The Extra Mile Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Former Central District Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall May 09, 2022

Show notes

Former Central District Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall joined the show to recap his time in public service, give his thoughts on the 2022 legislative session for MDOT and opine on what needs to happen going forward to advance transportation infrastructure in Mississippi.

Show intro - 00:27
Introducing former MDOT Central District Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall - 01:14
Background on former MDOT Commissioner Dick Hall - 01:25
Commissioner Dick Hall on being a part of the legislature vs. being transportation commissioner - 01:58
On when Commissioner Dick first met MDOT Executive Director Brad White - 03:17
Important projects that stick out in the mind of Commissioner Dick Hall - 04:53
Commissioner Hall's take on the 2022 legislative session for MDOT - 08:51
Long-term funding conversation for transportation infrastructure in Mississippi - 10:22
On the legislature allowing for salary increases for MDOT employees - 13:49
On Commissioner Dick Hall being honored for his years of service to MDOT - 16:32
Story about planting of tree and metaphor for building transportation infrastructure - 17:54
First car/favorite car for Commissioner Dick Hall - 20:02
What was MDOT Executive Director Brad White like back in the day? - 22:32
On working with Commissioner Tom King as a transportation commissioner and working with Commissioner Willie Simmons in the legislature - 24:41
Talking about the good, hard-working people that have worked for Commissioner Dick Hall - 25:57
Favorite place to grab a bite to eat when traveling the state on Mississippi highways - 26:35
What is Commissioner Dick Hall up to these days? - 27:52
Funny story with Commissioner Dick Hall and the late Senator Thad Cochran getting confused for each other - 28:59
Thanking Commissioner Dick Hall for appearing on the show - 30:52
Show outro - 31:20

Legislative Session 2022: MDOT Executive Director Brad White Apr 18, 2022

Show notes

MDOT Executive Director Brad White joined the show to recap the 2022 legislative session, talk about former MDOT Commissioner Dick Hall, send out thanks for a successful session and more.

Show intro - 00:16
MDOT Executive Director Brad White breaks down the legislative session for the agency - 01:26
The new expectations that come with additional funding and salary increase at MDOT - 04:36
Additional money to help speed up projects, help with inflation - 05:54
Recap of MDOT's Fallen Worker Memorial Ceremony - 06:40
Increase in roadway fatalities, what motorists can do to help with this - 08:43
Refresher on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act - 10:11
Brad on the agency honoring former MDOT Commissioner Dick Hall - 12:24
Special thanks from Brad for a successful legislative session - 15:08
Things Brad has learned over his nearly a year at MDOT - 16:34
Favorite place to get a bite to eat while traveling Mississippi highways - 18:27
Paul and Will's favorite places to eat in Mississippi while traveling - 19:26
News on show going forward, Extra Mile Podcast going to twice a month - 20:39
Show outro - 21:18

Legislative Session 2022: Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann Apr 11, 2022

Show notes

Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann joined the show to talk his path into politics, additional money headed to MDOT from the legislature, his thoughts on brain drain and more.

Show intro, introducing Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann - 00:15
Lieutenant Governor Hosemann as an avid marathoner - 00:56
What drove Lt. Governor Hosemann to get into politics - 01:41
On his decision to go from Secretary of State to Lt. Governor - 05:27
Breakdown of the additional money being sent to MDOT from the Mississippi legislature - 06:15
Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann on former MDOT Commissioner Dick Hall - 10:50
Money for ports - 13:45
Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive (MFlex) - 15:24
Other legislation left on table including ARPA money, education, tracking progress of legislature's investments - 16:55
Lt. Governor Hosemann's thoughts on the brain drain and how to keep young people in the state - 20:08
Favorite places to grab a bite to eat while out traveling Mississippi highways - 22:52
On our state parks and our need to improve them - 23:39
Best way for Mississippians to contact Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann - 25:36
The Extra Mile Podcast receives Award of Excellence from the Public Relations Association of Mississippi - 26:16
Show outro - 26:37

Legislative Session 2022: Legislation Update and I-20 Closure Preview Apr 04, 2022

Show notes

As the 2022 legislative session wraps up, co-host Will Craft broke down legislation affecting the agency. MDOT Chief Engineer/Deputy Executive Director Brian Ratliff also joined the show to explain the upcoming I-20 WB/I-55 SB closure in Jackson.

Show intro, previewing legislation talk with Will Craft and I-20 closure with Brian Ratliff - 00:16
MDOT's Will Craft, Government and Constituent Affairs, provides updates on legislation affecting the agency - 00:53
Update on the next iteration of the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund - 05:16
Gas tax holiday update - 06:36
Introducing MDOT Deputy Executive Director/Chief Engineer Brian Ratliff - 07:42
Closure on I-20 westbound, I-55 southbound in Jackson to repair dip in roadway, what caused it? - 07:54
Walkthrough of what the work will look like - 09:00
What would happen if these repairs were not made? - 09:40
Explanation of detour routes - 10:27
Reiteration of the corridors that will be affected - 10:48
Does all the recent rain play a factor in the repair? - 11:36
How will the public be updated on the closure? - 12:35
People need to give themselves more time when navigating the closure - 13:12
SEC Squared, Mississippi State Personnel Board initiative - 13:38
MDOT employee salaries top priority of Executive Director Brad White - 14:27
Favorite place to stop and eat out when traveling on Mississippi highways - 15:38
MDOT's The Extra Mile Podcast finalist for Government Social Media Conference podcast of the year - 17:26
Will Craft shouts out MDOT's legislative team - 18:01
Show outro - 18:49

Legislative Session 2022: State Senator Barbara Blackmon Mar 28, 2022

Show notes

State Senator Barbara Blackmon joined the show to talk about her roles as Chair of the Housing Committee and Vice-Chair of Highways and Transportation, ARPA money, her thoughts on the income tax debate and more.

Show intro, introducing State Senator Barbara Blackmon - 00:15
Get to know State Senator Barbara Blackmon, how she go into politics - 00:59
Why she got back into politics after leaving in 2003 - 03:00
Role as Chair of the Housing Committee in the Senate - 4:34
Overview of what's going on with the Highways and Transportation Committee - 05:49
Future of the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund - 07:07:52
Any other legislation looking at, ARPA money - 08:26
State Senator Barbara Blackmon's thoughts on the income tax debate - 09:25
Favorite place to get a bite to eat at when traveling around Mississippi - 11:52
Best way for constituents and the public to contact State Senator Barbara Blackmon - 12:40

Legislative Session 2022: State Representative Richard Bennett Mar 21, 2022

Show notes

State Representative Richard Bennett, Chair of the Education Committee in the House, joined the show to talk teacher pay raise legislation, MDOT’s upkeep of Hwy 90, the revitalization of the Coast post-Katrina and more.

Show intro, introducing State Representative Richard Bennett - 00:16
How State Representative Richard Bennett got into politics -00:55
Representative Bennett on the teacher pay raise legislation - 02:48
Information on conference weekend, last two weeks of the 2022 Mississippi legislative session - 04:30
More on conference reports - 05:25
Legislation helping to provide higher education to foster care kids - 06:10
Importance of transportation, any projects going on in District 120, MDOT's upkeep of Highway 90 - 08:41
Revitalization of the Mississippi Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina - 10:18
Favorite place to grab a bite to eat while traveling Mississippi - 11:49
Ways for people and constituents to contact State Representative Richard Bennett - 13:05
Show outro - 13:43

Legislative Session 2022: State Senator John Horhn Mar 14, 2022

Show notes

State Senator John Horhn joined the show to talk about his career in state government and politics, the link between great transportation infrastructure and economic development, the importance of keeping our roads litter free and much more.

Show intro, introducing State Senator John Horhn - 00:16
Getting to Senator Horhn, how he got into politics - 00:50
Thoughts on the the importance of transportation, any challenges to advance transportation in Mississippi - 05:38
Electric and autonomous vehicles - 06:43
Role as Chairman of Labor Committee and Vice-Chair of Tourism Committee - 08:12
Keeping an eye on any legislation? - 09:33
Importance of keeping roads free of litter - 11:05
Projects of interest in District 26 - 12:31
Reflecting on working with MDOT Central District Commissioner Willie Simmons - 14:05
Impact of Deion Sanders at Jackson State on the university and city- 14:53
Favorite places to eat while driving up and down the highways - 17:38
Show outro - 20:01

Legislative Session 2022: State Senator Hob Bryan Mar 07, 2022

Show notes

State Senator Hob Bryan joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to talk about his 39 years in the legislature, memories of the 1987 Four-Lane Highway Program, other transportation topics and more.

Show intro, introducing State Senator Hob Bryan - 00:17
Life in Amory - 01:00
How did State Senator Hob Bryan get into politics? - 01:28
On his role as the Public Health and Welfare Chair in the Senate - 02:10
Memories of the 1987 Four-Lane Highway Program in Mississippi - 03:10
Highway Department becoming the Department of Transportation - 10:06
Amory referred to as the Railroad Subdivision - 15:43
Vision 21 and data-driven decision making - 17:30
Favorite governor of the state of Mississippi - 18:54
Projects in District 7, Corridor V - 20:34
Favorite spot to eat while out on the road - 21:52
Best way for constituents to call you - 23:51
Show outro - 24:38

Legislative Session 2022: State Representative Trey Lamar Feb 28, 2022

Show notes

State Representative Trey Lamar joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to talk about transportation legislation, the Tax Freedom Act, an overview of the Ways and Means Committee and other topics.

The Extra Mile - Legislative Session: State Representative Trey Lamar

Show intro

Show intro with hosts Paul Katool and Will Craft - 00:17

Guest: State Representative Trey Lamar

State Representative Trey Lamar's time as an Ole Miss football player during Eli Manning years - 00:49
Background information and why he decided to run for the Mississippi House of Representatives - 01:57
Transportation infrastructure projects projects in Tate and Lafayette counties - 04:01
Why is important for Mississippi to have a robust transportation infrastructure network? - 06:52
Transportation legislation, House Bill 1686 relating to MDOT debt relief - 08:56
Income tax elimination discussion, Tax Freedom Act from the House - 10:42
Overview of the Ways and Means Committee in the Mississippi House of Representatives - 14:53
Explanation of House Bill 1639, electric vehicle charging fee for non-residents of Mississippi - 16:21
Favorite place to grab a bite to eat when out on the road in Mississippi - 17:53
How can Mississippians and constituents contact State Representative Trey Lamar - 18:41

Show outro

Legislative Session 2022: U.S. Congressman Michael Guest Feb 21, 2022

Show notes

U.S. Congressman Michael Guest joined the show to talk about transportation infrastructure-related topics, electric and autonomous vehicles, rural broadband expansion and more.

The Extra Mile - Legislative Session: U.S. Congressman Michael Guest

Show intro

Show intro with hosts Paul Katool and Will Craft - 00:17

Guest: U.S. Congressman Michael Guest

Congressman Michael Guest tells him about himself and gives background information - 01:20
What led to running for Congress? - 07:50
Advocating for Mississippi on transportation and other issues in Washington, DC - 10:30
Overview of committees that Congressman Michael Guest serves on - 13:06
Electric and autonomous vehicles and the continued importance of the - 14:51
Congressman Michael Guest on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act - 17:25
Update on rural broadband expansion - 22:30
Congressman Michael Guest highlights local legislation, renaming post office in Lincoln County for fallen law enforcement officers - 25:22
Contact info for Congressman Michael Guest - 27:58
Congressman Guest highlights constituent services issues - 28:32

Show outro

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