Richard Chew is joined by Liz Pancotti, managing director of policy and advocacy at Groundwork Collaborative, an economic think tank based in Washington, D.C.

One week before the September 30 deadline for Congress to fund the federal government, Pancotti discussed the possibility of a government shutdown. In the event of a shutdown, she said, "key federal programs and offices would not be able to function. Social Security checks would go out, kind of core functions like that would still go on, but national parks would close. It's possible people could see other disruptions to government services."

She continued: "Part of the issue here is that Republicans are proposing a year-long funding bill that would cut a lot of really important programs, including LIHEAP, which helps low-income people afford their heating and electric bills in the winter, and a number of other programs that are really vital. They are proposing really drastic cuts on top of the cuts that they have already pursued this year throughout several of President Trump's either funding rollbacks or other legislative fights.

"And unfortunately, they are not coming to the table on a really critical fight, which is over health care prices. If lawmakers fail to act by November 1st, when open enrollment for health insurance starts for next year, people will see a very, very, very large increase in their premiums. So, for about the 25 million or so people who get their health insurance from the Affordable Care Act exchange, healthcare.gov, those folks could see a premium increase of 600 percent. It'd be about 75 percent on average. But for the lowest-income people, their health care premiums would multiply by six if lawmakers fail to act by November 1st. What Democrats are doing is saying, Republicans work with us; let's avert this cliff. And unfortunately, Republicans are refusing to come to the table and negotiate a bipartisan deal."

Pancotti also addressed this year's rise in school supply costs, school meal expenses, and the impact of tariffs on children's clothing and technology. She warned of potential shortages and higher prices for holiday items due to tariff-related supply chain disruptions.

Catch "Chew's Views with Richard Chew” weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views).

And find the "Chew's Views" Full Episodes podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, YouTube, Amazon and TuneIn.

 

Richard Chew is joined by Liz Pancotti, managing director of policy and advocacy at <a href="https://groundworkcollaborative.org/person/elizabeth-pancotti/">Groundwork Collaborative</a>, an economic think tank based in Washington, D.C.
One week before the September 30 deadline for Congress to fund the federal government, Pancotti discussed the possibility of a government shutdown. In the event of a shutdown, she said, "key federal programs and offices would not be able to function. Social Security checks would go out, kind of core functions like that would still go on, but national parks would close. It's possible people could see other disruptions to government services."
She continued: "Part of the issue here is that Republicans are proposing a year-long funding bill that would cut a lot of really important programs, including LIHEAP, which helps low-income people afford their heating and electric bills in the winter, and a number of other programs that are really vital. They are proposing really drastic cuts on top of the cuts that they have already pursued this year throughout several of President Trump's either funding rollbacks or other legislative fights.
"And unfortunately, they are not coming to the table on a really critical fight, which is over health care prices. If lawmakers fail to act by November 1st, when open enrollment for health insurance starts for next year, people will see a very, very, very large increase in their premiums. So, for about the 25 million or so people who get their health insurance from the Affordable Care Act exchange, healthcare.gov, those folks could see a premium increase of 600 percent. It'd be about 75 percent on average. But for the lowest-income people, their health care premiums would multiply by six if lawmakers fail to act by November 1st. What Democrats are doing is saying, Republicans work with us; let's avert this cliff. And unfortunately, Republicans are refusing to come to the table and negotiate a bipartisan deal."
Pancotti also addressed this year's rise in school supply costs, school meal expenses, and the impact of tariffs on children's clothing and technology. She warned of potential shortages and higher prices for holiday items due to tariff-related supply chain disruptions.
Catch "Chew's Views with Richard Chew&rdquo; weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views">heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views</a>).
And find the "Chew's Views" Full Episodes podcast on<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2zkWlrghsVpgulp44Wsb53"> Spotify</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chews-views-full-episodes/id1772726742">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-chews-views-full-episodes-224677247/">iHeartRadio</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLquOHBYhhrLPJ4U4sG9hqPEyq8TZ6yK5B">YouTube</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/60f89bc3-9570-4cea-86e2-30049d1112f4/chew's-views-full-episodes">Amazon</a> and <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/Chews-Views-(Full-Episodes)-p4553840/?topicId=433949466">TuneIn</a>.
&nbsp;

From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, here are full episodes of “Chew's Views” (weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central), a pragmatic radio show that focuses on moving our political, social, economic, gender and cultural conversation forward and creating a roadmap for progressives to be more involved in their political and social destinies. With "Chew's Views" the emphasis is on positive talk and solutions – but don’t get it twisted; we may bring some smashmouth dialogue to the program just to make sure you’re awake, not just “woke.”  


Richard Chew has been a part of the WCPT family since 2017, initially as part of "The Family Meeting" and as a regular contributor to "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive."  He became WCPT's morning host in early 2024. 

A 25-plus-year wealth management and insurance veteran, Richard is well-versed in all areas of financial planning, wealth management and insurance plans designed to help clients with their financial future. Richard’s primary goal is to help consumers assess what their needs are and find the right plans and programs to protect their wealth.

Richard was born and raised in Chicago and Southwestern Michigan and is a graduate of Pepperdine University; he later pursued a master’s degree from Keller Graduate School. He is proud of the fact that he has visited all 50 of the great states of the United States of America and keeps his passport current to make sure traveling the world is always a “ready to go” item. He and his wife, Anne, love the city and suburbs of Chicago and all their greatness.  

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, here are full episodes of &ldquo;<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/chewviews-with-richard-chew/">Chew's Views</a>&rdquo; (weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central), a pragmatic radio show that focuses on moving our political, social, economic, gender and cultural conversation forward and creating a roadmap for progressives to be more involved in their political and social destinies. With "Chew's Views" the emphasis is on positive talk and solutions &ndash; but don&rsquo;t get it twisted; we may bring some smashmouth dialogue to the program just to make sure you&rsquo;re awake, not just &ldquo;woke.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
 Richard Chew has been a part of the WCPT family since 2017, initially as part of "<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-family-meeting/">The Family Meeting</a>" and as a regular contributor to "<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive/">Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive</a>." &nbsp;He became WCPT's morning host in early 2024.&nbsp;
A 25-plus-year wealth management and insurance veteran, Richard is well-versed in all areas of financial planning, wealth management and insurance plans designed to help clients with their financial future. Richard&rsquo;s primary goal is to help consumers assess what their needs are and find the right plans and programs to protect their wealth.
Richard was born and raised in Chicago and Southwestern Michigan and is a graduate of Pepperdine University; he later pursued a master&rsquo;s degree from Keller Graduate School. He is proud of the fact that he has visited all 50 of the great states of the United States of America and keeps his passport current to make sure traveling the world is always a &ldquo;ready to go&rdquo; item. He and his wife, Anne, love the city and suburbs of Chicago and all their greatness. &nbsp;

Chew's Views with Richard Chew (Full Episodes)

From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, “Chew's Views” (weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central) is a pragmatic radio show that focuses on moving our political, social, economic, gender and cultural conversation forward and creating a roadmap for progressives to be more involved in their political and social destinies. With "Chew's Views" the emphasis is on positive talk and solutions – but don’t get it twisted; we may bring some smashmouth dialogue to the program just to make sure you’re awake, not just “woke.”  

Richard Chew has been a part of the WCPT family since 2017, initially as part of "The Family Meeting" and as a regular contributor to "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive." He became WCPT's morning host in early 2024.

Richard also regularly shares his views on other podcasts and radio shows, including recent appearances on Amy McGrath's "Truth in a Barrel," "The John Fugelsang Podcast," "Endless Urgency" with Mike Nellis, and "The Politics Bar."

A 25-plus-year wealth management and insurance veteran, Richard is well-versed in all areas of financial planning, wealth management and insurance plans designed to help clients with their financial future.

Richard was born and raised in Chicago and Southwestern Michigan and is a graduate of Pepperdine University; he later pursued a master’s degree from Keller Graduate School. He is proud of the fact that he has visited all 50 of the great states of the United States of America and keeps his passport current to make sure traveling the world is always a “ready to go” item. He and his wife, Anne, love the city and suburbs of Chicago and all their greatness.  

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, &ldquo;<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/chewviews-with-richard-chew/">Chew's Views</a>&rdquo; (weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central) is a pragmatic radio show that focuses on moving our political, social, economic, gender and cultural conversation forward and creating a roadmap for progressives to be more involved in their political and social destinies. With "Chew's Views" the emphasis is on positive talk and solutions &ndash; but don&rsquo;t get it twisted; we may bring some smashmouth dialogue to the program just to make sure you&rsquo;re awake, not just &ldquo;woke.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Richard Chew has been a part of the WCPT family since 2017, initially as part of "<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-family-meeting/">The Family Meeting</a>" and as a regular contributor to "<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive/">Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive</a>." He became WCPT's morning host in early 2024.
Richard also regularly shares his views on other podcasts and radio shows, including recent appearances on Amy McGrath's "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWK_o2PSptQ">Truth in a Barrel</a>," "<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weekend-interviews-simon-and-julie-richard-chew/id1464094232?i=1000685443232">The John Fugelsang Podcast</a>," "<a href="https://endlessurgency.com/p/pardoning-ghislaine-maxwell-trump">Endless Urgency</a>" with Mike Nellis, and "<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/is/podcast/community-vs-cankles-july-22-2025/id886656768?i=1000718522141">The Politics Bar</a>."
A 25-plus-year wealth management and insurance veteran, Richard is well-versed in all areas of financial planning, wealth management and insurance plans designed to help clients with their financial future.
Richard was born and raised in Chicago and Southwestern Michigan and is a graduate of Pepperdine University; he later pursued a master&rsquo;s degree from Keller Graduate School. He is proud of the fact that he has visited all 50 of the great states of the United States of America and keeps his passport current to make sure traveling the world is always a &ldquo;ready to go&rdquo; item. He and his wife, Anne, love the city and suburbs of Chicago and all their greatness. &nbsp;