My Old Kentucky Podcast

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.

Braidy Industries Come To Greenup Co & Drama in Pikeville

We definitely struggled with audio quality this week, but we think we made up for it with the quality of our content this week!  First, Andrew Adkins joins Jazmin and Robert to talk about the new aluminum rolling plant coming to South Short in Greenup County.  The three of us discuss the issues around economics, labor unions, and tax incentives tied up in the project.  Then, Jazmin brings us all up to date with the drama in Pikeville over the weekend: both Nazis and anti-fascists came to town to yell at each other.  Then, as always, QUICK HITS.

Industrial Hemp and Federal Courts

Today's show covers two topics: Robert talks about the history of hemp in Kentucky and the current industrial hemp program, and Jazmin explains how federal courts work in Kentucky.  Plus, as always, QUICK HITS.

Bernie Sanders/Tom Perez Visit, The Judicial Branch, & Better Know Your Governor

Jazmin and Robert are joined by Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons this week to discuss Bernie Sanders & Tom Perez's visit to Louisville.  Then, Jazmin explains the Kentucky judicial branch.  Finally, Robert gets us up to speed about where the Governor lives and why that's important.  Plus, as always, QUICK HITS.

Tax Reform Discussion featuring KCEP and Dawn Howard

This is a really special episode!  MOKP features Dawn Howard of JDawn Consulting sitting in for Jazmin plus Anna Baumann and Pam Thomas of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy.  We discussed:
What a tax reform proposal from the Governor might look like during a special session this year
What conservative tax reform has looked like in other states that have implemented it recently
What progressive tax reform would look like
and, as a bonus, we talked about the Local Option Sales Tax
It was a great show!  We hope you enjoy it.
Dawn's a tax consultant, and if you have tax needs, you can check out her small buisness here: https://www.facebook.com/JDawnConsulting/

Bevin's War Against Abortion, and Session Wrap Up

In this episode, Jazmin brings us a look at the Bevin administration's war on abortion -- starting with candidate Bevin and his promises, and continuing on through news from just last week, she takes a holistic look at the Governor's fight against the procedure.  Then, Robert wraps up the legislative session.  The legislature is adjourned sine die, which means that the session is really, and truly, over.  For real this time.  Then, of course, there are quick hits.

Quick Hits Extravaganza!

We had to scramble a little to come up with a show this week, but we're pretty proud of the result!  We hit eight pieces of news that happened this week, but no deep dive into policy.  Discussed on this week's show are:
Governor Bevin's Vetoes
The Legislature's Veto Overrides
Final Passage of SB1 (Education Bill)
Governor Bevin Signs HB 410 (Real ID Law)
Mayor Greg Fischer Running For Third Term
Mayor of Bardstown May Be Removed From Office
Court Case Between ACLU and Kentucky Over HB2 (Ultrasound Abortion Law) Heating Up, &
Kentucky Operating As Though Medicaid Waiver Will Be Implemented

Trump's Visit (featuring Michael Powell) and Foster Care

Swiss Army Man Michael Powell joins Robert and Jazmin to discuss President Donald Trump's visit to Louisville (Michael attended and wrote about the visit for LEO).  Then, Jazmin explains Kentucky's foster care system and Governor Matt Bevin's attempts to reform it.

Wrapping Up The Session

Jazmin and Robert wrap up the session's main voting period by catching up on all the bills they've discussed so far, including:
HB 520 & HB 471 - Charter Schools
SB 1 - Education Reform
SB 222 - “War on Louisville”
HB 14 - “Blue Lives Matter”
SB 120 - Criminal Justice Reform
SB 153 - Funding for Higher Education
HB 330 - Yum Center Financing
HB 151 - “Neighborhood Schools”
HB 315 - The Gang Bill
HB 410 - REAL ID