The Other Side: Mississippi Today's Political Podcast

Bo Eaton of Taylorsville says he still has the swizzle stick that he drew after his tie election with Mark Tullos of Raleigh in their 2015 bid for the House District 97 post. Eaton drew the winning stick in the unusual process that is spelled out in state law to decide tie elections, but the Republican majority seated their fellow party member, sending Eaton a five-term House veteran home. Eaton catches up on politics with Mississippi Today political reporters Geoff Pender and Bobby Harrison.

Rep. Trey Lamar, who plays a pivotal role in setting tax policy as chair of the Ways and Means Committee, tells Mississippi Today political reporters Bobby Harrison and Geoff Pender that he would prefer eliminating the income tax instead of providing a tax rebate during 2023 session.

Mississippi Today political reporter Bobby Harrison talks to House Constitution Chair Fred Shanks, R-Brandon, about the state's initiative process and why the Rankin County lawmaker is optimistic that legislation will pass during the 2023 session to revive it. Shanks also weighs in on other issues, saying the Legislature can both cut taxes again in 2023 and provide one-time rebates to Mississippians.

Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison reminisces with former Mississippi political reporter Mac Gordon about covering outspoken former Gov. Kirk Fordice and other political figures from state's past. Gordon, who now lives in Georgia, also talks about the current Senate race in the Peach State involving former football great Herschel Walker.

Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau and Geoff Pender analyze Speaker of the House Philip Gunn's decision to step down and not seek reelection to the House. Among topics they discuss: What will this decision mean for the 2023 legislative session, what is Gunn's legacy, who may replace him, and what will he do next?

State Sen. Hob Bryan, chairman of the Senate Public Health Committee, joins Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau and Bobby Harrison to discuss the state's growing hospital crisis. Bryan's committee is hosting a hearing to discuss potential long-term solutions.

Charles Taylor, recently named permanent executive director of Mississippi chapter NAACP joins Mississippi Today's Adam Ganucheau to discuss his new role, the 2022 midterms, and the 2023 statewide election cycle. Taylor also shared his thoughts on the state of the state after several scandals earned Mississippi some negative national attention.

Rep. Kabir Karriem, D-Columbus, talks with Mississippi Today's Bobby Harrison and Geoff Pender about the positive impact on the Golden Triangle and the state of the new Steel Dynamics aluminum mill coming to Lowndes County after a special session where legislators approved $246 million in incentives for the project. But Karriem added the Legislature needs to address other issues now, such as fixing Jackson water woes, improving health care in the state and restoring voting rights to people convicted of felonies.

National NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson discusses Jackson's water crisis and the NAACP's Title VI discrimination complaint with the Environmental Protection Agency calling for an investigation into whether the state of Mississippi has over years diverted federal funds that should have gone to help the city's infrastructure.

Senate and House Democratic leaders Sen. Derrick Simmons and Rep. Robert Johnson provide a recap of their joint caucus hearing on the scandal-plagued Mississippi Department of Human Services and its administration of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. In the poorest state in the country, millions of federal welfare dollars have been squandered and systemic problems remain that prevent the help getting to the poorest of the poor in Mississippi.