Leslie is joined by Maria Somma, Organizing Director for the United Steelworkers (USW).

The pair explores why workers still need the PRO Act.

This includes white collar workers, which Maria shares multiple examples of with the audience.
Workers in the South are also eager to exercise their rights, though this is drawing backlash from anti-worker politicians in states like Georgia and Alabama.

The Biden administration has done important work to correct course at the NLRB, and there are pro-worker provisions in recent investments, which are helping smooth the way for workers to have a voice on the job.  This includes extensive new requirements for infrastructure projects to be “made in America” as part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Known as the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA), this section of the law promises to stimulate American manufacturing and create jobs for American workers by ensuring that a substantial portion of BIL funding is used to purchase U.S.-made products and materials.

However, workers still face an uphill battle when it comes to forming unions.  The solution is to finally pass comprehensive legislation that shores up loopholes in our laws and attaches real, immediate penalties to corporations that violate workers’ rights. 
Leslie and Maria share the legislative solution to these issues, which is the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act).

They detail what the law would do, which is:
- Establish stronger and swifter remedies to stop employers from breaking the law
- Make companies recognize contractors as part of the collective bargaining process so they can no longer continue to whittle down Union membership by subcontracting
- Force an employer to reach a first contract in a timely manner with a newly organized group of workers. (No more dragging out first contracts)
- Reverse so-called 'Right to Work,' regardless of state laws
 - Prohibit employers from forcing employees to attend anti-union meetings
Recent polls show that support for unions is at a fifty-year high, and having Joe Biden, the only sitting President to walk a picket line, in office has helped workers a great deal.  But, it’s time for the law to catch up. 

Maria Somma has been an organizer for her entire career, first as a community organizer, and then as a labor organizer. 
She started with the Steelworkers in 2001 as a healthcare workers organizer, and became Organizing Director in 2015.
The website for the USW is www.USW.org.
Their handle on X and Instagram is @steelworkers. Like them on Facebook by visiting www.Facebook.com/Steelworkers.

The Leslie Marshall Show - 6/21/24 - Workers Need the PRO Act

DOD Photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Carlos M. Vazquez II.
Image cropped for thumbnail use.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

There’s bunting, there’s a wreath
There’s flags along the road
Scaffolding is shining
In the January cold
Newsreaders are smiling
With a cheerful flow’r lapel
And tales of meeting Biden
They can all remember well

And everyone in Washington
Was relieved to see him gone
From the sleepy subway crowd
To the Speaker of the House
And the Statue of Liberty
Came back home to you and me
Then a mother sang along
A warm and patriotic song

There’s Jill and there’s a wreath
Flags along the way
Mezzanines are shining
On a January day (There’s Jill and there’s a wreath)
The people all are smiling
With a cheerful flower lapel
Tales of voting Biden
Everyone remembers well

Inauguration Day

Mara Gay, a member of the New York Times Editorial Board, returned to the show to discuss key themes in national and New York politics, including President Biden's status and the presidential election, leadership from Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams, and more. (Episode 455)

Mara Gay On National And New York Politics

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.

Brad is joined by two accomplished political guests to discuss the unprecedented history that has taken place within the past 24 hours, with President Biden electing not to run for re-election, and instead, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris.

Brad is first joined by Charlie Cook, Founder of the 'Cook Political Report.'

Then, for the second half of the show, Brad's guest is Juliane Schäuble, US Correspondent for Der Tagesspiegel, Berlin's biggest newspaper.

Charlie's handle is on X is @CharlieCookDC.  Juliane's handle there is @berlin_juliane.

Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles.
You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on X is @BradBannon.

Leslie Marshall Show - Biden Bows Out Of Presidential Race, Endorses Vice President Harris

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.

Brad is first joined by Bloomberg Government's Kate Ackley to discuss Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, which launched just a week ago, but has already hit some impressive metrics with voter enthusiasm and fundraising totals.

Then, Sarah Jones, Editor-In-Chief of Politicus USA, analyzes how the Trump-Vance campaign has been reeling since President Biden announced he would not be seeking re-election a week ago.
They also discuss the phone calls that volunteers are organizing for different groups of constituents on behalf of the new Democratic presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Kate Ackley's handle on X is @kackleyZ and the website for Bloomberg Government is bgov.com.Sarah Jones' handle on X is PoliticusSarah and the website for Politicus USA is PoliticusUSA.com.
Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles.
You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on X is @BradBannon.

Kamala Harris Quickly Unites Democratic Party, Leaving Trump-Vance Campaign Reeling

The Rowan Report is a weekly newscast that brings you a recap of the week's top headlines. This week's edition reports on President Biden's attempts to reassure voters and NATO commemorates an important milestone.

07/13/24 The Rowan Report

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.

Brad is first joined by Mabinty Quarshie, national political correspondent for the Washington Examiner.
The two break down the latest news regarding Kamala Harris' VP pick, which is expected to be announced by tomorrow.They also talk about the latest polling and story lines in the Harris-Trump matchup.

Then, noted Economist, Dr. Rob Shapiro, analyzes the latest jobs report and also discusses his new blog, titled, "Harris Has the Facts to Refute Trump’s Lies about the Economy."(Link: https://www.sonecon.com/harris-has-the-facts-to-refute-trumps-lies-about-the-economy/)

Mabinty Quarshie's handle on X is @MabintyQ.
The website for Sonecon is www.Sonecon.com and Dr. Shapiro's handle on X is @RobShapiro.

Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles.
You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on X is @BradBannon.

Leslie Marshall Show - 8/5/24 - Harris VP Pick; Outlook on U.S. Economy and Jobs Market

Leslie is joined by Roxanne Brown, the USW’s International Vice President at Large, who oversees the union’s public policy and legislative agenda as well as its political work. She has spent more than two decades advancing policies on Capitol Hill and with regulatory agencies on behalf of USW members. She has extensive experience in manufacturing, environmental and energy policy.

The two discuss how Vice President Kamala Harris, and her running mate Tim Walz, have been delivering wins for workers throughout their public service lives. It comes down to values:

Working people need a candidate who will fight for them.
USW members told their leadership that they most value retirement security, affordable health care, labor laws that support their ability to form Unions and negotiate strong contracts, alongside safe, healthy workplaces, worker-centered trade, and a strong industrial policy that supports American manufacturing.
Vice President Kamala Harris, and her running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have a strong record delivering on all these issues.
Vice President Kamala Harris serves as a crucial part of the most pro-labor administration of our lifetimes, which breathed new life into domestic manufacturing and established the nation’s first industrial policy in decades. 

This includes infrastructure and other investments rooted in strong 'Buy America' provisions.
Policies to build stronger, more resilient supply chains.
She took charge of the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment, breaking down barriers for workers forming Unions.
She also walked the picket line with striking UAW workers.
Harris was also the tie breaker on a number of key votes that advanced the interests of working families.

The USW worked for years to pass the Butch-Lewis Act and protect the pensions of more than a million workers whose retirements hung in the balance through no fault of their own. Not a single Republican voted for the American Rescue Plan, which included Butch-Lewis, but thanks to VP Harris, it passed.
Her work as a tie-breaker also enabled the administration’s efforts to return the National Labor Relations Board to its mission of empowering working people, rather than serving the interests of wealthy corporations.
Even before she was the Vice President, Harris fought for workers.

As a Senator, Harris fought for legislation to address workplace violence in health care and social service settings.
As California's Attorney General, she cracked down on corporate creed, took on the big banks, and defended vulnerable workers against wage theft.
She fought for labor protections and fair wages for agricultural and domestic workers.
Harris’ choice of running mate also shows that she prioritizes workers and shares their values. Tim Walz was himself a Union educator, who over his career:

Paved the way for more workers to have access to paid sick and family leave;
Made major strides in protecting workers’ health and safety on the job;
Improved standards for patients and workers at Minnesota’s nursing homes;
Strengthened Union organizing and collective bargaining rights;
Expanded unemployment benefits and took steps to protect workers from wage theft and other abuses.
The choice is clear. Workers need elected officials who will fight on their side, and both Harris and Walz have clear, pro-worker records.

You can follow Roxanne on X, where her handle is @BrownRox. Follow the USW on X, Facebook and Instagram, using the handle @steelworkers, and visit their website at USW.org.

Leslie Marshall Show - 8/13/24 - Harris and Walz Deliver Wins For Workers

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.

Brad is first joined by Bob Deans, Director of Strategic Engagement at the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

The two discuss the damage that natural disasters are doing to the United States, all accelerated by man made climate change. They also breakdown Project 2025 and the environmental stakes in the presidential race.

Then, Kimberly Scott, Publisher of DemList, details the plans for the Democratic National Convention live from Chicago where it's taking place this week.

The NRDC works to safeguard the earth—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends.
They combine the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 700 scientists, lawyers, and other environmental specialists to confront the climate crisis, protect the planet's wildlife and wild places, and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities.
The website for the NRDC is www.NRDC.org and their handle on X is @NRDC.

Kim Scott's 'Demlist' is a free national daily political column, calendar and resource site for Democrats and allies - a unique, central source that connects people to the who, what and where of Democratic events, issues and activism. You can find out more about them at DemList.com and follow them on X at the handle @TheDemList.

Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on X is @BradBannon.

Leslie Marshall Show -8/19/24- Environmental Stakes in the Presidential Race; Live from the DNC!

The Student Debt Crisis Center takes over the airwaves of 'the Leslie Marshall Show,' where they detail the latest challenges to the SAVE plan, why millions of folks don't have to make monthly payments right now, and what's going on with the latest student debt cancellation plan. 
They also alert folks of upcoming deadlines and who benefits from taking action.

This episode's SDCC hosts are President and Founder, Natalia Abrams, Managing Director, Sabrina Calazans, and Special Projects & 'Free the Degree' Director, Sabrina Ashley Cereceres.

The Student Debt Crisis Center (SDCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that centers the needs and voices of borrowers, and partners with allies, to impact public policy and end the student debt crisis.
The SDCC website is StudentDebtCrisis.org and their handle on X, Instagram and Facebook is @DebtCrisisOrg.

Leslie Marshall Show - Challenges to SAVE Student Loan Plan, Latest on Student Debt Cancellation

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union. 

The two discuss how high interest rates are crushing U.S. manufacturing's potential growth, NAFTA's lingering damage in the rust belt, and how the Biden administration's industrial policies are actually turning the tide on U.S. competitiveness.

For over 17 years, Mr. Paul and AAM have worked to make American manufacturing a top-of-mind issue for voters and our national leaders through effective advocacy, innovative research, and a savvy public relations strategy.

The website for AAM is www.AmericanManufacturing.org and their handle on X is @KeepItMadeInUSA.
Scott's handle is @ScottPaulAAM.

Interest Rates Stunt Manufacturing, NAFTA's Lingering Damage, Biden's Industrial Policies Bear Fruit

November is a busy one! 2024 is an election year, we're at the midseason point of the NFL season, college football is rolling and the first CFP rankings are out, college hoops and NBA are underway, high school football playoffs are a week in, and there's still movies and tv shows to watch!! We get into all of that and more on this week's pod, take a listen and hit us up @3pointpod!

Thanks to: Memorial Healthcare Wellness Center, Nelson House Funeral Home, Rivals Taphouse & Grille, Kori Shook & Associates, Success Group Mortgage & Servicing, AZee Branding Solutions, Shiawassee County Fair, Jacobs Insurance, z925 The Castle, SportsNet MI

3PP 334: Election Thoughts, Prep Spotlight Playoffs, Wolverines Mess, Tedertainment Tonight

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.

Brad is first joined by Mica Soellner, Congressional Reporter for Punchbowl News.
She and Brad analyze the small Republican majority in the House, and whether that will be a problem for the party's legislative goals in the upcoming term.

Then, Brad is joined by Sarah Jones,  Editor-In-Chief of Politicus USA.
The two discuss President Biden pardoning his son Hunter, what went wrong for Democrats in Pennsylvania during last month's election, how Progressives can rally against the Trump administration before the 2026 midterm elections, and media coverage of the presidential election.

Mica Soellner's handle on X is @MicaSoellnerDC. 

Sarah Jones' handle on X is PoliticusSarah and the website for Politicus USA is www.PoliticusUSA.com.

Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles. You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on X is @BradBannon.

Leslie Marshall Show -12/2/24- Slim House Majority a Problem for GOP's Legislative Goals? Hunter Biden Pardon

James Sample discusses presidential pardons.  

Episode 345 James Sample

The Rowan Report is a weekly newscast that brings you a recap of the week's top headlines. This week's edition reports on President Biden's pardon of his son Hunter and three teenager charged with kill a NJ man.

12/07/24 The Rowan Report

In this episode of Everyday Injustice, we sit down with Rachel Barkow, a law professor at NYU and an expert on criminal justice reform. We discuss President Biden’s final clemency actions, the larger implications of mass incarceration, and her upcoming book, Justice Abandoned: How the Supreme Court Ignored the Constitution and Enabled Mass Incarceration. Barkow offers a critical look at the failures of our criminal legal system, the role of progressive prosecutors, and the Supreme Court’s role in shaping mass incarceration.

Professor Barkow offered a critical look at the state of criminal justice reform, the failures of the Supreme Court, and President Biden’s last-minute clemency decisions.

Barkow expressed disappointment with Biden’s handling of clemency, noting that while he commuted 37 federal death row sentences and granted some relief for nonviolent drug offenders, he ignored hundreds of cases recommended by the Justice Department. She criticized the flawed clemency process, which requires prosecutors to review their own past cases, making positive recommendations rare.

Discussing the political backlash against criminal justice reform, Barkow argued that progressive prosecutors like Chesa Boudin and Pamela Price were vulnerable because they failed to enact structural reforms. While some jurisdictions elected reform-minded prosecutors, the movement faced well-funded opposition and public fear over crime rates. She noted that lasting change requires legislative reforms, not just individual elections.

Barkow’s upcoming book, Justice Abandoned, examines six Supreme Court cases that fueled mass incarceration, including Terry v. Ohio, which enabled stop-and-frisk policing, and U.S. v. Salerno, which allowed pretrial detention based on “dangerousness.” She argued that the Court has repeatedly ignored constitutional principles in favor of political expediency, contributing to the rise of mass incarceration.

Despite setbacks, Barkow remains hopeful that public awareness and political momentum can lead to long-term reforms. She urged advocates to focus on institutional changes that can outlast political cycles and to challenge harmful Supreme Court precedents that continue to shape the justice system today.


Everyday Injustice Podcast Episode 276 – NYU Professor Barkow Discusses Biden Clemency and New Book

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union.

The two discuss:

1. The Wall Street Journal recently documented the stark disparity between China and America’s military-industrial strength in a series of graphs. The results are downright alarming, especially as geopolitical tensions flare. The data illustrate the urgent need for the United States to take action to revitalize our domestic shipbuilding industry. 

2. With tariffs coming into force,  Made in the USA marketing is surging. U.S. consumers are rejiggering their purchasing habits, as evidenced by a boom in “Made in USA” searches on e-commerce sites, and companies are more than happy to tout their “Made in USA” commitments. (From Modern Retail: “Amazon searches for the phrase shot up to 126,000 from 26,000 in the past 30 days — nearly five times the previous period.”)  

3. The state of our infrastructure and energy grid is dire. It’s a crisis that creates another obstacle to U.S. manufacturing’s renaissance and America’s competitiveness.

4. This time, the China Shock is global in nature. Beijing is flooding the world’s markets with its industrial overcapacity across all categories, and job losses and bankruptcies are trailing the imports.
 
WEBSITE: AmericanManufacturing.org

YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@AmericanMfg (where you can watch episode's of AAM's podcast, "The Manufacturing Report")

(If you want to listen to episodes of "The Manufacturing Report," visit AmericanManufacturing.org/Podcast)

X: 1. AAM - @KeepItMadeInUSA  2. Scott Paul - @ScottPaulAAM

BlueSky: @keepitmadeinusa.bsky.social


China Surpassing U.S. Military-Industrial Might? 'Made In USA' Marketing Surges; American Infrastructure Crisis

Leslie is joined by Roxanne Brown, President-Elect of the United Steelworkers. Currently serving as the Union's international Vice President, Brown will be sworn in to her new position on March 1, 2026. Following the USW's regular four-year nomination and election process that recently took place, Brown was elected to be the Union's new President!

During today's interview, Leslie and Roxanne discuss how working families have taken major hits to their rights and their pocketbooks in 2025, thanks to the Trump administration.

Before President Trump was elected, his advisors laid out a terrifying vision for the nation called, 'Project 2025.' And over the past year, working families have unfortunately borne the brunt of the administration rapidly enacting these policies. On top of this, the administration has failed to rein in – and in many ways added to – costs for necessities like groceries, energy and health care.
Roxanne details how these attacks have hit bargaining rights for workers, veterans' benefits, workplace safety, healthcare and more.
Taken together, we’re seeing an economy in which the rich get a whole lot richer, while everyone else is lucky to scrape by, just as Trump planned.

Follow the USW on Facebook, Instagram and X, using the handle @steelworkers, and visit their website at USW.org. Also, check them out on Blue Sky where their handle is @steelworkers.bsky.social.
Roxanne's handle on X is @BrownRox.

Leslie Marshall Show - 11/25/25 - Working Families Take Major Hits in 2025

The Public Morality, produced by WSNC, is a weekly broadcast focused on contemporary issues, including politics, and culture.  Hosted by Byron Williams, The Public Morality is a 60-minute judicious conversation with some of the nation’s leading thinkers, authors, and activists.

Max Politics is a New York politics podcast hosted by journalist Ben Max featuring in-depth interviews with elected and appointed officials, candidates, advocates, and others about New York City and State politics and policy. Produced at New York Law School and its Center for New York Law. Get in touch: benmax25@gmail.com
--------
Intro/outro music is Live-It by <a href="https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/as-above-so-below/live-it-instrumental/">Ketsa</a>. source (Free Music Archive) and license type (CC BY-NC-ND)

3 guys, 3 generations, all from the same mid-Michigan town of Corunna. We all played multiple varsity sports at a high level and are currently working as members of the sports media.

Ted, the Baby Boomer of the bunch, attended Central Michigan University and since the mid 80’s has hosted The Sports Forum radio show and called high school play-by-play of a multitude of sports.

Our Generation-X co-host, Matt Burns, moved on from Corunna where he was a record setting wide receiver and graduated from Grand Valley State University. He now makes his living at ESPN.

Our youngest viewpoints will come from the Millennial of the trio Jerod Fattal. J-Rod starred at quarterback for the Cavaliers graduating in 2017, recently graduated from GVSU, and is working at Bally Sports Detroit.

Along with our unique 3 generation look at sports, pop culture, and current events, we have on a wide variety of guests; from ESPN's Ryan McGee, Ferris St. Head Football coach Tony Annese, media personalities Annie Agar and Wes Blankenship, ESPN Detroit Lions Insider Eric Woodyard, and plenty more!

The best progressive talk right here, on demand. Always Progressive, Always On!

Davis Vanguard Podcast will be covering criminal justice reform, mass incarceration, wrongful convictions, and more.

I'm a singer-songwriter with influences from Paul Simon to Neil Young and more.

New tracks tagged #President Biden