Monday, July 4, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
WDAM-Senator Billy Hewes comments on Tate Reeves being caught in Pay to Play scandal
While on the campaign trail Friday, in Purvis, State Senator Billy Hewes commented on recent reports involving State treasurer Tate Reeves campaign funds.
Hewes said, "The states business is not for sale."
Hewes said, "If elected, those cozy money relationships will be no more."
"If somebody is going to be controlling money interests in the state, they shouldn't be able to take it and tie it to where there are campaign contributions that are given in return. Years ago there were some problems with the Public Service Commissioners, there were some indictments and we prohibited them from doing that. We don't want that same situation to occur anywhere else in state government. There needs to be a very clean severance there."
www.wdam.com
Friday, July 1, 2011
Treasurer Tate Reeves Campaign funded by those who profit from state contracts he awarded.
Lieutenant governor candidate Tate Reeves has vowed to "stand up to all of those people who want to borrow, borrow, borrow and say 'Enough is enough'" to reduce state debt.
But Reeves, while serving as state treasurer, has received hundreds of thousands of dollars for his campaign coffers from lawyers, consultants and bankers who make millions in fees from government borrowing, often from non-bid contracts that Reeves helps negotiate.
A Sun Herald analysis of his donations shows dozens of lawyers and executives from a handful of firms that make money from government borrowing through legal, consultant and other fees on borrowing have contributed more than $400,000 to Reeves' campaign war chest during his two terms as treasurer. In the same period, these firms have collected more than $48 million in fees.
Mississippi law limits corporate campaign donations to $1,000 a year. It's common for many employees of a firm to make individual donations, which have no cap.
Reeves said there's nothing untoward about such campaign donations. He said the small number of firms qualified to handle government borrowing are also some of the largest in the state and their officers donate to many campaigns. He attributes questions about his role in state borrowing or his campaign finances to "my opponent's campaign (being) in desperate mode right now and trying to be relevant."
"I have been very independent as state treasurer," Reeves said. "I'm beholden only to the taxpayers."
But his opponent, state Sen. Billy Hewes of Biloxi, says he believes such campaign funding is "a bit disturbing."
"That may explain (Reeves') reluctance to take any ownership in his role in bonds and borrowing for our state," Hewes said. "If you're going to criticize something, but then if there's a connection or tie-in with the manner with which his campaign is financed by folks who've benefitted from his transactions, then he needs to talk about that."
Hewes' campaign finance records show he's received nearly $40,000 from officers with the same firms.
"But the difference is, I don't control any contracts," Hewes said. "I don't control where the moneys are placed. I don't ever take money where strings are attached."
Reeves said he doesn't have sole control over such contracts, either. As treasurer, he is one of three on the State Bond Commission, along with the governor and the attorney general. The commission has to approve state borrowing and
contracts with the lawyers and consultants who help.
Attorney General Jim Hood and others familiar with the state's borrowing systems said his office and the governor's typically defer to the treasurer's on the mechanics of borrowing.
As the state's chief financial officer, the treasurer also represents the executive branch on other entities that borrow millions, including the Mississippi Home Corp., Development Bank and Business Finance Corp., according to Reeves' state treasurer website.
When governments in Mississippi borrow money, the fees associated with the deals often appear to be higher than similar fees paid by private corporations.
For instance, a recent bond issue of $350 million for Chevron had bond-counsel and financial-advisor fees of $200,000. A recent issue of $162 million for Mississippi Department of Corrections facilities had bond-council and advisor fees — from some of the same companies — of more than $925,000.
"There does seem to be a difference in fees, and on the surface a lack of competition," said J.K. "Hoopy" Stringer, former state fiscal officer and head of the Department of Finance and Administration under Gov. Haley Barbour.
Reeves said differences between fees paid by government and businesses when they borrow are likely because large corporations "might have a lot of on-staff lawyers that do that kind of work."
In recent years, much of the state's borrowing has been through negotiated deals rather than competitive bid, although legal and other fees in many instances are capped by federal regulations for tax exempt bonds, Reeves said.
"That's been the case since the financial meltdown in 2008," Reeves said. "We went to the Legislature and asked them to give us the authority to do that, negotiated deals, and the Legislature approved it I would envision at some point in the near future it would make financial sense to do competitive transactions again."
Max Arinder, director of the state legislative watchdog group, the PEER Committee, said that about a decade ago some lawmakers were calling for studies and possible reform in the fees paid to lawyers, consultants and banks on borrowing. He said these efforts were dropped and PEER hasn't been called on to look into such fees since.
Reeves' campaign donations — he had nearly $2 million in cash on hand at last reckoning — have shattered records for a Mississippi treasurer or lieutenant governor candidate. For the last several years, his bankroll grew so large that it prompted speculation Reeves was running for governor.
Reeves has said his campaign finance success is proof he has broad support in his run for lieutenant governor.
"Not only have we now received contributions from all 82 counties in Mississippi, but we continue to break records for a race for lieutenant governor in Mississippi," Reeves said in a recent statement that he has repeated at campaign functions.
Reeves and Hewes have sparred in recent weeks over state borrowing. Reeves has said the Legislature, where Hewes has served for 20 years, has borrowed billions of dollars. Hewes has said that Reeves, as treasurer and one of three on the state board that oversees state bonding, has signed off on billions in debt himself.
www.timesunion.com
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Ramsey: A morning with Tate Reeves
Treasurer and Lt. Governor Candidate Tate Reeves visited The Clarion-Ledger editorial board, and since I was there, I popped in for a listen.
A few observations:
A few observations:
1. Reeves, who I like and respect, kept talking about his positive campaign, but then turned around and attacked his opponent, Billy Hewes, on comments he had made about Reeve’s record. In about 10 seconds, Reeves went from “Watchdog” to “attack dog”
2. He mentioned his opponent started off the race negative. Not necessarily — if you count Hewes’ excellent “going through the drive-thru ad” earlier in the year. But Hewes (who was getting waxed in early polls because of poor statewide name recognition) came out negative, blaming Reeves for not stopping bonds that the Legislature Hewes was a senator in had passed. Yes, I know — it’s confusing. It’s not that unusual for a way-behind candidate to come out negative. It’s just interesting to me, if Reeves is still so far ahead, why is he using so much energy to attack back. Makes you wonder if he’s worried.
3. Reeves did not like a question he got from a member of our Reader Editorial Board about long-time Republican Godfather Billy Mounger supporting Hewes. If he could have shot lasers out of his eyes, I think he would have.
Tate isn’t flashy, but he’s solid. No doubt he is intelligent and capable. He has a ton of campaign cash at his disposal. And he’s obviously still the front runner. But it will be interesting to see what the next five weeks or so brings until the August 2 primary.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Canton man gets 10 years for voter fraud
Terrance Watts, 40, pleaded guilty Monday to illegally casting absentee ballots in two Canton municipal elections in 2009.
Watts was convicted of forgery, a disenfranchising crime, in 2005 and has not had the right to vote restored by the Mississippi Legislature, but he voted in Canton’s primary and general elections.
“The crime was that Mr. Watts falsely swore to an Affidavit on an absentee ballot that he was a duly and qualified elector of Madison County, when he knew he was not,” Madison/Rankin District Attorney Michael Guest said in a news release.
READ MORE
Watts was convicted of forgery, a disenfranchising crime, in 2005 and has not had the right to vote restored by the Mississippi Legislature, but he voted in Canton’s primary and general elections.
“The crime was that Mr. Watts falsely swore to an Affidavit on an absentee ballot that he was a duly and qualified elector of Madison County, when he knew he was not,” Madison/Rankin District Attorney Michael Guest said in a news release.
READ MORE
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Foreclosures drop in Mississippi, rise in Louisiana
Foreclosures drop a bit in Miss.
Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac, which tracks foreclosures nationwide, said that in April, foreclosure-related actions were taken against 361 properties in Mississippi. Those actions ranged from an initial notice of default to outright repossession by a lender.
Last month, 149 properties were scheduled for a foreclosure sale. Lenders took back 212.
The rate of foreclosure actions - affecting one in every 3,551 housing units - was down 2.7 percent from March and 2.2 percent from April 2010. That ranked Mississippi 45th in the nation.
RealtyTrac said that national foreclosure actions dropped 9 percent from March and 34 percent from April 2010 - mostly because of legal questions about paperwork.
Number of home foreclosures on the rise in La.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The number of Louisiana homeowners facing foreclosure is on the rise.
Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac, which tracks foreclosures nationwide, said that in April, foreclosure-related actions were taken against 2,289 properties. Those actions ranged from an initial notice of default to outright repossession by a lender.
Last month, 1,349 housing units were scheduled for a foreclosure sale. Lenders took back 635.
The rate of foreclosure actions - affecting one in every 858 housing units - was up 11.8 percent from March and 23.8 percent from April 2010. That ranked Louisiana 22nd in the nation.
RealtyTrac said that national foreclosure actions dropped 9 percent from March and 34 percent from April 2010 - mostly because of legal questions about paperwork. April was the seventh straight month of national declines and brought foreclosure activity in the depressed U.S. housing market to a 40-month low.
"The slowdown continues to be largely the result of massive delays in processing foreclosures rather than the result of a housing recovery that is lifting people out of foreclosure," said RealtyTrac chief executive James Saccacio.
Nationally, 219,258 properties received a foreclosure-related notice last month. Lenders took back 69,532 U.S. properties in April.
Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac, which tracks foreclosures nationwide, said that in April, foreclosure-related actions were taken against 361 properties in Mississippi. Those actions ranged from an initial notice of default to outright repossession by a lender.
Last month, 149 properties were scheduled for a foreclosure sale. Lenders took back 212.
The rate of foreclosure actions - affecting one in every 3,551 housing units - was down 2.7 percent from March and 2.2 percent from April 2010. That ranked Mississippi 45th in the nation.
RealtyTrac said that national foreclosure actions dropped 9 percent from March and 34 percent from April 2010 - mostly because of legal questions about paperwork.
Number of home foreclosures on the rise in La.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The number of Louisiana homeowners facing foreclosure is on the rise.
Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac, which tracks foreclosures nationwide, said that in April, foreclosure-related actions were taken against 2,289 properties. Those actions ranged from an initial notice of default to outright repossession by a lender.
Last month, 1,349 housing units were scheduled for a foreclosure sale. Lenders took back 635.
The rate of foreclosure actions - affecting one in every 858 housing units - was up 11.8 percent from March and 23.8 percent from April 2010. That ranked Louisiana 22nd in the nation.
RealtyTrac said that national foreclosure actions dropped 9 percent from March and 34 percent from April 2010 - mostly because of legal questions about paperwork. April was the seventh straight month of national declines and brought foreclosure activity in the depressed U.S. housing market to a 40-month low.
"The slowdown continues to be largely the result of massive delays in processing foreclosures rather than the result of a housing recovery that is lifting people out of foreclosure," said RealtyTrac chief executive James Saccacio.
Nationally, 219,258 properties received a foreclosure-related notice last month. Lenders took back 69,532 U.S. properties in April.
In Texas schools, a picture's worth 1,000 calories
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - A $2 million project being unveiled Wednesday in the lunchroom of a Texas elementary school will use high-tech cameras to photograph what foods children pile onto their trays - and later capture what they don't finish eating.
Digital imaging analysis of the snapshots will then calculate how many calories each student scarfed down. Local health officials said the program, funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant, is the first of its kind in a U.S. school, and will be so precise that the technology can identify a half-eaten pear left on a lunch tray.
Researchers hope parents will change eating habits at home once they see what their kids are choosing in schools. The data also will be used to study what foods children are likely to choose and how much of if they're eating.
READ MORE
Digital imaging analysis of the snapshots will then calculate how many calories each student scarfed down. Local health officials said the program, funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant, is the first of its kind in a U.S. school, and will be so precise that the technology can identify a half-eaten pear left on a lunch tray.
Researchers hope parents will change eating habits at home once they see what their kids are choosing in schools. The data also will be used to study what foods children are likely to choose and how much of if they're eating.
READ MORE
No single answer to housing for tornado victims
Thousands of Southerners who lost everything last month to a pack of killer twisters will need new homes after they move out of shelters and relatives' spare bedrooms, but the types of housing they find will vary widely depending on where they live.
The communities that caught the brunt of the tornadoes range from rural crossroads in Mississippi to mid-sized Alabama cities like Tuscaloosa and Huntsville. Places like Smithville, Miss., had few rental houses or apartments to begin with; hard-hit Birmingham has a much larger stock that's ready for almost immediate occupancy.
Unlike after Hurricane Katrina, when crews set up thousands of nearly identical campers provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency all over coastal Mississippi and southern Louisiana, officials say different areas hit by the tornadoes will require varying solutions.
The National Weather Service and state emergency officials are still tallying how many homes were destroyed when waves of tornadoes mowed through the South, killing hundreds in seven states as entire neighborhoods were wiped out in some areas. Alabama took the hardest hit: The state said 236 people were dead at last count, and 42 of the state's 67 counties have been approved to receive disaster assistance.
In Mississippi, state emergency management spokesman Jeff Rent said officials will help tornado victims secure mobile homes from FEMA in hard-hit Monroe County, where 15 people died and dozens of homes and businesses were damaged. The challenge is finding suitable sites for the mobile homes, especially in hard-hit areas like Smithville, which was littered with debris, Rent said. In Bertie County, N.C., residents left homeless by a mid-April tornado outbreak are living in FEMA trailers.
READ MORE
The communities that caught the brunt of the tornadoes range from rural crossroads in Mississippi to mid-sized Alabama cities like Tuscaloosa and Huntsville. Places like Smithville, Miss., had few rental houses or apartments to begin with; hard-hit Birmingham has a much larger stock that's ready for almost immediate occupancy.
Unlike after Hurricane Katrina, when crews set up thousands of nearly identical campers provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency all over coastal Mississippi and southern Louisiana, officials say different areas hit by the tornadoes will require varying solutions.
The National Weather Service and state emergency officials are still tallying how many homes were destroyed when waves of tornadoes mowed through the South, killing hundreds in seven states as entire neighborhoods were wiped out in some areas. Alabama took the hardest hit: The state said 236 people were dead at last count, and 42 of the state's 67 counties have been approved to receive disaster assistance.
In Mississippi, state emergency management spokesman Jeff Rent said officials will help tornado victims secure mobile homes from FEMA in hard-hit Monroe County, where 15 people died and dozens of homes and businesses were damaged. The challenge is finding suitable sites for the mobile homes, especially in hard-hit areas like Smithville, which was littered with debris, Rent said. In Bertie County, N.C., residents left homeless by a mid-April tornado outbreak are living in FEMA trailers.
READ MORE
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Whatcha Think: Is this an idea that's time has come?
Lawmaker seeks drug testing of welfare recipients
LA State Wire
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A Jefferson Parish lawmaker is hoping he can persuade the Legislature on his fifth try to mandate drug testing of welfare recipients in Louisiana.
Republican Rep. John LaBruzzo's bill is scheduled for a Wednesday hearing in the House Health and Welfare Committee. Though he's gotten it out of committee before, LaBruzzo has repeatedly failed to get the measure passed through the full Legislature.
The proposal would require at least 20 percent of people who receive benefits to submit to drug testing.
LaBruzzo says the bill could help families get addiction treatment and make sure tax dollars aren't spent on drug habits. Opponents say the bill unfairly targets poor mothers, without evidence demonstrating they are more prone to drug problems.
States eye drug tests for welfare recipients
MIAMI (AP) — Lawmakers in more than two-dozen states have proposed drug-testing recipients of welfare or other government assistance, taking a tough stance on aiding the poor in the down economy. Critics say such laws would be unconstitutional — an argument that federal judges have agreed with before.
Similar proposals have been introduced in past years by lawmakers in dozens of states, but none currently requires drug testing because it's difficult to get around the arguments that the tests violate the Constitution's ban on unreasonable searches. Michigan's random drug testing program for welfare recipients lasted five weeks in 1999 before it was halted by a judge, kicking off a four-year legal battle that ended with an appeals court ruling it unconstitutional.
No other state has enacted such a program, worrying about legal battles. But lawmakers say they're willing to take the risk, as cash-strapped states struggle to close budget gaps, potentially paving the way for major legal battles. The National Conference of State Legislatures said at least 30 states have proposed to drug test recipients of government aid during the current legislative session.
"It's hard for me to justify to taxpayers that I'm taking your money and giving assistance to people who are buying drugs with it," said Florida state Sen. Paula Dockery, who is sponsoring a bill requiring testing for those who receive temporary cash assistance. The bill passed in the final days of the session and Gov. Rick Scott is expected to sign it.
LA State Wire
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A Jefferson Parish lawmaker is hoping he can persuade the Legislature on his fifth try to mandate drug testing of welfare recipients in Louisiana.
Republican Rep. John LaBruzzo's bill is scheduled for a Wednesday hearing in the House Health and Welfare Committee. Though he's gotten it out of committee before, LaBruzzo has repeatedly failed to get the measure passed through the full Legislature.
The proposal would require at least 20 percent of people who receive benefits to submit to drug testing.
LaBruzzo says the bill could help families get addiction treatment and make sure tax dollars aren't spent on drug habits. Opponents say the bill unfairly targets poor mothers, without evidence demonstrating they are more prone to drug problems.
States eye drug tests for welfare recipients
MIAMI (AP) — Lawmakers in more than two-dozen states have proposed drug-testing recipients of welfare or other government assistance, taking a tough stance on aiding the poor in the down economy. Critics say such laws would be unconstitutional — an argument that federal judges have agreed with before.
Similar proposals have been introduced in past years by lawmakers in dozens of states, but none currently requires drug testing because it's difficult to get around the arguments that the tests violate the Constitution's ban on unreasonable searches. Michigan's random drug testing program for welfare recipients lasted five weeks in 1999 before it was halted by a judge, kicking off a four-year legal battle that ended with an appeals court ruling it unconstitutional.
No other state has enacted such a program, worrying about legal battles. But lawmakers say they're willing to take the risk, as cash-strapped states struggle to close budget gaps, potentially paving the way for major legal battles. The National Conference of State Legislatures said at least 30 states have proposed to drug test recipients of government aid during the current legislative session.
"It's hard for me to justify to taxpayers that I'm taking your money and giving assistance to people who are buying drugs with it," said Florida state Sen. Paula Dockery, who is sponsoring a bill requiring testing for those who receive temporary cash assistance. The bill passed in the final days of the session and Gov. Rick Scott is expected to sign it.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Barbour says he's not running
STATEMENT OF GOV. BARBOUR
“I will not be a candidate for president next year. This has been a difficult, personal decision, and I am very grateful to my family for their total support of my going forward, had that been what I decided.
“Hundreds of people have encouraged me to run and offered both to give and raise money for a presidential campaign. Many volunteers have organized events in support of my pursuing the race. Some have dedicated virtually full time to setting up preliminary organizations in critical, early states and to helping plan what has been several months of intensive activity.
“I greatly appreciate each and every one of them and all their outstanding efforts. If I have disappointed any of them in this decision, I sincerely regret it.
“A candidate for president today is embracing a ten-year commitment to an all-consuming effort, to the virtual exclusion of all else. His (or her) supporters expect and deserve no less than absolute fire in the belly from their candidate. I cannot offer that with certainty, and total certainty is required.
“This decision means I will continue my job as Governor Mississippi, my role in the Republican Governors Association and my efforts to elect a new Republican president in 2012, as the stakes for the nation require that effort to be successful.”
“I will not be a candidate for president next year. This has been a difficult, personal decision, and I am very grateful to my family for their total support of my going forward, had that been what I decided.
“Hundreds of people have encouraged me to run and offered both to give and raise money for a presidential campaign. Many volunteers have organized events in support of my pursuing the race. Some have dedicated virtually full time to setting up preliminary organizations in critical, early states and to helping plan what has been several months of intensive activity.
“I greatly appreciate each and every one of them and all their outstanding efforts. If I have disappointed any of them in this decision, I sincerely regret it.
“A candidate for president today is embracing a ten-year commitment to an all-consuming effort, to the virtual exclusion of all else. His (or her) supporters expect and deserve no less than absolute fire in the belly from their candidate. I cannot offer that with certainty, and total certainty is required.
“This decision means I will continue my job as Governor Mississippi, my role in the Republican Governors Association and my efforts to elect a new Republican president in 2012, as the stakes for the nation require that effort to be successful.”
Barbour's Drawl Gets New Hampshire Debut
 |
| Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour tours Riley’s Gun Shop in Hooksett, N.H., this month. |
It’s not that they haven’t met Southern politicians before. Or that they don’t recognize the oddly shaped pin on his lapel as the state of Mississippi. The people of New Hampshire have been courted by politicians of all shapes and sizes over the years. It’s just that very few of them have encountered an accent quite like this.
“I noticed it, absolutely. You notice it,” said Jim Waddell, a state Representative from Hampton. He’s a one-time jogging partner of President Bill Clinton and recently shared breakfast here with Barbour. “Some people might say, ‘Ah, that’s phony, or that’s not real, or that’s hickish, or that’s redneckish.’ But I don’t feel that way. ... From my own point of view, I love a Southern accent and I love the way they use a lot of expressions in it. It’s lively.”
Roll Call
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Poll shows Haley closing the gap on perceived GOP Presidential frontrunners
A new National Journal Poll shows Romney support growing slowly, but Governor Haley Barbour is closing the gap. The comparison of Romney's Massachusetts health care bill to Obamacare are getting louder and louder, and Pawlenty has a Cap and Trade problem.
Presidential hopefuls Cap and Trade stance offers "Pawlenty" of problems
 |
| Governor Tim Pawlenty |
In the article his then spokesman Alex Carey said, ""He would prefer that come from the federal government, it was something he really wanted to do."
Pawlenty joins global-warming radio ad
The governors of Minnesota and Arizona take to the airwaves to urge Congress to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
Deepening his involvement in the global warming debate and in national affairs, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is lending his voice to a nationwide radio ad sponsored by the activist Environmental Defense Action Fund. In the ad, Pawlenty teams up with Arizona's Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano to scold Congress for not doing more to combat climate change.
Against a background of inspirational, New Age-style music, the two tout state-level achievements and urge Congress to pass national curbs on greenhouse gas emissions. Quick action could spur thousands of "enviro-friendly" jobs, Pawlenty and Napolitano say in the ad. Foot-dragging, they warn, could push job-yielding innovations overseas.
Those claims are disputed by some critics who say that the jury is still out on climate change and that promises of a golden age of affordable, homegrown fuel and controllable climate are overstated. Many of those are in Pawlenty's Republican Party, and the pressure on him to back off the issue has been substantial at times.
But Alex Carey, spokesman for Pawlenty, said the governor is convinced of the need for action. Pawlenty plans another clean energy package in the coming legislative session and has adopted renewable energy as his signature issue during his tenure leading the National Governors Association. Napolitano was the previous chair.
Mississippi leads nation in childhood immunizations
We’re No. 1 in childhood immunizations
GULFPORT -- The state Health Department announced today that Mississippi is the national leader -- ranked No. 1 -- in immunizing 2- and 3-year-olds, according to data released by the National Immunization Survey.
The NIS also designated Mississippi “most improved,” because in the 2008-2009 fiscal year, Mississippi ranked 18th.
Mississippi has an average immunization rate of 81.1 percent for the major childhood vaccinations for children 19 to 35 months of age (including DTaP, Polio, MMR, and other recommended vaccinations).
That exceeds the national average rate of 71.5 percent.
It is the Mississippi Department of Health that gives about 40 percent of all childhood vaccinations. Private providers give about 60 percent.
“Our immunization nurses in health department clinics and health care providers -- especially pediatricians and family practitioners -- across the state have been essential in achieving this goal,” said Dr. Mary Currier, state health officer. “We focus on making sure each child has the best possible protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.”
GULFPORT -- The state Health Department announced today that Mississippi is the national leader -- ranked No. 1 -- in immunizing 2- and 3-year-olds, according to data released by the National Immunization Survey.
The NIS also designated Mississippi “most improved,” because in the 2008-2009 fiscal year, Mississippi ranked 18th.
Mississippi has an average immunization rate of 81.1 percent for the major childhood vaccinations for children 19 to 35 months of age (including DTaP, Polio, MMR, and other recommended vaccinations).
That exceeds the national average rate of 71.5 percent.
It is the Mississippi Department of Health that gives about 40 percent of all childhood vaccinations. Private providers give about 60 percent.
“Our immunization nurses in health department clinics and health care providers -- especially pediatricians and family practitioners -- across the state have been essential in achieving this goal,” said Dr. Mary Currier, state health officer. “We focus on making sure each child has the best possible protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.”
Gallup poll shows American's want to tread lightly in Libya
Americans Back U.S. Involvement in Libya, But Oppose a ‘Leading’ Role
While most Americans support some level of involvement in the military operation in Libya, there is strong sentiment against the U.S. playing a leading role with very few in support of a leading role, according to a USA Today/Gallup poll conducted March 25-27. The survey was taken before President Obama’s Monday night speech explaining his reasons for taking action. (Transcript).
The largest group among those surveyed — 36 percent — want the U.S. role to be minor. Twenty-nine percent support a “major role,” but only 10 percent back a “leading” role. Twenty-two percent want to see the U.S. withdraw.
Republicans tend to favor a stronger hand for the U.S. with 52 percent backing a leading or major role compared to 29 percent who favor a minor role. Democrats and independents lead more strongly to the minor role position, with 41 percent of Democrats and 38 percent of independents in that camp.
The largest group among those surveyed — 36 percent — want the U.S. role to be minor. Twenty-nine percent support a “major role,” but only 10 percent back a “leading” role. Twenty-two percent want to see the U.S. withdraw.
Republicans tend to favor a stronger hand for the U.S. with 52 percent backing a leading or major role compared to 29 percent who favor a minor role. Democrats and independents lead more strongly to the minor role position, with 41 percent of Democrats and 38 percent of independents in that camp.
Congressman Thompson pays outstanding parking tickets in DC after report
Members Collect Many Unpaid Tickets
Rep. Bennie Thompson and his chief of staff paid off $860 worth of parking tickets last week after Roll Call brought the outstanding fines to their attention.
Members of Congress have immunity from many routine parking tickets in the District of Columbia, but that doesn’t mean they can’t try to rack up fines.
According to a Roll Call survey of vehicles parked on Capitol Hill and at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, as of mid-March, lawmakers were carrying at least $15,000 in outstanding tickets — ranging from expired meters to speeding camera violations — and potentially thousands of dollars more.
Three-quarters of those tickets, worth about $11,500, were in default at the time of the survey, having gone more than 60 days, and in some cases years, without payment.
Roll Call canvassed Congressional parking facilities, as well as a special Members-only parking lot at the airport, and reviewed about 300 vehicles displaying a House- or Senate-issued Member parking tag.
Information on parking violations was obtained from the District of Columbia’s public ticket database, which is searchable by license plate and includes information on minor violations.
While many vehicles registered a single ticket, valued at as little as $20, a handful of automobiles reported several hundred to thousands of dollars in unpaid tickets.
Roll Call’s inquiry appears to have led some offenders to pay up.
Aides to Reps. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) and Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) said the lawmakers repaid their respective tickets after being contacted by Roll Call.
The District’s database showed Weiner received nearly $2,180 in tickets from 2007 to early March, including some instances in which he appears to have incurred multiple violations at the same time, such as failing to display current tags while parked in a taxi stand zone.
“All of the Congressman’s parking tickets have been paid. He is pleased to have helped decrease the D.C. budget deficit,” Weiner spokesman Dave Arnold said.
Thompson spokesman Lanier Avant likewise said the Mississippi lawmaker repaid $610 in outstanding tickets that his vehicle received from 2004 to 2010. During Roll Call’s survey, a second vehicle displaying Thompson’s Member parking permit also returned $250 in parking tickets, which Avant said were his own and were also repaid.
According to the House Administration Committee, Members must pay their own parking tickets and are not permitted to use official funds.
Rep. Bennie Thompson and his chief of staff paid off $860 worth of parking tickets last week after Roll Call brought the outstanding fines to their attention.
Members of Congress have immunity from many routine parking tickets in the District of Columbia, but that doesn’t mean they can’t try to rack up fines.
According to a Roll Call survey of vehicles parked on Capitol Hill and at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, as of mid-March, lawmakers were carrying at least $15,000 in outstanding tickets — ranging from expired meters to speeding camera violations — and potentially thousands of dollars more.
Three-quarters of those tickets, worth about $11,500, were in default at the time of the survey, having gone more than 60 days, and in some cases years, without payment.
Roll Call canvassed Congressional parking facilities, as well as a special Members-only parking lot at the airport, and reviewed about 300 vehicles displaying a House- or Senate-issued Member parking tag.
Information on parking violations was obtained from the District of Columbia’s public ticket database, which is searchable by license plate and includes information on minor violations.
While many vehicles registered a single ticket, valued at as little as $20, a handful of automobiles reported several hundred to thousands of dollars in unpaid tickets.
Roll Call’s inquiry appears to have led some offenders to pay up.
Aides to Reps. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) and Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) said the lawmakers repaid their respective tickets after being contacted by Roll Call.
The District’s database showed Weiner received nearly $2,180 in tickets from 2007 to early March, including some instances in which he appears to have incurred multiple violations at the same time, such as failing to display current tags while parked in a taxi stand zone.
“All of the Congressman’s parking tickets have been paid. He is pleased to have helped decrease the D.C. budget deficit,” Weiner spokesman Dave Arnold said.
Thompson spokesman Lanier Avant likewise said the Mississippi lawmaker repaid $610 in outstanding tickets that his vehicle received from 2004 to 2010. During Roll Call’s survey, a second vehicle displaying Thompson’s Member parking permit also returned $250 in parking tickets, which Avant said were his own and were also repaid.
According to the House Administration Committee, Members must pay their own parking tickets and are not permitted to use official funds.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Poll: Should we stay on "summer time"?
NPR asks the question:
Should the U.S. stop changing its clocks?
Or, to put it another way, should Americans stop going "off" Daylight Saving Time every winter?
There are parts of the U.S., including Arizona and Hawaii, that don't change their clocks. Here's a question: Should the rest of the nation just stay on "summer time" permanently so that our evenings always (sort of) last longer?
Should the U.S. stop changing its clocks?
Or, to put it another way, should Americans stop going "off" Daylight Saving Time every winter?
There are parts of the U.S., including Arizona and Hawaii, that don't change their clocks. Here's a question: Should the rest of the nation just stay on "summer time" permanently so that our evenings always (sort of) last longer?
Sun Herald providing more ammo for Barbour naysayers.
Gov. Haley Barbour had hand in release of convicted killer Joseph Goff
The Sun Herald has learned that Gov. Haley Barbour helped in the early release of convicted killer Joseph Goff, whose release today after serving eight years of a 20-year sentence has drawn outrage from law enforcement and the community.
A spokeswoman for Barbour on Thursday had said, “The inmate’s release is set by state sentencing laws. The governor has no role.”
But 130 days of the time off Goff received was granted by Barbour in Executive Order 956 for work Goff did cleaning up after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in Simpson, Quitman, Marion and Walthall counties, according to South Mississippi lawmakers, the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the Attorney General’s Office.
Barbour’s office has not yet responded to a follow-up call from the Sun Herald today seeking further comment and information.
“This is just unbelievable, to give a murderer 130 days off because he cleaned up after a storm, which is what an inmate should be doing anyway,” said state Sen. Michael Watson, R-Pascagoula. “It’s beyond me, to be honest with you. I’m almost at a loss for words.”
Goff shot and killed Kyle Todd, 19, while Todd was standing by a Christmas tree inside his family’s Gautier home on Dec. 8, 2001. Todd died in his mother’s arms. He was a former valedictorian at Gautier High School and the son of Carla Todd, president of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.
The Sun Herald has learned that Gov. Haley Barbour helped in the early release of convicted killer Joseph Goff, whose release today after serving eight years of a 20-year sentence has drawn outrage from law enforcement and the community.
A spokeswoman for Barbour on Thursday had said, “The inmate’s release is set by state sentencing laws. The governor has no role.”
But 130 days of the time off Goff received was granted by Barbour in Executive Order 956 for work Goff did cleaning up after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in Simpson, Quitman, Marion and Walthall counties, according to South Mississippi lawmakers, the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the Attorney General’s Office.
Barbour’s office has not yet responded to a follow-up call from the Sun Herald today seeking further comment and information.
“This is just unbelievable, to give a murderer 130 days off because he cleaned up after a storm, which is what an inmate should be doing anyway,” said state Sen. Michael Watson, R-Pascagoula. “It’s beyond me, to be honest with you. I’m almost at a loss for words.”
Goff shot and killed Kyle Todd, 19, while Todd was standing by a Christmas tree inside his family’s Gautier home on Dec. 8, 2001. Todd died in his mother’s arms. He was a former valedictorian at Gautier High School and the son of Carla Todd, president of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.
Listen to Governor Barbour speak live at 9 am at Rediscover God Breakfast in Iowa
Governor Barbour has just taken the stage at the Rediscover God Breakfast in Iowa. Other guests include Mike Huckabee, Newt Gingrich and Michelle Bachmann.
You can listen live by going HERE
You can listen live by going HERE
14 caught with hands in the cookie jar
14 charged in fraud scheme
A tip from one person who refused to participate in a health insurance fraud scheme has led to the arrests of 14 people accused of stealing more than $500,000 from the State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan.
State Attorney General Jim Hood said Thursday 10 state employees conspired with three Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Mississippi workers to submit fraudulent insurance claims. The 14th person was not employed by the state or the insurance company.
In return for approving the false claims, the Blue Cross/ Blue Shield workers got kickbacks from the state employees.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield administers the state and public school employees' self-funded insured plan.
A Blue Cross/Blue Shield spokesman couldn't be reached late Thursday.
But Hood said Blue Cross/Blue Shield alerted authorities to the scheme and has reimbursed the state-funded plan.
The 14 face charges of insurance fraud, mail fraud and false representation.
Insurance fraud carries a maximum three years in prison. Mail fraud carries a maximum five years in prison.
"They need to go to jail," Hood said. "They are taking from all of us."
Hood called the case the largest theft from the employee health plan since he was elected in 2003.
"We have a hard enough time now trying to get claims paid. We don't need people stealing from taxpayers," Hood said.
A tip from one person who refused to participate in a health insurance fraud scheme has led to the arrests of 14 people accused of stealing more than $500,000 from the State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan.
State Attorney General Jim Hood said Thursday 10 state employees conspired with three Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Mississippi workers to submit fraudulent insurance claims. The 14th person was not employed by the state or the insurance company.
In return for approving the false claims, the Blue Cross/ Blue Shield workers got kickbacks from the state employees.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield administers the state and public school employees' self-funded insured plan.
A Blue Cross/Blue Shield spokesman couldn't be reached late Thursday.
But Hood said Blue Cross/Blue Shield alerted authorities to the scheme and has reimbursed the state-funded plan.
The 14 face charges of insurance fraud, mail fraud and false representation.
Insurance fraud carries a maximum three years in prison. Mail fraud carries a maximum five years in prison.
"They need to go to jail," Hood said. "They are taking from all of us."
Hood called the case the largest theft from the employee health plan since he was elected in 2003.
"We have a hard enough time now trying to get claims paid. We don't need people stealing from taxpayers," Hood said.
Friday, March 18, 2011
CBO: Obama budget worse than projected on 10-year deficit
The Congressional Budget Office on Friday released its analysis of President Obama’s 2012 budget proposal and found it does less to rein in deficits and the debt than the administration had estimated.
CBO estimates Obama's plan would produce 10 years of deficits totaling $9.5 trillion. By 2021, it would increase the debt held by the public to 87 percent of gross domestic product.
The administration, using different methods, estimated budget deficits would total $7.2 trillion over the next 10 years under the 2012 budget. It forecast that total debt in 2021 would be 77 percent of GDP.
CBO estimates Obama's plan would produce 10 years of deficits totaling $9.5 trillion. By 2021, it would increase the debt held by the public to 87 percent of gross domestic product.
The administration, using different methods, estimated budget deficits would total $7.2 trillion over the next 10 years under the 2012 budget. It forecast that total debt in 2021 would be 77 percent of GDP.
Oil prices tumble as Libya declares cease-fire
NEW YORK (AP) — Oil prices plunged Friday after Libya’s foreign minister declared a cease-fire and said the government would stop military operations against rebels.
Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa announced the cease-fire Friday, shortly after the U.N. voted to authorize a no-fly zone and “all necessary measures,” including airstrikes, to protect Libyan citizens from forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi.
Koussa said the cease-fire “will take the country back to safety” and ensure security for all Libyans.
Benchmark crude swiftly dropped afterward on the New York Mercantile Exchange, with the price plunging about $3 in 15 minutes, or nearly 3 percent. West Texas Intermediate oil for April delivery fell 57 cents to $101.85 in morning trading on the Nymex.
Oil prices surged as much as 27 percent in the past month as pro-reform uprisings swept through North Africa and the Middle East, ousting leaders in Tunisia and Egypt. The region is home to OPEC leaders Saudi Arabia and Iran, and it produces 27 percent of the world’s oil. Prices rose on concerns unrest could disrupt global oil supplies.
The rise in oil prices was felt at gasoline stations across the U.S., where pump prices jumped and remain at the highest levels ever for this time of year at $3.54 per gallon.
Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa announced the cease-fire Friday, shortly after the U.N. voted to authorize a no-fly zone and “all necessary measures,” including airstrikes, to protect Libyan citizens from forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi.
Koussa said the cease-fire “will take the country back to safety” and ensure security for all Libyans.
Benchmark crude swiftly dropped afterward on the New York Mercantile Exchange, with the price plunging about $3 in 15 minutes, or nearly 3 percent. West Texas Intermediate oil for April delivery fell 57 cents to $101.85 in morning trading on the Nymex.
Oil prices surged as much as 27 percent in the past month as pro-reform uprisings swept through North Africa and the Middle East, ousting leaders in Tunisia and Egypt. The region is home to OPEC leaders Saudi Arabia and Iran, and it produces 27 percent of the world’s oil. Prices rose on concerns unrest could disrupt global oil supplies.
The rise in oil prices was felt at gasoline stations across the U.S., where pump prices jumped and remain at the highest levels ever for this time of year at $3.54 per gallon.
Time to tackle regulatory reform
On the classic TV show “Star Trek,” space was the “final frontier.” In the political world, it’s the byzantine world of the federal regulatory agencies that is the final frontier. While we struggle with health care reform, energy reform and entitlement reform, no reform may be more critical to the health of our country than regulatory reform.
The truth is that we will never be able to successfully reform our health care system — or our energy and environmental policy, or entitlements, or education or, quite frankly, to tackle any other challenge facing this country — until we begin the difficult process of regulatory reform.
When it comes to health care reform, patients, providers, insurance companies and employers all face a tangled web of new and ever-changing regulations as a result of the passage of Obamacare. Some business owners, confused and frustrated, are openly talking about just paying the fines for noncompliance. They are making the business decision that noncompliance might be easier than trying to comply with the new regulations.
While the health care regulations have left the relevant players confused, regulations in the energy and environmental arena have not just created confusion; they have become a bureaucratic dead end. Thousands of jobs have been lost, and energy prices have increased dramatically, as a result of inaction by regulatory agencies charged with overseeing energy exploration.
The truth is that, intertwined in almost every major challenge we face is a complex bureaucracy — a bureaucracy that often undermines well-intended efforts to reform whatever sector that agency oversees.
This is an important first step. Few know more about the unintended, and too often job-killing, consequences of the regulatory bureaucracy than the folks who deal with these agencies every day.
Read More
The truth is that we will never be able to successfully reform our health care system — or our energy and environmental policy, or entitlements, or education or, quite frankly, to tackle any other challenge facing this country — until we begin the difficult process of regulatory reform.
When it comes to health care reform, patients, providers, insurance companies and employers all face a tangled web of new and ever-changing regulations as a result of the passage of Obamacare. Some business owners, confused and frustrated, are openly talking about just paying the fines for noncompliance. They are making the business decision that noncompliance might be easier than trying to comply with the new regulations.
While the health care regulations have left the relevant players confused, regulations in the energy and environmental arena have not just created confusion; they have become a bureaucratic dead end. Thousands of jobs have been lost, and energy prices have increased dramatically, as a result of inaction by regulatory agencies charged with overseeing energy exploration.
The truth is that, intertwined in almost every major challenge we face is a complex bureaucracy — a bureaucracy that often undermines well-intended efforts to reform whatever sector that agency oversees.
This is an important first step. Few know more about the unintended, and too often job-killing, consequences of the regulatory bureaucracy than the folks who deal with these agencies every day.
Read More
Behind Administration Spin: Bailout Still $123 Billion in the Red
The administration has been on a PR offensive in recent months to tell the good news about the TARP. As the Treasury Department official in charge of the TARP said at a congressional hearing yesterday, the bailout won't cost anywhere near the full $700 billion Congress authorized. In fact, many of its investments have turned a profit, and some of its most infamous bailouts -- such as the rescue of AIG -- won't end up being the tax dollar black holes [3] they once seemed sure to be.
But the true picture isn't so rosy.
ProPublica has provided a comprehensive bailout database since TARP's launch. It shows not only how much money has gone to each recipient, but how much each has paid in interest and dividend payments. With all this data, they are able to clearly show how deep in the hole the program remains. And the answer as of today is $123 billion.
Add that to the bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- which the site also tracks and is separate from the TARP -- and taxpayers are $257 billion in the hole.
But the true picture isn't so rosy.
ProPublica has provided a comprehensive bailout database since TARP's launch. It shows not only how much money has gone to each recipient, but how much each has paid in interest and dividend payments. With all this data, they are able to clearly show how deep in the hole the program remains. And the answer as of today is $123 billion.
Add that to the bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- which the site also tracks and is separate from the TARP -- and taxpayers are $257 billion in the hole.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Two Democrats Charged in Tea Party Election Fraud
PONTIAC, Mich. (WJBK) - Two former leaders of the Oakland County Democratic Party are facing a total of nine felonies for allegedly forging election paperwork to get fake Tea Party candidates on November's ballot.
"It is not a partisan statement, and we need to make that very clear," said Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper.
Former Oakland County Democratic Chair Mike McGuinness and former Democratic Operations Director Jason Bauer face up to 14 years in prison if convicted.
"Some of the people didn't even know they were on the ballot till they began receiving delinquency notices of filings that were required as a candidate," said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard.
The sheriff says 23 statewide races had questionable Tea Party candidates on the ballot and the investigation may go beyond Oakland County.
"It is not a partisan statement, and we need to make that very clear," said Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper.
Former Oakland County Democratic Chair Mike McGuinness and former Democratic Operations Director Jason Bauer face up to 14 years in prison if convicted.
"Some of the people didn't even know they were on the ballot till they began receiving delinquency notices of filings that were required as a candidate," said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard.
The sheriff says 23 statewide races had questionable Tea Party candidates on the ballot and the investigation may go beyond Oakland County.
House to debate defunding NPR
House Moves Toward Defunding NPR
The House on Thursday moved to proceed to debate on a bill that would block federal funding for National Public Radio.
The passage of the rule for the bill to cut NPR funding comes one week after the resignation of NPR fundraiser Ron Schiller, who came under fire for making controversial remarks about the tea party. The rule passed by a vote of 236-181.
NPR Executive Director Vivian Schiller, who is not related to Ron Schiller, was also fired in the wake of the incident, which drew sharp criticism from Republicans and conservative activists.
The House on Thursday moved to proceed to debate on a bill that would block federal funding for National Public Radio.
The passage of the rule for the bill to cut NPR funding comes one week after the resignation of NPR fundraiser Ron Schiller, who came under fire for making controversial remarks about the tea party. The rule passed by a vote of 236-181.
NPR Executive Director Vivian Schiller, who is not related to Ron Schiller, was also fired in the wake of the incident, which drew sharp criticism from Republicans and conservative activists.
Madison County redistricting hearing set for March 21st at 9:00 am
Supes to pick 1 of 3 plans at meeting
Three maps, each offering different splits on the five Madison County supervisors' districts, are up for public review before a vote on Monday.
The proposals on how to divide the county to reflect 2010 Census figures for elections later this year can be seen online or in person. Residents can look at the proposals via the county's website, http://www.madison-co.com/ or inspect the mounted display maps located outside the board room at the Madison County Chancery Courthouse, 146 W. Center St. in Canton during business hours.
The Board of Supervisors is expected to decide on one of the three plans following a public hearing that begins at 9 a.m. Monday.
"Are any of these perfect plans? No, but the plan chosen will be a fair plan that people can look at and know who their supervisor is as we move forward with the election process," Board of Supervisors President Tim Johnson said Tuesday.
District 3 Supervisor D.I. Smith recommends that residents look over the plans that redistribute the county's population as evenly as possible throughout the five districts before the hearing. Then, he said, he expects the public to respond.
"People need to come to the hearing," he said. "This potentially could be one of the biggest numbers of citizens to get involved since the tax increase in 2008" when angry taxpayers packed the board room.
"I think people will be concerned when they see the massive changes proposed. This was not just tweaking district lines," Smith said.
Three maps, each offering different splits on the five Madison County supervisors' districts, are up for public review before a vote on Monday.
The proposals on how to divide the county to reflect 2010 Census figures for elections later this year can be seen online or in person. Residents can look at the proposals via the county's website, http://www.madison-co.com/ or inspect the mounted display maps located outside the board room at the Madison County Chancery Courthouse, 146 W. Center St. in Canton during business hours.
The Board of Supervisors is expected to decide on one of the three plans following a public hearing that begins at 9 a.m. Monday.
"Are any of these perfect plans? No, but the plan chosen will be a fair plan that people can look at and know who their supervisor is as we move forward with the election process," Board of Supervisors President Tim Johnson said Tuesday.
District 3 Supervisor D.I. Smith recommends that residents look over the plans that redistribute the county's population as evenly as possible throughout the five districts before the hearing. Then, he said, he expects the public to respond.
"People need to come to the hearing," he said. "This potentially could be one of the biggest numbers of citizens to get involved since the tax increase in 2008" when angry taxpayers packed the board room.
"I think people will be concerned when they see the massive changes proposed. This was not just tweaking district lines," Smith said.
CL: Lawmakers push for more drilling permits
WASHINGTON — The administration's "slow-walking'' of drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico is costing thousands of jobs and crippling the Gulf region's economy, Gulf Coast officials told Congress Wednesday.
"We continue to feel the burden of regulatory uncertainty, which has led to the freezing of investment and expenditures and consequently a drag on our economy,'' Scott Angelle, secretary of Louisiana's Department of Natural Resources, told members of the House Natural Resources Committee.
Wednesday's hearing focused on the impact of last year's moratorium on deepwater drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico.
Gulf Coast lawmakers and officials from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama say, even though the temporary ban was lifted late last year, federal officials have been slow to issue permits. They say that's created a "de facto'' ban on drilling in deep and shallow waters.
Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., chairman of the committee, vowed Wednesday to introduce legislation later this month that would speed the permit process and reverse the administration's plan to ban offshore drilling outside the Gulf of Mexico.
"The Obama administration seems unmoved by thousands of lost jobs, rapidly rising gasoline prices and the threat these high prices pose to our economy,'' Hastings said.
Later Wednesday, Gulf Coast lawmakers, including Republican members from Mississippi, warned again that the administration's inaction in issuing new drilling permits will decimate the region's economy.
Fourth District Rep. Steve Palazzo said last year's moratorium has cost the region as many as 12,000 jobs and has made residents in the Gulf feel "powerless.''
"We just keep getting hit on every front,'' Palazzo said. '"Please, we need these jobs.''
Third District Rep. Gregg Harper also urged the administration to issue more permits and expand energy production in the Gulf.
"Instead of slowing the approval process for new offshore drilling permits, the president should be promoting increased domestic energy production from oil, renewables, natural gas, clean coal technology and nuclear power - ultimately leading to an energy-independent America,'' Harper said in a statement.
Read More
"We continue to feel the burden of regulatory uncertainty, which has led to the freezing of investment and expenditures and consequently a drag on our economy,'' Scott Angelle, secretary of Louisiana's Department of Natural Resources, told members of the House Natural Resources Committee.
Wednesday's hearing focused on the impact of last year's moratorium on deepwater drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico.
Gulf Coast lawmakers and officials from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama say, even though the temporary ban was lifted late last year, federal officials have been slow to issue permits. They say that's created a "de facto'' ban on drilling in deep and shallow waters.
Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., chairman of the committee, vowed Wednesday to introduce legislation later this month that would speed the permit process and reverse the administration's plan to ban offshore drilling outside the Gulf of Mexico.
"The Obama administration seems unmoved by thousands of lost jobs, rapidly rising gasoline prices and the threat these high prices pose to our economy,'' Hastings said.
Later Wednesday, Gulf Coast lawmakers, including Republican members from Mississippi, warned again that the administration's inaction in issuing new drilling permits will decimate the region's economy.
Fourth District Rep. Steve Palazzo said last year's moratorium has cost the region as many as 12,000 jobs and has made residents in the Gulf feel "powerless.''
"We just keep getting hit on every front,'' Palazzo said. '"Please, we need these jobs.''
Third District Rep. Gregg Harper also urged the administration to issue more permits and expand energy production in the Gulf.
"Instead of slowing the approval process for new offshore drilling permits, the president should be promoting increased domestic energy production from oil, renewables, natural gas, clean coal technology and nuclear power - ultimately leading to an energy-independent America,'' Harper said in a statement.
Read More
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Letter to the Editor: TEA Party movement falling prey to lack of organization, power hungry leadership and political prostitution
BY: Roy Hollingsworth
With the taste of victory experienced by the TEA Party in the last elections came a false sense of power for some. As a loose confederation of like-minded individuals mad about government spending and overreach, the group found it easy to affect the political conversation. I was one of that number. But the details of policy are proving to be a little messier. The same group that railed at the audacity of then Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s flaunting of House rules to push her big government agenda have no problem demanding that Republican’s now do the same.
The current argument between House leadership and TEA Party activist’s swirls around that stalwart of publicity, Michelle Bachmann; the geographically challenged representative from Minnesota. Mrs. Bachmann has packaged herself as the TEA Party leader in the House by doing little more than grandstanding for political points. She, along with Representative Steve King, wants to add language to the current Continuing Resolution (CR) that will strip funding for Obama care from the federal budget.
Here’s the rub: The CR temporary spending bill is an appropriation bill, not an authorization bill. And you cannot take away "authorized" money on an appropriations bill without playing Pelosi style loose and goosey with the rules. If the TEA Party is about principle, then we should stick to that principle. If it’s now about winning at all costs, then some of our self-described patriots have shown themselves to be dupes at Bachmann’s self-constructed alter. I want no part of that.
Furthermore, many of the King/Bachmann supporters say they are willing to force a government shutdown over the whole affair. The shutdown would effectively slow government spending, but it wouldn’t cut government spending. And the House leadership is on track to do that across a large swath of federal agencies by passing CR’s, allowing for comprehensive reductions back to 2008 funding levels. This tactic not only follows the House rules, it puts our federal government back on a path to sustainable spending. We need not cut off our nose to spite our face. These problems didn’t happen overnight, and they won’t be solved in a week.
This lack of forward thinking by the TEA party “leadership” illustrates how the movement is coming apart at the seams. One of the latest state-wide leadership meetings attracted only a handful of people. Many Mississippians still identify with the basic TEA Party message of less spending and less government. But, I have spoken with a number of TEA Party members who believe that overzealous behavior and a lack of education with respect to process is exacting a price. The “cry wolf syndrome” without first studying all aspects and angles of an issue is pushing away many previously active members of the group. The members I have spoken with say current leadership seems to have allowed the new found power to go their head, as they begin to make decisions without consulting rank and file members.
TEA Party leaders continue to tout the organizations numbers for obvious reasons. But, the latest episodes show the gloss is wearing thin. The “mad as hell” antics are getting tired. It is time for the TEA Party to get serious about educating itself if it hopes to remain a force in politics. Launching an arm of the group that focuses on development of policy, procedure, and how to disseminate that information to members would be a good start. Until the TEA Party rank and file can have calm, considerate and informed discussions with public officials, we are ripe for the picking for state and national opportunists and personalities, and we will continue to fall prey to political prostitution.
With the taste of victory experienced by the TEA Party in the last elections came a false sense of power for some. As a loose confederation of like-minded individuals mad about government spending and overreach, the group found it easy to affect the political conversation. I was one of that number. But the details of policy are proving to be a little messier. The same group that railed at the audacity of then Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s flaunting of House rules to push her big government agenda have no problem demanding that Republican’s now do the same.
The current argument between House leadership and TEA Party activist’s swirls around that stalwart of publicity, Michelle Bachmann; the geographically challenged representative from Minnesota. Mrs. Bachmann has packaged herself as the TEA Party leader in the House by doing little more than grandstanding for political points. She, along with Representative Steve King, wants to add language to the current Continuing Resolution (CR) that will strip funding for Obama care from the federal budget.
Here’s the rub: The CR temporary spending bill is an appropriation bill, not an authorization bill. And you cannot take away "authorized" money on an appropriations bill without playing Pelosi style loose and goosey with the rules. If the TEA Party is about principle, then we should stick to that principle. If it’s now about winning at all costs, then some of our self-described patriots have shown themselves to be dupes at Bachmann’s self-constructed alter. I want no part of that.
Furthermore, many of the King/Bachmann supporters say they are willing to force a government shutdown over the whole affair. The shutdown would effectively slow government spending, but it wouldn’t cut government spending. And the House leadership is on track to do that across a large swath of federal agencies by passing CR’s, allowing for comprehensive reductions back to 2008 funding levels. This tactic not only follows the House rules, it puts our federal government back on a path to sustainable spending. We need not cut off our nose to spite our face. These problems didn’t happen overnight, and they won’t be solved in a week.
This lack of forward thinking by the TEA party “leadership” illustrates how the movement is coming apart at the seams. One of the latest state-wide leadership meetings attracted only a handful of people. Many Mississippians still identify with the basic TEA Party message of less spending and less government. But, I have spoken with a number of TEA Party members who believe that overzealous behavior and a lack of education with respect to process is exacting a price. The “cry wolf syndrome” without first studying all aspects and angles of an issue is pushing away many previously active members of the group. The members I have spoken with say current leadership seems to have allowed the new found power to go their head, as they begin to make decisions without consulting rank and file members.
TEA Party leaders continue to tout the organizations numbers for obvious reasons. But, the latest episodes show the gloss is wearing thin. The “mad as hell” antics are getting tired. It is time for the TEA Party to get serious about educating itself if it hopes to remain a force in politics. Launching an arm of the group that focuses on development of policy, procedure, and how to disseminate that information to members would be a good start. Until the TEA Party rank and file can have calm, considerate and informed discussions with public officials, we are ripe for the picking for state and national opportunists and personalities, and we will continue to fall prey to political prostitution.
You better pull up you paintses!
Jackson Man Cries Foul In Saggy Pants Arrest
Man Says Store Owes Him Apology
JACKSON, Miss. -- A man said he's humiliated after being handcuffed and led out of a Jackson grocery store.
Clint Jackson said a security guard cuffed him at the Kroger on Terry Road when he went to buy a few items from the store. He said he heard a loud voice behind him when he got to the self-checkout.
"He yelled at me, 'Sir, pull your pants up. Sir, pull your pants up,'" Jackson said.
Jackson said he didn't think the voice was directed at him, so he continued to check out. He said that's when the officer grabbed him and put him in handcuffs.
"It was crazy because I've never been in a situation like that," Jackson said. "Nobody (has) handcuffed me and (is) about to take me to jail for my pants being too low."
He said his pants were not sagging on Saturday, and he feels like the store owes him an apology.
"He harassed me," Jackson said. "I feel like he embarrassed me, and I want something to be done about it."
Kroger in Jackson referred WAPT's questions to their national office for comment, but the national office did not return calls.
Man Says Store Owes Him Apology
JACKSON, Miss. -- A man said he's humiliated after being handcuffed and led out of a Jackson grocery store.
Clint Jackson said a security guard cuffed him at the Kroger on Terry Road when he went to buy a few items from the store. He said he heard a loud voice behind him when he got to the self-checkout.
"He yelled at me, 'Sir, pull your pants up. Sir, pull your pants up,'" Jackson said.
Jackson said he didn't think the voice was directed at him, so he continued to check out. He said that's when the officer grabbed him and put him in handcuffs.
"It was crazy because I've never been in a situation like that," Jackson said. "Nobody (has) handcuffed me and (is) about to take me to jail for my pants being too low."
He said his pants were not sagging on Saturday, and he feels like the store owes him an apology.
"He harassed me," Jackson said. "I feel like he embarrassed me, and I want something to be done about it."
Kroger in Jackson referred WAPT's questions to their national office for comment, but the national office did not return calls.
TEA Party wants it all and they want it now despite not being sure how to get it.
Bring on the Big Stuff, Republicans
Not even the craftiest incrementalism is going to cut it with tea party types. They're still mad as hell and now griping as much about GOP leaders as they did last year about Obama.
Where's the big stuff -- such as switching Medicare to a voucher system for private insurance and raising the retirement age for Social Security? Oh there it is, lurking backstage in the planning for next year's budget.
What about blasting entire agencies, like EPA, out of the water? Or defunding NPR? This is the sort of stuff that warms the cups of your tea parties.
High Noon in April
Republican chiefs on Capitol Hill get to crunch time in about a month, when the Treasury Department loses its borrowing authority if the debt ceiling is not raised. So far, GOP leaders have claimed they would not back more borrowing unless "meaningful" cuts are made.
An undefined standard like that allows plenty of running room to trim fat and call it meaningful -- except with tea party folks, who will accept nothing less than cutting bone.
Time is running out for Republicans who privately call themselves the party's "adults." They are facing a very public split with the kids.
Not even the craftiest incrementalism is going to cut it with tea party types. They're still mad as hell and now griping as much about GOP leaders as they did last year about Obama.
Where's the big stuff -- such as switching Medicare to a voucher system for private insurance and raising the retirement age for Social Security? Oh there it is, lurking backstage in the planning for next year's budget.
What about blasting entire agencies, like EPA, out of the water? Or defunding NPR? This is the sort of stuff that warms the cups of your tea parties.
High Noon in April
Republican chiefs on Capitol Hill get to crunch time in about a month, when the Treasury Department loses its borrowing authority if the debt ceiling is not raised. So far, GOP leaders have claimed they would not back more borrowing unless "meaningful" cuts are made.
An undefined standard like that allows plenty of running room to trim fat and call it meaningful -- except with tea party folks, who will accept nothing less than cutting bone.
Time is running out for Republicans who privately call themselves the party's "adults." They are facing a very public split with the kids.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Republicans mount first Dodd-Frank challenge
(Reuters) - Congressional Republicans on Wednesday will stage their first outright challenge to 2010's Dodd-Frank financial regulation reforms with a fistful of bills favoring private equity firms, derivatives end-users and corporate CEOs.
After months of trying to defund and defang Dodd-Frank at the administrative level, Republicans are finally unveiling draft legislation that would repeal or amend parts of the laws approved after the severe 2007-2009 financial crisis.
The bills face a long road ahead. Republicans may be able to obtain House passage, perhaps with Democratic support on some issues. But Senate action could be hard to come by and the Obama administration could veto any measure it opposes.
"It's the first direct assault," said a congressional aide. "Up until now it's been about trying to deprive the agencies of what they need to implement Dodd-Frank."
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After months of trying to defund and defang Dodd-Frank at the administrative level, Republicans are finally unveiling draft legislation that would repeal or amend parts of the laws approved after the severe 2007-2009 financial crisis.
The bills face a long road ahead. Republicans may be able to obtain House passage, perhaps with Democratic support on some issues. But Senate action could be hard to come by and the Obama administration could veto any measure it opposes.
"It's the first direct assault," said a congressional aide. "Up until now it's been about trying to deprive the agencies of what they need to implement Dodd-Frank."
Read More
Madison County Considering forming Regional Solid Waste Managment Authority
The Madison County Board of Supervisors continue the process of setting up a Regional Solid Waste Management Authority by voting 4-1 during Wednesday's meeting to hire a consultant to prepare related documents. The estimated cost for this is $30,000 which is not currently budgeted.
This new bureaucratic organization is supposed to provide "efficiencies."
On Oct 1, 2009, Madison County took over garbage collection requiring the purchase of 6 new garbage trucks at nearly a $1 million. Previously, a contractor, Red River, had the contract and picked up the garbage with 12 employees. The County needs 23 to do the job and the County doesn't have all the areas that are now annexed by the City of Madison and Ridgeland. Red River did all that area plus what the County is now responsible for!
In Sept 2008, Supervisor Tim Johnson defended/argued for the tax increase saying we were wasting $1 million a year on the privatized garbage collection.
Well, in Sept 2009, when the 2010 budget was prepared, instead of saving a $1M as promised, $500,000 (1/2 mil) had to be added to Solid Waste. This money was taken from the Road and Bridge account, which reduced funds going to County roads and the municipalities, and created 1/2mil tax reduction for property owners in the municipalities! A loss of precious revenues that were greatly needed.
So, the point is that we had great "efficiencies" when the garbage collection was privatized. Now, there is a proposal to form a Regional Solid Waste Management Authority who will be responsible to no one -- and they are supposed to provide "efficiencies".... Give us a break!
Wonder why one of these is needed in Madison County since we have no shortage of landfills? There are other "authorities" in the State... but, each was established where there was a need for such an organization due to shortage of landfills.
So, what would be the motivation to have an "authority" in Madison County? What are the benefits? What existing problems would be corrected with such an organization.
Assault on the EPA
No agency is in GOP crosshairs quite like it. Under siege on many fronts, the Environmental Protection Agency is in for a long haul and destined to be a hot button in the presidential campaign.
On Monday the House Energy and Commerce committee began work on blocking EPA regulation of greenhouse gas, a proposal that could also gain traction in the Senate because many Democrats, such as Nebraska's Ben Nelson, are expected to back it. The current 3-week extension of stop-gap funding to avoid a federal shutdown includes EPA funding cuts.
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On Monday the House Energy and Commerce committee began work on blocking EPA regulation of greenhouse gas, a proposal that could also gain traction in the Senate because many Democrats, such as Nebraska's Ben Nelson, are expected to back it. The current 3-week extension of stop-gap funding to avoid a federal shutdown includes EPA funding cuts.
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Barbour’s press secretary resigns amid e-mail flap
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour has accepted the resignation of his press secretary, just hours after it was reported that the spokesman sent e-mails with off-color jokes about issues ranging from the earthquake in Japan to former attorney general Janet Reno.
“Gov. Haley Barbour has accepted Dan Turner’s resignation as press secretary,” read a brief statement from Barbour’s office. “Laura Hipp will now serve in that capacity.”
Post reporter Karen Tumulty, who happens to be traveling with the potential GOP presidential candidate today, said the governor disavowed any prior knowledge of the e-mails and said he didn’t know of the controversy until he was asked.
“First I’ve heard of it,” he said at the time, before Turner’s resignation was announced.
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“Gov. Haley Barbour has accepted Dan Turner’s resignation as press secretary,” read a brief statement from Barbour’s office. “Laura Hipp will now serve in that capacity.”
Post reporter Karen Tumulty, who happens to be traveling with the potential GOP presidential candidate today, said the governor disavowed any prior knowledge of the e-mails and said he didn’t know of the controversy until he was asked.
“First I’ve heard of it,” he said at the time, before Turner’s resignation was announced.
Read More
Suzi Parker: Will Sarah Palin run as an Independent candidate?
Sarah Palin talks a lot about the Tea Party.
Palin, unlike any failed vice presidential candidate before her, has taken an opportunity and spun it into a gold mine. But to remain relevant in a crowded 2012 field of attention-seeking veteran politicians, Palin may have to make an unconventional move.
Although third-party candidates seldom win in America's two-party system, they can certainly rain on political parades. At the same time, they can help down-ballot candidates by getting voters to the polls who might otherwise stay at home.
Palin certainly has many of the qualities of a third-party candidate – charismatic and passionate, with a status as an outsider intent on storming the barricades of the establishment.
Read More
Palin, unlike any failed vice presidential candidate before her, has taken an opportunity and spun it into a gold mine. But to remain relevant in a crowded 2012 field of attention-seeking veteran politicians, Palin may have to make an unconventional move.
Although third-party candidates seldom win in America's two-party system, they can certainly rain on political parades. At the same time, they can help down-ballot candidates by getting voters to the polls who might otherwise stay at home.
Palin certainly has many of the qualities of a third-party candidate – charismatic and passionate, with a status as an outsider intent on storming the barricades of the establishment.
Read More
Monday, March 14, 2011
JJ asks if Lt. Guv's leadership is now in question following redistricting fiasco
Redistricting: Phil Bryant's albatross or just a small bump?
Negligence? What exactly do you mean, Kingfish? Simple. Mr. Bryant appoints the committee chairman. That is one of the perks of being a Lieutenant Governor. He could have made it real clear to Mr. Burton what was expected of him. He probably could have solved the lame duck problem by obtaining support from Billy Hewes and Tate Reeves to tell him regardless of who succeeded Mr. Bryant, the winner will hold him accountable. If Mr. Bryant was a leader in the mold of say, Buddy Newman, the plan would have already been drawn up and handed to Burton with the orders "Here it is, hold your hearings, make your findings, then produce this map." Mr. Bryant and his represen-tatives could have been involved with the drawing up of the plan from the beginning, thus ensuring a more favorable outcome. A committee chairman ignoring a leader of his chamber in such a manner would have never happened under Newman, Tim Ford, Brad Dye, or even Amy Tuck....... or Sillers.
However, Mr. Bryant did none of these things. He handed the ball off to a bi-partisan committee, ignored its work, then discovered too late the committee drew a map that not only did he not like but one that would also cause problems for him in his own party. Mr. Burton and his committee completely blew off the Lieutenant Governor and did an end run around him as the Burton-Bryan plan passed the Senate. Mr. Bryant is undoubtedly hoping to save face in a conference committee scrum where the whole redistricting mess will eventually land. The defining moment took place during the debate: Democrats praised the plan from the floor of the Senate while only a few Republicans meekly opposed it.
More than a few Republican insiders are questioning Mr. Bryant's ability to lead or even count votes. The most common statement made last week about the redistricting mess was "How can Mr. Bryant deal with the legislature as Governor when he can't even control it as Lieutenant Governor" or "Does he even know what is going on in his own chamber?" Serious questions. The Lieutenant Governor enjoys much more power over the legislature than does the Governor. Barbour's legislative success is due to three things: His ability to use the special session rules in his favor, the use of the Senate to counteract the House, and is ability to count votes (which in turn depends on knowing everything that goes on in the legislature). Governor Musgrove found out how weak the office really is despite being a former Senator, former Lieutenant Governor, and Democrat as the legislature repeatedly ran roughshod over him. Mr. Bryant looked more like Mr. Musgrove last week than he did Mr. Musgrove's successor.
Read More: JJ
Negligence? What exactly do you mean, Kingfish? Simple. Mr. Bryant appoints the committee chairman. That is one of the perks of being a Lieutenant Governor. He could have made it real clear to Mr. Burton what was expected of him. He probably could have solved the lame duck problem by obtaining support from Billy Hewes and Tate Reeves to tell him regardless of who succeeded Mr. Bryant, the winner will hold him accountable. If Mr. Bryant was a leader in the mold of say, Buddy Newman, the plan would have already been drawn up and handed to Burton with the orders "Here it is, hold your hearings, make your findings, then produce this map." Mr. Bryant and his represen-tatives could have been involved with the drawing up of the plan from the beginning, thus ensuring a more favorable outcome. A committee chairman ignoring a leader of his chamber in such a manner would have never happened under Newman, Tim Ford, Brad Dye, or even Amy Tuck....... or Sillers.
However, Mr. Bryant did none of these things. He handed the ball off to a bi-partisan committee, ignored its work, then discovered too late the committee drew a map that not only did he not like but one that would also cause problems for him in his own party. Mr. Burton and his committee completely blew off the Lieutenant Governor and did an end run around him as the Burton-Bryan plan passed the Senate. Mr. Bryant is undoubtedly hoping to save face in a conference committee scrum where the whole redistricting mess will eventually land. The defining moment took place during the debate: Democrats praised the plan from the floor of the Senate while only a few Republicans meekly opposed it.
More than a few Republican insiders are questioning Mr. Bryant's ability to lead or even count votes. The most common statement made last week about the redistricting mess was "How can Mr. Bryant deal with the legislature as Governor when he can't even control it as Lieutenant Governor" or "Does he even know what is going on in his own chamber?" Serious questions. The Lieutenant Governor enjoys much more power over the legislature than does the Governor. Barbour's legislative success is due to three things: His ability to use the special session rules in his favor, the use of the Senate to counteract the House, and is ability to count votes (which in turn depends on knowing everything that goes on in the legislature). Governor Musgrove found out how weak the office really is despite being a former Senator, former Lieutenant Governor, and Democrat as the legislature repeatedly ran roughshod over him. Mr. Bryant looked more like Mr. Musgrove last week than he did Mr. Musgrove's successor.
Read More: JJ
Candidate for Madison County Superintendent hasn't lived in the county
Madison County eyes residency of schools candidate
Independent says he's looking for home so he'll meet qualifications
Madison County election officials want the independent candidate for superintendent of education to prove he lives in the county.
"His residency is the question at hand," District 5 Election Commissioner Leroy Lacy said.
The commission, meeting last week, asked its attorney, Spence Flatgard, to write Patrick Henderson and ask him to show proof of Madison County residency no later than June. The commission is charged with determining whether independent candidates meet the qualifications to appear on the ballot.
One of the legal requirements for the post is being a "qualified elector," which means the candidate has to be a registered voter. That requires residing in Madison County for at least 30 days.
The question is whether Henderson is a resident of Madison County and whether he should be registered to vote there, Flatgard said.
Henderson, an assistant principal at Kosciusko High School, filed qualifying papers for the education post Feb. 14 but did not register to vote in Madison County until March 1, the qualifying deadline for candidates.
In his voter registration, he listed his address as Stumpbridge Road in Canton, the same as on his qualifying papers. That address is his father's.
Independent says he's looking for home so he'll meet qualifications
Madison County election officials want the independent candidate for superintendent of education to prove he lives in the county.
"His residency is the question at hand," District 5 Election Commissioner Leroy Lacy said.
The commission, meeting last week, asked its attorney, Spence Flatgard, to write Patrick Henderson and ask him to show proof of Madison County residency no later than June. The commission is charged with determining whether independent candidates meet the qualifications to appear on the ballot.
One of the legal requirements for the post is being a "qualified elector," which means the candidate has to be a registered voter. That requires residing in Madison County for at least 30 days.
The question is whether Henderson is a resident of Madison County and whether he should be registered to vote there, Flatgard said.
Henderson, an assistant principal at Kosciusko High School, filed qualifying papers for the education post Feb. 14 but did not register to vote in Madison County until March 1, the qualifying deadline for candidates.
In his voter registration, he listed his address as Stumpbridge Road in Canton, the same as on his qualifying papers. That address is his father's.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
East Flora still on the chopping block? What should happen to cover the shortfall?
Board trying to cut upcoming budget
Madison County educators are beginning to consider their options for dealing with state funding that continues to fall short of what is needed.
Dipping into cash reserves, cutting jobs, cutting paychecks or closing a school were among the possible scenarios floated before the Madison County School Board Monday in its first look at the upcoming budget process.
The idea of a tax increase was not among the alternatives suggested on how to cope with state funding that currently lags a cumulated $6.6 million below expectations for the past two years. The Legislature is still considering the funding amount for school districts for the 2011-2012 year.
"I'm not going to raise taxes on my way out the door," said Superintendent Mike Kent, who is not running for a fourth term in this year's election.
Possible options presented to the five-member school board by finance director Debbie Jones include:
•Take $2.7 million from the district's fund balance.
•Cut all teachers' and administrators' local pay supplement, an average of $2,000, which would be a savings of $1 million, and then supplement that with $1.7 million from fund balance.
*Cut 40 teachers' positions or cut 20 positions and take $1.7 million from reserves.
•Close East Flora Middle and take $1.7 million from reserves.
Which option would you pick? Vote in the poll to the left of the page.
Madison County educators are beginning to consider their options for dealing with state funding that continues to fall short of what is needed.
Dipping into cash reserves, cutting jobs, cutting paychecks or closing a school were among the possible scenarios floated before the Madison County School Board Monday in its first look at the upcoming budget process.
The idea of a tax increase was not among the alternatives suggested on how to cope with state funding that currently lags a cumulated $6.6 million below expectations for the past two years. The Legislature is still considering the funding amount for school districts for the 2011-2012 year.
"I'm not going to raise taxes on my way out the door," said Superintendent Mike Kent, who is not running for a fourth term in this year's election.
Possible options presented to the five-member school board by finance director Debbie Jones include:
•Take $2.7 million from the district's fund balance.
•Cut all teachers' and administrators' local pay supplement, an average of $2,000, which would be a savings of $1 million, and then supplement that with $1.7 million from fund balance.
*Cut 40 teachers' positions or cut 20 positions and take $1.7 million from reserves.
•Close East Flora Middle and take $1.7 million from reserves.
Which option would you pick? Vote in the poll to the left of the page.
Study Finds 5,000 Non-Citizens Likely Voted in Colorado
Chairman of House Subcommittee on Elections Pledges Review of Voter Registration Processes After a Recent Study by Colorado Secretary of State Revealed 12,000 Non-Citizens Registered to Vote in 2010 Elections and 5,000 Likely Voted
WASHINGTON – Today, Subcommittee on Elections Chairman Gregg Harper, R-Miss., issued the following statement announcing a review of state voter registration processes after a recent Colorado study revealed that as many as 5,000 non-citizens voted in Colorado during the 2010 elections:
“This report is extremely troubling and cause for a thorough review of the current registration processes implemented across the country, which I guarantee will be a priority for this Subcommittee. It also calls into question each state’s ability to enforce current voting laws and whether or not we need to pursue additional measures to better protect the integrity of our electoral process.”
According to the study conducted by the Colorado Secretary of State in conjunction with the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, 11,805 non-citizens registered to vote in the 2010 elections and 4,947 voted. The report also finds that without access to federal citizenship data, the state is unable to identify and remove non-citizens from its voter rolls.
WASHINGTON – Today, Subcommittee on Elections Chairman Gregg Harper, R-Miss., issued the following statement announcing a review of state voter registration processes after a recent Colorado study revealed that as many as 5,000 non-citizens voted in Colorado during the 2010 elections:
“This report is extremely troubling and cause for a thorough review of the current registration processes implemented across the country, which I guarantee will be a priority for this Subcommittee. It also calls into question each state’s ability to enforce current voting laws and whether or not we need to pursue additional measures to better protect the integrity of our electoral process.”
According to the study conducted by the Colorado Secretary of State in conjunction with the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, 11,805 non-citizens registered to vote in the 2010 elections and 4,947 voted. The report also finds that without access to federal citizenship data, the state is unable to identify and remove non-citizens from its voter rolls.
Barbour hires a blogger for online outreach
Barbour adds online communications aide
Haley Barbour's political operation, steadily ramping up toward a full presidential campaign, has hired a communications adviser to handle its online outreach, a Barbour aide confirmed this evening.
James Richardson, who was online communications manager for the RNC in the 2008 cycle, joins a team that already includes former 2004 RNC communications director Jim Dyke.
Richardson has more recently been a consultant to Senator Dan Coats and to the National Republican Senatorial Committee. He's also a blogger who's written quite a bit at RedState and elsewhere.
"Haley is very pleased that James Richardson has joined his team to help manage the national interest of bloggers and other online journalists in the Governor's political activity," Barbour's nephew and chief aide Henry Barbour said in an emailed statement. "Haley understands the significant role bloggers play in today’s political world and wants to maximize that dynamic medium."
Haley Barbour's political operation, steadily ramping up toward a full presidential campaign, has hired a communications adviser to handle its online outreach, a Barbour aide confirmed this evening.
James Richardson, who was online communications manager for the RNC in the 2008 cycle, joins a team that already includes former 2004 RNC communications director Jim Dyke.
Richardson has more recently been a consultant to Senator Dan Coats and to the National Republican Senatorial Committee. He's also a blogger who's written quite a bit at RedState and elsewhere.
"Haley is very pleased that James Richardson has joined his team to help manage the national interest of bloggers and other online journalists in the Governor's political activity," Barbour's nephew and chief aide Henry Barbour said in an emailed statement. "Haley understands the significant role bloggers play in today’s political world and wants to maximize that dynamic medium."
Wisconsin conservatives on the verge of defeating union activists
Morning Bell: Bravery and Common Sense Prevail in Wisconsin
In what Reuters is calling “a confrontation with unions that could be the biggest since then President Ronald Reagan fired striking air traffic controllers nearly 30 years ago,” the Wisconsin Senate approved a scaled-down version of Governor Scott Walker’s (R) budget-repair bill last night that would rein in government union collective bargaining powers. After securing approval from three widely respected nonpartisan agencies—the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the Legislative Council, and the Legislative Reference Bureau—Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald removed the appropriations measures from Walker’s budget, thus eliminating the need for any of the 14 truant Democratic Senators to be present for the vote. The State Assembly will take up the new version of the bill at 11 a.m. today, and if it passes, Walker will have achieved a significant victory for taxpayers everywhere.
The courage of the Wisconsin Senate conservatives cannot be understated. Before the vote, lawmakers were threatened with death and physical violence. After the vote, thousands of protesters stormed into the capitol building, ignoring announcements from police that the building was closed. Once inside, and at great risk to the public welfare, activists handcuffed some doors to the capitol shut. When security escorted the Senators to another building, a Democrat tipped off the mob, which then surrounded their cars and tried to break their windows as Senators returned home.
Senate Democrats, who are still hiding in Illinois, are now claiming that the majority’s committee meeting that broke up the budget-repair bill violated Wisconsin’s Open Meetings Law. But the Open Meeting Compliance Guide clearly states that when there is “good cause,” only two hours’ notice is required. The Senate majority did provide the two hours’ notice. If the Senate Democrats’ 19-day refusal to show up for work wasn’t “good cause” enough, certainly minimizing the opportunity for union mob violence is.
In what Reuters is calling “a confrontation with unions that could be the biggest since then President Ronald Reagan fired striking air traffic controllers nearly 30 years ago,” the Wisconsin Senate approved a scaled-down version of Governor Scott Walker’s (R) budget-repair bill last night that would rein in government union collective bargaining powers. After securing approval from three widely respected nonpartisan agencies—the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the Legislative Council, and the Legislative Reference Bureau—Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald removed the appropriations measures from Walker’s budget, thus eliminating the need for any of the 14 truant Democratic Senators to be present for the vote. The State Assembly will take up the new version of the bill at 11 a.m. today, and if it passes, Walker will have achieved a significant victory for taxpayers everywhere.
The courage of the Wisconsin Senate conservatives cannot be understated. Before the vote, lawmakers were threatened with death and physical violence. After the vote, thousands of protesters stormed into the capitol building, ignoring announcements from police that the building was closed. Once inside, and at great risk to the public welfare, activists handcuffed some doors to the capitol shut. When security escorted the Senators to another building, a Democrat tipped off the mob, which then surrounded their cars and tried to break their windows as Senators returned home.
Senate Democrats, who are still hiding in Illinois, are now claiming that the majority’s committee meeting that broke up the budget-repair bill violated Wisconsin’s Open Meetings Law. But the Open Meeting Compliance Guide clearly states that when there is “good cause,” only two hours’ notice is required. The Senate majority did provide the two hours’ notice. If the Senate Democrats’ 19-day refusal to show up for work wasn’t “good cause” enough, certainly minimizing the opportunity for union mob violence is.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
House Hearings over federal pay could get testy.
Federal pay and benefits back in the spotlight
The Republican-led House is scheduled to hold its first hearing today on the compensation of federal employees, pitting the Obama administration and federal worker union leaders against conservative fiscal experts armed with detailed reports suggesting federal employees are paid too generously when compared to private sector workers.
The hearing comes as state governments are working to overhaul public pension plans and scrap collective bargaining rights for state workers and as Republican continue introducing proposals to curtail federal pay and the workforce. Among the bills, some GOP lawmakers hope to cut the federal workforce by 10 percent, implement a two-week furlough of most workers, freeze some pay raises, fire tax-delinquent feds, prohibit federal retirees from earning workers compensation payments and cut the pay for overseas diplomats.
Wednesday's hearing is the first of several House Oversight and Government Reform Committee meetings on these issues that are also likely to serve as tutorials for freshmen members less familiar with the complexities of the federal personnel system.
Disagreements are likely to begin today with Rep. Dennis Ross's opening statement. The Florida Republican, chairman of the subcommittee on the federal workforce, suggests that federal employees earned an average $101,628 in total compensation in 2010 -- nearly four times the average private sector salary.
According to his opening statement, Ross combines the Office of Personnel Management average 2010 federal salary ($74,311) with statistics suggesting the government pays 36 percent of employees' base pay health insurance and pension benefits, plus the financial value of the government's "generous" paid leave system.
Those figures are sure to irk OPM Director John Berry and National Treasury Employees Union President Colleen M. Kelley, two of the scheduled witnesses who have spoken in defense of federal salary levels before. The others witnesses are Partnership for Public Service CEO Max Stier -- a relatively neutral, nonpartisan, well-quoted expert on the issue -- and American Enterprise Institute scholar Andrew G. Biggs and Heritage Foundation labor policy expert James Sherk -- who've penned detailed studies on the size and scope of the federal pay and benefits system.
The Republican-led House is scheduled to hold its first hearing today on the compensation of federal employees, pitting the Obama administration and federal worker union leaders against conservative fiscal experts armed with detailed reports suggesting federal employees are paid too generously when compared to private sector workers.
The hearing comes as state governments are working to overhaul public pension plans and scrap collective bargaining rights for state workers and as Republican continue introducing proposals to curtail federal pay and the workforce. Among the bills, some GOP lawmakers hope to cut the federal workforce by 10 percent, implement a two-week furlough of most workers, freeze some pay raises, fire tax-delinquent feds, prohibit federal retirees from earning workers compensation payments and cut the pay for overseas diplomats.
Wednesday's hearing is the first of several House Oversight and Government Reform Committee meetings on these issues that are also likely to serve as tutorials for freshmen members less familiar with the complexities of the federal personnel system.
Disagreements are likely to begin today with Rep. Dennis Ross's opening statement. The Florida Republican, chairman of the subcommittee on the federal workforce, suggests that federal employees earned an average $101,628 in total compensation in 2010 -- nearly four times the average private sector salary.
According to his opening statement, Ross combines the Office of Personnel Management average 2010 federal salary ($74,311) with statistics suggesting the government pays 36 percent of employees' base pay health insurance and pension benefits, plus the financial value of the government's "generous" paid leave system.
Those figures are sure to irk OPM Director John Berry and National Treasury Employees Union President Colleen M. Kelley, two of the scheduled witnesses who have spoken in defense of federal salary levels before. The others witnesses are Partnership for Public Service CEO Max Stier -- a relatively neutral, nonpartisan, well-quoted expert on the issue -- and American Enterprise Institute scholar Andrew G. Biggs and Heritage Foundation labor policy expert James Sherk -- who've penned detailed studies on the size and scope of the federal pay and benefits system.
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