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The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi

WAMU 88.5

Join Kojo and resident analyst Tom Sherwood on Fridays at noon for our weekly review of the politics, policies and personalities in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Each week Kojo and Tom help make sense of legislation, hold elected officials accountable and provide in-depth analysis of local issues and elections. The Politics Hour is also a vital forum for Washingtonians to engage directly with their local leaders.

© 2021 WAMU

Join Kojo and resident analyst Tom Sherwood on Fridays at noon for our weekly review of the politics, policies and personalities in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Each week Kojo and Tom help make sense of legislation, hold elected officials accountable and provide in-depth analysis of local issues and elections. The Politics Hour is also a vital forum for Washingtonians to engage directly with their local leaders.

© 2021 WAMU
8hr 16min
Thumbnail for "D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser breaks down her proposed $22 billion budget".
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser joins us to discuss the tough choices ahead for the city, why she's betting big on sports, and an update on preparations for President Trump's military parade.
Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: Democratic nominee for Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi on her primary win".
State Senator Ghazala Hashmi on what her win means for Northern Virginia residents. Plus, WAMU's Margaret Barthel breaks down the primary results and what's next in Virginia. Ward 6 D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen talks budget and public safety legislation.
Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: What this weekend’s big military parade means for local residents".
At-Large D.C. Councilmember Christina Henderson on this weekend's military parade, and Prince George's new County Executive Aisha Braveboy shares her top priorities.
Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: How local leaders hope to navigate tough economic times ahead".
Maryland State Del. Marc Korman weighs in on funding Metro long-term. Plus, WAMU's Senior D.C. Politics Reporter Alex Koma and D.C. Policy Center Executive Director Yesim Sayin dig into D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's proposed budget.
Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: Remembering Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly, and D.C. prepares for a military parade".
Former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis remembers Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly. Plus, Virginia State Sen. Dave Marsden reflects on Rep. Connolly’s legacy in Fairfax County, and Ward 5 D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker weighs in on the RFK stadium deal.
Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: The politics of data centers and funding schools without raising taxes".
Loudoun County Board Vice Chair Michael Turner talks data centers and Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart breaks down funding schools without a tax hike. Plus, we preview Virginia's primaries.
Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: What’s next for Prince George’s County if the Washington Commanders leave?".
D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson on the renewed fight over D.C.'s tipped minimum wage and the deal to bring the Washington Commanders back to the District. Prince George's County Council Chair Edward Burroughs on what's next for the county if the Washington Commanders depart its home of the last three decades.
Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on the RFK stadium deal".
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on how a nearly $4 billion stadium deal with the Washington Commanders came together. Plus, what do congressionally-mandated budget cuts mean for city residents?
Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen on the $3 billion deal for a new D.C. football stadium".
D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen on public financing for a new football stadium. Plus, Montgomery County Council Vice President Will Jawando on the Supreme Court case that would allow families to opt their kids out of lessons involving LGBTQ-themed books.
Thumbnail for "The Politics Hour: Metro General Manager Randy Clarke lays out Metro’s future".
Metro General Manager Randy Clarke discusses Metro’s future, ridership, federal oversight, and safety concerns over automated trains. Plus, NBC 4 Washington reporter Mark Segraves breaks down the reported deal between D.C. and the Washington Commanders to build a new stadium at the RFK site.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser breaks down her proposed $22 billion budget

Thumbnail for "D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser breaks down her proposed $22 billion budget".
June 6, 202549min 27sec

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser unveiled her proposed $22 billion budget last week. Faced with a tough financial outlook, her spending proposal includes cuts to social safety net programs and some business-friendly tax incentives. There's also a billion dollars to help the Washington Commanders build a new football complex and redevelop the old RFK stadium site and a proposal to repeal a tipped minimum wage increase. Mayor Bowser joined the show to discuss, including how the city is moving away from relying on a federal workforce, and why she's betting big on sports and entertainment.

She noted that some 40,000 people in the District could experience a job change because of massive federal cuts, which means shifting the city's economy.

"If our Chief Financial Officer is right, we think it's up to us to bend the curve in terms of job growth," she said.

Mayor Bowser also discussed safety during World Pride, including the closure of Dupont Circle, historically the center of Pride celebrations.

"As we speak, we’re working on an alternative to that site," she said, noting that celebrations beyond one side, with plans for events across all eight wards.  

Asked about ongoing preparations for Trump's military parade later this month, she said the event is now a national special security event, which means the federal government will take the lead on security,  logistics, and will handle the upfront costs, similar to inauguration events.

She also discussed her proposal for a public-private partnership to build a new D.C. jail, which she says will help speed the construction of a new facility.

Thumbnail for "D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser breaks down her proposed $22 billion budget".
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser breaks down her proposed $22 billion budget
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