available at http://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/.  You can also find members' contact information at these links:House of Delegates, at http://virginiageneralassembly.gov/house/members/members.php;State Senate, at https://apps.senate.virginia.gov/Senator/. The Lobbyist-In-A-Box subscriber service also offers free tracking for up to five bills, and it offers tracking of more than five bills for a fee; visit http://lis.virginia.gov/h015.htm.  For more information or assistance, phone Legislative Automated Systems at (804) 786-9631 or Virginia Interactive at (804) 318-4133. The organization Open Virginia's Richmond Sunlight Web site, at https://www.richmondsunlight.com/, also offers tools for following the General Assembly and for learning about Virginia law. SOURCES USED FOR AUDIO AND OFFERING MORE INFORMATION Ballotpedia, “Virginia General Assembly,” online at https://ballotpedia.org/Virginia_General_Assembly. Friends of the James River Park, “James River Park,” online at at www.jamesriverpark.org/index.php. James River Association: “About the James River,” online at https://thejamesriver.org/about-the-james-river/; and “James River Maps,” online at https://thejamesriver.org/explore-the-james/james-river-maps/(see Middle Section, Map 6).Venture Richmond, “James River Activities in Downtown Richmond,” online at https://venturerichmond.com/explore-downtown/outdoors/james-river-activities/.Virginia Department of Elections, online at https://www.elections.virginia.gov/.  This site has information on the special election held January 10, 2023, to fill two open House of Delegates seats and one open Senate seat (as noted in the addition/correction to the audio transcript above).Virginia General Assembly main Web site, online at https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/index.php.  See particularly the following specific pages: About the General Assembly;Citizen Involvement;Legislative Terms;Senate of Virginia;Virginia House of Delegates Member Listings. Virginia Legislative Information System, online at https://lis.virginia.gov/.  For information on General Assembly committees, see https://lis.virginia.gov/221/com/COM.HTM.  For budget information, see https://budget.lis.virginia.gov/. Virginia Water Resources Research Center, “Virginia Water Legislation,” online at https://www.vwrrc.vt.edu/virginia-water-legislation/.  This site provides access to inventories of water-related bills in the Virginia General Assembly from 1998 through 2022. RELATED VIRGINIA WATER RADIO EPISODES All Water Radio episodes are listed by category at the Index link above (http://www.virginiawaterradio.org/p/index.html).  See particularly the “Community/Organizations” subject category. Following are links to other episodes on the Virginia General Assembly. Episode 143, 1-7-13 – “Music for the Past and Present of the Virginia General Assembly” (annual General Assembly introduction).Episode 147, 2-4-13 – “Committees Guide the Flow of Bills in the Virginia General Assembly.”Episode 196, 1-13-14 – “The Virginia General Assembly on its 396 Opening Day, January 8, 2014” (annual General Assembly introduction).Episode 247, 1-5-15 – “January Means State Budget Time in the Virginia General Assembly” (annual General Assembly introduction, with special focus on the state budget).Episode 252, 2-9-15 – “Voting on Water in the 2015 Virginia General Assembly.”Episode 297, 1-4-16 – “Water's on the Agenda—along with a Whole Lot Else—When the Virginia General Assembly Convenes” (annual General Assembly introduction).Episode 302, 2-8-16 – “Voting on Water in the 2016 Virginia General Assembly.”Episode 350, 1-9-17 – “Old English Music Helps Preview the Old Dominion's 2017 General Assembly” (annual General Assembly introduction).Episode 353, 1-30-17 – “Voting on Water in the 2017 Virginia General Assembly.”Episode 359, 3-13-17 – “Subcommittees are Where Many Proposed Virginia Laws Start to Float or Sink.”Episode 402, 1-8-18 – “The Virginia Legislature Begins Its 400th Year in 2018” (annual General Assembly introduction).Episode 405, 1-29-18 – “Voting on Water in the 2018 Virginia General Assembly.”Episode 410, 3-5-18 – “Virginia Electricity Regulation and Water” (on legislation in the 2018 session on electricity regulation).Episode 454, 1-7-19 – “The Virginia General Assembly, from Jamestown in 1619 to Richmond in 2019” (annual General Assembly introduction).Episode 460, 2-18-19 – “Voting on Water in the 2018 Virginia General Assembly.”Episode 506, 1-6-20 – “Action on Budget, Bills, and Other Business Commences January 8 for the 2020 Virginia General Assembly” (annual General Assembly introduction).Episode 510, 2-3-20 – “Voting on Water in the 2020 Virginia General Assembly.”Episode 522, 4-27-20 – “Virginia Enacts a New Energy Era” (on legislation in the 2020 session on electricity generation, carbon emissions, and recurrent flooding).Episode 558, 1-4-21 – “January 13 is Opening Day for the 2021 Virginia General Assembly” (annual General Assembly introduction). Episode 562, 2-1-21 – “Voting on Water in the 2021 Virginia General Assembly.”Episode 611, 1-10-22 – “The Second Wednesday in January Means the Virginia General Assembly Convenes” (annual General Assembly introduction). Episode 614, 1-31-22 – “Voting on Water in the 2022 Virginia General Assembly.” FOR VIRGINIA TEACHERS – RELATED STANDARDS OF LEARNING (SOLs) AND OTHER INFORMATION Following are some Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) that may be supported by this episode's audio/transcript, sources, or other information included in this post.2020 Music SOLs SOLs at various grade levels that call for “examining the relationship of music to the other fine arts and other fields of knowledge.” 2018 Science SOLs Grades K-5 – Earth Resources3.8 – Natural events and humans influence ecosystems.4.8. – Virginia has important natural resources. Grade 66.9 – Humans impact the environment and individuals can influence public policy decisions related to energy and the environment. Life Science Course LS.9 – Relationships exist bet

This week's Open Mic guest is Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo, who has been instrumental in writing and approving two farm bills as well as countless other pieces of legislation important to agriculture and rural America. Now wrapping up her tenure in Congress, the Missouri Republican looks back on accomplishments while serving on the House Agriculture and Armed Services Committees and looks ahead to challenges the 118th Congress will face in writing new farm policy. Hartzler believes there's a better-than-average chance a new farm bill will be approved next year but sees nutrition programs and climate policy as contentious issues.

This week's Open Mic guest is Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo, who has been instrumental in writing and approving two farm bills as well as countless other pieces of legislation important to agriculture and rural America. Now wrapping up her tenure in Congress, the Missouri Republican looks back on accomplishments while serving on the House Agriculture and Armed Services Committees and looks ahead to challenges the 118th Congress will face in writing new farm policy. Hartzler believes there's a better-than-average chance a new farm bill will be approved next year but sees nutrition programs and climate policy as contentious issues.

California Congressman, Ro Khanna, joins CareTalk to discuss why he believes Medicare Advantage is “just private insurance that profits by denying coverage.”TOPICS:(1:04) Ro Khanna on what's wrong with Medicare Advantage(2:14) What are the prospects of renaming Medicare Advantage?(5:01) How does equality tie in with healthcare?(6:26) “Medicaid for all?”(9:31) Managed care and extending Medicare(12:36) Redistributing jobs and opportunities to de-industrialized towns(15:55) Progressive capitalism ABOUT CARETALKCareTalk is a weekly podcast that provides an incisive, no B.S. view of the US healthcare industry. Join co-hosts John Driscoll (President U.S. Healthcare and EVP, Walgreens Boots Alliance) and David Williams (President, Health Business Group) as they debate the latest in US healthcare news, business and policy. ABOUT RO KHANNACongressman Ro Khanna represents California's 17th Congressional District, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, and is serving in his third term.Rep. Khanna sits on the House Agriculture, Armed Services, and Oversight and Reform committees, where he chairs the Environmental Subcommittee. Additionally, Rep. Khanna is the Deputy Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus; serves as an Assistant Whip for the Democratic Caucus and is the Democratic Vice Chair of the House Caucus on India and Indian Americans. Rep. Khanna is committed to representing the people and ideas rooted in Silicon Valley to the nation and throughout the world. GET IN TOUCHVisit us on the webBecome a CareTalk Podcast sponsor Guest appearance requestsFOLLOW CARETALK Spotify Apple Podcasts Google PodcastsFollow us on LinkedIn

House Agriculture Ranking Member Glenn "GT" Thompson says Congress needs to listen before writing a new farm bill.

Tuesday, April 26, 2022 Hoover Institution, Stanford University   Ro Khanna, Buno Pati, and John Villasenor  in conversation on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 10:00 AM PT/1:00 PM ET. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Congressman Ro Khanna represents California's 17th Congressional District, located in the heart of Silicon Valley. Rep. Khanna sits on the House Agriculture, Armed Services, and Oversight and Reform committees, where he chairs the Environmental Subcommittee and is the Deputy Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, serves as an Assistant Whip for the Democratic Caucus, and is the Democratic Vice Chair of the House Caucus on India and Indian Americans.  Buno Pati is CEO of Infoworks.io. The company's software solutions are enabling enterprise organizations to fully leverage their data assets and realize faster time-to-value in the cloud. Prior to assuming the role of CEO in 2019, Pati held Executive Chairman and Chairman roles at the company from its inception in 2014. Pati brings over 20 years of experience as a CEO, entrepreneur, board member, and investor in technology companies. Pati is also a partner at Centerview Capital. John Villasenor is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and is also on the faculty at UCLA, where he is a professor of electrical engineering, public policy, law, and management. Villasenor's work considers the technology, policy, and legal issues arising from key technology trends, including the growth of artificial intelligence and the increasing complexity and interdependence of today's networks and systems.  

Host Carol Castiel talks with Congresswoman Shontel Brown, a Democrat from the state of Ohio, who serves on the House Agriculture and Oversight and Reform Committees. Brown, who won a contentious special election for the seat vacated by Representative Marcia Fudge, now Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is serving out her first term in Congress. She shares her thoughts on legislative priorities guided by the principles of equity, inclusion and diversity, enthusiasm for the bipartisan infrastructure law, voting rights, US leadership in combatting Vladimir Putin's aggression toward Ukraine and the importance of preserving democracy at home.

Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-121, Luzerne) has established himself as a passionate and consensus-building voice in the General Assembly, working for the things our neighbors need, like property tax relief, jobs that pay a living wage, appropriate funding for public education, reducing the cost of higher education, access to affordable quality healthcare and more.In 2006, he was first elected to represent the 121st Legislative District which consists of Wilkes-Barre City, Fairview Township, Wilkes-Barre Township, Ashley Borough, Hanover Township and Laurel Run Borough.Pashinski serves as the Democratic chairman of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, a position he has held since 2017. He also currently serves as board member of the Center for Rural PA and the PA Hardwoods Development Council, as well as Chair of both the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and Legislative Sportsmen's caucuses. Pashinski also has previously served on the Insurance, State Government, Human Services, Aging, Gaming and Commerce committees.Pashinski is a graduate of Wilkes University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education and has a master's equivalency. He uses his 38 years of experience as a former music teacher and choral director at the Greater Nanticoke Area School District to push back against irresponsible and drastic state education funding cuts that adversely affect local property taxpayers and threaten the quality of a public education.A tireless fighter for healthcare reform, Pashinski led a task force of regional experts that developed recommendations to improve the healthcare system. He has introduced numerous bills to increase access to medical care, reduce costs to consumers and improve outcomes.Pashinski has organized a package of legislation that has helped provide resources for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, as well as helped to pass the historic 2019 PA Farm Bill, which included his language supporting Pa Preferred's Homegrown by Heroes program, promoting Pennsylvania veterans who become farmers and producers.Following the devastating floods of 2011, Pashinski spearheaded a legislative package to help homeowners and small businesses recover and protect local jobs. He has been named "Legislator of the Year" by several organizations representing the best interests of Luzerne County residents and the people of Pennsylvania.Prior to joining the General Assembly, Pashinski held several union positions with the Greater Nanticoke Area Education Association, serving as chief spokesperson, vice president and eventually president. In addition to the local offices, he also served as PACE Director and Region Chairman for PSEA on the state level.A staunch supporter of community involvement, he has held leadership roles with the Luzerne County Coordinating Council, Luzerne County Legislative Committee, United Way of Wyoming Valley and serves as the executive director of the Advocacy Fund for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (AF4GRG).A popular local musician, entertainment manager and promoter, Pashinski is widowed and has four children and seven grandchildren.Support Groups for Grandparents: Wilkes Barre YMCA 40 West Northampton Street, Wilkes Barre PA Second Monday of Each MonthFor more info please visit www.af4grg.org For Help Navigating this process please call 1-866-KIN-2111or vist www.kinnconnector.org Support the show

2022 turns 41 days old on this Thursday, which according to a few biased sources is also Plimsoll Day, World Pulses Day, Cream Cheese Brownie Day, and All The News That’s Fit to Print Day. This being a journalistic enterprise, I can’t easily find a second source for the latter. But this is Charlottesville Community Engagement which tries to get as much information into every installment, though I’m no longer sure if this is print, digital, audio, or something else. Regardless, I’m Sean Tubbs, the producer of this program. On today’s program:Albemarle County is seeking input on potential new maps for new magisterial boundaries, and won’t consider adding a seventh supervisor at this timeCharlottesville City Council adopts Rivanna River plan and is willing to lower speed limits on 5th Street ExtendedA look at legislation that has not passed the Virginia General Assembly this year including Governor Youngkin’s nomination for Secretary of Natural and Historic ResourcesAnd inflation was up again in January Shout out to the League of Women Voters Natural Resources CommitteeIn the first subscriber supported public service announcement, the Natural Resources Committee of the League of Women Voters of the Charlottesville Area wants you to know a webinar coming up on Tuesday, February 15, at noon. They’ll talk about Renewable Sources of Electrical Power: Challenges and Promises. How can we develop renewable sources without endangering our ecological systems? The seminar will feature Dan Holmes from the Piedmont Environmental Council and Jeff Hammond with Apex Clean Energy. They’ll address some of the complexities in switching utility scale electric power from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Register for the Zoom and get ready to learn!Pandemic updateWhat went up continues to come down. Today the Virginia Department of Health reports a percent positivity of 14.3 percent. Last Thursday that figure was at 23.2 percent. The seven-day average for new cases is at 4,697, down from 7,237 a week ago. The number of COVID patients in hospital today is 1,990, down from 2,578 a week ago according to the Virginia Healthcare and Hospital Association. In the Blue Ridge Health District, there are another 321 new cases and the percent positivity is at 17.6 percent. Do note that’s higher than the statewide rate.Inflation reportThe cost of goods and services continues to rise in the United States as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Consumer Price Index increased 0.6 percent from December to January, and 7.5 percent between January 2021 and last month. That latter figure is the highest 12-month increase since February 1982. The cost of food, shelter, and energy all rose. In the past year, the cost of food has increased 7.5 percent. The energy index increased 27 percent since January 2021 with gas prices 40 percent higher, natural gas 23.9 percent up, and electricity 10.7 percent up. Shelter was up 4.4 percent. Two categories that did decrease this month were lodging, which was down 3.9 percent  and wireless telephone service, which was down 0.1 percent. Read the full press release for details. Council adds Urban Rivanna River Plan to Comp PlanThe Charlottesville City Council has officially adopted a plan to guide environmental protections along the urbanized portion of the Rivanna River. The Urban Rivanna Corridor Plan is now a referenced part of the city’s 2021 Comprehensive Plan. “It’s past time but I’m glad we’re getting to it now finally to begin to recognize the fact that the Rivanna River is an asset to Charlottesville and is not merely a barrier,” said Charottesville Mayor Lloyd Snook.The Albemarle Board of Supervisors reviewed the plan earlier this month. The plan has been created by the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission. In addition to a series of recommendations, the plan also suggests ways the community can highlight the role the river can play with examples from Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Lynchburg. Council poised to reduce speed limit Fifth Street ExtendedCouncil also took action on a step to try to reduce fatal crashes on 5th Street Extended. A petition was submitted to the city in late 2020 asking for something to be done to slow down traffic on the roadway, which has the character of a divided highway. “We have been working on this and the first stage,” said traffic engineer Brennen Duncan. “Having looked at this for more than a year now, reviewing the data and looking at all the crash history and stuff we are proposing that we reduce the speed limit from 45 miles per hour to 40 miles per hour.” The item passed on first reading and will now be on the consent agenda for Council’s next meeting. The long-term strategy is to change the character of the roadway to make it less easy to speed. See also: Council briefed on Fifth Street Extended safety efforts, January 10, 2022Albemarle adopts expedited redistricting processAlbemarle County is seeking input on how the lines for the county’s magisterial districts should be redrawn following the U.S. Census.  Jake Washburne is Albemarle’s registar. “The state completed the redistricting of the state and Congressional districts on [December 28],” Washburne said. Washburne, the Electoral Board, and the county’s GIS office have produced three potential maps and a public comment period is underway through March 4 with a questionnaire on the county’s website.Supervisors adopted an expedited schedule on February 2.“The sooner we could get the process going and complete, the better, because we may have a June primary election and if we do we’ll have to start voting early for that on May 6,” Washburne said. Voters will need to know by then where they will be voting! The Board will have a public hearing on March 2 with an adoption slated for March 23, 2022 until to meet the deadline to have the new maps established in time. The next time a House of Delegates race is run, Albemarle will only have two districts in its boundaries, as opposed to having four districts currently. There’s a federal lawsuit at the U.S. Fourth Circuit of Appeals seeking to force an election this year and oral arguments will be heard on March 8. One quirk in Virginia’s new Congressional maps is that not all of Albemarle is within the 5th District. “Ninety-nine percent of Albemarle County is in the 5th U.S. Congressional District but for some reason they decided a tiny sliver up in the northwest part of the county which has a total of about 110 residents and probably between 50 and 60 voters is in the 7th Congressional District,” Washburne said. Washburne said there is likely no way to remedy that situation and the county will need a waiver to allow for a magisterial district to be in two Congressional precincts. All three of the maps continue the practice of Albemarle having six magisterial districts. Here’s County Attorney Greg Kamptner. “Albemarle County operates under the county executive form of government and it is authorized to have a board between three and nine supervisors,” Kamptner said. “Increasing the size of the Board was previously raised by the League of Women Voters in 1991, and by a Supervisor who was the former president of the League of Women Voters in 2001. In neither 1991, 2001, or 2011 did the Board express a desire to increase its membership.” Kamptner said if the Board wanted to increase its membership they could add a seventh magisterial district or an at-large supervisors who would also be the chair. Voters would have to approve the latter change in a referendum, but the Supervisors could proceed with a seventh during redistricting. Staff recommended against that at this time due to the need to complete the process in time for the election. “State law allows the number of districts to be changed at any time, not only as part of the redistricting process,” Kamptner said. Supervisor Ned Gallaway said he is aware that many political groups are interested in the idea, but he has not heard a groundswell of support.“But from a constituent standpoint, this is not been one that has been raised a lot in my conversations with folks,” Gallaway said. Supervisor Bea LaPisto-Kirtley did not appear to have much interest in a seventh seat because she agreed community members in Albemarle did not seem to be interested in the topic. “Frankly that’s come from mainly from developers because the rationale was its easier to get four votes out of seven than four votes out of six,” LaPisto-Kirtley said. Supervisor Ann Mallek, first elected in 2007, said she supports the continuation of six elected officials. “Over the years I have found the 3 to 3 to be a good thing especially when I was in a minority position because if a project was good enough to get a fourth vote, even when there was a split board, that was a good threshold to have,” Mallek said. To have your say, visit Albemarle County’s redistricting page. Shout out to the Sisters Project Peru:In today’s second subscriber-supported public service announcement, this Friday an art auction will be held at the Fry’s Spring Beach Club to help raise funds for a sustainable medical clinic in rural Peru. The Sisters Project Peru was created to increase access to healthcare in order to improve quality of life and empower women in Huacahuasi, a rural village in the Sacred Valley of Peru. The art auction will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with light refreshment and live music. Covid protocol is in effect and masks are required. Learn more at SistersProjectPeru.com. Registration in advance is required.General Assembly snapshot: Lots of failed bills, including Wheeler nomination With so many bills, it’s hard to keep a handle on all of the General Assembly, but it’s worth a shot. As of this morning, there were 2,486 total bills introduced and 301 have definitely failed. Here are some pieces that did not make it out of the House of Delegates. A bill that would have classified farmer’s markets and roadside farm markets as agribusiness was tabled yesterday in the House Agricultural, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources. (HB262)A bill that would have required an inventory of all stormwater systems in Virginia was stricken from the docket yesterday in that same committee. (HB577)A bill to create a Commission on Social Media to evaluate the impacts arms was tabled in the House Rules committee on February 3 on 13 to 5 vote. (HB1195)A bill to require all School Boards in Virginia to be elected was stricken from the House Education Committee docket on February 7. (HB1284)A bill to exempt food charities from any liability related to distributing items beyond their best-by date was stricken from the House Agriculture committee yesterday. (HB1293)Here are some pieces that didn’t make it out of the Senate: A bill to remove a requirement that all School Boards adopt policies for the treatment of transgendered students in public school failed to make it out of the Senate Education and Health Committee on an 8 to 5 vote. (SB20)A bill to develop a statewide housing choice voucher program was stricken in the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee. (SB312)A bill to allow localities to adopt energy-efficiency standards for new buildings failed to make it out of the Senate Local Government on a 8 to 6 vote. (SB452)A bill to prohibit public schools from teaching “inherently divisive concepts” failed to clear the Senate Education and Health on February 3 on a 9 to 4 vote. (SB570)The Senate adopted Governor Glenn Youngkin’s list of Cabinet appointments yesterday, but one name was held off of the list. On Tuesday, the full Senate agreed to an amendment from the Privileges and Elections campaign that stripped Wheeler from the official resolution confirming the cabinet.“Senate Joint Resolution 84 - confirming appointments by the Governor of certain persons,” the Senate Clerk read. “The question is, shall the committee amendment be adopted?” said Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, the President of the Senate.Several Republican members objected and urged defeat of the amendment such as Senator Richard Stuart (R-28) who spoke of Wheeler’s interview before the Senate Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee. “And I’ve never seen a grilling with more difficult questions for any candidate for any position in this General Assembly,” Stuart said. “And after I spoke with folks who were on that committee and listened to that interview and asked those questions, every member that I spoke said with he absolutely knocked the ball out of the park.”Stuart defended Wheeler’s time as administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “I understand that some of these environmental groups don’t like him because who he works for and that’s just a shame,” Stuart said. But Senator Chap Petersen (D-24) presided over Wheeler’s interview and said he was impressed with the nominee’s credentials but he read from Article 11 of the Virginia Constitution. “it shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to conserve, develop, and utilize its natural resources, its public lands, and its historical sites and buildings,” Petersen said. “That is the role of the Secretary of Natural Resources. It’s not Commerce. It’s not thinking of ways to get around environmental rules. It’s actually protecting our lands and waters.”Petersen said a majority on the Privileges and Committees felt Petersen would not fit the bill. Senator Adam Ebbin (D-30) cited a letter from previous administrators who expressed concern about Wheeler’s tenure at the EPA. “If we’re to confirm Mr. Wheeler, I’m confident he will use the intelligence and subject matter expertise to do exactly what he did at the federal level,” Ebbin said. “Systematically deconstruct regulations that protect our environment.”The amendment was agreed to on a 21 to 19 vote and the SJ84 passed the Senate yesterday on a 38 to 0 vote. According to the Virginia Mercury , Wheeler can serve in the position on an interim basis until the end of the General Assembly session. More General Assembly tomorrow. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Play: 0:00-0:07 I think I agree with Chuck Schumer … and more on today's CrossPolitic Daily News Brief. This is Toby Sumpter. Today is Tuesday, January 4, 2021.  VAERS Stats from SEn. Ron Johnson The chart lists Ivermectin, Hydroxychloriquine, Flu vaccines, Dexamethasone, Tylenol, Remdesivir, and Covid Vaccines.  While Ivermectin lists 393 total deaths, with 15 deaths per year, and hydroxychloriquine lists 1770 total deaths, averaging 69 deaths per year, and Flu vaccines list 2001 deaths total, with an average of 77 deaths per year, Covid vaccines show a total of 21,002 deaths and since that has only been counting for the last year, that is also the currently annual average: 21,002 deaths from COVID vaccines. Now, were some of those deaths with vaccines instead of from vaccine? Most likely. But something is going on there.  Girls-Only Schools Say They Will Only Admit Biological Girls A group of girls-only private schools in Britain are refusing to admit transgender students, worried that it could affect their status as single-sex schools under current law. The Girls' Day School Trust (GDST), which represents 25 schools across Britain, released its policy with regards to gender identity in order to clarify that the schools organizing through this group should reject the admission of transgender children. The GDST believes that an admissions policy based on gender identity rather than the legal sex recorded on a student's birth certificate would jeopardize the status of GDST schools as single-sex schools under the act,” their new guidance states. “For this reason, GDST schools do not accept applications from students who are legally male. We will, however, continue to monitor the legal interpretation of this exemption,” the guidance continues. The Trust hastened to add that all current transgender students are welcome to remain as students.  The Trust also sacrificed four oxen, three sheep, and two turtle doves following the announcement, hoping not to be destroyed from the face of the earth. The problem is that men in the UK and in North America have not stood for freedom:  DNB AR500 Armor:  The Mission of Armored Republic is to Honor Christ by equipping Free Men with Tools of Liberty necessary to preserve God-given rights. In the Armored Republic there is no King but Christ. We are Free Craftsmen. Body Armor is a Tool of Liberty. We create Tools of Liberty. Free men must remain ever vigilant against tyranny wherever it appears. God has given us the tools of liberty needed to defend the rights He bestowed to us. Armored Republic is honored to offer you those Tools. Visit them at www.ar500armor.com. Biden To Promote Meat Industry Overhaul President Biden on Monday will promote an overhaul of the meat-packing industry as he blames rising consumer prices and dwindling farmers' profits on the handful of large “middlemen” who dominate the processing segment of the supply chain. Play: 2:00-2:44 The White House said the administration will spend $1 billion to expand independent processing capacity and instill competition in a market where four meat-packing companies control 85% of the beef market, four firms control 50% of poultry processing, and four big processors control 70% of the pork market. Mr. Biden is under pressure to alleviate inflation and supply chain pressures that are making food, gas, toys and other products more expensive. At times, he's blamed the sticker shock on price gouging by big industry players. The meat-processing industry is his latest target. He said dominant processors are increasing their profits at the expense of farmers and families. Mr. Biden's plan includes $100 million for workforce training and safety after Congress accused the meat-packing industry of forcing workers into unsafe conditions during the pandemic. Ransomware attacks also hit the industry earlier in Mr. Biden's term. The White House said it will strengthen rules that require farmers and ranchers to get a fair price for the meat they provide.  Ah… there we go: strengthen rules that require fair prices… That's exactly what you don't the Federal Government to be doing.  Rep. Thomas Massie thread: Thread. The Biden administration is over the target. Four companies control the majority of meat processed in the United States. This quad-opoly of corporate middlemen have driven up prices in stores while depressing prices paid to struggling farmers. (tinyurl.com/5bxm87km) We all agree: the solution is to promote competition. Biden advisors recommend antitrust lawsuits against the big packers and subsidies for the little guys.  There's a better answer though that's free: Roll back crippling regulations on the little guys and they will flourish. Six years ago, I worked with Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate to introduce a bill called the PRIME Act, which would right-size regulations and break up the corporate monopoly on meat processing.  We've introduced this bill in every congress since 2015. The PRIME Act would allow local farmers to sell meat in local grocery stores using local processors, as long as the commerce doesn't cross state lines, and complies with all state and county regulations (such as monthly inspections by county health departments). Here's the PRIME Act, just a few pages and easy to understand. Check out the House and Senate sponsors from both sides of the aisle: (congress.gov/bill/117th-con…)  (congress.gov/bill/117th-con…) So who opposes the PRIME Act and why hasn't it passed? Big Agriculture lobbyists (posing as friends of small farmers) oppose this bill, and I'm sad to tell you they've bought off most members of the House Agriculture committee. But a President could cut through the bull!  Meanwhile, critics also pointed out that Biden doesn't seem to be too concerned about Big Pharma monopolies. How many Pharmaceutical companies control the current medicine markets? And speaking of monopolies: Democrats Pushing End to Filibuster Rules Democrats are resuming their push to change Senate filibuster rules in the hope of passing elections legislation, and they plan to use the one-year anniversary of the Capitol riot to win over two hold outs, Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema. Democrats are hopeful that they can sway the two moderates by arguing both publicly and privately that the riot set off a sustained Republican effort to erode voting rights in state capitals across the country, Politico reported Monday. Of course this would be an about-face from previous stances.  For example: In 2005, Then-Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., condemned weakening the Senate's tradition of extended debate as “an example of the arrogance of power,” a “power grab by the majority party” that would “eviscerate the Senate.” It was 2005, and Republicans held the White House and Congress. Chuck Schumer on the Filibuster Play Audio The Senate was established originally as a check against majoritarian impulses. It has an equal voice for all the states - 2 senators per state, and there are six year terms with only a third of the senators up for re-election every two years. The 60 vote filibuster is not required by the constitution, but it is certainly in keeping with the spirit of the constitution. Removing the 60 vote threshold certainly does move it closer to the House.  Of course in May 2017, Then-President Donald Trump demanded that Senate Republicans abandon extended debate in order to enact his legislative priorities. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., majority leader at the time, rejected “fundamentally changing how the Senate has worked for a very long time.” The difference between playing politics and standing for principle is seen very clearly right here. Principles are things that don't change. They remain the same for everyone, no matter who is in power. Frequently, Republicans are just as bad as Democrats. While there is certainly room to be grateful for some of what Trump did, this is certainly an area where he was rocking the boat in an unprincipled way. If the Democrats were smart, they'd cite Donald Trump as a defense for their move.  PSalm of the DAy: Psalm 30 2:48-3:28 Remember you can always find the links to our news stories and these psalms at crosspolitic dot com – just click on the daily news brief and follow the links.  This is Toby Sumpter with Crosspolitic News. A reminder: Support Rowdy Christian media, and share this show or become a Fight Laugh Feast Club Member. Remember if you didn't make it to the Fight Laugh Feast Conferences, club members have access to all the talks from Douglas Wilson, Joe Boot, Jeff Durbin, Glenn Sunshine, Nate Wilson, David Bahnsen, Voddie Baucham, Ben Merkle, and many more. Join today and have a great day.

Play: 0:00-0:07 I think I agree with Chuck Schumer … and more on today's CrossPolitic Daily News Brief. This is Toby Sumpter. Today is Tuesday, January 4, 2021. VAERS Stats from SEn. Ron Johnson The chart lists Ivermectin, Hydroxychloriquine, Flu vaccines, Dexamethasone, Tylenol, Remdesivir, and Covid Vaccines. While Ivermectin lists 393 total deaths, with 15 deaths per year, and hydroxychloriquine lists 1770 total deaths, averaging 69 deaths per year, and Flu vaccines list 2001 deaths total, with an average of 77 deaths per year, Covid vaccines show a total of 21,002 deaths and since that has only been counting for the last year, that is also the currently annual average: 21,002 deaths from COVID vaccines. Now, were some of those deaths with vaccines instead of from vaccine? Most likely. But something is going on there. Girls-Only Schools Say They Will Only Admit Biological Girls A group of girls-only private schools in Britain are refusing to admit transgender students, worried that it could affect their status as single-sex schools under current law. The Girls' Day School Trust (GDST), which represents 25 schools across Britain, released its policy with regards to gender identity in order to clarify that the schools organizing through this group should reject the admission of transgender children. The GDST believes that an admissions policy based on gender identity rather than the legal sex recorded on a student's birth certificate would jeopardize the status of GDST schools as single-sex schools under the act,” their new guidance states. “For this reason, GDST schools do not accept applications from students who are legally male. We will, however, continue to monitor the legal interpretation of this exemption,” the guidance continues. The Trust hastened to add that all current transgender students are welcome to remain as students. The Trust also sacrificed four oxen, three sheep, and two turtle doves following the announcement, hoping not to be destroyed from the face of the earth. The problem is that men in the UK and in North America have not stood for freedom: DNB AR500 Armor: The Mission of Armored Republic is to Honor Christ by equipping Free Men with Tools of Liberty necessary to preserve God-given rights. In the Armored Republic there is no King but Christ. We are Free Craftsmen. Body Armor is a Tool of Liberty. We create Tools of Liberty. Free men must remain ever vigilant against tyranny wherever it appears. God has given us the tools of liberty needed to defend the rights He bestowed to us. Armored Republic is honored to offer you those Tools. Visit them at www.ar500armor.com. Biden To Promote Meat Industry Overhaul President Biden on Monday will promote an overhaul of the meat-packing industry as he blames rising consumer prices and dwindling farmers' profits on the handful of large “middlemen” who dominate the processing segment of the supply chain. Play: 2:00-2:44 The White House said the administration will spend $1 billion to expand independent processing capacity and instill competition in a market where four meat-packing companies control 85% of the beef market, four firms control 50% of poultry processing, and four big processors control 70% of the pork market. Mr. Biden is under pressure to alleviate inflation and supply chain pressures that are making food, gas, toys and other products more expensive. At times, he's blamed the sticker shock on price gouging by big industry players. The meat-processing industry is his latest target. He said dominant processors are increasing their profits at the expense of farmers and families. Mr. Biden's plan includes $100 million for workforce training and safety after Congress accused the meat-packing industry of forcing workers into unsafe conditions during the pandemic. Ransomware attacks also hit the industry earlier in Mr. Biden's term. The White House said it will strengthen rules that require farmers and ranchers to get a fair price for the meat they provide. Ah… there we go: strengthen rules that require fair prices… That's exactly what you don't the Federal Government to be doing. Rep. Thomas Massie thread: Thread. The Biden administration is over the target. Four companies control the majority of meat processed in the United States. This quad-opoly of corporate middlemen have driven up prices in stores while depressing prices paid to struggling farmers. (tinyurl.com/5bxm87km) We all agree: the solution is to promote competition. Biden advisors recommend antitrust lawsuits against the big packers and subsidies for the little guys. There's a better answer though that's free: Roll back crippling regulations on the little guys and they will flourish. Six years ago, I worked with Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate to introduce a bill called the PRIME Act, which would right-size regulations and break up the corporate monopoly on meat processing. We've introduced this bill in every congress since 2015. The PRIME Act would allow local farmers to sell meat in local grocery stores using local processors, as long as the commerce doesn't cross state lines, and complies with all state and county regulations (such as monthly inspections by county health departments). Here's the PRIME Act, just a few pages and easy to understand. Check out the House and Senate sponsors from both sides of the aisle: (congress.gov/bill/117th-con…) (congress.gov/bill/117th-con…) So who opposes the PRIME Act and why hasn't it passed? Big Agriculture lobbyists (posing as friends of small farmers) oppose this bill, and I'm sad to tell you they've bought off most members of the House Agriculture committee. But a President could cut through the bull! Meanwhile, critics also pointed out that Biden doesn't seem to be too concerned about Big Pharma monopolies. How many Pharmaceutical companies control the current medicine markets? And speaking of monopolies: Democrats Pushing End to Filibuster Rules Democrats are resuming their push to change Senate filibuster rules in the hope of passing elections legislation, and they plan to use the one-year anniversary of the Capitol riot to win over two hold outs, Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema. Democrats are hopeful that they can sway the two moderates by arguing both publicly and privately that the riot set off a sustained Republican effort to erode voting rights in state capitals across the country, Politico reported Monday. Of course this would be an about-face from previous stances. For example: In 2005, Then-Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., condemned weakening the Senate's tradition of extended debate as “an example of the arrogance of power,” a “power grab by the majority party” that would “eviscerate the Senate.” It was 2005, and Republicans held the White House and Congress. Chuck Schumer on the Filibuster Play Audio The Senate was established originally as a check against majoritarian impulses. It has an equal voice for all the states - 2 senators per state, and there are six year terms with only a third of the senators up for re-election every two years. The 60 vote filibuster is not required by the constitution, but it is certainly in keeping with the spirit of the constitution. Removing the 60 vote threshold certainly does move it closer to the House. Of course in May 2017, Then-President Donald Trump demanded that Senate Republicans abandon extended debate in order to enact his legislative priorities. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., majority leader at the time, rejected “fundamentally changing how the Senate has worked for a very long time.” The difference between playing politics and standing for principle is seen very clearly right here. Principles are things that don't change. They remain the same for everyone, no matter who is in power. Frequently, Republicans are just as bad as Democrats. While there is certainly room to be grateful for some of what Trump did, this is certainly an area where he was rocking the boat in an unprincipled way. If the Democrats were smart, they'd cite Donald Trump as a defense for their move. PSalm of the DAy: Psalm 30 2:48-3:28 Remember you can always find the links to our news stories and these psalms at crosspolitic dot com – just click on the daily news brief and follow the links. This is Toby Sumpter with Crosspolitic News. A reminder: Support Rowdy Christian media, and share this show or become a Fight Laugh Feast Club Member. Remember if you didn't make it to the Fight Laugh Feast Conferences, club members have access to all the talks from Douglas Wilson, Joe Boot, Jeff Durbin, Glenn Sunshine, Nate Wilson, David Bahnsen, Voddie Baucham, Ben Merkle, and many more. Join today and have a great day.

A live audience interviews U.S. Congressman Don Bacon, a decorated veteran and member of the House Agriculture and Armed Services Committees, about the U.S. food supply, technology, and national security. Find more (including how to join us live) at PM101.live

The U.S. House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture held a hearing to examine urgent challenges within the beef supply chain. After hearing testimony from agriculture economists, land-grant university faculty, and cattle industry stakeholders, many members of Congress echoed the National Cattlemen's Beef Association's (NCBA) longstanding call to expand processing capacity. Chrissy Wozniak of North American Ag speaks with Tanner Beymer, Director of Government Affairs & Market Regulatory Policy for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.  During the Hearing members also noted the need for greater transparency in cattle markets to create conditions that support both a reliable, affordable supply of U.S. beef and the continued financial viability of American cattle farmers and ranchers.  "The roadblocks that are depressing profits for our cattle producers and endangering the steady supply of affordable beef have really captured the attention of lawmakers," said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. "The continued momentum we are seeing on expanding processing capacity, both on Capitol Hill and at USDA, is a positive sign. We are grateful to Chairman Costa and Ranking Member Johnson for prioritizing this issue. We look forward to continuing to work with members of the House Agriculture Committee to advance solutions like the Butcher Block Act that would alleviate some of the chokepoints that are hurting our producers."   Cattle industry concerns have seen increased attention recently from both sides of the aisle as NCBA has advocated for commonsense solutions that address the most urgent challenges facing producers. In recent months, NCBA has engaged with Congress and the administration to:  Secure the introduction of legislation to help small, independent processors expand capacity and improve marketing options for cattle producers. Reform the "Product of the USA" beef label in a way that benefits both consumers and producers.Defend family farms, ranches, and rural communities against devastating proposed tax hikes.  Deliver critical progress on much-needed flexibility under hours-of-service regulations for livestock haulers. Ensure that the "America the Beautiful" or 30x30 conservation plan prioritizes the input of agricultural producers and respects private property rights. This episode is sponsored by KühlerZ, learn more at https://northamericanag.com/kuhlerz.Visit https://northamericanag.com/NCBA or https://www.ncba.org/ to learn more.Brought to you by NorthAmericanAg.com and ChrissyWozniak.com. Visit us at https://northamericanag.com, and https://chrissywozniak.com.The Women in Agribusiness (WIA) Summit annually convenes over 800 of the country's female agribusiness decision-makers. The 2022 WIA Summit, September 26-28 in Dallas, TX includes presentations from Cargill's Corporate Senior Vice President, Animal Health & Nutrition, Ruth Kimmelshue; Marco Orioli, VP of Global Grain & Processing for EMEA, CHS; and Brooke Appleton of the NCGA. Learn more at https://agr.fyi/wia_register. FIRA USA 18-20 OCT. 2022 (FRESNO-CA): The only 3-day event dedicated to the California and North America market for autonomous agriculture and agricultural robotics solutions.Learn More at https://agr.fyi/fira

Inside Agriculture Segment 1

This week's Open Mic guest is U.S. Senator Charles Grassley. The Iowa ag leader is in the thick of issues from renewable fuel policy to global trade agreements. Grassley wants a government response to cattle price discovery and offers a willingness to compromise on policy options. The meatpacking industry will be the focus of a pair of hearings this week, one by the Senate Judiciary Committee, and another by a House Agriculture subcommittee. He also offers insights on confined animal feeding operations, interstate commerce, sustainable agriculture, EPA and USTR.

This week we have a conversation with  Debbie Phillips. Debbie is a former House member in Ohio and currently the CEO of Rural Action.  As a House member, she served on the House Finance Committee, House Education Committee, House Agriculture & Rural Development Committee, the Joint Legislative Ethics Commission and the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review. She also previously served as a member of Athens City Council. She was the founding Executive Director of the Ohio Fair Schools Campaign, which was hosted through Rural Action and worked to promote quality public education.  Debbie’s core purpose is to help connect people to a sense of agency and joy. 

Farmers, 4-H and the FFA had the opportunity to address the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee this week in Nashville as part of the overall celebration of National Ag Week. The post All About Ag appeared first on Tennessee Farm Bureau.

Farmers, 4-H and the FFA had the opportunity to address the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee this week in Nashville as part of the overall celebration of National Ag Week. The post All About Ag appeared first on Tennessee Farm Bureau.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack is scheduled to meet with the Chinese ag minister tonight and House Agriculture leaders see different paths for carbon markets. More in today's DriveTime. 

In this episode of Keeping Oregon Oregon, meet the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources' Chair, Rep. Brad Witt. Rep. Witt discusses his commitment to sustainability and describes his committee's issues for the 2021 legislative session.

Click to listen to episode (4:41) Sections below are the following:Transcript of AudioAudio Notes and AcknowledgmentsImagesExtra InformationSourcesRelated Water Radio EpisodesFor Virginia Teachers (Relevant SOLs, etc.) Unless otherwise noted, all Web addresses mentioned were functional as of 12-31-20.TRANSCRIPT OF AUDIO From the Cumberland Gap to the Atlantic Ocean, this is Virginia Water Radio for the week of January 4, 2021. This week is our annual preview of the Virginia General Assembly, which convenes this year on January 13.  We start with some music and a short General Assembly quiz.  Have a listen for about 20 seconds to part of “The Lass of Gowrie,” a traditional tune from the British Isles, which might have entertained General Assembly members in centuries past; it’s performed here by Timothy Seaman of Williamsburg, Virginia.  While you listen, consider this question: what do the numbers 1619, 100, 40, 60, 30, and 46 have to do with the General Assembly? MUSIC – ~18 sec – instrumental. Here are the quiz answers: The first meeting of the Virginia legislature was held in Jamestown in 1619. The current General Assembly consists of 100 members of the House of Delegates and 40 members of the Senate. And the Assembly convenes for a scheduled 60-day “long session” in even-numbered years and a scheduled 30-day “short session” in odd-numbered years.  In practice, the 30-day sessions are usually expanded to 46 days. In each session, thousands of bills and resolutions are proposed.  Usually about 100 to 200 bills relate to water resources, either directly through impacts on aquatic life, water supply, or other water uses; or indirectly through land uses that affect water.  The state budget also affects water, particularly through funding of water-related departments, such as Conservation and Recreation, Environmental Quality, Game and Inland Fisheries, and the Marine Resources Commission.  A new biennial budget is proposed in each even-numbered year session for the upcoming two fiscal years, while amendments to the current budget may be considered every year.Action on measures in the General Assembly involves sub-committees, full committees, and floor debate.  Passed bills go to the governor for approval, veto, or proposed changes.  All along the way, citizens, interest groups, and other stakeholders vie to have a say through information and opinions.  You can join in by following the Assembly’s work and by communicating with your local delegate or senator about issues of concern.  Tools to help you do so are available online at virginiageneralassembly.gov. Thanks to Timothy Seaman for permission to use part of “The Lass of Gowrie.”  We close with some more music, this time by the Harrisonburg- and Rockingham County, Virginia-based band, “The Steel Wheels,” with a song whose title reminds us of what the 140 General Assembly members are called to do every January.  Here’s about 25 seconds of “Get to Work.” MUSIC – ~27 sec – Lyrics: “Wake up in the morning and get work; wake up in the morning and get to work.  Got a lot of work to do; gonna go do it; gotta get to it.” SHIP’S BELL Virginia Water Radio is produced by the Virginia Water Resources Research Center, part of Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment.  For more Virginia water sounds, music, or information, visit us online at virginiawaterradio.org, or call the Water Center at (540) 231-5624.  Thanks to Stewart Scales for his banjo version of Cripple Creek to open and close this show.  In Blacksburg, I’m Alan Raflo, thanking you for listening, and wishing you health, wisdom, and good water. AUDIO NOTES AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The version of “The Lass of Gowrie” heard in this episode, from the 1998 album “Celebration of Centuries: Acoustic Instrumental Music for Williamsburg, Jamestown, & Yorktown, Virginia,” is copyright Timothy Seaman and Pine Wind Music, used with permission.  More information about Mr. Seaman is available online at http://timothyseaman.com/en/.  This music was used previously by Virginia Water Radio in Episode 402, 1-8-18 (General Assembly preview episode for 2018). “Get to Work,” from the 2019 album “Over the Trees,” is copyright by The Steel Wheels, used with permission.  More information about The Steel Wheels is available online at https://www.thesteelwheels.com/home; at https://www.facebook.com/thesteelwheels/; and in a July 2015 interview with Cory Kuklick for the WHURK Newsletter, online at http://whurk.org/29/the-steel-wheels.  Click here if you’d like to hear the full version (1 min./11 sec.) of the “Cripple Creek” arrangement/performance by Stewart Scales that opens and closes this episode.  More information about Mr. Scales and the group New Standard, with which Mr. Scales plays, is available online at https://www.newstandardbluegrass.com/. IMAGES Painting of the first meeting of the Virginia House of Burgesses in Jamestown in 1619.  Image from the Virginia General Assembly, “About the General Assembly,” online at this link.Old Virginia House of Delegates chamber in the State Capitol in Richmond, January 31, 2018.Virginia House of Delegates floor session at the State Capitol in Richmond, January 31, 2018.Virginia Senate floor session at the State Capitol in Richmond, January 31, 2018.EXTRA INFORMATION ABOUT THE VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLYThe General Assembly’s main Web page, http://virginiageneralassembly.gov/index.php, offers several useful features, including member lists, session calendars, live video of floor sessions, and information on legislative processes.  The Legislative Information System (LIS) Web site, http://lis.virginia.gov/lis.htm, provides lists and summaries of all bills, searchable by topic, member, committee, etc.  Streaming of floor sessions is available at https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/house/chamber/chamberstream.phpfor the House and http://virginia-senate.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3for the Senate. Committees are key parts of the General Assembly process.  Legislation about water or about activities that can affect water may be assigned to any of several standing committees, most of which meet weekly during the General Assembly session.  Streaming of House committee meetings is available online at https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/house/committees/commstream.html; streaming of Senate committee meetings is available online at http://virginia-senate.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3.  Two committees that receive many (but not all) of the water-related bills are the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee.  Information about all standing committees as of the 2021 session—including membership, meeting times, and legislation being considered—is available online at https://lis.virginia.gov/211/com/COM.HTM. To express an opinion on legislation, citizens are requested to contact their respective delegate of senator.  If you do not know your representatives or their contact information, you can use the online “Who’s My Legislator” service, available at http://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/. You can find members’ contact information at these links:House of Delegates, at http://virginiageneralassembly.gov/house/members/members.php;State Senate, at https://apps.senate.virginia.gov/Senator/. The Lobbyist-In-A-Box subscriber service also offers free tracking for up to five bills, and it offers tracking of more than five bills for a fee; visit http://lis.virginia.gov/h015.htm.  For assistance, phone Legislative Automated Systems at (804) 786-9631. SOURCES USED FOR AUDIO AND OFFERING MORE INFORMATION Andrew Kuntz and Valerio Pelliccioni, “The Traditional Tune Archive,” online at https://tunearch.org/wiki/TTA.  “The Lass of Gowrie” entry is online at https://tunearch.org/wiki/Lass_o%27_Gowrie_(1). Virginia Division of Legislative Services, “Commissions, Committees, and Councils,” online at http://dls.virginia.gov/commissions.html. Virginia House of Delegates Appropriations Committee, “Legislative Budget Process,” online at http://hac.virginia.gov/legislative.htm. Virginia General Assembly main Web site, online at https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/index.php.  See particularly the following specific pages (all hyperlinked): About the General Assembly;Citizen Involvement;Legislative Terms. Virginia Legislative Information System, online at https://lis.virginia.gov/.  For committee information, see https://lis.virginia.gov/211/com/COM.HTM. Virginia Water Resources Research Center, “Virginia Water Legislation,” online at https://www.vwrrc.vt.edu/virginia-water-legislation/.  This site provides access to inventories of water-related bills in the Virginia General Assembly from 1998 through 2019. RELATED VIRGINIA WATER RADIO EPISODES All Water Radio episodes are listed by category at the Index link above (http://www.virginiawaterradio.org/p/index.html).  See particularly the “Community/Organizations” subject category. Following are links to previous episodes on the Virginia General Assembly. Episode 143, 1-7-13 – annual General Assembly preview. Episode 147, 2-4-13 – on General Assembly committees. Episode 196, 1-13-14 – annual General Assembly preview. Episode 247, 1-5-15 – annual General Assembly preview, with special focus on the state budget. Episode 252, 2-9-15 – annual “voting on water” episode. Episode 297, 1-4-16 – annual General Assembly preview. Episode 302, 2-8-16 – annual “voting on water” episode. Episode 350, 1-9-17 – annual General Assembly preview. Episode 353, 1-30-17 – annual “voting on water” episode. Episode 359, 3-13-17 – on General Assembly subcommittees. Episode 402, 1-8-18 – annual General Assembly preview. Episode 405, 1-29-18 – annual “voting on water” episode. Episode 410, 3-5-18 – on 2018 session legislation on electricity regulation. Episode 454, 1-7-19 – annual General Assembly preview. Episode 460, 2-18-19 – annual “voting on water” episode.Episode 506, 1-6-20 – annual General Assembly preview.Episode 510, 2-3-20 – annual “voting on water” episode.Episode 522, 4-2-/20 – on 2020 session legislation on electricity generation, carbon emissions, and recurrent flooding. FOR VIRGINIA TEACHERS – RELATED STANDARDS OF LEARNING (SOLs) AND OTHER INFORMATION Following are some Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) that may be supported by this episode’s audio/transcript, sources, or other information included in this post. 2020 Music SOLs SOLs at various grade levels that call for “examining the relationship of music to the other fine arts and other fields of knowledge.” 2018 Science SOLs Grades K-5 – Earth Resources3.8 – Natural events and humans influence ecosystems.4.8. – Virginia has important natural resources. Grade 66.9 – Humans impact the environment and individuals can influence public policy decisions related to energy and the environment.Life Science Course LS.9     – Relationships exist between ecosystem dynamics and human activity.Earth Science Course ES.6 – Resource use is complex.ES.8 – Freshwater resources influence and are influenced by geologic processes and human activity.ES.10 – Oceans are complex, dynamic systems subject to long- and short-term variations, including effects of human actions.ES.11 – The atmosphere is a complex, dynamic system subject to long-and short-term variations, including effects of human actions. Biology CourseBIO.8 – Dynamic equilibria exist within populations, communities, and ecosystems, and  natural events and human activities influence local and global ecosystems and may affect the flora and fauna of Virginia. 2015 Social Studies SOLs Virginia Studies Course VS.10 – Knowledge of government, geography, and economics in present-day Virginia. Civics and Economics Course CE.1 – Social studies skills that responsible citizenship requires. CE.7 – Government at the state level. CE.10 – Public policy at local, state, and national levels. World Geography Course WG.18 - Cooperation among political jurisdictions to solve problems and settle disputes. Government Course GOVT.1 – Social studies skills that responsible citizenship requires. GOVT.8 – State and local government organization and powers. GOVT.9 – Public policy at local, state, and national levels. GOVT.15 – Role of government in Va. and U.S. economies, including examining environmental issues and property rights.Virginia’s SOLs are available from the Virginia Department of Education, online at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/. Following are links to Water Radio episodes (various topics) designed especially for certain K-12 grade levels. Episode 250, 1-26-15 – on boiling, for kindergarten through 3rd grade.Episode 255, 3-2-15 – on density, for 5th and 6th grade.Episode 282, 9-21-15 – on living vs. non-living, for kindergarten.Episode 309, 3-28-16 – on temperature regulation in animals, for kindergarten through 12thgrade.Episode 333, 9-12-16 – on dissolved gases, especially dissolved oxygen in aquatic habitats, for 5th grade.Episode 403, 1-15-18 – on freezing and ice, for kindergarten through 3rd grade.Episode 404, 1-22-18 – on ice on ponds and lakes, for 4th through 8thgrade.Episode 406, 2-5-18 – on ice on rivers, for middle school.Episode 407, 2-12-18 – on snow chemistry and physics, for high school.Episode 483, 7-29-19 – on buoyancy and drag, for middle school and high school.Episode 524, 5-11-20 – on sounds by water-related animals, for elementary school through high school.Episode 531, 6-29-20 – on various ways that animals get water, for 3rdand 4th grade.Episode 539, 8-24-20 – on basic numbers and facts about Virginia’s water resources, for 4th and 6th grade.

Brent and David on ad hoc payment, corn prices, what the elections mean for Senate and House Agriculture and discuss their newest project, Escaping 1980.

Our second Congressional District candidate forum, this time for New York's 27th District. The NY-27 District includes 5 towns in Monroe County, including Mendon, Rush (home to our Sunshine Campus), Wheatland, Hamlin, and a portion of Clarkson. It also includes Victor and Canandaigua. Both major party candidates have been invited. The Republican candidate and incumbent, Congressman Chris Jacobs, accepted our invitation. Chris Jacobs is a conservative reformer, small businessman and United States Congressman representing the 27th Congressional District of New York. He was sworn in on July 21st, 2020 and serves on both the House Agriculture and Budget Committees. Prior to being elected to Congress he served in the New York State Senate and as Erie County Clerk.

Southern Sense is conservative talk with Annie "The Radio Chick-A-Dee" Ubelis, as host and "CS" Bennett, co-host. Informative, fun, irreverent and politically incorrect, you never know where we'll go, but you'll love the journey! Southern-Sense.comCongressman Ted Yoho represents Florida’s 3rd Congressional District which encompasses all of North Central Florida and spans 6 counties. He serves on the House Agriculture committee as well as the House Foreign Affairs committee where he is also the Ranking Member of the Asia, Pacific and Nonproliferation subcommittee. https://www.tedyoho.comRetired Navy Captain Ryman Shoaf is a former National War College instructor and radio host. He is a frequent Keynote Speaker, Event Speaker, Radio Guest, Class Instructor, and Emcee at a variety of events and for military honors.Jennifer Carroll was Florida's 18th Lieutenant Governor. She was the first female elected as Lieutenant Governor in Florida and the first African-American and Caribbean elected Statewide. She immigrated to the United States at the age of eight and served her adopted land admirably. http://jennifercarroll.comMike Gonzalez is a senior fellow in Heritage's Allison Center for Foreign Policy and the Angeles T. Arredondo E Pluribus Unum fellow. https://www.heritage.orgDedication: Deputy Sheriff Richard Edward Whitten, Liberty County Sheriff's Office, Texas, End of Watch Monday, February 3, 2020

Southern Sense is conservative talk with Annie "The Radio Chick-A-Dee" Ubelis, as host and "CS" Bennett, co-host.  Informative, fun, irreverent and politically incorrect, you never know where we'll go, but you'll love the journey!  Southern-Sense.comCongressman Ted Yoho represents Florida’s 3rd Congressional District which encompasses all of North Central Florida and spans 6 counties. He serves on the House Agriculture committee as well as the House Foreign Affairs committee where he is also the Ranking Member of the Asia, Pacific and Nonproliferation subcommittee.  https://www.tedyoho.comRetired Navy Captain Ryman Shoaf is a former National War College instructor and radio host.  He is a frequent Keynote Speaker, Event Speaker, Radio Guest, Class Instructor, and Emcee at a variety of events and for military honors.Jennifer Carroll was Florida's 18th Lieutenant Governor. She was the first female elected as Lieutenant Governor in Florida and the first African-American and Caribbean elected Statewide. She immigrated to the United States at the age of eight and served her adopted land admirably.  http://jennifercarroll.comMike Gonzalez is a senior fellow in Heritage's Allison Center for Foreign Policy and the Angeles T. Arredondo E Pluribus Unum fellow.  https://www.heritage.orgDedication: Deputy Sheriff Richard Edward Whitten, Liberty County Sheriff's Office, Texas, End of Watch Monday, February 3, 2020

Southern Sense is conservative talk with Annie "The Radio Chick-A-Dee" Ubelis, as host and "CS" Bennett, co-host.  Informative, fun, irreverent and politically incorrect, you never know where we'll go, but you'll love the journey!  Southern-Sense.com Congressman Ted Yoho represents Florida’s 3rd Congressional District which encompasses all of North Central Florida and spans 6 counties. He serves on the House Agriculture committee as well as the House Foreign Affairs committee where he is also the Ranking Member of the Asia, Pacific and Nonproliferation subcommittee.  https://www.tedyoho.com Retired Navy Captain Ryman Shoaf is a former National War College instructor and radio host.  He is a frequent Keynote Speaker, Event Speaker, Radio Guest, Class Instructor, and Emcee at a variety of events and for military honors. Jennifer Carroll was Florida's 18th Lieutenant Governor. She was the first female elected as Lieutenant Governor in Florida and the first African-American and Caribbean elected Statewide. She immigrated to the United States at the age of eight and served her adopted land admirably.  http://jennifercarroll.com Mike Gonzalez is a senior fellow in Heritage's Allison Center for Foreign Policy and the Angeles T. Arredondo E Pluribus Unum fellow.  https://www.heritage.org Dedication: Deputy Sheriff Richard Edward Whitten, Liberty County Sheriff's Office, Texas, End of Watch Monday, February 3, 2020

Southern Sense is conservative talk with Annie "The Radio Chick-A-Dee" Ubelis, as host and "CS" Bennett, co-host. Informative, fun, irreverent and politically incorrect, you never know where we'll go, but you'll love the journey! Southern-Sense.comCongressman Ted Yoho represents Florida’s 3rd Congressional District which encompasses all of North Central Florida and spans 6 counties. He serves on the House Agriculture committee as well as the House Foreign Affairs committee where he is also the Ranking Member of the Asia, Pacific and Nonproliferation subcommittee. https://www.tedyoho.comRetired Navy Captain Ryman Shoaf is a former National War College instructor and radio host. He is a frequent Keynote Speaker, Event Speaker, Radio Guest, Class Instructor, and Emcee at a variety of events and for military honors.Jennifer Carroll was Florida's 18th Lieutenant Governor. She was the first female elected as Lieutenant Governor in Florida and the first African-American and Caribbean elected Statewide. She immigrated to the United States at the age of eight and served her adopted land admirably. http://jennifercarroll.comMike Gonzalez is a senior fellow in Heritage's Allison Center for Foreign Policy and the Angeles T. Arredondo E Pluribus Unum fellow. https://www.heritage.orgDedication: Deputy Sheriff Richard Edward Whitten, Liberty County Sheriff's Office, Texas, End of Watch Monday, February 3, 2020

This report by program host Aileen Kaye summarizes the issues the state is facing concerning the food supply chain due to COVID-19 as heard by the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee during "Legislative Days" in late May.

This week's guest on Open Mic is Illinois 17th District Representative Cheri Bustos. With strong family ties to agriculture, the Illinois Democrat serves as a member of both the House Agriculture and Appropriations Committees. In this interview, Bustos shares concerns about the trade war with China and its “generational effects” on farmers in her district and across the country. Bustos says the Trump EPA's administration of the RFS is deplorable and an “abomination of how it was set up”. Bustos recently offered her “Rural Green Partnership” to the House Special Committee on the Climate Crisis. The plan includes agriculture as a valuable tool in the battle against climate change.

This week's guest on Open Mic is U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, who serves the 2nd District of Massachusetts and is a member of the House Agriculture and Rules Committees. McGovern believes food is an important tool to enhance U.S. national security and says farmers and consumers can both benefit from meaningful food and nutrition programs like SNAP. As ranking member on the nutrition sub-committee, McGovern believes additional spending on nutrition programs could save government spending on health care over the longer-term.  McGovern says he eats foods with GMOs but criticizes the recently approved mandatory biotech disclosure legislation and shares why he is no fan of current or pending trade deals. Jeff NalleyRep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.

Food, farming, jobs, and education. These are just a few of the topics watched over and influenced by the House Agriculture and Rural Development committee of the Ohio General Assembly. Let's focus on some key issues. Guest: Rep. Brian Hill, chair, and Rep. Tony Burkley, vice chair. Length 39:20