The Other Side: Mississippi Today's Political Podcast

Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison, and Taylor Vance discuss several major issues that are being debated during the 2024 legislative session. Medicaid expansion, income tax cut, retirement system changes, and felony suffrage restoration are among the topics covered.

Sen. Derrick Simmons, D-Greenville, tells Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance that expanding Medicaid, restoring the initiative and helping the Mississippi Delta are topics he hopes will be addressed during the 2024 legislative session.

Senate Finance Chair Josh Harkins, R-Flowood, discusses with Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance the passage of the two major projects in consecutive weeks. The key committee chair also says he will consider tax cuts, but reiterated he wants to move cautiously and examine the overall impact of any tax reduction.

Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison, and Taylor Vance break down last week's special session in which lawmakers appropriated at least $350 million to close a deal that will bring a new green energy plant to north Mississippi.

Mississippi Today political reporters Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance discuss Gov. Tate Reeves' inauguration and the committee assignments made by House Speaker Jason White and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann.

Mississippi Today's Julia James and Bobby Harrison hear from Becky Glover, policy analyst with Parents for Public School, and Will Bardwell, senior counsel with Democracy Forward, about the scheduled Feb. 6 oral arguments before the state Supreme Court in their lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of sending public funds to private schools. Bardwell and Glover point out that Section 208 of Mississippi's 1890 Constitution says plainly no public funds can go to a school "not conducted as a free public school."

Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau, Bobby Harrison, Geoff Pender and Taylor Vance preview the 2024 legislative session. They discuss major issues to watch for during the 120-day session that begins Jan. 2, and they also discuss some potential surprises.

Former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, during a 2023 interview with Mississippi Today, shared an incredible story from earlier in his life when he got to attend a Super Bowl. Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau and Bobby Harrison talk with Musgrove about the event.

Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison and Taylor Vance provide a primer of what to expect during the opening days of the pomp and circumstance of the 2024 legislative session. The session is quickly approaching, slated to begin at noon on Jan. 2.

Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison and Geoff Pender take a break from political world (kind of) to talk with Mississippi singer/songwriter Paul Thorn about his music and his diverse life's experiences. Thorn grew up in a conservative church before making a mark as a boxer and then a storyteller, writing and singing songs about Americana.