In this week's episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan welcomes Oregon House Majority Leader Ben Bowman, Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Vin Gopal, and Kansas House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard for our 2026 state legislative preview. These NewDEAL Leaders set the stage for the year ahead and discuss their top priorities for the 2026 sessions, emphasizing their determination to pursue an agenda focused on affordability, even as they navigate the many challenges created by decisions made in Washington, D.C. Policy proposals include renters relief, as well as support for homeowners and homebuyers, pursuing universal free school lunch, and stopping predatory lending. The legislators also reflect on lessons from Democrats' wins in 2025 and discuss strategies to grow support in red states.Tune in to learn more about their reflection on bipartisan collaboration, planning for the unknown, and addressing constituent concerns.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [01:04] Positioning this episode and the legislative year while introducing today's four guests.

• [03:37] How Oregon aims to look across sectors to lower costs during the upcoming session.

• [05:46] Florida's focus on alleviating inaffordability during the upcoming legislative session.

• [08:21] Leader Woodard's focus on implementing Kansas's Affordability Plan and renter relief program.

• [10:15] Battling corporate interests to prioritise affordability in New Jersey.

• [12:23] How decisions at the federal level are impacting affordability in states like Oregon.

• [13:43] The opportunity that Florida's Democrats have to leverage real action for votes.

• [15:11] What led to Governor Mikie Sherrill's majority win and what comes next.

• [16:50] How Kansas Democrats are working to make sure that the Republican supermajority is shattered in November.

• [18:40] Effective communication in leadership in a complex media environment.

• [24:00] The state of bipartisan collaboration in each of our leaders' states.

• [28:25] Planning for the unknown as state legislators.

• [33:00] What constituents are most worried about at the moment, and what the Senate can do to meet these needs.

• [36:57] Concerns and hope for the coming election.

In this week's episode, NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Grant Hauschild, the Assistant Majority Leader in the Minnesota Senate in the midst of an exceptionally challenging time in his state. They talk about the tragedies and ongoing fallout from last week's killing of Renee Good, as well as last summer's assassination of former Speaker Melissa Hortman and the attempted assassination of Senator John Hoffman. In addition, Hauschild talks about his experience as the last Democrat standing in rural Northeast Minnesota, along with his focus on the affordability issues his constituents are facing and how to address them. The conversation ends on notes of optimism, however, as Hauschild discusses how Democrats can win back rural voters and his work on the Civility Caucus. Tune in to learn more from this engaging discussion, including about Hauschild's path to public service.

Happy New Year! For our first episode of 2026, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Alaska State Representative Genevieve Mina. They discuss what it takes to craft policy in a state grappling with severe climate impacts and some of the nation's highest healthcare costs. Representative Mina offers an inside look at the unique challenges and opportunities shaping Alaska's future. The conversation also unpacks what sparked her initial interest in policy and politics, and how her perspective has shifted over the years. Mina explains how the Alaskan legislature works in both structure and culture and how it became the only state with bipartisan leadership coalitions She shares how the legislature is working to bridge Alaska's urban-rural divide and gives her take on its shifting partisan makeup. Tune in to hear about where the state may be headed politically and to learn more from this engaging conversation.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [01:06] Introducing today's guest, Alaska Representative Genevieve Mina.

• [02:00] Growing up in Anchorage, Alaska, to immigrant parents.

• [03:30] What shaped her view of healthcare in the state of Alaska.

• [04:50] Representative Mina shares what sparked her interest in policy and politics.

• [07:00] How her own experience shifted her perception of politics.

• [08:30] What it is like to represent the most diverse census tract in the United States.

• [10:00] She recounts her decision to run, moving from supporting and advocating to putting
her name on a ballot.

• [12:43] Representative Mina explains how the Alaskan legislature works in both structure and
culture.

• [13:40] How it came to be that they are the only state with coalitions in both their chambers in
the legislature.

• [15:45] She explains the issues that led to the formation of coalitions.

• [17:00] Their strategy for navigating health programs to expand services and potentially
reduce costs.

• [17:55] Representative Mina's broader agenda, including the initiatives and bills she's
currently advancing.

• [19:30] How the current federal chaos, economic chaos, and tariffs are landing in Alaska.

• [20:55] Responding to the dramatic effects of climate change in Alaska.

• [22:10] Bridging Alaska's urban-rural divide through relationship-building and mutual
understanding among diverse communities.

• [24:30] Examining Alaska's shifting partisan makeup and where the state may be headed
politically.

• [26:45] How Representative Mina is looking to spend her time and energy going forward.