Outside the Echo Chamber

It's time to get out the red pen! On this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber, we ask Senator Mike Stuart and House Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle to grade this year's session. Then, political analyst Steven Allen Adams stops by to give us his report card.

On this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber, one chamber has passed its budget bill, the other is still working on theirs. As the end of session draws near, we speak with a senator and a delegate about the two bills, the highlights (and lowlights) of each and where the likely compromise might fall.

It's Women's Day at the Capitol and on this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber, we speak with a pair of high-ranking female legislators about bills they've run this session surrounding women's rights. We will also discuss what it's like to legislate as a woman in a political arena that historically was dominated by men. 

Public information from the government must be made accessible to credentialed media through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA.) A bill proposed by the WV House Speaker would exempt certain legislative information from that Act. On this Outside the Echo Chamber, we discuss the potential ramifications for legislators and journalism as a whole.

It's Unclaimed Property Day at the Capitol and Treasurer Larry Pack joins us to talk about the popular program from his office that is putting money back in the pockets of West Virginians. Then, pollster Mark Blankenship has released results of a new survey and he will discuss the shocking number of people in this state who say their lives have gotten worse or have not changed over the last 5 years. And political analyst Steven Allen Adams sits down to go over what's been an eventful week under the gold dome on this Outside the Echo Chamber.

The governor's vaccine bill is on life support after a contentious debate on the House floor. We discuss what happened on this Outside the Echo Chamber. Plus, a look at a motorcycle bill that has a lot of people talking and a DEI bill that has made it to the Senate floor after being stalled in the Finance Committee.

On the last week to introduce bills in the House and Senate, leadership from both chambers will discuss where we stand in this session with crossover day fast approaching.

On this Outside the Echo Chamber, the Director of the Affiliated Construction Trades of WV stops by to talk about a recent study out of Marshall showing the multi-billion-dollar impact his organization is having on the region. Plus, the CEO of the Contractors Association of WV discusses some bills that he's keeping his eye on during session.

On this Outside the Echo Chamber, we talk with a member of the Teamsters Union about concerns the organization has about a bill that has breezed through both chambers so far. Then, the Chief of Staff from the Mayor's Office in Charleston stops by to discuss the budget and how the city plans to spend its money this year. And political analyst Steven Allen Adams is back to go over some bills he's been following over the first half of the session.

West Virginia is on the verge of becoming the first state in the country to pass a law banning a variety of food dyes. On this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber, we speak with a senator and a delegate about what this could mean for both the physical and economic health of the state. Plus, pollster Mark Blankenship stops by to talk about what we've seen so far under the gold dome as the session reaches its halfway point.

The landscape for high school student athletes has changed considerably over the last year, with many arguing those changes have not been for the better. On this Outside the Echo Chamber, we discuss current legislation with Del. Dana Ferrell, and get his take on how the 2023 bill has affected scholastic sports. Plus, WVSSAC Executive Director David Price joins us to talk about the feedback his organization is getting from players and parents.

Issues surrounding foster care in West Virginia have once again cropped up; on this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber we discuss some bills in the House with Delegates Eric Brooks and Jonathan Pinson. Plus, it's Marshall Day at the Capitol. President Brad D. Smith stops by to discuss everything going on at the university.

Where are the Economic bills? The session began with the bombshell from Gov. Morrisey that West Virginia was actually operating under a deficit. That has many wondering why we aren’t seeing more bills to deal with that concern. On this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber, we speak with House Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle and Finance Chair Clay Riley about what delegates intend to do about the economy. Plus, Delegate Mike Pushkin stops by to discuss some bills surrounding reproductive rights.

On this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber, we speak with Delegates Scot Heckert and Evan Worrell about the Certificate of Need bill and how it could affect healthcare in WV. Also on the agenda, a frank discussion about the Morrisey Administration's new communications procedures that aren't sitting well with some lawmakers.  And we have an update on how the new committee process in the House is going now that it's been implemented.

Current vaccine legislation in the Senate has a lot of people talking. On this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber, we talk with Senators Laura Wakim Chapman and Joey Garcia about the Governor's bill that is now on the floor. Plus, political analyst Steven Allen Adams stops by to give his take on what we saw over the first week of session.

Education is always a big topic during the legislative session. On this episode of Outside the Echo Chamber, we talk about bills likely to be brought to the floor with the Education Committee Chair of the Senate and Vice-Chair of the House. Then, we discuss what teachers' unions would like to see done with AFT-WV president Kristie Skidmore. And the president of Glenville State University, Dr. Mark Manchin, stops by to talk about higher education the state.

2025 Outside the Echo Chamber Episode 1As the legislative session begins, we speak with leadership about what people in West Virginia can expect over the next two months, and ask if anyone has been able to figure out just how much revenue there really is.Special Guests: House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, Senate President Randy Smith, and Delegate Shawn Fluharty