@ISSUE

In the wake of the Supreme Court's recent decision affecting the Voting Rights Act, Republican-led states across the South are redrawing Congressional districts. Will Mississippi do the same in the upcoming special session? Analysts Brandon Jones and Lucien Smith join host Wilson Stribling for an in-depth discussion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week the United States Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Louisiana's newly drawn congressional district should not have used race as a factor. Does the 1965 Voting Rights Act remain "substantially intact," as Republican Lucien Smith claims? Or has it been "nullified with the stroke of a pen," as Democrat Brandon Jones laments? Brandon and Lucien join host Wilson Stribling to discuss this momentous decision and its impact on Mississippi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will the new Shield Act prevent non-citizens from voting in Mississippi elections? Or will it disenfranchise legal voters? Host Wilson Stribling interviews Senate Elections Committee chairman Jeremy England (R-Van Cleave) and University of Mississippi professor Marvin King for contrasting perspectives. Then Wilson welcomes Republican Lucien Smith and Democrat Brandon Jones for a spirited roundtable debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Legislature returned to Jackson last week, determined to override several of Governor Tate Reeves' vetoes. And then they didn't. Host Wilson Stribling welcomes analysts Brandon Jones and Lucien Smtih to discuss what was going on behind the scenes, who miscalculated, and what the results may mean for some of Mississippi's political leaders.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Wilson Stribling interviews Drew Hawkins, the Gulf States Newsroom reporter who has closely covered Mississippi’s opioid addiction crisis and the state’s use of its opioid settlement funds. Analysts Brandon Jones and Lucien Smith then discuss the actions of the legislature, attorney general, and the opioid settlement advisory council as they plan how to spend the $400 million Mississippi will receive.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Wilson Stribling welcomes analysts Brandon Jones and Rebekah Staples for a look back at the recently concluded Mississippi legislative session. What were the biggest successes, failures, surprises, and lessons learned? With Republicans in control of state government, are the real battles now not between the parties, but between House and Senate, or even between the Legislative and Executive branches?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The final week of the legislative session is upon us. Analysts Brandon Jones and Rebekah Staples join host Wilson Stribling to discuss the state’s $7.4 billion budget agreement, a smaller-than-hoped-for teacher pay raise, and the SHIELD Act, designed to ensure all voters are U.S. citizens. They also look at Governor Tate Reeves’ veto of a winter storm relief measure, and the confusion caused by a wording error in that bill. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Analysts Rebekah Staples and Brandon Jones join host Wilson Stribling for a look at multiple bills, almost all of which are now in conference committees. Highlights include a proposed amendment to the Children’s Promise Act creating new tax credits for special needs education, an explanation of Local & Private bills, and a look at the Jackson water system bill, and what it might mean for other municipalities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

House Education Committee chairman Rob Roberson (R-Starkville) sits down with host Wilson Stribling to look at the competing teacher pay raise bills and reflect on a difficult 2026 session. Then, analysts Brandon Jones and Rebekah Staples discuss the House and Senate teacher bills, the likelihood of a special session, and MDOC Commissioner Burl Cain’s contentious meeting last week with the Legislative Black Caucus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The House unanimously passed a substantial education bill Friday, raising teacher and staff pay, and making changes to the Public Employees Retirement System. Analysts Rebekah Staples and Brandon Jones join host Wilson Stribling to look at the strategies in play, and the continued friction between House and Senate leadership. Wilson also sits down with Senator David Blount (D-Jackson) to discuss this session’s political gamesmanship. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Senator Bradford Blackmon (D-Canton) joins host Wilson Stribling to discuss his two artificial intelligence bills. One would require political ads using artificial intelligence to acknowledge the use of AI. The other would protect Mississippians from having their names, images, and voices used without permission. Then, analysts Rebekah Staples and Brandon Jones look at the legislative calendar, the upcoming deadlines for bills to survive or die, and the process for passing the State’s annual budget. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

House Bill 2 is dead, but a special session on school choice may be ahead. Analysts Brandon Jones and Rebekah Staples join host Wilson Stribling to discuss the prospect of a special session and recall how former Governor Hailey Barbour used special sessions strategically. Wilson also interviews House Minority Leader Robert Johnson (D-Natchez), getting the veteran lawmaker’s perspective on the current session. In the week’s news, we look at the proposed infant mortality review board, problems with the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control system, and bills addressing the use of opioid settlement funds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A major legislative deadline last week saw thousands of bills die while hundreds of others survived. Among those still alive are bills dealing with school prayer, immigration enforcement, abortion-inducing drugs, school attendance officers, literacy intervention, and prison health care. Senator Jeremy England (R-Van Cleave) and host Wilson Stribling discuss the challenges to reviving the ballot initiative in Mississippi. Roundtable regulars Rebekah Staples and Brandon Jones then join Wilson for a spirited debate about the pros and cons of the ballot initiative process. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Senate Education Committee unanimously votes down House Bill 2, the omnibus education package. And Rep. Becky Currie takes on the Department of Corrections with multiple prison reform bills. Analysts Brandon Jones and Rebekah Staples join host Wilson Stribling to review these and other actions at the Mississippi legislature. In this week's interview, Senate Minority Leader Derrick Simmons talks with MPB's Elise Gregg about the Senate Democratic agenda Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the first major legislative deadline approaches, analysts Rebekah Staples and Brandon Jones join host Desare Frazier for a wide-ranging discussion of pending legislation.  Topics include immigration enforcement bills, a registry for domestic abusers, expanded roles for certified nurse midwives, elections for all school boards, and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Wilson Stribling interviews Speaker of the House Jason White, discussing House Bill 2, the Mississippi Education Freedom Act. Then, analysts Rebekah Staples and Brandon Jones debate some of the bill’s more controversial provisions and talk about its prospects for passage in the Senate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Mississippi House and Senate both hit the ground running in the first week of the legislative session, but with very different strategies for school choice and other education legislation. Host Wilson Stribling welcomes political analysts Brandon Jones and Rebekah Staples to discuss the Senate’s multiple bill approach, as well as the House’s mammoth, 553-page House Bill 2. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to @ISSUE 2026! Host Wilson Stribling and political analyst Brandon Jones welcome new analyst Rebekah Staples to the @ISSUE team. Rebekah gives a baseball-themed explanation of the legislative process, then the team dives into the issues of school choice, the ballot initiative process, and concerns about federal budget cuts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The two-day Special Session of the Mississippi Legislature picked up where the Regular Session left off: with more controversy and heightened tensions between House and Senate. Host Wilson Stribling recaps last week’s events. Analysts Austin Barbour and Brandon Jones join Wilson to discuss the legislative proceedings and the outlook for the state of Mississippi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Analysts Austin Barbour and Brandon Jones join host Wilson Stribling to discuss the surprising ending of the 2025 Mississippi legislative session. The House and Senate have gone home without passing budget bills for state agencies and services. Governor Tate Reeves will surely call a special session, but what else could be on the table when the legislators return to Jackson? The team also looks at the successes and failures of the 2025 regular session, as well as the sweeping changes the tax reform bill may bring. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Governor Tate Reeves signs House Bill 1, effectively eliminating the personal income tax in Mississippi. We recount the surprising events of the past week leading up to this historic moment. Host Wilson Stribling interviews Jared Walczak, a state tax policy expert from The Tax Foundation, a Washington-based think tank. Analysts Austin Barbour and Brandon Jones joined Wilson to discuss the tax cut and predict its impact on Mississippi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a week. The Mississippi House surprises many by passing the Senate’s more cautious income tax cut bill. But a typo in that bill could bring income tax elimination even faster than the House called for. Host Wilson Stribling interviews Senate Finance Committee Chair Josh Harkins (R-Flowood), then debates tax cuts and state spending with analysts Brandon Jones and Austin Barbour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will the House and Senate find a compromise for their competing tax cut plans? What would the total elimination of the state income tax mean for Mississippi? How can the multiple agencies serving public health better cooperate and collaborate? Host Wilson Stribling covers these topics and more with this week’s guest, Senator Hob Bryan (D-Amory), and analysts Austin Barbour and Greta Kemp Martin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the House and Senate took up each other’s bills, and the sparks did fly. School choice and PERS reform appear dead, while presumptive eligibility and mobile sports betting are still alive. And the House and Senate tax reform bills are still on a collision course. Our @ISSUE team looks at these topics and more. We also pay tribute to the late Robert Clark, who served in the House from 1968 to 2004 and was the first Black Mississippi legislator elected since Reconstruction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join host Wilson Stribling and analysts Austin Barbour and Brandon Jones for another lively episode of MPB’s @ISSUE. This week, Senate Republicans pass their tax cut bill and now defend it from both the right and left. Ten Senate districts are redrawn after a successful NAACP lawsuit. Casinos may see a tax increase, and a Jackson casino bill dies. Legislators push for hemp product regulation. A Mississippi-Israel caucus is announced. And House Democrats demand to have their voices heard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we look at a wide range of bills, dealing with everything from tax cuts and parental leave to hemp product regulation and wine and liquor sales. Wilson Stribling interviews Speaker of the House Jason White about his chamber’s most important legislation. And our roundtable team, Austin Barbour and Brandon Jones have a spirited debate on House Bill 859, legislation that would allow advanced practice nurses, nurse practitioners, and nurse anesthetists to provide services without the supervision of a collaborating physician. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we talk about the Senate’s newly unveiled tax cut proposal, the apparent failure of the House’s school choice bill, passage of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review bill, controversy over the Senate’s Early Voting bill, the death of the ballot initiative measure, and much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we look at the House’s school choice legislation; two anti-Diversity, Equity and Inclusion bills; a constitutional amendment restoring certain felons’ voting rights; a bill creating a domestic violence review board, and more. Host Wilson Stribling and analysts Austin Barbour and Brandon Jones discuss the new ballot initiative proposal and a bill that would protect agricultural pesticide manufacturers from lawsuits. Our featured interview is with Senator Jeremy England of Vancleave, the chairman of the Senate Elections Committee. Wilson talks with Senator England about his early voting bill, campaign finance transparency, and legislation that would allow Mississippians to order wine by mail. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the team discusses Governor Tate Reeve’s annual State of the State address, and his emphasis on Mississippi’s economic growth, energy production, and tax cuts. Our featured interview is with Rep. Rob Roberson (R-Starkville), chair of the House Education Committee. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we look at new legislation for a ballot initiative, more school choice ideas, a new version of last year’s Medicaid presumptive eligibility bill, and a few very unusual bills. The roundtable team also talks about the MAGA influence in Mississippi politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

*Updated 1/18/2024 with additional content*The @ISSUE team discusses House Bill #1, a major reform to Mississippi's tax system, medicare expansion, and various options for School Choice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2025 Mississippi legislative session is currently in progress! Tune in every Friday for an insider’s view of the legislative session, featuring interviews with key players and diverse perspectives from both political parties. Hosted by Wilson Stribling and joined by commentators Austin Barbour (R) and Brandon Jones (D) each week they will dissect the latest happenings at the state Capitol. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Original Air Date: 5-3-2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Original Air Date: 4-26-2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Original Air Date: 4-19-2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Original Air Date: 4-12-2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Original Air Date: 4-5-2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Original Air Date: 3-29-2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Original Air Date: 3-22-2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Original Air Date: 3-15-2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Original Air Date: 3-8-2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Original Air Date: 3-1-2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Original Air Date: 2-23-2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Original Air Date: 2-16-2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Original Air Date: 2-9-2024 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are the highlights of the 3-month session? Most teachers, state workers and higher education employees are slated for a pay increase. A parole eligibility bill is awaiting the governor’s signature. Will he sign it? Legislators argued over some big issues that ended up going nowhere in the final days such as phasing out the state income tax, purging voters off the rolls and creating an alternative medical marijuana program in the state.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawmakers are ironing out final details on legislation.  Lawmakers are approaching the final week of the session. Members of the Senate and House are conferencing on key measures such as the income tax phase out plan and a state medical marijuana program. The Legislature is also making another attempt at a parole eligibility bill they hope the Governor will sign into law. Mississippi surpasses one million doses of coronavirus vaccines.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Senate allowed the income tax elimination bill to die. The House revived it. Both chambers killed each other’s Medicaid bill on deadline day. Plans to revive those bills and go to conference are in the works. The legislature passed a $1,000 teacher pay raise. A 17-count federal indictment is released against Nancy New and son Zachary New who allegedly laundered millions of dollars from the state. Mississippi residents 16 and up are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The House and Senate argue over a medical marijuana bill on deadline day.Gov. Tate Reeves signs the Mississippi Fairness Act into law, even though it could be later challenged. After the House killed a bill, the Senate revived a plan for an alternative medical marijuana program if Initiative 65 is struck down. Clergy in Mississippi delivered letters to the Capitol this week urging lawmakers to expand Medicaid.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A bill barring transgender athletes from competing in women sports heads to the Governor The House passed the “Mississippi Fairness Act” with no discussion or debate. Governor Tate Reeves says he will sign it. A $1,000 teacher pay raise plan is still alive in the Legislature. The bill returns to the House. Members can either accept the plan or negotiate further. Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann weighs in on the House tax reform bill – a plan to phase out the state’s income tax.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.