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The Future in Context
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The Future in Context
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G.T. Bynum is leaving the family business. The outgoing mayor of Tulsa, Okla., is the fourth member of his family to lead the city. The former city councilmember became mayor in 2016. During his tenure, he implemented a data-driven approach to real-time policing while focusing on redressing racial disparity and fostering economic vitality. That vision and his pragmatic approach to turning around a struggling city earned him recognition as a Public Official of the Year, a designation from Governing magazine. In this episode, Governing Senior Writer joins the podcast to extract lessons...
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On this episode, we look at Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley’s innovative approach to tackling homelessness, budget challenges and systemic inequality. Crowley is among those recognized by Governing’s returning Public Officials of the Year award series. Created three decades ago to spotlight solutions, not scandals, the Public Officials of the Year (POY) awards are back. Governing magazine, the sister publication of Government Technology*, is again recognizing a select group of people who make government work. For its part, The Future In Context podcast is dedicating October to...
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info_outlineWest Virginia state Sen. Patricia Rucker, a strong advocate for universal school choice, is transforming the state’s education system with a vision shaped by her experiences as an immigrant and former teacher. Known for championing vulnerable communities, Rucker has faced opposition from both parties and unions in her determined push for expanded educational options. Her efforts reflect her optimism for West Virginia’s potential as a center for opportunity and growth.
Rucker, part of the 2024 class of Public Officials of the Year — a special recognition by Governing magazine, the sister publication of Government Technology* — has been a driving force in making school vouchers universally accessible in her state. Former Governing staff writer Zina Hutton joins the podcast to discuss Rucker’s work in education reform.
SHOW NOTES:
Here are the top 5 takeaways from this episode:
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Commitment to Universal School Choice: Sen. Patricia Rucker is a leading advocate for comprehensive school choice legislation in West Virginia, aiming to serve students regardless of income or district. Her vision extends beyond limited voucher programs, supporting a range of options, including microschools, to meet diverse educational needs.
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Influence of Personal Immigrant Experience: Rucker’s background as a Venezuelan immigrant who navigated language and cultural barriers fuels her passion for education. Her experiences as a student, teacher and homeschooling parent shape her approach to policy, fostering empathy for families with unique educational challenges.
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Dedication to Vulnerable Populations: Rucker prioritizes underserved communities, focusing on those often overlooked by traditional legislation, such as rural families and vulnerable groups in need of more educational options. Her efforts seek to ensure equal opportunities for these populations.
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Resilience Amid Pushback: Despite opposition from within her party and from unions, Rucker held firm on her stance for school reform. She engaged with dissenting lawmakers and remained resolute in the face of criticism, ultimately achieving significant legislative success.
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Optimism for West Virginia’s Growth: Rucker believes educational reform can drive economic and social progress in West Virginia, attracting educators, entrepreneurs and families who see the state as a rising hub of opportunity and growth.
Related Links to stories referenced in the episode:
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· The Woman Who Helped Kick Off a School Choice Revolution (Rucker POY profile)
Our editors used ChatGPT 4.0 to summarize the episode in bullet form to help create the show notes. The main image for this story was created using DALL-E 3.