The Extra Mile Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Legislative Session 2022: Secretary of State Michael Watson Feb 14, 2022

Show notes

Secretary of State Michael Watson joined the show to talk about various initiatives at the SOS office, the importance of adequate transportation across the state, voting issues and more.

The Extra Mile - Legislative Session: Secretary of State Michael Watson

Show intro

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

Guest: Secretary of State Michael Watson

What brought Secretary Michael Watson to serve in public office? - 01:12
What drove you to see out the Secretary of State's office - 02:46
Secretary Watson's take on what's going on at the current stage of the legislative session - 04:42
Tracking any legislative session at the Secretary of State's office? - 05:31
Why do think transportation is important? Specific to the Secretary of State office? - 07:07
Rundown of initiatives at Secretary of State office - 08:08
Explainer on "Tackle the Tape" initiative - 09:46
Services for small business owners - 10:39
"Milk and cookies" policy for new hires at the Secretary of State's office - 12:27
Restaurants you like to eat at during your time on the road? - 14:38
Why is voting important? - 16:24
Contact information for Secretary Michael Watson - 17:31
Encouragement to check voter registration status - 18:26

Show outro

Legislative Session 2022: Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson Feb 07, 2022

Show notes

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson joined the show to talk about how MDOT and the Department of Agriculture and Commerce work together, the Dixie National Rodeo, his time in the legislature and more.

The Extra Mile - Legislative Session: Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson

Show intro

Show intro with hosts Paul Katool and Will Craft - 00:16

Guest: Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson

What got Commissioner Gipson into politics? - 01:20
Why is it important for MDOT and the Department of Agriculture and Commerce to work together? - 03:53
Hurdles when it comes to advancing transportation infrastructure in the state? - 05:37
Do electric/autonomous vehicles have a future when it comes to moving commodities? - 06:51
On past legislative experience and general bill deadline - 09:01
How MDOT and the Department of Agriculture and Commerce fight litter - 11:15
Dixie National Rodeo promo - 11:40
On the famous Mississippi State Fair biscuit recipe - 14:39
Favorite restaurant while on the road traveling - 19:40:

Show outro

Legislative Session 2022: State Senator Angela Turner-Ford Jan 31, 2022

Show notes

State Senator Angela Turner Ford joined The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session to talk transportation-related topics, her role as Chairwoman of the Public Property Committee and more.

The Extra Mile - Legislative Session: State Senator Angela Turner Ford

Show intro

Show intro with hosts Paul Katool and Will Craft - 00:16

Guest: State Senator Angela Turner Ford

Introducing Senator Angela Turner Ford – 00:49
What led Senator Tuner Ford to politics – 1:20
What measures will come up in the Public Property Committee? – 1:50
Why is it important to have a robust transportation network in Mississippi? – 2:30
What hurdles does the state face to advance transportation interests? – 3:03
How transportation infrastructure impacts economic development – 4:01
Projects that stand out in District 16 – 5:31
Lottery impacts on transportation – 6:38
Favorite places to travel around the state using Mississippi’s roads and bridges – 7:01
Contact info for Senator Angela Turner Ford and her office – 8:11

Show outro

Legislative Session 2022: State Representative Charles Busby Jan 24, 2022

Show notes

State Representative Charles Busby joined the show to talk about bills passing through his Transportation Committee, the future of transportation in Mississippi, projects he’s keeping an eye on and more.

The Extra Mile - Legislative Session: State Representative Charles Busby

Show intro

Introducing hosts Paul Katool and Will Craft - 00:22

Guest: State Representative Charles Busby

Introducing Representative Charles Busby - 00:43
Rep. Busby goes into his engineering background - 1:51
Major transportation measures that stand out this session – 2:22
Hurdles the state faces to advance transportation infrastructure: autonomous vehicles, limited access roadways, unmanned delivery systems, electric vehicles, and reduction in use of fossil fuels – 3:50
Electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and limited access roadways: what they mean for Mississippi – 6:47
Success of Emergency Road and Bridge Fund program – 8:02
Projects that stand out in Jackson County and south Mississippi - 11:10
Highlight of bill in Transportation Committee: headlights during rain, sheriffs using radar, outdoor advertisements, ARPA, MDOT employee pay
Favorite place to travel around the state using Mississippi’s roads and bridges – 17:15
Contact info for Representative Busby and his office – 18:47

Show outro

Legislative Session 2022: State Senator Jenifer Branning Jan 17, 2022

Show notes

State Senator Jenifer Branning talked about MDOT’s participation in last week’s Senate Appropriations Committee meeting, the makeup of the Highways and Transportation Committee and more.

The Extra Mile - Legislative Session: State Senator Jenifer Branning

Show intro

Introducing guest hosts Jas N Smith and Katey Hornsby - 00:27

Guest: State Senator Jenifer Branning

Introducing Senator Jenifer Branning - 00:54
Breakdown of Appropriations subcommittee meetings and what they mean for state agencies - 1:33
MDOT brief on budget request for next year - 2:39
Highlights of first two weeks of the session - 3:54
Overview of Transportation Committee and how it functions – 4:50
Biggest takeaways from Branning’s trip around the state to understand funding needs of different communities – 5:45
Shout out to leaders of Senate Transportation Committee, Joey Fillingane, Charles Younger, and Bart Williams – 9:32
ARPA Funding and its potential impact on Mississippi infrastructure – 10:27
Important potential impacts from this session – 11:35
Relationship between the Senate and the House – 12:32
Difference between Senator Branning’s first and most recent session – 13:23
Favorite place to travel around the state using Mississippi’s roads and bridges – 15:15
Contact info for Senator Branning and her office – 16:15

Show outro

Legislative Session 2022: Speaker of the House Philip Gunn Jan 10, 2022

Show notes

Speaker of the House Philip Gunn talked to Paul and Will about the importance of transportation infrastructure, the legislative process and more.

The Extra Mile - Legislative Session: Speaker of the House Philip Gunn

Show intro

Introducing Will Craft, co-host of The Extra Mile: Legislative Session - 00:28
Will Craft - where has he been and what brought him to MDOT -00:48
Will Craft's role at MDOT - 02:14

Guest: Speaker of the House Philip Gunn

Introducing Speaker of the House Philip Gunn - 05:01
Why is important for Mississippi to have a strong transportation infrastructure network? - 05:25
On the rural nature of the state's transportation infrastructure network and the need to properly maintain the system- 08:50
Role the Mississippi House of Representatives plays in advancing transportation infrastructure in the state - 10:15
Shoutout to leaders of House Transportation Committee, Charles Busby and Steve Massengill - 15:57
Anything specific to transportation in the 2020 Legislative Session - 16:41
References 2018 Road Plan passed by the House - 20:20
Favorite place to travel around the state using Mississippi's roads and bridges - 22:20
Contact info for Speaker Gunn and his office - 23:35

Show outro

The Extra Mile: Legislative Session 2022 Teaser Dec 20, 2021

Show notes

Introducing a special edition of the podcast called The Extra Mile Podcast: Legislative Session. Throughout the session, Paul Katool and Will Craft will be joined by guests to break down transportation-related matters happening within Mississippi's legislative session.

MDOT Executive Director Brad White Recaps First 6 Months Dec 01, 2021

Show notes

MDOT Executive Director Brad White joins the show to recap his first six months on the job and gives his priorities going forward for the agency.

The Extra Mile Episode 6: Brad White Recaps First 6 Months

Show intro with Paul and Waverly

Plugging MDOT's travel resources in advance of the holidays

Guest: MDOT Executive Director Brad White

Brad recaps his first six months on the job
Brad's observations of MDOT during his first six months
Recap of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Skill and expertise of MDOT employees, using State Route 26 repair as an example
Previewing what could come with upcoming legislative session for MDOT
Long-term goals for MDOT
Competitive wages for MDOT employees

Show Outro

Infrastructure Bill Breakdown with Brad White Nov 17, 2021

Show notes

During this special episode, MDOT Executive Director Brad White joins the show to break down what the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act means for Mississippi.

The Extra Mile - Special Episode: Infrastructure Bill Breakdown with Brad White

Show intro

Guest: MDOT Executive Director Brad White

Brad breaks down the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, including reauthorization of funds and some additional money
What the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds can be used for
How quickly will the new funds be able to be used?
Clarification on the fact that this money is coming in for a five-year period
Roads and bridges are not the only component to the Act
How is MDOT typically funded?

Show outro

Connecting the Dots with Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs, Jr. Nov 03, 2021

Show notes

"The Extra Mile" podcast hit the road for Episode 5. Paul and Waverly discuss transportation infrastructure at the local level and other topics with Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs, Jr.

The Extra Mile Episode 5: Connecting the Dots with Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs, Jr. - Show Notes

Show intro with Paul and Waverly

Guest: Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs, Jr.

Mayor Flaggs recaps his career leading up to his time in the Mississippi legislature and as the Mayor of Vicksburg
Mayor Flaggs talks about how transportation infrastructure positively impacts economic growth and development
How relationships — at the federal, state and local level — help contribute to great transportation infrastructure
Transportation infrastructure and jobs, including jobs constructing that transportation infrastructure
Thanksgiving Travel PSA, voiced by MDOT Public Information Officer David Kenney
Beyond just roads and bridges, impact of other types of transportation
The role public transit plays at the local level like the City of Vicksburg

Show Outro

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