Mississippi's House of Representatives has passed a bill that could help save the lives of bicyclists, promote wellness, and spur tourism growth. MPB's Carl Gibson reports.
Senate Bill 3014, also known as the John Paul Frerer Bicycle Safety Act, is named after an 18-year-old man killed by a vehicle the day before he started his senior year of high school. Bruce Alt, an advocate for the bill, says Frerer's case is one of many.
"In 2009, there were two fatalities just on the Mississippoi portion of the Natchez Trace Parkway. A federal, low-speed, controlled-access roadway that's designed for recreational use. Still we have fatalities."
The bill mandates drivers to give cyclists at least three feet of room, and that cyclists use hand signals when riding on state roads. It would also penalize drivers who harass cyclists on the road. Representative Toby Barker of Hattiesburg says the bill could encourage a healthier lifestyle.
"This bill provides a safe environment for people who feel like they can get on the roads and cycle and do it safely."
House Transportation Chairman Warner McBride believes an emphasis on bike safety will also bring in more revenue through tourism.
"I think it sends the message that Mississippi is a biker-friendly state. And that we would like for you and your cycle group to come to our state and enjoy our beauty, and that we have a safe place for you to ride."
If the bill is signed, new laws will go into effect in July.
Mississippi Public Broadcasting
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
This would be funny if they weren't serious: Tax soda, pizza to cut obesity, researchers say
From Reuters today
Not to be left out, Mississippi's food police continue working on this too.
Why don't we we just tax the fat people?
Julie Steenhuysen
CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. researchers estimate that an 18 percent tax on pizza and soda can push down U.S. adults' calorie intake enough to lower their average weight by 5 pounds (2 kg) per year.
The researchers, writing in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine on Monday, suggested taxing could be used as a weapon in the fight against obesity, which costs the United States an estimated $147 billion a year in health costs.
"While such policies will not solve the obesity epidemic in its entirety and may face considerable opposition from food manufacturers and sellers, they could prove an important strategy to address overconsumption, help reduce energy intake and potentially aid in weight loss and reduced rates of diabetes among U.S. adults," wrote the team led by Kiyah Duffey of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
With two-thirds of Americans either overweight or obese, policymakers are increasingly looking at taxing as a way to address obesity on a population level.
California and Philadelphia have introduced legislation to tax soft drinks to try to limit consumption."
Read More
Not to be left out, Mississippi's food police continue working on this too.
JACKSON -- Legislation that would add a 24-cent tax on 12-ounce, sugar-laden soft drinks appeared dead Wednesday (February 17th), but not before the measure received a lengthy hearing about how strongly sugar contributes to Mississippi's distinction as the nation's most obese state.
"This is just the first batter in the first inning," the bill's sponsor, Rep. John Mayo, D-Clarksdale, said after a nearly two-hour hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee.
Mayo said he expected strong opposition to his Sweetened Beverages and Syrups Tax Law legislation from lobbyists for the state's soft drink association and businesses that would have to raise prices on the products and cut into their profits.
The legislation would require soft drink distributors and retailers to pay a tax of $2.56 a gallon, or two cents an ounce, for sweetened soft drinks.
The tax would amount to 24 cents per 12-ounce Coke, Pepsi or other soft drink sweetened with sugar.
Drinks that include artificial sweeteners would be exempt.
Business owners would have to pass the price increase on to consumers, and risk losing money, or absorb the increased cost themselves.
"I understand the position of private business," Mayo said. "But with a problem of this scope -- obesity -- private business will respond as a result of either implemented government policy or threatened government policy.
"It took us eight years to get movement on the tobacco tax, and if it takes another eight years on this, we'll get movement." See the rest of the article in The Commercial Appeal
Why don't we we just tax the fat people?
State, County and Flora officials join Monsanto to break ground on $2.4 million facility at Flora Industrial Park
Corn Breeding Facility To Focus on New Beneficial Products For Southern Farmers
Rain showers didn't dampen the spirits of Flora and Madison County officials today as they join state officials to welcome Monsanto to the Flora Industrial Park. Monsanto plans to open a new corn breeding station in Flora and groundbreaking ceremonies for the new facility will be held this afternoon. The $2.4 million facility further boosts the company’s investment in the South and is a reflection of Monsanto’s commitment to continue delivering new high-performing products to southern farmers.
The 26,000-square-foot corn breeding station will employ approximately 10 full-time and up to 50 seasonal workers. Corn production in the southern region has been growing in the last several years, and the new site’s research focus will be on using the latest breeding techniques to develop higher-yielding corn hybrids with greater resistance to disease and other environmental stresses, specifically adapted to the region.
The site will complement Monsanto’s global breeding program and become part of a network of more than 50 corn breeding locations around the world. Southern farmers also will benefit from the genetic diversity of Monsanto’s global germplasm pool.
“Our focus on research and development is what makes Monsanto a leader in agricultural productivity,” said Ted Crosbie, global breeding lead for Monsanto. “Our new facility in Flora will help further strengthen our R&D capabilities, and also is a great opportunity for us to strengthen relationships and collaborations in the southern states.”
Monsanto currently has 3 technology research sites in Mississippi – Scott, Leland, and Winterville – focused on delivering cotton and soy varieties and traits to meet the needs of southern farmers.
“We have always found that growing our crops where farmers will be growing theirs is the best way to develop new products that best meet the needs of our customers,” Crosbie said. “Our existing facilities in Scott, Leland and Winterville help serve the farmers’ need for innovative, higher-yielding products in cotton and soy. With the new site in Flora, we plan to do the same in corn.”
Southeast Industrial Properties I, LLC, a joint venture between Jackson, MS-based Hines Investments, Inc. and Duckworth Realty, Inc., has been awarded the build-to-suit project by Monsanto. Peoples Construction Corp. is the General Contractor.
The announcement comes just over a year after the town lost out to a site in Kansas to be the new location for a Department of Homeland Security Bio lab. Flora's Industrial Park currently has only one tenant, Primos Hunting Calls, locating there in May of 2002.
The 26,000-square-foot corn breeding station will employ approximately 10 full-time and up to 50 seasonal workers. Corn production in the southern region has been growing in the last several years, and the new site’s research focus will be on using the latest breeding techniques to develop higher-yielding corn hybrids with greater resistance to disease and other environmental stresses, specifically adapted to the region.
The site will complement Monsanto’s global breeding program and become part of a network of more than 50 corn breeding locations around the world. Southern farmers also will benefit from the genetic diversity of Monsanto’s global germplasm pool.
“Our focus on research and development is what makes Monsanto a leader in agricultural productivity,” said Ted Crosbie, global breeding lead for Monsanto. “Our new facility in Flora will help further strengthen our R&D capabilities, and also is a great opportunity for us to strengthen relationships and collaborations in the southern states.”
Monsanto currently has 3 technology research sites in Mississippi – Scott, Leland, and Winterville – focused on delivering cotton and soy varieties and traits to meet the needs of southern farmers.
“We have always found that growing our crops where farmers will be growing theirs is the best way to develop new products that best meet the needs of our customers,” Crosbie said. “Our existing facilities in Scott, Leland and Winterville help serve the farmers’ need for innovative, higher-yielding products in cotton and soy. With the new site in Flora, we plan to do the same in corn.”
Southeast Industrial Properties I, LLC, a joint venture between Jackson, MS-based Hines Investments, Inc. and Duckworth Realty, Inc., has been awarded the build-to-suit project by Monsanto. Peoples Construction Corp. is the General Contractor.
The announcement comes just over a year after the town lost out to a site in Kansas to be the new location for a Department of Homeland Security Bio lab. Flora's Industrial Park currently has only one tenant, Primos Hunting Calls, locating there in May of 2002.
Deadline to submit comments on proposed Mississippi Power plant is Friday
Anyone wishing to enter a written comment into the public record concerning the proposed Mississippi Power IGCC plant in Kemper County, should do so with the Public Service Commission no later than 5 p.m. Friday.
Mississippi Power Co. is petitioning the PSC for a certificate of public convenience and necessity authorizing the acquisition, construction and operation of an electric generating plant in Kemper County.
Final public comment concerning the proposed Kemper County IGCC Plant will be officially be accepted in writing through mail or e-mail until Friday.
Comments may be submitted by e-mail to southern.district@psc.state.ms.us or mailed to The Honorable Leonard L. Bentz, Mississippi Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 1174, Jackson, MS 39215-1174
For more information, call Bentz at the PSC at 800-356-6429.
The Hattiesburg American
Mississippi Power Co. is petitioning the PSC for a certificate of public convenience and necessity authorizing the acquisition, construction and operation of an electric generating plant in Kemper County.
Final public comment concerning the proposed Kemper County IGCC Plant will be officially be accepted in writing through mail or e-mail until Friday.
Comments may be submitted by e-mail to southern.district@psc.state.ms.us or mailed to The Honorable Leonard L. Bentz, Mississippi Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 1174, Jackson, MS 39215-1174
For more information, call Bentz at the PSC at 800-356-6429.
The Hattiesburg American
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