My Old Kentucky Podcast

Medicaid Waiver Update, Alison Lundergan Grimes v. Donald Trump, 6th Congressional District Update, & Bernie in Covington

** UPDATE ** This episode originally posted with the last several minutes cut out.  This is the full episode.
 
In this, the first episode featuring Jazmin and Robert bringing the news in a while, there are FOUR topics discussed!
First, some big changes to the Medicaid Waiver from the Bevin administration
Second, Alison Lundergan Grimes versus Donald Trump
Third, an update about the Democrats who are running and might be running for the 6th Congressional District, and
Fourth, Robert interviews Brandon Mims about Senator Sanders' visit to Covington on Sunday.
Enjoy!

Senator Whitney Westerfield Talks Criminal Justice

Republican KY Senator Whitney Westerfield (Hopkinsville) talks with Jazmin and Robert about criminal justice on this episode.  They talk about:
SB 120, a law sponsored by Sen. Westerfield that passed in a paired down fashion this year.  Sen Westerfield walks us through the process of why and how the bill was passed, and why some of the more ambitious pieces were removed from the final bill.
HB 333, a law passed in the most recent session that increased penalties on fentanyl trafficking.  The group talked about the interplay between this law and HB 463 from 2011, which steered nonviolent offenders towards treatment instead of incarceration.
SB 200 from 2014, which Sen. Westerfield sponsored and which made significant changes to the juvenile justice system, including mandatory diversion programs for first-time misdemeanor offenders.  Sen. Westerfield talks to us about the bipartisan nature with which the bill was created, and how it has changed the justice system in Kentucky.
 

California's Travel Ban

Robert is out this week, but Jazmin brings us all the news we need about California's travel ban, preventing their state workers from going to Kentucky.

Reverend Joe Phelps

Jazmin is out this week, so this week Robert sits down with Reverend Joe Phelps of Highland Baptist Church to talk about the recent sequence of events between Governor Bevin and members of the clergy group EmpowerWest.  Robert and Rev. Phelps also have a broad discussion about faith, politics, and touch a bit on Rev. Phelps' situation as a white pastor in the midst of EmpowerWest, which is a group greatly concerned with racial justice.
Robert also gives us some quick hits about the UofL Foundation, lawsuits between Matt Bevin and Andy Beshear, a potential medical marijuana bill, the possible return of the "War on Louisville" and other things.  I hope you enjoy the show!

Representative McKenzie Cantrell

In this episode of My Old Kentucky Podcast, Jazmin and Robert talk with Representative McKenzie Cantrell.  Topics discussed include:
Why she decided to run for office
What the last session was like, from the perspective of a freshman legislator
Her controversial vote for HB 14 (the Blue Lives Matter law) in committee, and why she switched her vote on the floor of the House
Her work with the Kentucky Equal Justice Center
A big thank you to Rep. Cantrell for recording our show!

Juvenile Justice and Governor Bevin's Sermon at Western Middle School

Robert is gone, so Jazmin and her fellow attorney friend Yvette DeLaGuardia talk about juvenile justice issues and Governor Bevin's meeting in the West End of Louisville. Plus, as always, quick hits.

Ethics Complaint Against Matt Bevin, Unions sue over Right To Work Law, and Medical Malpractice Boards

Jazmin and Robert talk about three subjects today: Common Cause Kentucky's ethics complaint about Governor Matt Bevin's house, the Teamsters and AFL-CIO's lawsuit over the new Kentucky Right To Work law, and how the new medical malpractice boards are being set up and what they can do.  Of course, there are also QUICK HITS.

Healthcare featuring Dustin Pugel and Cara Stewart

This episode is a wide-ranging discussion of healthcare in Kentucky.  Jazmin and Robert are joined by two of the best minds working on this issue in the state: Dustin Pugel of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, and Cara Stewart of Kentucky Equal Justice Center.  The group discusses the impact of the Affordable Care Act on the state, the Bevin administration's Medicaid waiver, the Affordable Health Care Act (GOP legislation in the US Congress currently) and many other healthcare related topics.  If you are interested in the issue of healthcare in the state of Kentucky, do not miss this show!

Yum Center Update, Adoption Czar/Tsar, & Tax Revenue Shortfall

Robert and Jazmin join forces again this week to talk about three topics plus QUICK HITS.  They discussed:
Scott Cox (Louisville Arena Authority Chair) is upset there isn't a refinancing deal for the Yum Center in place
Gov. Matt Bevin has hired an adoption czar/tsar from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for the price of $240,000, &
The state is forecasting a tax revenue shortfall!  What happens next?  (Nothing good)
Robert was fighting back sickness during the show, and is extra salty, so this one is entertaining for sure.  Listen up!

Rep. Joni Jenkins

Representative Joni Jenkins joins Jazmin and Robert this week!  She's represented the southwest corner of Jefferson County in the House of Representatives since 1995.  On the show, she discusses:
How the change in control of the legislature affects how she does her job
Her role as a mentor to junior Democratic legislators
Her cosponsorship of HB 330, the Yum Center refinancing law
Her role as co-chair of the House's Adoption Work Group
And some other stuff!  Rep. Jenkins is great.  We are so glad she joined us this week.