An Honorable Profession

Happy holidays! While our team is off enjoying a well-deserved break, we're revisiting an episode with New York Assemblymember Alex Bores, co-chair of the NewDEAL Forum AI Task Force. As one of the few state legislators in the country with a computer science background, Bores explains how artificial intelligence can change our elections, economy, and everyday lives. He also shares his thoughts on how the government should adjust to the rapid development of AI technology, including about how New York integrates AI into government services, the state economy, and the education system. In addition, the episode dives into the biggest stories from New York’s most recent legislative session, and what to watch for in this year’s elections in the Empire State. Tune in to learn about Bores’s first campaign, why he left the world of tech startups to serve in elected office, and the support he received from his family and friends.

Enjoying An Honorable Profession? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more great content! https://www.youtube.com/@NewdealleadersOrg/

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [01:04] Introducing AI expert and New York Assembly Member Alex Bores.

• [02:07] An overview of how his most recent session: protection bills, expanding the number of judges, and more.

• [04:27] Approaching the problem and potential of AI in elections.

• [07:50] How States are using AI in the election process and what setting a Federal standard would mean.

• [10:35] New York’s approach to integrating AI and why it will never replace government workers.

• [13:32] His strategy to introduce AI to those who might be reluctant.

• [16:00] What has motivated Assembly Member Bores to leave startups to work in the legislature.

• [19:09] His first campaign and how his family forms part of the journey of running for office.

• [21:26] Advice for anyone who wants to run for office in the future.

• [24:30] Insights on where the Democratic Party is in terms of embracing the new generation and the future.

• [26:34] How Assembly Member Bores intends to continue to have an impact in office.

In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty talks policy and balancing work and family life with Virginia Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker. They discuss how Bennett-Parker uses her master’s degree in food anthropology to inform fresh food programs and policies in Virginia, her continuing efforts to expand SNAP benefits for senior citizens, and the push for free, universal school meals. She explains how she has achieved bipartisan support for her bills and the challenges of getting stuff done while juggling the "scheduling gymnastics" of Virginia's part-time legislature, crediting robust collaboration with her staff and colleagues. Bennett-Parker talks about her experience as a new mom in the House of Delegates, as well as some of the steps state legislatures can take to make serving in elected office more accessible for new and working parents. The conversation also examines the prospects for Democrats in a critical off-year election and the future of reproductive rights in Virginia. Tune in for this insightful conversation.

• [1:29] Welcome to Virginia Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker.
• [2:01] Delegate Bennett-Parker’s involvement in food-based nonprofits, where this interest came from, and its role in her policy-making.
• [3:36] The Food Crop Tax Credit bill that the Delegate passed.
• [5:08] Her efforts to expand benefits for senior citizens and K-12 students.
• [6:39] Virginia’s alcohol prohibition for formerly incarcerated food industry employees and efforts to lift it.
• [9:01] How Virginians work across the aisle to pass bills, and how Delegate Bennett-Parker works to promote legislation.
• [11:45] Part-time legislature and Bennett-Parker’s experience managing the legislative session.
• [13:04] What inspired her to run for office and what her experience was like.
• [17:12] The state of Virginia heading into 2024.
• [18:58] Top issues on Virginians’ minds this November.
• [20:11] Serving the community as a new mother and policies that would make elected office more accessible for new parents.

In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty is joined by Cincinnati's first Asian American Mayor, Aftab Pureval, who talks about his vision to make Cincinnati the city of the future by taking "big policy swings." They delve into Pureval's major victories so far, such as his efforts to eliminate $1.4 million in medical debt for 30,000 residents, establish a baby bonds program, and start a pilot for universal basic income. In addition, Pureval describes his political journey, including how he leveraged his diverse background to lead a successful mayoral campaign. Tune in to hear Mayor Pureval reflect on the challenges of leading a blue city in an increasingly red state, as well as the lessons he took from the nationally-watched constitutional amendment vote in Ohio this summer.

IN THIS EPISODE

• [1:05] Get to know today’s guest, Cincinnati Mayor, Aftab Pureval.
• [2:12] How a successful sports franchise can boost morale.
• [4:27] Why Mayor Pureval is so excited about Cincinnati’s potential.
• [4:27] An overview of the plans for the Brent Spence Bridge, the poster child for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
• [6:13] The work being done to address racial and historic inequities in Cincinnati.
• [6:53] A rundown of the factors driving uncertainty in American cities.
• [7:37] Cincinnati's climate resilience and how they are preparing for expected population growth.
• [9:05] Working in the private sector and what this taught Mayor Pureval about innovation, risk, and failure.
• [9:51] How he is convincing people to get behind his big swings for the city.
• [12:27]The big swings, policy initiatives, and changes that the mayor is most excited about.
• [13:53] Steps being taken to address historic segregation and redesign the city.
• [18:46] The Pureval family’s journey from Tibetan refugees to elected official within one generation.
• [21:27] How Mayor Pureval approached his campaigns as someone who is part of a minority group.
• [23:56] Leading a blue city in an increasingly red state and how this impacts governance.
• [28:30] How to spend 24 hours in Cincinnati: sporting, entertainment, and restaurant opportunities!

In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Mayor Lee Harris from Shelby County, TN. Harris was first elected Mayor in 2018 and previously served his community on the Memphis City Council and as a state senator. Debbie and Harris talk about the impact of Tennessee’s dramatic and nationally watched state legislative session, as well as the state's debates on gun safety, including the statewide adoption of Shelby County's safe-gun-storage program. They also discuss some of the Mayor’s innovative initiatives, like his "Work to Break the Cycle" program, which provides job opportunities to formerly incarcerated individuals, and the county's mission to reduce barriers to quality healthcare for all residents. Harris also explains how federal funds have catalyzed significant improvements in Shelby County programs and how those funding streams have improved under the Biden administration. Tune in to learn how Harris brings together his career in advocacy and his love for his community to lead Shelby County and create models for good government that are relevant across the country.

1:03] A warm welcome to long-time NewDEAL leader and Shelby County, TN Mayor, Lee Harris.

[2:43] Mayor Lee explains the current state of politics in Tennessee, especially about gun violence.

[6:02] Fixing the mismatch between the desires of elected officials and the will of the people.

[7:55] Safe gun storage, criminal justice reforms, and other Shelby County initiatives.

[13:17] Why Mayor Lee and his team are focused on expanding access and breaking down barriers.

[18:39] His plans for improving healthcare in his county and state.

[23:25] The role of the Federal Government in funding Shelby County’s various initiatives.

[26:57] Going back through Mayor Lee’s professional journey and how he landed in his current role.

[28:41] What drove him to politics: the need to make a difference.

[30:43] His advice for those who want to be an advocate for better living conditions in their area.

Today is the second episode of our three-week series celebrating National Voter Registration Month, covering a range of topics, from threats to our elections system to how to remove barriers to voter participation, and shedding light on the leaders who are helping to restore our democracy. In this episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks with New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, who has been running elections for almost seventeen years. Despite threats of violence, and an unrelenting barrage of misinformation and disinformation, she continues to find silver linings and remains wholeheartedly committed to her work. They talk about Toulouse Oliver's path to public service, the recently passed New Mexico Voting Rights Act, and the importance of balancing transparency and security in the voting process. Tune in to hear the Secretary's insights on the current state of American democracy and how she continues to find hope and inspiration.

IN THIS EPISODE

(0:02:41): Where Secretary Toulouse Oliver's passion for politics originated.

(0:03:45): Her journey into the County Clerk's office.

(0:04:11): The demographic in the County Clerk’s office when she took up a position there.

(0:05:42): How the Secretary's experience in the County Clerk’s office has helped her in her current role.

(0:07:44): The “big lie” in relation to voting that many Americans have bought into.

(0:09:01): Threats that Toulouse Oliver and her colleagues have been bombarded with since the 2020 election.

(0:09:54): How she navigates the challenges of being a protector of a democracy under threat.

(0:12:48): What the Secretary and her delegation were able to achieve at this year’s legislative session in New Mexico.

(0:16:34): The key factor that Toulous Oliver believes is responsible for their very productive legislative session.

(0:20:13): Why vote-by-mail became a partisan issue.

(0:23:31): The importance of enhancing the public’s understanding of the lifecycle of a ballot while maintaining privacy.

(0:29:00): The Secretary's number one concern heading into 2024 and her approach to dealing with it.

(0:33:47): Where she draws hope and inspiration from.