[News] A Dem Defects; State Senate Numbers Now Equal
Geoff Pender of the Sun-Herald is reporting:
The Mississippi Republican Party on Thursday welcomed party switcher, state Sen. Shannon Walley of Leakesville, with open arms, while Democrats said good riddance.
Walley’s party switch as he filed to run for a second term brings GOP Senate numbers equal to Democrats, something that hasn’t happened since Reconstruction. Republicans now hold 26 Senate seats, same as Democrats. But both Democrats, and Walley, pointed out that this is really a technicality. Walley has often voted with the GOP. And, while Republicans have been a slight minority in the Senate in the last few years, they have controlled the lieutenant governor’s office and hence that chamber’s committee leadership posts.
Posted by ladd at 02:00 PM on 01/12/07. Discuss (0)
[Desk] House Passes MAEP After Huge Education Rally
Adam Lynch of the Jackson Free Press reports:
The House came out swinging this morning, passing through five bills through floor votes.
The most significant bill the House passed was was HB 238, a bill fully funding The Mississippi Adequate Education Program with more than $2 billion. After an hour-long debate, the vote passed 119 to 1, with only Republican Rep. Steve Horne, of Meridian, holding out in opposition.
Lawmakers like Rep. Jim Ellington, R-Raymond, voiced some concern at the idea of fully funding MAEP this early in the session, saying he would prefer to see the final revenue estimate in March before going forward with the vote. He and others consoled their fears with the belief that the Senate would delay its own approval of the bill well into the session.
Posted by ladd at 10:01 PM on 01/11/07. Discuss (0)
[NEWS] Stunner: Jury Awards $2.5 Million in Punitive Damages
A jury awarded a Biloxi couple $2.5 million in punitive damages after a federal judge found that State Farm denied their Hurricane Katrina claim without proving the excluded peril of water caused the loss.
“It is without dispute that Hurricane Katrina was a windstorm,” U.S. District Judge L.T. Senter Jr. told attorneys for both sides.
Posted by ladd at 04:03 PM on 01/11/07. Discuss (0)
[Desk] New State Poll Shows Support for MAEP, Eminent-Domain Bill
A new ZataPulse statewide survey, released Jan. 9, shows that 49 percent of Mississippians believe the Mississippi Adequate Education Program should be funded before any other state govrnment need. Another 38 percent says it is a priority and can wait a few weeks. Only 6 percent said it is not a priority, and 7 percent were undecided. The poll also found that a whopping 76 percent believe that government should not take private land from one person and sell it to somebody else, regardless of the jobs that would be creeated.
Posted by ladd at 12:05 PM on 01/11/07. Discuss (2)
MAEP Rally Descends on Capitol
Derrick Johnson, chapter president of the Mississippi NAACP, speaks to a rally in favor of full funding the Mississippi Adequate Education Program. The Mississippi House is expected to vote on the measure today.
(Photo credit: Brian Johnson. Click image for larger version.)
Posted by admin at 11:34 AM on 01/11/07. Discuss (0)
[Release] Governor Endorses Anti-Crime Bills
Verbatim from the governor’s office:
Flanked by legislators, prosecutors and law enforcement officers, Governor Haley Barbour today endorsed two bills designed to toughen penalties against felons having guns or using them in commission of a crime.Senate Bill 2470 increases the statutory maximum penalty to up to 10 years for previously convicted felons found in possession of a firearm. The current statutory maximum sentence is up to three years. The Senate sponsor of the bill is Sen. Ed Morgan, R-Hattiesburg, and the House sponsor is Rep. Jeff Smith, D-Columbus, chairman of the House Judiciary B Committee.
Posted by ladd at 11:18 AM on 01/11/07. Discuss (0)
[Desk] House Approves Wind Pool Funds, State Pay Increase, Partnership Bill
by Adam Lynch
Jan. 10, 2007
The Mississippi House approved three different bills Thursday, two of them leftovers that were stalled by a largely Republican minority last week that would not vote to change the rules to allow an early vote. HB 243 and HB 240 were the holdovers that passed the House after a second round of floor negotiations. HB 243 provides state funds to wind pool to reduce premium rates on commercial property, while 240 provides a pay increase for state employees. HB 240 passed with a unanimous vote while 243 passed with a lone holdout from Republican Dannie Reed, of Ackerman.
The House also passed HB 349, a bill that creates a program to replace the now unfunded Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi. The Bill collected 101 yes votes, with 18 mostly Republican nays, though the bill initially looked doomed by dissenting votes from black legislators. Rep. Omeria Scott, D-Laurel, led arguments that the board of the fledgling tobacco-cessation program did not adequately represent minorities?who statistically engage in heavy use of tobacco products. Scott was one of the Democratic votes against 349.
All three bills will now face the Senate.
Posted by ladd at 11:11 AM on 01/11/07. Discuss (0)
[Release] Treasurer Reeves Urges Caution with State Budget
On the day that the House of Representatives is expected to vote to fully fund the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, ensuring that all school districts are funded to a basic, “adequate” levels, State Treasurer Tate Reeves coincidentally released the following statement:
Today State Treasurer Tate Reeves spoke to a group of legislators at the annual legislative fiscal briefing and highlighted three key issues regarding the fiscal year. Reeves urged the Legislature to take a cautious approach when considering the state budget. In addition to addressing the state budget process, the Treasurer took up the subject of repaying the Health Care Trust Fund and advocated continued vigilance towards the state?s debt portfolio. Reeves cautioned the Legislature not to be overly optimistic regarding the revenues in 2008.
Posted by ladd at 11:00 AM on 01/11/07. Discuss (0)
Legislators to Take Up ‘District of Jackson’ Proposal
The Northside Sun says this week:
AFTER MONTHS OF meetings held by state lawmakers, a decision has been made to continue discussion about the future of a 22-acre piece of land formerly occupied by the Mississippi School for the Blind. During a December 15 meeting at the capitol, the special committee charged with determining the future of that property voted to leave the issue open and make a final decision during the 2007 legislative session, which began on January 2, said Rep. John Reeves.
While no final decision has been made on the future of the property, Reeves said that he thinks the decision is heading toward a long-term lease of the property to open it up for development. ?Based on what I?ve seen, the highest and best use of the property is high end mixed-use development,? he said. ?That would bring millions of dollars of tax revenue to the city, the county and the state.?
Posted by ladd at 10:32 AM on 01/11/07. Discuss (0)
[Breaking] Young Democrats Come Out Against Minimum-Wage Amendment
The Young Democrats of Mississippi today announced their opposition to an amendment to the minimum-wage bill passed yesterday by the House. The amendment exempts the higher minimum wage for high-school and college students working part time, meaning that businesses can discriminate against certain workers (or be tempted pass over full-time workers in favor of workers exempt from the new minimum wage). The Young Dems posted an open letter signed by President Kenneth Grigsby on their Web site today:
While House Bill No. 237 to increase the minimum wage in Mississippi is one of the most important bills to be written and passed by House Democrats this legislative session, we feel an amendment passed yesterday blatantly discriminates against young people based on age and their desire to have an education.
Amendment No. 1, introduced by Rep. Joey Hudson (D-91), eliminates part-time high school employees and part-time college student employees from earning the new minimum wage as set forth by the bill. If the bill passes, in 2008, the minimum wage will increase to $7.25 for all workers, except students.
This amendment is clearly unacceptable as it affects hard working students trying to balance the rigors of going to class with the challenge of also working a part-time job. For many high school and college students, working while you are in school is not an option, it is a necessity. By working and going to school, these young persons exemplify the type of responsibility and commitment that our state often requests from young people.
Posted by ladd at 09:56 PM on 01/10/07. Discuss (10)
[Analysis] Will Sen. Lott Be a Thorn in Bush’s Troop Surge?
As the nation prepares to hear Bush try to convince the nation to send more troops to Iraq, Mississippi Sen. Trent Lott has said that he is skeptical about more troops. Here’s how one former Marine responded to Lott over at over at MSNBC Hardblogger:
My hat’s off to you, Senator Lott, for carefully considering whether or not to vote to send more troops to Iraq. After the death of more than 3,000 Americans, and the physical and psychological maiming of many thousands more, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to put more of our soldiers into proven danger on the roadways, alleyways, and deserts of Iraq. Whatever we do, let’s make safety for the troops already in Iraq America’s priority. Let’s start thinking about our soldiers first. Jim Murray (Honorable Discharge U.S.M.C.)
Posted by ladd at 06:50 PM on 01/10/07. Discuss (0)
[News] Newbie Sen. Tester Upstaged by Trent Lott?
From The New York Times:
Freshman Jon Tester, D-Mont., delivered his maiden speech Tuesday, addressing the chamber?s ethics overhaul legislation (S 1). ?The ?for sale? sign on Congress will be taken down, and the pay-to-play practices of past members will finally come to an end,? he said.
When he was finished, GOP Whip Trent Lott of Mississippi spoke on the same topic. He, however, cautioned members not to go so far in their efforts to redeem themselves in the public eye that they end up creating an unworkable system: ?Let?s not make criminals of ourselves and our staffs.?
When Tester emerged from the chamber after Lott had finished speaking, he grinned through his disappointment.
?I wanted to respond!? he said.
Posted by ladd at 06:44 PM on 01/10/07. Discuss (0)
[Desk] Welcome to StateDesk, Mississippi’s Political Newswire
The Jackson Free Press is thrilled to present a new statewide news and analysis site devoted to all things political in and of Mississippi. This site is in beta form right now; we are continually loading new features, including blogs by legislators, so keep an eye out. For now at least, you do not have to register in order to comment on the site, but please self-regulate, as we do not welcome ad hominem attacks and juvenile trolling for a fight. Those comments will be deleted, even as vigorous and intelligent debate and various positions are welcome. Meantime, read through the blog postings, and share your comments for what tools you’d really like to see emerge from StateDesk. The idea is to give you the news and analysis needed to help make smart, civic decisions in the state of Mississippi. Your input is vital.
Posted by ladd at 06:20 PM on 01/10/07. Discuss (0)
[Release] Barbour to Make Anti-Crime Announcement
One wonders if this is an attempt to try to draw attention from that mammoth education rally that Loome et al are leading Thursday a.m. 
[verbatim] Governor Haley Barbour, along with legislators, prosecutors and law enforcement officers, will host a press conference to address anti-crime legislation on Thursday, January 11, 2007, at 9:00 a.m. in the Governor?s Capitol Office.
Posted by ladd at 06:06 PM on 01/10/07. Discuss (2)
[Analysis] Legislative Round-up, Week 1
Here’s Adam Lynch’s take on Week 1 in the JFP:
Rep. Bill Denny, R-Jackson, called the bill onslaught a ?political action,? by House Democratic leaders to characterize Republicans as unsympathetic to Mississippi Adequate Education Program and state employees.
?What leaders have done is cut off one-half of that membership,? Denny said. ?In my 20 years of working in the House, we always had a reasonable situation in the House where we could disagree in a manner that would get something done. But (House Speaker) Billy (McCoy) putting forward those bills without letting us review them, the idea of him doing these kinds of things doesn?t serve the public at all. I can?t imagine that he wouldn?t have considered that a rule suspension?wouldn?t have happened.?
Posted by ladd at 03:43 PM on 01/10/07. Discuss (2)
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