Pegasus Podcast

A Conversation with Kentucky Senator Damon Thayer by Pegasus Institute

The 2021 Kentucky legislative session was primed to be a historic one. After a year of watching a Governor and his team shut down the state with a stroke of a pen, legislators arrived in Frankfort with a strong sense of purpose. They wanted to change things. The system they had seen play out in the last year needed reform. The pandemic had brought to light decade old problems with unemployment, school choice, and criminal justice. And after just 30 days, they tackled nearly all of those areas of policy.

Kentucky legislators have an opportunity this year to kickstart school choice in our commonwealth. For too many families, and too many children, their zip code will ultimately determine their success. Without any programs to help them move to other public schools, or a private school that may meet their needs, they are stuck. On today's podcast we discuss the importance of school choice and giving parents options with Heather Huddleston of the Bluegrass Institute and Steve Ullum of Let them Learn in JCPS. Listen today to hear why it is time for school choice in Kentucky now.

The second, and final part, of our conversation with David Kennedy regarding urban violence. In the second half of the conversation we discuss more on Louisville, and what the people in this city can expect as we begin to implement these ideas around curbing violence.

Facing record-breaking violence, the city of Louisville is desperate for a new way to combat violent crime. Old tropes about 'poverty' and 'root causes' have gotten the city nowhere. In the last half decade the city has seen its average homicide rate triple, with rapid climes since 2016. Enter David Kennedy. A criminologist, David Kennedy is the architect behind the idea of Group Violence Intervention. What is that? It presents cities, and the groups within them, a mental framework on combatting violent crime. Hear more about the ideas around on today's podcast with Professor Kennedy.

A roundup of some of the biggest current events in Kentucky and across the country. Court cases and flooding have brought attention back to Kentucky's emergency order statutes. Vaccinations across America have become the newest biggest policy concern. And while the country is still reeling from lockdowns and the virus, liberals attempt to cancel Dr Seuss.

Critical race theory

How can Kentucky update its policies around food trucks to help expand the industry? As downtowns everyone try to rebuild post-lockdown, bringing businesses and food back to the city centers will be critical. One way Kentucky can do that? Fix its antiquated food truck laws.

On today's podcast we have a great panel featuring experts from across the country who care about food trucks and want to fix Kentucky's policy problem.

Panelists:

Hunter Harp is a Kentucky resident and US Army Veteran. Undergraduate in Accountancy from the University of Kentucky and Masters of Accountancy from the University of Louisville. As a governmental auditor he is a subject matter expert in policy and regulatory interpretation. He strives for economical equality and the ability for all Americans to make an honest living.

Jessica Gandy is Legislative Counsel with the Institute for Justice (IJ). She advocates for legislative reform across the country in the area of economic liberty.

Taylor Harris is a founding partner and General Manager of The Food Truck League, a network of over a thousand gourmet food trucks and tens of thousands of events in multiple markets. Taylor and his partners decided to create The League after they saw a need for a networked platform to grow the food truck industry.

Free speech is considered by many as the backbone of American society. The ability to speak up and speak out on any issue has been a staple of our culture forever. Unfortunately, strategic lawsuits against public participation, or SLAPP, threaten this important right. On today's podcast, Kentucky State Rep. Nima Kulkarni joins us to discuss her legislation to protect Kentuckians right to free speech by limiting SLAPP lawsuits. Check out our conversation and learn more about how we can protect free expression in our Commonwealth.

A Conversation with Kentucky Congressman Andy Barr by Pegasus Institute