The Other Side: Mississippi Today's Political Podcast

Sen. David Blount, chairman of the Gaming Committee in the Senate, says a proposal to legalize online sports betting lacks support in the Senate, and could harm the state's casino tourism industry, which provides thousands of jobs and millions in state revenue. Blount also discusses proposed, and recently enacted, changes to the Public Employees Retirement System, and proposals to increase tax credits for private schools.

Sen. Bradford Blackmon discusses the wild frontier of artificial intelligence, and the potential harm deepfakes can cause if left unchecked. He offered two bills this session that, while unsuccessful, prompted much discussion in the Legislature. One would have protected Mississippians' right to their name, image and likeness, another would have required AI-generated political ads to disclose the technology's use.

Sonya Williams Barnes, state policy director for the Southern Poverty Law Center in Mississippi, says the "SHIELD Act" being considered by state lawmakers would be an impediment for Mississippi voters and is a solution in search of a problem. The measure is being promoted as preventing non-U.S. citizens from voting in Mississippi, but Barnes notes it's already illegal for non citizens to vote, the state already has voter ID laws and the new proposal would only make it harder for citizens to vote, particularly senior citizens, rural residents and people who have recently been married and changed their names.

Sens. Kamesha Mumford of Jackson and Justin Pope of Pope (yes, Pope) share their insight and experiences as freshmen lawmakers, at the halfway point of their first legislative session. The two say they've quickly realized legislating centers around relationships made at the Capitol and how one works with others.

Secretary of State Michael Watson discusses his push for lawmakers to enact campaign finance reform, including transparency and searchability of reports for the public. Watson says he knows such legislation is a tough sell with lawmakers.

State Rep. Zakiya Summers has filed the House version of the "Robert G. Clark Jr. Voting Rights Act." It's an effort to get out in front of what many expect will be the further dismantling of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 by the U.S. Supreme Court. Summers isn't extremely optimistic about the measure's passage in the Mississippi Legislature this year, but says she and other lawmakers are trying to educate people about the dire impact voters could see from damage to the VRA.

Senate Education Committee Chairman Dennis DeBar says he will allow his committee to vote on the House's school choice measure, but he's still convinced the proposal to spend public money on private schooling will not pass in the Senate. Why are senators opposed to this? He explains.

Mississippi Today Jackson Editor Anna Wolfe, who won a Pulitzer Prize for her investigative reporting on Mississippi's massive welfare scandal, provides insight on the first -- perhaps only -- criminal trial from the federal investigation into misspending of millions of dollars meant to help the needy, fight poverty and feed the hungry as it enters its third week in court.