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Empower Mississippi is committed to helping all Mississippians rise by removing barriers to opportunity. In this podcast, we talk with state and national experts about ways the Magnolia State can grow and thrive. These conversations help shape the debate for future legislative sessions and highlight policy changes that are necessary to make Mississippi the best place in America to live, work, and raise a family.
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Interview Library
Written by Empower Mississippi Doug Deason: First Step Act and Second Chances Conservative activist, businessman, and Texas donor Doug Deason was our guest this week for an in-depth conversation about Doug’s work on criminal justice reform. Host Grant Callen asked him about his relationship with President Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner, and how that relationship resulted…
Written by Empower Mississippi State Rep. Trey Lamar: The Build Up Mississippi Act This week, host Grant Callen went to the Mississippi State Capitol to sit down with Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, State Representative Trey Lamar. Chairman Lamar is the lead author of newly introduced House Bill 1, the “Build Up…
Written by Empower Mississippi Wil Ervin: A look at 2025 Happy New Year! The start of the 2025 Legislative Session is only six days away, so host Grant Callen sat down with Wil Ervin, Empower’s own Tim Russert, to break down what we can expect from the coming session. Tax reform, Medicaid expansion, ballot initiative, and…
Written by Empower Mississippi Speaker Jason White: 2025 Legislative Priorities + BONUS Clip On Mississippi’s 207th birthday, Empower Mississippi hosted its 4th annual Solution Summit at the Sheraton Hotel in Flowood. At the Summit, host Grant Callen sat down with Mississippi’s 62nd Speaker of the House, Jason White, to discuss his vision for policy change and his 2025 legislative…
Written by Empower Mississippi Spencer Ritchie: Indictments and Hope for The City with Soul On November 6, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, and Jackson Councilman Aaron Banks were indicted on federal bribery charges. A few months earlier, Jackson City Councilwoman Angelique Lee resigned from office and pled guilty to conspiracy…
Written by Empower Mississippi Alesha Judkins: Public Safety, Crime, and Second Chances This week, host Grant Callen sat down with Alesha Judkins, Mississippi State Director at FWD.us to discuss Mississippi’s criminal justice system and our high imprisonment rate – the highest in the nation. Alesha has over 16 years of criminal justice advocacy in Mississippi and…
Capitol Chat Library
Written by Empower Mississippi Capitol Chat: Week 8 As another committee deadline approaches, some bills are gaining steam while others quietly stall. In this week’s episode, we unpack a significant school choice–adjacent tax credit bill, a proposed workforce initiative, and a handful of other bills that could either advance or die in the coming days.
Written by Empower Mississippi Capitol Chat: Week 7 It was a budget-heavy week under the Dome, with more than 100 appropriations bills clearing a critical hurdle. We unpack the latest on education funding, the lingering school choice conversation, and what to watch as the session heads toward its next deadline.
Written by Empower Mississippi Capitol Chat: Week 6 From floor votes to a few “spirited” House measures, Week 6 had a little bit of everything. We break down the education bills still moving, the buzz around a recent voice vote, and what’s brewing as lawmakers eye the next big deadline.
Written by Empower Mississippi Capitol Chat: Week 5 Week 5 at the Capitol featured some of the most consequential policy and political moves yet. In this episode, we walk through some of the biggest developments, including shifts in the education debate, major House action, an update on the ballot initiative, and another big deadline on the…
Written by Empower Mississippi Capitol Chat: Week 4 A shortened week at the Capitol didn’t significantly stall progress ahead of a critical deadline next week. In this episode, we dive into the latest on House Bill 2 and highlight some intriguing bills that are already making their way through the legislative process.
Written by Empower Mississippi Capitol Chat: Week 3 With an ice storm looming and the bill introduction deadline behind them, lawmakers shifted gears during week three of the legislative session. We highlight a few bills drawing early attention and break down this week’s action, including a couple of celebrity appearances and the latest on House Bill…