The Rick Smith Show

Dave FIllman on Ideological PA Budget Fight

Dave Fillman, Executive Director of AFSCME Council 13 joins Rick to explain what’s going on in Harrisburg as the State’s Constitutionally mandated budget deadline draws near.  What is the latest on Republican lead attacks on pensions, education, and health and health services, and is a bad budget on time better than a good budget late?

Aseia Glover on $15 and a Union NOW

Aseia Glover, member of the Fight for $15 and McDonald’s employee joins Rick to call on Democratic and Republican leaders to raise the commonwealth’s minimum wage.  It has been nearly a decade since the last minimum wage increase and the 1.3 million Pennsylvania’s who would be helped by an increase to $10.10 need it now.

Matias Vernengo on London Burning over Brexit

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics at Bucknell University joins Rick to explain the shocking Brexit vote that has the U.K. leaving the European Union.  What does it mean for the EU? The UK? And the US?

Terrance Heath talks Wingnut Week in Review

Terrance Heath, Online Producer at Campaign for America's Future joins Rick for the Wingnut Week in Review.  If the House of Representatives was created by our founding fathers as a forum for the passion of the masses to rage.  It surely lived up to its founding ideal.   

Jeff Faux talks Brexit Challenges

Jeff Faux, Founding President and Distinguished Fellow with the Economic Policy Institute joins Rick to describe the potential fallout and possible outcome in light of the shocking Brexit vote that has the U.K. leaving the European Union.  What does it mean for the EU? The UK? And the US?

The Rick Smith Show Full Three Hour Show 6-23-2016

Ken Mash, President of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) joins Rick to discuss the looming Pennsylvania budget deadline and what his organization expects the GOP led General Assembly has in store for higher education.

Sundrop Carter, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Immigration & Citizenship Coalition joins Rick to talk about today’s US Supreme Court decision, or tied decision on the Obama Administrations immigration plan and what this decision means for immigrants and their children.

Tara Culp-Ressler, Senior Editor at ThinkProgress joins Rick to talk about Speaker of the House Paul Ryan’s publicity stunt to “repeal and replace” Obamacare and to examine his leadership, or lack thereof. 

Dave Jamieson, Labor Reporter at The Huffington Post joins Rick to talk about sandwich chain Jimmy John’s dropping their controversial mandate that workers sign a lengthy “Non-Compete” agreement as a condition of employment and Hillary Clinton recently picking up the AFL-CIO’s endorsement.  Does this mean labor is falling in line behind her campaign? 

Ken Mash talks Fighting for Educational Opportunity

Ken Mash, President of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) joins Rick to discuss the looming Pennsylvania budget deadline and what his organization expects the GOP led General Assembly has in store for higher education.

Sundrop Carter talks SCOTUS Decision

Sundrop Carter, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Immigration & Citizenship Coalition joins Rick to talk about today’s US Supreme Court decision, or tied decision on the Obama Administrations immigration plan and what this decision means for immigrants and their children.

Tara Culp-Ressler talks Another GOP Propaganda Piece

Tara Culp-Ressler, Senior Editor at ThinkProgress joins Rick to talk about Speaker of the House Paul Ryan’s publicity stunt to “repeal and replace” Obamacare and to examine his leadership, or lack thereof. 

Dave Jamieson talk Sandwich Freedom

Dave Jamieson, Labor Reporter at The Huffington Post joins Rick to talk about sandwich chain Jimmy John’s dropping their controversial mandate that workers sign a lengthy “Non-Compete” agreement as a condition of employment and Hillary Clinton recently picking up the AFL-CIO’s endorsement.  Does this mean labor is falling in line behind her campaign? 

The Rick Smith Show Full Three Hour Show June 22, 2016

Irwin Aronson, labor attorney and Rick Smith Show contributor joins Rick to dissect recent developments in the Pennsylvania General Assembly and to raise awareness to the very real possibility of another budget season without substantial increases in education funding and what that means for our children.

 

Noah Bookbinder, Executive Director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) joins Rick to explain why CREW filed complaints with the Internal Revenue Service and criminal complaints with the Department of Justice against a number of “social welfare” groups.

 

Marc Stier, Director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center joins Rick to discuss the looming budget deadline, share his thoughts on the rumors being thrown around, and explain why some things are worse than a late budget.

 

Rick Bloomingdale, President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO and Clinton campaign surrogate joins Rick to talk about recent polling numbers showing Donald Trump tied with Hillary in PA and why is organization has chosen to endorse Hillary Clinton for President. 

Irwin Aronson on Fire

Irwin Aronson, labor attorney and Rick Smith Show contributor joins Rick to dissect recent developments in the Pennsylvania General Assembly and to raise awareness to the very real possibility of another budget season without substantial increases in education funding and what that means for our children.

Noah Bookbinder talks Transperancy for Political Front Groups

Noah Bookbinder, Executive Director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) joins Rick to explain why CREW filed complaints with the Internal Revenue Service and criminal complaints with the Department of Justice against a number of “social welfare” groups.

Marc Stier on Austerity Budget IV

Marc Stier, Director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center joins Rick to discuss the looming budget deadline, share his thoughts on the rumors being thrown around, and explain why some things are worse than a late budget.

Rick Bloomingdale talks Taking Down the Donald in PA

Rick Bloomingdale, President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO and Clinton campaign surrogate joins Rick to talk about recent polling numbers showing Donald Trump tied with Hillary in PA and why is organization has chosen to endorse Hillary Clinton for President. 

Irwin Aronson talks Pension Deform

Irwin Aronson, Labor attorney and Rick Smith Show contributor joins Rick to discuss the recent pension plan making its way through the Pennsylvania General Assembly and what these “reforms” will mean for taxpayers and past, present, and future workers. 

Braddock Mayor John Fetterman talks Common Sense on Guns

Braddock Mayor John Fetterman joins Rick to discuss extreme reactions from the Orlando shooting and bring some common sense to the gun debate based on what he sees everyday as the mayor of a community struggling with poverty and inequality.

Mark Price lays out path to end Inequality

Mark Price, Labor Economist with the Keystone Research Center joins Rick to give a sneak peek at a study he has co-authored on inequality in America set to be released on June 16 and what needs to be done to close the gap.

Stephen Franklin talks War on Worker's Comp

Stephen Franklin, former labor and workplace reporter for the Chicago Tribune joins Rick to talk about his latest article titled, “The War on Workers’ Comp” and to expose the political long game of the incremental destruction of a prosperous working class into a desperation class.  

The Rick Smith Show Full Three Hour Show 6-15-2016

Irwin Aronson, Labor attorney and Rick Smith Show contributor joins Rick to discuss the recent pension plan making its way through the Pennsylvania General Assembly and what these “reforms” will mean for taxpayers and past, present, and future workers. 

Braddock Mayor John Fetterman joins Rick to discuss extreme reactions from the Orlando shooting and bring some common sense to the gun debate based on what he sees everyday as the mayor of a community struggling with poverty and inequality.

Mark Price, Labor Economist with the Keystone Research Center joins Rick to give a sneak peek at a study he has co-authored on inequality in America set to be released on June 16 and what needs to be done to close the gap.

Stephen Franklin, former labor and workplace reporter for the Chicago Tribune joins Rick to talk about his latest article titled, “The War on Workers’ Comp” and to expose the political long game of the incremental destruction of a prosperous working class into a desperation class.