Interview with Joe Lane Travis, July 12, 2006

Interview Summary

Travis (Senate, 1981-1988; 9th district; Republican) discusses his family, growing up during World War II, the effect of mass communications technologies on society, his friendship with Louie B. Nunn, his decision to switch from the Democratic to the Republican party, the conservatism of Western Kentucky Democrats, how he got involved in politics, his legislative strategies, his resistance to lobbyists, the influence of special interest groups on the legislative process, his insistence on reading every bill he voted for, the legislative process, his work on the Whistle Blower Bill, his opinion of ethanol as a replacement for gasoline, his concern about health insurance costs, and his opposition to retirement plans for legislators. He recounts going to Japan during the Korean War. He suggests reasons for the migration of many Southern Democrats to the Republican Party, describes his objections to social security and disability insurance, his support of "right to work" laws, and his belief in the primacy of fostering economic growth as a legislative priority. Travis often returns to the theme of the lack of honesty and integrity in politics.

Interview Keyword

campaign finance bill Civil War David Williams gulf war health care legislation health insurance reform bill Legislative Ethics Commission Legislative Research Commission (LRC) right to work law whistle blower bill World War II

Interview LC Subject

Alcohol Allen County (Ky.) Baker, Walter A., 1937-2010 Barren County (Ky.) Butler County (Ky.) Churchill, Winston, 1871-1947 Disability insurance Economic development--Kentucky Economics Edmonson County (Ky.) Ethanol Fletcher, Ernie, 1952- Foster home care Goldwater, Barry, 1938- Health insurance--Law and legislation--Kentucky Honesty--Political aspects--United States Iran-Iraq War, 1980-1988 Jones, Brereton Kentucky Education Association Kentucky. General Assembly. Legislative Research Commission Kentucky. Governor (1967-1971 : Nunn) Kentucky. Governor (1991-1995 : Jones) Kentucky. Governor (2003-2007 : Fletcher) Korean War, 1950-1953 Labor unions Legislators--Kentucky--Interviews Lewis, Ron, 1946- Lobbyists Monroe County (Ky.) Nunn, Lee R. Nunn, Louie B., 1924-2004 Party affiliation--Kentucky Political action committees Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence Reagan, Ronald Roads Simpson County (Ky.) Social security Social security--United States South Central Bell Television Term limits (Public office) Travis, Joe Lane Travis, Joe Lane--Interviews United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865. Whistle blowing--Law and legislation

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.