How a Democrat gets bills passed in a GOP legislature

How a Democrat gets bills passed in a GOP legislature

Author: WUNC News May 23, 2025 Duration: 24:50
Amid all the culture wars and controversies at North Carolina’s legislature, some legislation features Republicans and Democrats quietly working together. There are plenty of examples of bills developed by lawmakers from both parties working together, ultimately leading to unanimous votes with no debate. Rep. Laura Budd, D-Mecklenburg, is one of the few Democrats who's sponsored bills that passed the House this year. She spoke with WUNC's Colin Campbell about how she's developed relationships across the political divide and the legislation she's developed with GOP colleagues. Budd also spoke about her concerns with the House budget bill, and the awkward moments that come from sharing a last name with a prominent U.S. senator.

Tune in for the conversations happening behind the headlines across the state. WUNC Politics, from the journalists at WUNC News, moves beyond the official statements and press conferences to bring you the context and candid insights shaping North Carolina. Each episode feels like catching up with a well-informed friend who just left the floor of the General Assembly or a key campaign stop, translating the day’s political maneuvers into something relatable and clear. You’ll hear directly from reporters about the whispers in the legislative hallways, the shifting dynamics on the trail, and the real-world impacts of policy debates. This isn't about partisan scoring; it's about understanding the how and why of Tar Heel politics. The podcast delivers a grounded, weekly perspective that helps make sense of the rapid changes in our state's government and elections. For anyone curious about the forces driving decisions in Raleigh and beyond, this is an essential listen. The analysis is sharp, the reporting is trustworthy, and the discussion always points toward what it all means for the people who live here. Dive into the nuanced and often surprising stories that define political life in North Carolina.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

WUNC Politics
Podcast Episodes
Main Street NC: Southeast Raleigh's gentrification challenge [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:44
This is the third in a new season of our Main Street NC series. We're visiting communities across the state to hear from local leaders about the positives going on in their towns, and the challenges they face. Historical…
Main Street NC: Mitchell County's Helene recovery needs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:44
This is the second in a new season of our Main Street NC series. In the coming months, we’ll be visiting communities across the state to hear from local leaders about the positives going on in their towns, and the challe…
Main Street NC: Fountain's musical rebirth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:20
This is the first in a new season of our Main Street NC series. In the coming months, we’ll be visiting communities across the state to hear from local leaders about the positives going on in their towns, and the challen…
Why women are underrepresented in NC politics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:53
"Women are underrepresented at every level of North Carolina politics": that’s the eye-catching title of a chapter in a new book called "Anatomy of a Purple State: A North Carolina Politics Primer." The book’s author, Ch…
Making sense of NC's election results [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:41
The election results are in, and while a few races here in North Carolina are still too close to call, we’re popping into your podcast feed to share post-election analysis from WUNC’s Due South. Colin Campbell joined som…
Down The Ballot: NC Legislature [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:13
For the final installment of our Down The Ballot series, we’re turning to the races for state legislature. The district lines drawn by GOP lawmakers will virtually ensure that Republicans keep at least a majority in the…
Down The Ballot: 1st Congressional District [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:16
This week on our Down The Ballot series, we’re taking a look at the only one of North Carolina’s 14 congressional districts that has a close election this year. First-term Democratic Congressman Don Davis is defending hi…
Josh Stein on his campaign for governor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:29
We’re talking to candidates for key races on the WUNC Politics Podcast as part of our Down The Ballot series. This week, we’re taking a look at the race for governor. While the Republican candidate, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinso…
Down The Ballot: Insurance Commissioner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:19
We’re talking to candidates for key downballot races on the WUNC Politics Podcast as part of our Down The Ballot series. Next up: The race for insurance commissioner. The insurance commissioner gets the final say on whet…
Bonus episode: The art and alarming science of political ads [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:53
Here's a midweek bonus episode from another great WUNC podcast, The Broadside: This year, a record $12.3 billion will be spent on US political campaigns. The majority of that is earmarked for political advertising, parti…