The Orrick Public Policy Podcast Series

In our latest episode, Public Policy Practice Group Partner Scott Ward and Public Policy Podcast host Michelle MacGregor speak with Florida Speaker-designate Paul Renner about the Florida legislature’s accomplishments last session, the outlook for the 2023 legislative session, and the upcoming November elections.

In our latest episode, Public Policy Podcast hosts Jon Mandel and Scott Ward spoke with the Delaware Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend about the state’s $800 million budget surplus, marijuana legalization, and legislative highlights such as the Healthy Delaware Families Act, which advances family/medical leave policy.

In our latest episode, Public Policy Podcast hosts Michelle MacGregor and Scott Ward spoke with the Minnesota State Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller, the youngest Senate President in state history, about sports betting, Minnesota’s $7.7 billion budget surplus and public safety. As it’s an election year for the entire legislature and Governorship, we also discussed the upcoming midterm elections and the redistricting process.

In our latest episode, Public Policy Practice Group Leader Jeremy Kudon and Justin Cooper, Finance Sector Leader and a member of our Public Finance practice, spoke with California Senate Majority Leader Bob Hertzberg about his new book, California’s recall election, the state’s ongoing housing crisis and his thoughts on his son Daniel running for his seat.

In its latest episode, Public Policy Podcast hosts Michelle McGann and Jon Mandel were joined by Mississippi Speaker of the House Philip Gunn to discuss the Mississippi Tax Freedom Act, the future of rural broadband expansion, the court-overturned medical marijuana ballot initiative and the adoption of a new state flag.

In its latest episode, Public Policy Podcast hosts Michelle McGann and Jon Mandel were joined by Virginia Delegate Schuyler VanValkenburg to discuss the Commonwealth’s recent legislative accomplishments impacting education and infrastructure, the upcoming gubernatorial and legislative November elections and the Copa América and UEFA European Championships.

In its latest episode, Orrick Gaming Innovation Regulatory Practice attorneys Ed Bedrosian and Brad Fischer were joined by DraftKings Chief Compliance Officer Jennifer Aguiar to discuss the fast-growing sports betting industry, and how businesses like DraftKings are navigating the regulatory process as the number of states authorizing sports betting continues to rise.

In its latest episode, Orrick Public Policy Hosts Michelle McGann and Jon Mandel were joined by Vermont Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint to talk about the legislative priorities of this session, the most recent federal stimulus package, managing the uptick in hostile rhetoric towards lawmakers and hate crime, and navigating a second legislative session remotely.

In its latest episode, Orrick Public Policy Host Rob McKenna was joined by D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine to talk about his experience as the first elected Attorney General in the District of Columbia and his initiative as the President of the National Association of Attorney Generals to combat hate and hate crimes.

In its latest episode, Orrick Public Policy Partner Scott Ward and Associate Jon Mandel were joined by IA Speaker Pat Grassley to talk about how the Iowa House GOP surpassed expectations leading up to the 2020 elections and expanded its majority, the Speaker’s priorities for the 2021 session, and how the legislature has maintained a healthy budget even amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In its latest episode, Orrick Public Policy Orrick Public Policy hosts Michelle McGann and Jon Mandel were joined by Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Jessica Post and Republican State Leadership Committee President Austin Chambers for an election recap and the redistricting agenda for 2021.

Orrick's Michelle McGann and Jon Mandel were joined by Arizona House Minority Leader Charlene Fernandez to talk about the possibility of the Arizona House flipping blue, her experience working with the Republican majority on bipartisan efforts, including drought relief, and why investing in universities and infrastructure are key priorities for future legislative sessions.

Orrick's Michelle McGann and Jon Mandel were joined by Minnesota Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent to talk about the historical and current political dynamics of the North Star State, the legislature’s comprehensive approach to racial justice and police reform in the wake of George Floyd’s killing, Minnesota’s voting preparations for the upcoming general election, and how the presidential race impacts down-ticket legislative races.

Orrick's Scott Ward and Michelle McGann were joined by Pennsylvania Speaker Bryan Cutler to talk about the Pennsylvania legislature’s election reform efforts, how the legislature is addressing the economic crisis through the budget, and how adapting to remote voting has led to the legislature’s busiest session in years.

Orrick's Michelle McGann and Jon Mandel were joined by Louisiana Senator Sharon Hewitt to talk about Louisiana’s recovery from this hurricane season, the Senator’s efforts to recruit more women to run for state office, and alligator hunting.

Orrick's Rob McKenna was joined by Montana Attorney General Tim Fox to talk about his leadership of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), how multistate AG investigations have shaped industry trends, and how his office is making progress in the fight against human trafficking.

Orrick's Michelle McGann and Jon Mandel were joined by Maine Senator Henry Beck to talk about Treasurer Beck’s duties, a refresher on the bond issuance process and two recent bond measures approved by Mainers, and the types of relief that would be helpful from the federal government in tackling COVID-19’s toll on state budgets.

Orrick's Michelle McGann and Jon Mandel were joined by Missouri Senator Caleb Rowden to talk about what topics the Missouri legislature will address in the upcoming special session, how schools at all levels in his district, including Mizzou, are adapting to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, and what additional arrangements the legislature advanced for the health and safety of voters for the upcoming primary election.

Public Policy Podcast is turning to the nation’s capital for its first-ever July Fourth episode. Orrick's Michelle McGann and Jon Mandel were joined by District of Columbia Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie to talk about how local governments are handling the reopening process, what new approaches to the public safety budget and criminal justice system the DC Council is contemplating, and the recent U.S. House vote on DC statehood.

Orrick's Michelle McGann and Jon Mandel were joined by Arizona Senate President Karen Fann to talk about how her experience as a small business owner and in local government is shaping how Arizona tackles COVID-19, how Arizona government and businesses are working together to make public spaces safer, and which topics the Arizona legislature is considering to address during a special legislative session or next session.

Orrick stands with the Black Lives Matter Movement and strives to promote dialogue concerning racial equality and policies that work towards safe and inclusive societies. For Public Policy Podcast’s eighth episode, hosts Jeremy Kudon and Michelle McGann have the pleasure of discussing these important topics with Illinois Senator Elgie Sims.

Orrick's Jeremy Kudon and Michelle McGann sit down with Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson about how states in his region are coordinating during the pandemic, how he uses his experience as a teacher to lead the Maryland Senate, and the state’s innovative approaches to economic recovery in a post-COVID world.

Orrick's Nick Green and Michelle McGann sit down with Massachusetts Representative Mark Cusack about how COVID-19 is impacting his constituents, remote voting in his legislature, and the future of transportation and education after the outbreak subsides.

Orrick's Scott Ward and Michelle McGann sit down with Kansas House Speaker Ron Ryckman about how his state legislature is addressing the response to COVID-19 in Kansas, including the constitutional, procedural, and budgetary challenges they have faced as a result of the outbreak.

Orrick's Jeremy Kudon and Michelle McGann sit down with Illinois House Revenue and Finance Committee Chairman Michael Zalewski to discuss technology and an evolving economy in the wake of COVID-19.

Orrick's Jeremy Kudon and Michelle McGann sit down with New York Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris.

Orrick's Jeremy Kudon and Michelle McGann sit down with Speaker Todd Huston to discuss a range of policy issues top of mind for Indiana as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

In our inaugural episode, Orrick's Jeremy Kudon and Michelle McGann sit down with Michigan Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield to discuss his role in leading the state during this period of crisis.