The New Dominion Podcast

Property tax hikes are around the corner in Virginia, folks! How does the LCI actually work? What's next at Massaponax? Plus a personal note: Marty Davis sends his son off on deployment, which tees off a sobering conversation about how to disagree (and why).

Dr. Will Mackintosh is an associate professor of history for the University of Mary Washington and Councilman-at-Large for the City of Fredericksburg. Mackintosh shares with us his ideas about walkable cities, the prohibitive cost of new development, and why increased density in Fredericksburg is the restoration of the city's historic character -- not its undoing.

What precisely is the true cost of public education in Virginia? Stafford County Superintendent Thomas Taylor shares some of the challenges facing public education, including teacher retention, how COVID recovery is a more serious problem than we realize, and how the relationship between local government, public schools, and Richmond needs a serious rethink built on trust and realistic need.

How does one measure proportionality in conflict? Megan Samples and Cori Blanch talk with Shaun Kenney talk about the humanitarian cost of conflict, how euphemisms such as "mowing the grass" are used, and how civilian populations -- especially children -- are forced to manage.

Ian Ginger is the Program Director for the Virginia Initiative for Growth & Opportunity (GO Virginia) Region 6 and shares about some of the history of how GO Virginia got started, how data centers are a tremendous boon for Virginia taxpayers, and why regionalism is incredibly important to improving local economies.

Vernon Green Jr. is the founder and CEO of GCubed Inc. and G3 Community Services. Green shares the qualities he looks for in leaders at GCubed Inc. and talks about the intersection of technology and politics, why DEI initiatives are still a necessary part of the American conversation, plus a deep dive on the nature of power politics and the politics of race in Virginia.

Myriam Brown heads up Stafford Junction, a non-profit organization which helped feed 120 families and give gifts to 144 deserving children this year. Special guest John Symonds talks about Santa Claus and how children still light up during the Christmas season.

Howard Rudat discusses his new Mercedes and its AI, reflects on his campaign for Rock Hill Supervisor for Stafford County, what degree of investment localities need to take on for public education and student meals, why the next high school in Stafford should be named the Frank "Doc" White Flying Bats (or something more creative).

Dr. Sam Richardson is a professor of sociology, a former director for the Jewish National Fund (JNF) and a researcher for the Small Jewish Communities Project. Richardson talks about recent controversies over menorah lightings during Hannukah, the rise of anti-Semitism in Virginia, the history of the State of Israel and the nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Richardson's work can be f...

Sam Shoukas with the George Washington Regional Commission shares all the myriad functions driving up the cost of housing in the Fredericksburg region and how a growing awareness of those factors might help bring those costs back down to earth.

Cori Blanch joins Marty & Shaun as we reflect on why Thanksgiving is the quintessential American holiday. Also -- why cranberry sauce is gross, ham should be served, the awesomeness of kibbe naya, how no one actually eats the fruitcake, and the tremendous memories we have with our families over food.

Will the new Spotsylvania School Board bring things back to normal? Or are we looking at a new Loudoun County Public Schools south of the Rappahannock? Do ideologies justify the actions of their supporters? Plus some analysis on Tara Durant's victory in SD-27 over Joel Griffin and Monica Gary.

Marty Davis and Shaun Kenney discuss GEICO's recent firing of 10% of its workforce at random, share their pre-election predictions, how institutions forfeit the public trust, why No Child Left Behind was a bad idea, and how HSAs and HDIPs could save health care.

Celebrated local journalist and award-winning writer Adele Uphaus-Connor joins the staff of the Fredericksburg Advance and talks about the stories she wants to write about, the great stories to be found in local education, and what sparked her love of writing.

Meghan Samples and Cori Blanch join Shaun Kenney discussing the outcome of the GRWC Regional Housing Summit and some critical first steps, as well as an in-depth conversation regarding the Fredericksburg community's reaction to events in the Gaza Strip.

Michael Bush is a candidate for supervisor in Spotsylvania County's Courtland District. Bush talks to us about his time at Chancellor High School, his experiences at Christopher Newport University, and his motivations to run for public office. Just skip to the 35:45 and 40:00 mark for a real moment. Thank you, Ms. Foreman!

Scott Mayauysky and Lorena Bruner are both running for Commissioner of Revenue in Stafford County, sharing the challenges and intricacies of how Richmond instructs localities to evaluate and collect tax revenue, the need to balance care and accuracy when doing the job, and why they have a heart for public service.

Joshua Cole (D) is a former member of and present candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates who shares his perspective on how work gets done in Richmond, how his Christian faith shapes his values as a Democrat, and his experiences making Virginia better for Lottie, Dottie, and everybody.

Howard Rudat (D) is running for Rock Hill Supervisor in Stafford County and shares his background and vision, why bringing national politics to local government is a bad idea, Muslim cemeteries... and how Stafford desperately needs a movie theater.

Fredericksburg City Councilman Matt Kelly discusses the relationship between Richmond and localities, the region's $10 billion transportation hole, the role of local businesses, the need for broader regional buy-in when tackling serious regional problems, and of course -- ADUs.

Ann Little and former Fredericksburg City Councilman Billy Withers explain how the opposition isn't about ADUs, but rather making sure ADUs are done with a more intentional and holistic approach to affordable housing. A must-listen episode!

Supervisor Tom Coen (I-George Washington) is a veteran educator representing the George Washington District for Stafford County. Deuntay Diggs (I) is a veteran deputy for Stafford County and a VMI graduate. If you are looking for a debate where two gentlemen can disagree without being disagreeable, then this is the debate you have been waiting for.

Traci Abramson is an accomplished local author of 45 bestselling books and is an eight-time Whitney Award winner, including 2017 and 2019 Best Novel of the Year, who shares with us her unique style of writing, the great work being done at Jacob's Ladder helping feed Fredericksburg area residents, and how to tackle controversial books that stray the line.

Leigh Anne Van Doren is the publisher and the owner of Fredericksburg Parent and Family, who shares her thoughts about moms as an underserved community, the importance of pre-K development, and how the Dolly Parton Imagination Library is putting great books into tiny hands. Plus plenty of discussion about the new FXBG Advance.

Ever wonder what an ADU even is? Adam Lynch serves as the vice-chair for the Fredericksburg Planning Commission and explains not only the ins and outs of ADUs, the arguments for and against, and why he discovered his own interest in city planning. A must listen episode.