The Rick Smith Show

PA State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski gives the inside scoop on #PABudget

Pennsylvania Representative Eddie Day Pashinski joins Rick to discuss the latest machinations of the state’s overdue budget and what continued inaction means for schools and taxpayers.

Matías Vernengo talks GOP Debate Tax Schemes

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics at Bucknell University joins Rick in the aftermath of the GOP Debate to examine the GOP candidate’s tax plans and explain the hard truth and reality of their plans. 

Terrance Heath talks Wing Nut Week in Review.

Terrance Heath, contributor at the Campaign for America’s Future joins Rick with the Wingnut Week in Review looking back at a week that saw another classically GOP debate and highlight the funny, the absurd, and the just plain sad.

John Neurohr on the Budget

John Neurohr, political strategist and regular contributor at The Rick Smith Show is back to highlight the lowlights of the budget talks and analyze the winners and losers in what is known at this moment. 

Full Show for November 9, 2015

Admiral and former Congressman Joe Sestak joins Rick in observance of Veterans Day to talk about his record in aiding constituents as he pursues a seat in the US Senate.

John E. Peck, Executive Director Family Farm Defenders joins Rick to discuss how, in the light of the recently released Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement transcript, family farmers will fare under another free trade scheme.

Kevin Mahoney, Editor Zero at the Raging Chicken Press joins Rick to talk about current negotiations with Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) schools and their faculty and what it means for the students, staff, and taxpayers. 

Jose Lara, National Education Association Social Justice Activist Award Winner, Vice President El Rancho Unified school district, and a Teacher in South Central LA joins Rick to talk about expanding education opportunities for kids to learn about other cultures and history. 

Denisha Jones Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education at Howard University joins Rick to discuss service-learning for teachers, dealing with challenging behaviors, the de-professionalization of teaching, and promoting diversity in education.

Joe Sestak Salutes the Troops for Veterans Day

Admiral and former Congressman Joe Sestak joins Rick in observance of Veterans Day to talk about his record in aiding constituents as he pursues a seat in the US Senate.

John E. Peck Standing Tall for Family Farmers Against the TPP

John E. Peck, Executive Director Family Farm Defenders joins Rick to discuss how, in the light of the recently released Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement transcript, family farmers will fare under another free trade scheme.

Kevin Mahoney Rages On on Raging Chicken Monday

Kevin Mahoney, Editor Zero at the Raging Chicken Press joins Rick to talk about current negotiations with Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) schools and their faculty and what it means for the students, staff, and taxpayers. 

Jose Lara on the need for Greater Ethnic Studies Programs

Jose Lara, National Education Association Social Justice Activist Award Winner, Vice President El Rancho Unified school district, and a Teacher in South Central LA joins Rick to talk about expanding education opportunities for kids to learn about other cultures and history.  

Denisha Jones on Education

Denisha Jones Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education at Howard University joins Rick to discuss service-learning for teachers, dealing with challenging behaviors, the de-professionalization of teaching, and promoting diversity in education.

Full Show for November 6, 2015

Waslala Miranda, Education Policy Analyst at the Pennsylvania Budget & Policy Center joins Rick to discuss her recent report on the lingering effects of the massive Corbett era education funding cuts and who is paying the price.

 

Eric Epstein, Reporter at Rock the Capitol joins Rick to talk everything Harrisburg from Kathleen Kane to the State’s Supreme Court election Eric breaks it down and fill in everything in between.  

 

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics at Bucknell University joins Rick to examine October’s job numbers and discuss whether or not they are as wonderful as is being spun. 

 

Dave Johnson, Fellow at the Campaign for America’s Future breaks down the ins and outs of the recently released Trans-Pacific Partnership text and what it means for workers. 

 

Terron Sims, West Point graduate and Truman Project Fellow joins Rick to talk about Presidential candidate Ben Carson’s claim to have turned down a scholarship to one of the nation’s military academies.  

 

Waslala Miranda talks Corbett era cuts still harming poor students

Waslala Miranda, Education Policy Analyst at the Pennsylvania Budget & Policy Center joins Rick to discuss her recent report on the lingering effects of the massive Corbett era education funding cuts and who is paying the price.

Eric Epstein Rocks the Capital

Eric Epstein, Reporter at Rock the Capitol joins Rick to talk everything Harrisburg from Kathleen Kane to the State’s Supreme Court election Eric breaks it down and fill in everything in between.  

Matías Vernengo talks job numbers & makes Federal Reserve Prediction

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics at Bucknell University joins Rick to examine October’s job numbers and discuss whether or not they are as wonderful as is being spun. 

Dave Johnson Exposes Job Killing #TPP

Dave Johnson, Fellow at the Campaign for America’s Future breaks down the ins and outs of the recently released Trans-Pacific Partnership text and what it means for workers. 

Terron Sims on Ben Carson's latest embellishment

Terron Sims, West Point graduate and Truman Project Fellow joins Rick to talk about Presidential candidate Ben Carson’s claim to have turned down a scholarship to one of the nation’s military academies.  

Full Show for November 4, 2015

Irwin Aronson, Labor Attorney and Rick Smith Show contributor joins Rick to evaluate the November 3rd election results and delve into the significance of the historic election’s outcome.  

 

Rick Bloomingdale, President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO joins Rick to talk about the grassroots organizing and the hard work volunteers put in to make the historic November 3rd election of three Democratic Supreme Court Justices possible.  

 

Frank Emspak, Executive Producer at Worker’s Independent News Service joins Rick to discuss the Labor News of the day. 

 

Will Fischer, Executive Director of the Union Veterans Council joins Rick to highlight National Apprenticeship Week and to talk about the opportunities union apprenticeship programs offer to veterans. 

 

Rebecca Vallas, Director of Policy for the Poverty to Prosperity Program at the Center for American Progress joins Rick to discuss recent action by President Obama to “Ban the Box” in the federal employment process and truly give citizens a second chance after service their sentence and what action means for all workers.  

 

Irwin Aronson on Historic PA Supreme Court Election

Irwin Aronson, Labor Attorney and Rick Smith Show contributor joins Rick to evaluate the November 3rd election results and delve into the significance of the historic election’s outcome.  

Frank Emspak on Employee Misclassification

Frank Emspak, Executive Producer at Worker’s Independent News Service joins Rick to discuss the Labor News of the day. 

Will Fischer on National Apprenticeship Week & Jobs for Vets

Will Fischer, Executive Director of the Union Veterans Council joins Rick to highlight National Apprenticeship Week and to talk about the opportunities union apprenticeship programs offer to veterans.