The Rick Smith Show

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

#RaiseTheWage: Pittsburgh Fast Food Worker Demands $15 Minimum Wage as #PABudget Gridlock Continues

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.

#TiSA: Did You Really Think Obama's Free Trade Legacy Would Stop with the TPP?

David Dayen, contributor at The New Republic joins Rick to discuss global trade policy in the aftermath of congress giving President Obama, and the next president Fast Track Authority.  Is the TPP the worst agreement or will TTIP or TISA be worse?  

#Christe2016: Veteran Teacher from New Jersey has a Warning about Chris Christie

Mark "Jersey Jazzman" Weber, New Jersey public school teacher, public school parent, taxpayer, and NJEA member talks about Governor Chris Christie’s education record in light of the governor’s announcement that he is running for president.  

#PaBudget: Why Did the GOP Send Governor Wolf a Budget that Corbett Wouldn't Have Signed?

Pennsylvania State Sen. Rob Teplitz joins Rick to talk about Governor Wolf’s veto of a Republican budget that former Governor Tom Corbett would not have signed.

Author Martha Ertman Explains Family Contracts and How They Change with Same Sex Marriage

Martha Ertman, author of Love’s Promises joins Rick to discuss her book on how contracts can transform the family and what it means post SCOTUS same sex marriage.

The Rick Smith Show - 7/1/2015

Pennsylvania State Sen. Rob Teplitz joins Rick to talk about Governor Wolf’s veto of a Republican budget that former Governor Tom Corbett would not have signed.

Mark "Jersey Jazzman" Weber, New Jersey public school teacher, public school parent, taxpayer, and NJEA member talks about Governor Chris Christie’s education record in light of the governor’s announcement that he is running for president.  

David Dayen, contributor at The New Republic joins Rick to discuss global trade policy in the aftermath of congress giving President Obama, and the next president Fast Track Authority.  Is the TPP the worst agreement or will TTIP or TISA be worse?  

Martha Ertman, author of Love’s Promises joins Rick to discuss her book on how contracts can transform the family and what it means post SCOTUS same sex marriage.

#PaGOPFail: Give a Penny, Save a Student; That's the GOP Education Motto

Steven Singer, Educator and Blogger joins Rick to talk education funding and the upcoming BAT Congress in Washington DC.

#PaBudget: Working Families Protest Republican's Refusal to Fund Education and More

Sharon Pope, Home health care worker joins Rick to talk about why she was in Harrisburg protesting for an increase in education spending.

#PaBudget: Pennsylvania Set to Lose Millions with Liquor Privatization

Tara Innamorato, Director of Communications UFCW Local 1776 joins Rick to discuss the recent GOP passage of their Liquor privatization scheme and why it’s a bad idea.

#SCOTUS: Conservative Court Chomping at the Bit to Gut Fair Share in Fredrich's v. California

Marianne P. von Nordeck, Media Relations Manager with AFSCME joins Rick to discuss today’s decision by the US Supreme Court to hear the anti-worker Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association case.

President Obama is Set to Deliver New Overtime Rules. How Will The Business Community React?

Brendan Duke, Policy Analyst for American Progress’ Middle-Out Economics project joins Rick to talk about the importance of changing the overtime rules for management.

The Rick Smith Show - 6/30/2015

Sharon Pope, Home health care worker joins Rick to talk about why she was in Harrisburg protesting for an increase in education spending.

Tara Innamorato, Director of Communications UFCW Local 1776 joins Rick to discuss the recent GOP passage of their Liquor privatization scheme and why it’s a bad idea.

Marianne P. von Nordeck, Media Relations Manager with AFSCME joins Rick to discuss today’s decision by the US Supreme Court to hear the anti-worker Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association case.

Brendan Duke, Policy Analyst for American Progress’ Middle-Out Economics project joins Rick to talk about the importance of changing the overtime rules for management.

Steven Singer, Educator and Blogger joins Rick to talk education funding and the upcoming BAT Congress in Washington DC.

#PABudget: Public School Teachers Take to the Capitol to Demand Fair Funding for School Children

Pennsylvania State Rep. James Roebuck joins Rick to talk about the latest GOP budget that some are calling Tom Corbett’s fifth budget and the weekend shenanigans that led Democrats to walk out of the house chamber.