The Rick Smith Show

#PABudget: Is Gerrymandering and Polarization Responsible for Budget Stalemate?

G. Terry Madonna, Director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College gives his take on the budget fight in Pennsylvania and what the polling says about the Republican budget bill.      

#PaBudget: Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa Wonders When Republicans Will Vote on Tom Wolf's Big Boy Budget?

PA State Senator Jay Costa joins Rick to talk about what’s going on in the PA Senate and what to expect in the coming days and weeks.

#PAbudget: Representative Pashinski Explains What is Happening with the Budget Stalemate

State Rep Eddie Day Pashinski, joins Rick to talk about what’s going on in the PA Senate and what to expect in the coming days and weeks.

Will Wisconsin Follow Suit After Florida Was Forced to Redraw Gerrymandered Political Maps?

Former Wisconsin State Rep. Brett Hulsey joins Rick to talk about the WI Democrats finally suing over the 2011 gerrymandering and what the GOP majority has done the state. 

The Rick Smith Show - 7/9/2015

G. Terry Madonna, Director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College gives his take on the budget fight in Pennsylvania and what the polling says about the Republican budget bill.        

PA State Senator Jay Costa joins Rick to talk about what’s going on in the PA Senate and what to expect in the coming days and weeks.

State Rep Eddie Day Pashinski, joins Rick to talk about what’s going on in the PA Senate and what to expect in the coming days and weeks.

Former Wisconsin State Rep. Brett Hulsey joins Rick to talk about the WI Democrats finally suing over the 2011 gerrymandering and what the GOP majority has done the state. 

#Pabudget: Time Running Out On Pension Deform Veto. Will Governor Wolf Veto At the Last Minute?

Bill Dando, Legislative Director for AFSCME Council 13 joins Rick to talk about the latest news on the Pennsylvania budget and where things are with the pension deform passed by republicans as they hit the exits for vacation.

What Democracy? Pennsylvania Democracy Gets Poor Grades on Access to the Ballot Box & Representation

Lauren Harmon, Voting Campaign Manager at CAP Action and co-author of the report, The Health of State Democracies joins Rick to talk about the report and see how the home state is doing.

Is The #ChinaMeltdown More of a Crash or a Continual Decline From Previous Years?

Nick Bunker, Policy Analyst at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth joins Rick to talk about what’s going on in China.  Are we seeing the China breaking?

#WorkerWednesday: Worker Independent News Talks Greek Crisis, Union Solidarity and Bernie Sanders

Frank Emspak, Executive Producer at Worker’s Independent News Service joins Rick to talk about the labor news of the day.

The Rick Smith Show - 7/8/2015

Bill Dando, Legislative Director for AFSCME Council 13 joins Rick to talk about the latest news on the Pennsylvania budget and where things are with the pension deform passed by republicans as they hit the exits for vacation.

Nick Bunker, Policy Analyst at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth joins Rick to talk about what’s going on in China.  Are we seeing the China breaking?

Lauren Harmon, Voting Campaign Manager at CAP Action and co-author of the report, The Health of State Democracies joins Rick to talk about the report and see how the home state is doing.

Frank Emspak, Executive Producer at Worker’s Independent News Service joins Rick to talk about the labor news of the day.

#PaBudget: Will Governor Wolf Issue His Fourth Veto of the Week or Let Pension Reform Quietly Become Law?

Rick Bloomingdale, President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO joins Rick to talk about where things are with regard to the Pennsylvania budget and other bills passed by republican leaders on their way to the beach for vacation.

#Trump2016: Donald Trump Uses Twitter to Attack Jeb Bush's Wife and Mexican Immigrants

Kristian Ramos, Director of Communications and Outreach for Media Matters' Hispanic Media Project joins Rick to discuss media coverage around The Donald’s (Trump) comments about immigrants being rapists and drug dealers.  

EPI Economist Explains the Importance of President Obama's Overtime Rules and How They Can Benefit You

Ross Eisenbrey, Vice President of the Economic Policy Institute joins Rick to talk about President Obama’s recent directive to the Department of Labor to fix the abusive management loophole and give workers back their overtime protection.  Let your voice be heard on this issue by commenting here.

Naked Keynes Economist Matías Vernengo Explains the Importance of the Greek Referendum Vote

Matías Vernengo, Associate Professor of Economics at Bucknell University joins Rick to talk about the vote against more austerity in Greece and what it means for Europe and the United States.

The Rick Smith Show - 7/6/2015

Rick Bloomingdale, President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO joins Rick to talk about where things are with regard to the Pennsylvania budget and other bills passed by republican leaders on their way to the beach for vacation.

Kristian Ramos, Director of Communications and Outreach for Media Matters' Hispanic Media Project joins Rick to discuss media coverage around The Donald’s (Trump) comments about immigrants being rapists and drug dealers.  

Matías Vernengo, Associate Professor of Economics at Bucknell University joins Rick to talk about the vote against more austerity in Greece and what it means for Europe and the United States.

Ross Eisenbrey, Vice President of the Economic Policy Institute joins Rick to talk about President Obama’s recent directive to the Department of Labor to fix the abusive management loophole and give workers back their overtime protection.  Let your voice be heard on this issue by commenting here.

Labor Attorney Irwin Aronson Reveals His Favorite Founding Father & Tells Us Why Scott Wagner is Unpatriotic

Irwin Aronson, Labor attorney and Rick Smith Show regular joins Rick to talk about the 4^th of July holiday, his favorite founding father, and least favorite state senator.

Keystone Progress' John Neurohr Talks About Governor Wolf's Trio of Budget Vetoes

John Neurohr, Communications Director for Keystone Progress joins Rick to talk about Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf’s veto of the PA GOP hat trick of bad legislation.

#PA87: Democratic Candidate, Bob Charles, Talks About Challenges Taking Glen Grell's Open House Seat

Robert Charles is the Democratic Candidate running for Glen Grell's open House Seat in the 87th District

#RaiseTheWage: Single Mother Trapped Making Starvation Wages in Fast Food Industry Speaks Out About $15 and a Union

Aseia Glover joins Rick to talk about her experiences in the fast food industry and why she is fighting for a living wage and a union.

The Rick Smith Show - 7/3/2015

Irwin Aronson, Labor attorney and Rick Smith Show regular joins Rick to talk about the 4^th of July holiday, his favorite founding father, and least favorite state senator.

Aseia Glover joins Rick to talk about her experiences in the fast food industry and why she is fighting for a living wage and a union.

John Neurohr, Communications Director for Keystone Progress joins Rick to talk about Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf’s veto of the PA GOP hat trick of bad legislation.

Terrance Pickens is a Pittsburgh native and Fast Food Employee.  Terrance has been working in the industry for over six years and hasn't seen a raise in four years.

Robert Charles is the Democratic Candidate running for Glen Grell's open House Seat in the 87th District