My Old Kentucky Podcast

Nima Kulkarni, AOC Audit Update, Potential JCPS Settlement, & More

This week, Jazmin and Robert speak with Nima Kulkarni, the Democratic candidate for the 40th House district in Louisville.  Ms. Kulkarni spoke about winning against an 11 term incumbent, her vision for immigration reform on the state level, and how she intends to improve the connection between the people in the 40th District and their government.
Before speaking with her, Jazmin and Robert talked about the Budget Review Subcommittee meeting about the AOC audit, Education Commissioner Wayne Lewis' offer of a settlement to JCPS, the arrest of nine Occupy ICE protestors at the Heyburn Building in Louisville, and the Supreme Court's docket (which includes three cases related to topics discussed at length on MOKP).

Kelsey Hayes Coots on #OurJCPS, Gov. Bevin's House, Medicaid Update, & More

This week's show includes a conversation between Jazmin, Robert, and Kelsey Hayes Coots, a middle school teacher who also works with Kentucky 120 United and #OurJCPS, groups that oppose the state takeover of Jefferson County Public Schools.  They talked about the takeover and the case against it.
Before that, Jazmin and Robert talk through new updates on Gov. Bevin's house, the restoration of dental and vision benefits for Medicaid Expansion beneficiaries, more shenanegans between Gov. Bevin and the state's boards, and the end of Camp Compasion, which the Occupy ICE movement maintained for 17 days.

AOC Audit, KY Electeds Respond to Trump/Putin, & Papa's Left The House

This week, Robert is on vacation, but criminal defense attorney Clay Kennedy fills in to discuss this week’s news with Jazmin. Jazmin talks about a rough AOC audit. Clay tells us about the Kentucky delegation’s responses to Trump’s meeting with Putin, including comments from John Yarmuth, Mitch McConnell, and others. Finally, they discuss some offensive comments made by Papa John and Matt Bevin and the fallout that resulted.

Rachel Roberts, Occupy ICE, and Gubernatorial Race Kickoff

On this week's show, Jazmin and Robert speak with Rachel Roberts, the Democratic candidate for the 24th Senate district in Northern Kentucky (Campbell, Bracken, and Pendleton counties).  She's a business owner whose won awards for entrepreneurship.  We talked to her about why she's running, how Northern Kentucky is changing, and what she's been able to apply from her business experience to her political career.
Before speaking to her, Jazmin and Robert talked about the Occupy ICE protests that have been ongoing in Louisville since July 3rd, and the start of the 2019 gubernatorial race: Andy Beshear has officially announced, and an article about Attica Scott thinking about running was published this week.

Congressman John Yarmuth, Medicaid Waiver Overturned, Confederate Statues Update, and Capitol Access Policy

This week on the show we were honored to welcome Congressman John Yarmuth!  Congressman Yarmuth has represented the third district of Kentucky (most of Metro Louisville) for six terms.  We spoke about the difference between serving now and when he was first elected, his current race against Vickie Yates Brown Glisson, his thoughts on the upset of Joe Crowley by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the current immigration debate, and what he would do as the chair of the House Budget Committee.  We even took some time to talk about legislative races in Kentucky.  It was a wide ranging conversation that we are excited to share with you!
Before speaking with the Congressman, Jazmin and Robert talk about a federal judge overturning Kentucky's Medicaid Waiver, the city of Louisville's new principles for public art (especially with respect to confederate statues), and an Attorney General opnion about access to the capitol building.  It's a good show!  Thanks for listening!

Gubernatorial Draft featuring Rae Hodge and Josh Mers

This week on the show, Jazmin and Robert invited their friends Josh Mers (former candidate for the 88th House District and co-chair of Lexington Fairness) and Rae Hodge (a journalist most recently with The Daily Line in Springfield, IL, but back in Louisville now) to do a Gubernatorial Draft!  The group takes turns picking Democrats running for office, and there is a bonus round picking Republicans.  We all had a blast making this episode, and we certainly hope you have fun listening.

Emily Ferguson, Pension Law Overturned, Marsy's Law lawsuit, Medicaid Hearing, & Sports Betting Committee

This week on the podcast we were excited to welcome on Emily Ferguson, Democratic candidate for the 72nd District, northeast of Lexington.  We talked about her motivations for running, her mentors, and what it was like doing policy work during the latest legislative session.
Before we spoke with her, we talked about the lawsuit against the pension bill, where Judge Phillip Shepherd ruled the process unconstitutional.  We also talked about a lawsuit involving Marsy's Law's ballot text, a hearing about Kentucky's Medicaid 1115 Waiver, and the establishment of a new group of legislators who will try to pass a sports betting law in the next session.  It's a great show!

Charles Booker, Bevin "Judge Shoppipng", and Quick Hits

This week, Jazmin and Robert speak with Charles Booker, the Democratic nominee for the 43rd District in Louisville.  They talked about his reasons for running, what it's like being a young African American running for the state legislature, and what his approach to Frankfort will be.  Before that, Jazmin tells us about Matt Bevin's attempts to have Judge Phillip Shepherd removed from the pension lawsuit, and Robert brings us plenty of Quick Hits.

Rep. Jim Wayne & JCPS Head Start Problems

On this week's show, Jazmin returns!  Robert and she talk about the bad news about JCPS giving up it's $15 million grant to operate Head Start because of abuse and neglect of children.  They go through what is next for early childhood education for JCPS and what's next for Head Start in Louisville, plus react to Education Commissioner Wayne Lewis' comments about the situation.
Also in this episode, Beth Bissmeyer again joins Robert to interview Rep. Jim Wayne, who will be retiring from the legislature at the end of the year.  They speak with him about his 27 years in the legislature -- his accomplishments, what he will miss, and what he won't, and various other topics.  It was a lovely conversations, and we're sure you'll enjoy it!
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JCPS Responds to Takeover, Social Work Apprenticeship Program, & Poor People's Campaign

Jazmin is out of town this week, so filling in for her is Beth Bissmeyer!  Beth is a former organizer and just finished social work school.  Robert and Beth talked about the JCPS's decision to appeal the State Board of Education's decision to take over the school district.  Then, Robert and Beth discuss the Bevin administraiton's new social work apprenticeship program.  There are also quick hits!
Robert and Beth also spoke with Tayna Fogle and David Miller of Kentucky's chapter of the Poor People's Campaign.  They all spoke about the Poor People's Campaign's actions in Kentucky and the future of the group.