The SmartAlec Podcast | An Inside Look at Colorado Politics from Democratic House Majority Leader Alec Garnett

The CO legislature will reconvene in just two weeks to consider devasting budget cuts and make tough decisions on which bills move forward. The guys and I talk through upcoming challenges for our state, frustration with the federal government and shifting priorities under COVID.

After a brief hiatus, I'm back with the Get More Smarter team to discuss how the Legislature is coping with COVID-19, including our Supreme Court interrogatory and the complications of holding a virtual session. Also, my recommendations for at-home fun: Tiger King and volcano building.

This track is the audio of the COVID-19 telephone town hall Rep. Herod and I hosted on Sunday, March 27th. Listeners submitted their questions to be answered live. We were joined by special guest Attorney General Phil Weiser, as well as local experts in health care, public heath and employment.

This week, the spread of COVID-19 has prompted the Legislature to consider whether to recess and which bills NEED to pass. Also, how does COVID-19 impact legislation on paid medical leave and a state option for health care coverage?

The day after the Democratic Primary, we discuss surprises and takeaways. Also, what would we do in case of a coronavirus outbreak at the Capitol?

This week on The SmartAlec Podcast, maybe the most important vote I've ever been a part of: repealing the death penalty in Colorado. Also on the docket, the hiccups in paid family leave legislation and more clarity around the public option.

On this week's episode, The Get More Smarter gang and I talk hate and discrimination at the CO Capitol. While these anti-LGBTQ and anti-choice bills won't make it out of committee, its important to know what kinds of legislation the Dems are fending off. This is why majorities matter!

This week on the SmartAlec and Get More Smarter partnership podcast, we discuss the pros and cons to caucuses, updates on the bills moving through the Capitol and the pressure of calling snow days.

This week the Get More Smarter team and I discuss hot button issues at the Capitol: the death penalty, health care and puppy mills. Also, I weigh in on which team to bet on this Sunday for your best chance at making a few bucks.

The first couple weeks of session are up and we are off to the races! In the second episode of the 2020 legislative session, I discuss SMART Act hearings, how a bill becomes a law and collective bargaining for Colorado's state workers' union with Ian Silverii and Jason Bane of "The Get More Smarter" podcast. For regular updates on when our podcasts posts, follow me on Twitter at @AlecGarnett. As always, thanks to our producer Ethan Black.

It's the beginning of the 2020 legislative session! I sit down with Ian Silverii and Jason Bane of "The Get More Smarter" podcast in a crossover episode to discuss the future of the podcast, the legislative session, and play their awful game, "Duke or Donald."

The first regular session of the 72nd Colorado General Assembly is over. This week, we look back on everything the legislature accomplished and what the General Assembly does over the eight month interim. We also talk about the Nuggets' and Avalanche's failed playoff runs and give our (now) outdated Game of Thrones takes. Phone: (303) 866-2911 Email: alec.garnett.house@state.co.us Majority Leader Garnett: (twitter.com/AlecGarnett) Music, cover art, and production by Ethan Black: (twitter.com/EthanBlack)

This week is budget week in Colorado! To help us navigate through all $32 billion dollars, Joint Budget Committee (JBC) Vice-Chair Daneya Esgar and JBC Representative Chris Hansen explain our state's budgeting process and highlight some of the big ticket items in this year's "long bill." The HD2 Business of the week is the Art Student's League of Denver (http://asld.org/) CBS Story on Teen Art Night: (https://denver.cbslocal.com/2019/03/25/teen-art-night-denver-teens/) Representative Daneya Esgar: (https://twitter.com/Dlesgar) Representative Chris Hansen: (https://twitter.com/HansenForCO) Phone: (303) 866-2911 Email: alec.garnett.house@state.co.us Majority Leader Garnett: (https://twitter.com/AlecGarnett) Music, cover art, and production by Ethan Black: (https://twitter.com/EthanBlack)

This week, we have a thorough discussion about about Colorado's school finance formula with Senator Pual Lundeen (SD-9). If you've ever wondered about how Colorado funds its schools or want to get deep into Colorado ed policy, this is great conversation. We also talk about our March Madness picks, surprise billing legislation, the oil and gas bill, and give a big HD-2 shoutout to the Molly Brown House Museum from the brilliant and hard working senior advisor to the Majority Leader, Katie March. Phone: (303) 866-2911 Email: alec.garnett.house@state.co.us Majority Leader Garnett Twitter: @AlecGarnett Ethan Black Twitter: @EthanBlack Music, cover art, and production by Ethan Black.

This week we talk with Representative Leslie Herod (HD-8) about criminal justice reform in Colorado and her bills to "ban the box" and bond/bail reform. 8-month-old Adella Garnett pops up throughout the podcast with insightful noises. We also talk about last week's "bomb cyclone" and how the Senate Republicans stole our idea about reading the 2,000 page Title 12 bill at length. This week's HD-2 business of the week is Platt Park Brewing Brewing Company(www.plattparkbrewing.com). Check out Rep. Herod's work on ban the box here (https://www.leslieherodforcolorado.com/single-post/2019/02/10/State-Rep-hoping-to-Ban-the-Box-to-make-it-easier-for-those-convicted-of-crimes-to-find-jobs) and follow her on social media (twitter.com/leslieherod). Email us at alec.garnett.house@state.co.us or call us at 303-866-2911. Follow Rep. Garnett on Twitter: (twitter.com/AlecGarnett) Music and Production by Ethan Black: (twitter.com/EthanBlack)