The Other Side: Mississippi Today's Political Podcast

As Republican lawmakers begin a series of fall hearings to consider an elimination of the individual income tax, Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison, and Geoff Pender break down the recent history of tax cut and the politics surrounding the idea.

Corey Miller, state economist and director of Mississippi's University Research Center, gives Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison and Geoff Pender a briefing on the economic state of the state, unemployment and workforce participation. He also tells a funny economist joke!

Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann tells Mississippi Today's Geoff Pender, Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance the state's financial position should allow for cutting the state's grocery tax next year. He covers numerous other topics and also talks about state Auditor Shad White's political scorched-earth from his new book on the welfare scandal.

Brandon Presley, who was elected to public office at age 23, tells Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance that he is not eyeing another run for public office after narrow loss in 2023 gubernatorial election. But Presley did not completely rule out another election run, adding that he is excited about attending this week's Democratic National Convention to support Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

The 2027 statewide election might seem far off to most folks, but the Neshoba County Fair made clear that Mississippi politicians are already jockeying to run for higher offices, particularly the governor's seat that will be open. Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison, Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance discuss who's looking to make a move for the state's top political offices.

Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour talks with Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison, Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance about the contentious 1976 Republican Convention between Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan. He recalls how he filibustered the media from eavesdropping on members of the Mississippi delegation as they argued by reciting the state's 82 counties forward and backward.

State Rep. Robert Johnson, D-Natchez, talks with Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance about whirlwind events surrounding the Democratic presidential nomination. Johnson is a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

Senate Elections Chairman Jeremy England tells Mississippi Today's Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance that he plans again in the 2025 legislative session to push for in-person early voting and for campaign finance reform — measures he introduced this year that were unsuccessful.

Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance talk with former Democratic state House member and attorney Brandon Jones about President Joe Biden's health, about state Supreme Court races and a litany of ongoing federal lawsuits that could impact Mississippi politics. Jones is the director of political campaigns for the Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund.

State Sen. Hob Bryan, D-Amory, covers a wide array of issues facing the state during an interview with Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison and Geoff Pender. Bryan argues Mississippi's ability to deal with major issues will be stymied if the personal income tax is eliminated as some politicians advocate.