My Old Kentucky Podcast

Election Results & Jazmin Speaks to the ACLU

The primary election has come and gone!  Now that we know who will be on the ballot in November, listen to Robert and Jazmin break down what happened in the primary to get us here.  They address all the statewide elections and what we can take away from each race.
Also, Jazmin speaks with Heather Gatnarek and Kate Miller of the ACLU.  Heather is a staff attorney and Kate works as the primary lobbyist for the ACLU, and their conversation with Jazmin touched on the way they defend our liberties in Frankfort and in the courtroom.

Grimes/BOE Lawsuit, Beshear/Insulin Lawsuit, & Primary Predictions

This week, Robert and Jazmin talked about a pair of lawsuits from Kentucky's Democratic executive branch elected officials -- Allison Lundergan Grimes is suing to block a law which restricts the Secretary of State's power over the board of elections, and Andy Beshear is suing insulin makers for exponentially increasing prices.  Plus, Jazmin shares about a plan from the EPA to invest millions in Kentucky's water infrastructure.
Several folks have asked MOKP to do predictions -- Jazmin refused, but Robetr gave four or five different predictions on this podcast.  These predictions are about who will win, but how the race might go.  All of them will probably be wrong.
VOTE ON TUESDAY!

Labor Cabinet Update, A Special Session (?), and Edelen Goes Negative

This week, Jazmin and Robert update a story from last week about Andy Beshear's lawsuit against Gov. Bevin's Labor Cabinet (news broke on this story in the middle of recording!), whether or not a special session would happen this year, and about Adam Edelen's negative ads attacking Andy Beshear.  Plus, Quick Hits from topics as varied as Jewish Hospital in Louisville to the Fairness Ordinance vote in Bowling Green.  Enjoy!

Rep. Cluster Howard, Mayor Fischer's Budget, Beshear vs. Labor Cabinet, & Fundraising Reports

This week we invited Rep. Cluster Howard of the 91st District to the show!  We talked about how he represents a district that has very different county identities, the impact of personal relationships on legislating, and how Democrats can be more competitive at the federal level in places like Eastern Kentucky.
Before speaking with Rep. Howard, we talked about Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer's proposed budget which includes $25.5 million in cuts, the case Attorney General Andy Beshear is making against the Labor Cabinet in his suit involving the subpoenas of teachers protesting in Frankfort, and all the gubernatorial candidates 30-day prior fundraising reports.

Rep. Nima Kulkarni, UK's Big Grant, Polling Update, & KY's Hepatitis A Outbreak

This week, Rep. Nima Kulkarni joins us to talk about her experience during the 2019 General Assembly.  She talked to us at length about what she's learned about getting bills moving as part of a super-minority, and what it's meant to her to be "adopted" as part of the Black Legislative caucus.
Before speaking with her, Jazmin told us about a massive grant the University of Kentucky has received to study opioid overdoses, and gives us an update on the (internal) polls being released by candidates for Governor.  Robert explains the Hepatitis A outbreak in Kentucky -- it's the worst outbreak in the 21st century in the United States, and could have been prevented with a better response.

Rep. Reginald Meeks, AOC vs. KY Republicans, Braidy Industries and the Russians, Bevin v. Beshear, and More!

We were delighted this week to welcome Rep. Reginald Meeks to the show.  He has spent more than 30 years in public service as a Louisville Alderman and, since 2000, as a Kentucky Representative.  We spoke to him about the most recent legislative session, how the Democratic caucus has changed since 2016, and lots of other topics.
Before speaking with him, Jazmin and Robert talked about the argument between Andy Barr and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the announcement that Braidy Industries will partner with a sanctioned Russian firm to build and supply their plant, and a Supreme Court battle between Attorney General Andy Beshear and the Bevin administration about the state school board.  Plus, Quick Hits!

Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson, Connecting Abortion and Race, Bevin's Veto, Edelen and Marijuana, And More!

This week, Tish Buckner fills in for Jazmin (get well soon, J!).  Robert and she discuss two court cases that were decided by the sixth circuit this week, and Tish talks about the connections between race and abortion rights, and how misguided some are in trying to recruit African Americans to the anti-abortion movement.  Tish and Robert also talk about Adam Edelen's new push to decriminalize marijuana, and Matt Bevin's veto of the "quasis" pension bill, which will probably lead to a special session.  Plus, plenty of quick hits!
Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson is our guest this week, and we talked to her about living through a tight election night, how she plans to tackle her reelection effort, and her first legislative session.  Rep. Stevenson was one of our first guests and we were very glad to welcome her back to the show! 

Rep. Charles Booker, End of Session Wrap Up, & Overturning Medicaid Waiver

This week, we welcomed Rep. Charles Booker back onto the podcast.  Rep. Booker joined us several months ago when he was running for office -- since joining the legislature, he's jumped in head first, sponsoring 50 bills and serving as the chief sponsor on 15.  We talked to him about how he approached the session, and how he is serving as a representative of a community that is often overlooked in Frankfort.
Before our conversation with Rep. Booker, we talked through the last day of the session -- what managed to pass, and what was left undone.  Jazmin talked specifically about the pension changes for "quasi" governmental organizations and some appointments to the board of education.  Also last week, Judge Boasberg overturned the Bevin administration's Medicaid Waiver.

Rep. Attica Scott, Abortion Lawsuits, and Louisville's Big Mess

This week, we welcomed Rep. Attica Scott back to the show!  She talked to us about the current legislative session, her thoughts on the state wide races this year, and what the future might hold for her.  It's a great conversation, and we are excited to share it with you!
Before that, Jazmin covered a few lawsuits between the state and abortion providers, and Robert talked to us about Louisville's failed attempt to enact a revenue plan and what cuts might be in store for the Commonwealth's biggest city.

Session Wrap With Bruce Maples, Plus Other News

This week we welcomed Bruce Maples, publisher of Forward Kentucky, to talk about the end of the session.  Forward Kentucky had excellent coverage, and we are glad to share Bruce's expertise on the podcast.  Before joining Bruce, we talked through the news of Wayne Lewis seeking out the names of the teachers who called out sick, plus several Quick Hits.