Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
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
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.
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.
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."
Read More
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
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
Thursday, March 10, 2011
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."
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Ross makes it official
CL: Pelahatchie mayor to run for Mississippi Senate
Pelahatchie Mayor Knox Ross has announced his candidacy for the state Senate.
Ross said he will seek to take the District 20 seat currently occupied by state Sen. Lee Yancey, who previously has announced his bid for state treasurer in the upcoming state general elections.
If elected, Ross said he knows he will have to step down from his current post as mayor.
“That’s sort of the down side to the whole thing,” he said.
After serving as Pelahatchie’s leader for about ten years, Ross said he wanted to pursue a seat in the state legislature because he has seen the impact an effective senator can have on his area.
Pelahatchie Mayor Knox Ross has announced his candidacy for the state Senate.
Ross said he will seek to take the District 20 seat currently occupied by state Sen. Lee Yancey, who previously has announced his bid for state treasurer in the upcoming state general elections.
If elected, Ross said he knows he will have to step down from his current post as mayor.
“That’s sort of the down side to the whole thing,” he said.
After serving as Pelahatchie’s leader for about ten years, Ross said he wanted to pursue a seat in the state legislature because he has seen the impact an effective senator can have on his area.
Salter: Reeves-Hewes race perhaps most interesting in 2011
Rare is the Mississippi election cycle in which the race for the state No. 2 spot draws as much or more attention than the governor's race, but in 2011 that just might be the case at least in the Republican primary.
In the Republican primary for lieutenant governor, state Sen. Billy Hewes of Gulfport was officially joined by State Treasurer Tate Reeves of Rankin County this week.
Reeves' formal entry into the race is no big surprise since Reeves made a substantial impact at the 2010 Neshoba County Fair in terms of presence, production value and attendance during his speech.
With no Democrat emerging as yet as a challenger to the GOP nominee, all political eyes are on the Hewes-Reeves tilt in the GOP primary. While there is a race with some of the same political dynamics in the Republican gubernatorial primary between incumbent Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, Gulf Coast businessman Dave Dennis and Pearl River County Supervisor Hudson Holliday, the Hewes-Reeves race differs in that neither is a political newcomer.
Read More
In the Republican primary for lieutenant governor, state Sen. Billy Hewes of Gulfport was officially joined by State Treasurer Tate Reeves of Rankin County this week.
Reeves' formal entry into the race is no big surprise since Reeves made a substantial impact at the 2010 Neshoba County Fair in terms of presence, production value and attendance during his speech.
With no Democrat emerging as yet as a challenger to the GOP nominee, all political eyes are on the Hewes-Reeves tilt in the GOP primary. While there is a race with some of the same political dynamics in the Republican gubernatorial primary between incumbent Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, Gulf Coast businessman Dave Dennis and Pearl River County Supervisor Hudson Holliday, the Hewes-Reeves race differs in that neither is a political newcomer.
Read More
Saturday, February 5, 2011
KF tackles inconsistencies in the Hatch Act and the Madison County race for Sheriff
The issue of the Hatch Act reared its head when Public Safety Commissioner announced he is running for Attorney General and was mentioned in a newspaper article covering the Madison County Sheriff's race. The Hatch Act prohibits government employees from running for public office. The question that usually arises is whether state or local government employees are covered by the law. The Office of Special Counsel states on its website a covered employee is:
"An officer or employee of a state or local agency is subject to the Hatch Act if, as a normal and foreseeable incident of his principal position or job, he performs duties in connection with an activity financed in whole or in part by federal funds. Coverage is not dependent on whether the employee actually administers the funds or has policy duties with respect to them. However, an employee may have other duties in connection with federally funded programs or activities, and thus may be covered by the Hatch Act, even though he does not apply for or administer federal loans or grants or have any authority or discretion over the federal funding." Special Counsel FAQ's, Federal Law
Considering how many local law enforcement agencies receive federal dollars for communications systems, Homeland Security, anti-drug programs, and supplementing salaries, the Hatch Act probably applies to some or all of those who have filed qualifying papers for the Madison County Sheriff election: Ridgeland Police Chief Jimmy Houston and Madison County Deputies Randall Tucker, Brad D. Harbour and Mark Sandridge.
Read More at Jackson Jambalaya
"An officer or employee of a state or local agency is subject to the Hatch Act if, as a normal and foreseeable incident of his principal position or job, he performs duties in connection with an activity financed in whole or in part by federal funds. Coverage is not dependent on whether the employee actually administers the funds or has policy duties with respect to them. However, an employee may have other duties in connection with federally funded programs or activities, and thus may be covered by the Hatch Act, even though he does not apply for or administer federal loans or grants or have any authority or discretion over the federal funding." Special Counsel FAQ's, Federal Law
Considering how many local law enforcement agencies receive federal dollars for communications systems, Homeland Security, anti-drug programs, and supplementing salaries, the Hatch Act probably applies to some or all of those who have filed qualifying papers for the Madison County Sheriff election: Ridgeland Police Chief Jimmy Houston and Madison County Deputies Randall Tucker, Brad D. Harbour and Mark Sandridge.
Read More at Jackson Jambalaya
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
The Hill: Liberal groups worry president will cut deal on 'crown jewel' Social Security
BY: Alexander Bolton
A broad coalition of labor unions and liberal groups has launched an intense lobbying campaign directed at the White House in advance of President Obama’s State of the Union address.
These groups are concerned about Obama’s taciturn response to the proposal by his fiscal commission to gradually increase the retirement age and use a different calculation for cost-of-living adjustments.
Coalition partners held a conference call with liberal bloggers on Thursday afternoon to expand the public-relations campaign directed at the White House and Congress.
The Strengthen Social Security Campaign includes more than 200 member groups such as the AFL-CIO, AFSCME, SEIU, Campaign for America’s Future, National Women’s Law Center, USAction and MoveOn.org.
Many of the groups were members of the Health Care for America Now campaign that worked alongside Obama to push healthcare reform through Congress.
Now that Republicans control the House and Obama is facing reelection, the political dynamic is different and liberal groups fear the president might be willing to cut a deal on Social Security. Labor unions and liberal groups worry Obama could endorse a boost in the retirement age or a change in cost-of-living adjustments when he discusses strategies for reducing the federal deficit later this month.
“Everybody and their cousin is talking to the White House about this,” said a Democratic strategist involved in the lobbying campaign. “Nobody in the progressive world thinks the president ought to endorse the Bowles-Simpson Social Security stuff. People feel very strong about it and have been working it very hard.
“No one knows for sure where the White House is,” said the strategist. “Social Security has been the crown jewel of progressive policy over the last century. Just because so many people voted for the Bowles-Simpson plan and Obama hasn’t said anything specifically about the Social Security recommendations, groups are doing an all-out push.”
The Campaign for America’s Future plans to release polling data next week conducted by Stan Greenberg showing public attitudes about Social Security and the economy.
In December, former Clinton White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles and former Sen. Alan Simpson (R-Wyo.), the chairman of Obama’s fiscal commission, released their final recommendations for Social Security as part of a comprehensive proposal to reduce the deficit.
Eleven of the 18 members of the bipartisan commission, including Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.) and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) voted for the final debt-reduction proposal.
Kingson said the liberal coalition is also in the midst of planning a nationwide grassroots campaign to press members of Congress not to support cuts to Social Security.
He estimated the coalition’s budget is “a couple million” over the next six months, but that does not include the substantial resources that unions such as the AFL-CIO will allocate to allied activities, such as educating their members on the issue.
"In late January, President Obama will make his annual State of the Union address. It is important that he use the speech to send a clear message to those who want to cut Social Security — Hands Off!" stated an e-mail sent this week.
Hickey warned that if Obama embraced the Bowles-Simpson recommendations for Social Security, it would “split the Democratic Party.”
READ MORE
These groups are concerned about Obama’s taciturn response to the proposal by his fiscal commission to gradually increase the retirement age and use a different calculation for cost-of-living adjustments.
Coalition partners held a conference call with liberal bloggers on Thursday afternoon to expand the public-relations campaign directed at the White House and Congress.
The Strengthen Social Security Campaign includes more than 200 member groups such as the AFL-CIO, AFSCME, SEIU, Campaign for America’s Future, National Women’s Law Center, USAction and MoveOn.org.
Many of the groups were members of the Health Care for America Now campaign that worked alongside Obama to push healthcare reform through Congress.
Now that Republicans control the House and Obama is facing reelection, the political dynamic is different and liberal groups fear the president might be willing to cut a deal on Social Security. Labor unions and liberal groups worry Obama could endorse a boost in the retirement age or a change in cost-of-living adjustments when he discusses strategies for reducing the federal deficit later this month.
“Everybody and their cousin is talking to the White House about this,” said a Democratic strategist involved in the lobbying campaign. “Nobody in the progressive world thinks the president ought to endorse the Bowles-Simpson Social Security stuff. People feel very strong about it and have been working it very hard.
“No one knows for sure where the White House is,” said the strategist. “Social Security has been the crown jewel of progressive policy over the last century. Just because so many people voted for the Bowles-Simpson plan and Obama hasn’t said anything specifically about the Social Security recommendations, groups are doing an all-out push.”
The Campaign for America’s Future plans to release polling data next week conducted by Stan Greenberg showing public attitudes about Social Security and the economy.
In December, former Clinton White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles and former Sen. Alan Simpson (R-Wyo.), the chairman of Obama’s fiscal commission, released their final recommendations for Social Security as part of a comprehensive proposal to reduce the deficit.
Eleven of the 18 members of the bipartisan commission, including Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.) and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) voted for the final debt-reduction proposal.
Kingson said the liberal coalition is also in the midst of planning a nationwide grassroots campaign to press members of Congress not to support cuts to Social Security.
He estimated the coalition’s budget is “a couple million” over the next six months, but that does not include the substantial resources that unions such as the AFL-CIO will allocate to allied activities, such as educating their members on the issue.
"In late January, President Obama will make his annual State of the Union address. It is important that he use the speech to send a clear message to those who want to cut Social Security — Hands Off!" stated an e-mail sent this week.
Hickey warned that if Obama embraced the Bowles-Simpson recommendations for Social Security, it would “split the Democratic Party.”
READ MORE
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Could we please dispense with the Palin "target" crap.
BY: B. Keith Plunkett
Let me start by saying I'm no Palin fan. I think she's an opportunist. I doubt her sincerity, and her intelligence. Start "shooting" me those emails ladies. I can take your criticism. But, she hasn't a hooting chance in hell of ever being President.
Having said that, I want to defend her a little here. She's become the whipping girl for everyone on the left for using a graphic of a map that targets Democrat controlled districts with literal targets on her website. But, how about we cut out the holier-than-thou. The Dems did it way back in 2004, and even referenced their "targets" as being "behind enemy lines." There is also a video from 2003 on the same site entitled "A Country Worth Fighting For".
From the Democrat Leadership Council Website:
Let me start by saying I'm no Palin fan. I think she's an opportunist. I doubt her sincerity, and her intelligence. Start "shooting" me those emails ladies. I can take your criticism. But, she hasn't a hooting chance in hell of ever being President.
Having said that, I want to defend her a little here. She's become the whipping girl for everyone on the left for using a graphic of a map that targets Democrat controlled districts with literal targets on her website. But, how about we cut out the holier-than-thou. The Dems did it way back in 2004, and even referenced their "targets" as being "behind enemy lines." There is also a video from 2003 on the same site entitled "A Country Worth Fighting For".
From the Democrat Leadership Council Website:
The heartland strategy begins by choosing likely targets for Democratic gains. Let's go to the map:
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Henry Barbour profiled in NYT
There’s not much left between Henry Barbour’s house and the horizon. Since the tornado came through here last April, the house has sat on a bare hill, looking out over the meager remains of the surrounding woods.
It will be decades before that seclusion grows back, but Mr. Barbour is staying anyhow. He grew up here, his family is here and he has managed a career in big-money politics from here perfectly fine.
Whenever Mr. Barbour’s name has shown up in the national news media, it has regularly been followed by the words “nephew of Gov. Haley Barbour.” That suits him well enough; Mr. Barbour has no problem being a backstage player.
But he is also fiercely competitive, and his profile has begun to rise over the last couple of months, as Mr. Barbour, a member of the Republican National Committee, has led a widely publicized campaign to have Michael Steele ousted as chairman. The committee begins its annual winter meeting on Wednesday and holds its election for chairman on Friday, and few are playing a more central role than Mr. Barbour.
READ MORE
It will be decades before that seclusion grows back, but Mr. Barbour is staying anyhow. He grew up here, his family is here and he has managed a career in big-money politics from here perfectly fine.
Whenever Mr. Barbour’s name has shown up in the national news media, it has regularly been followed by the words “nephew of Gov. Haley Barbour.” That suits him well enough; Mr. Barbour has no problem being a backstage player.
But he is also fiercely competitive, and his profile has begun to rise over the last couple of months, as Mr. Barbour, a member of the Republican National Committee, has led a widely publicized campaign to have Michael Steele ousted as chairman. The committee begins its annual winter meeting on Wednesday and holds its election for chairman on Friday, and few are playing a more central role than Mr. Barbour.
READ MORE
Monday, January 10, 2011
DeLay Sentenced to Three Years in Prison
A Texas judge sentenced former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) to a three-year prison term Monday for his role in a scheme that violated the state’s campaign finance laws and funneled corporate funds to candidates in 2002, the Associated Press reported.
A jury convicted DeLay in late November on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He is expected to appeal.
DeLay was accused under a 2005 indictment of illegally funneling to state candidates $190,000 in corporate money collected by his state political action committee through the Republican National Committee in 2002. State laws prohibit such funds from being used for political campaigns.
DeLay denied wrongdoing in the case. The AP reported that his attorney had sought probation, rather than a prison term.
Texas Judge Pat Priest could have sentenced DeLay to life in prison. Instead, DeLay was sentenced to three years in prison on the conspiracy charge and 10 years of probation on the money-laundering charge, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
Read More
A jury convicted DeLay in late November on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He is expected to appeal.
DeLay was accused under a 2005 indictment of illegally funneling to state candidates $190,000 in corporate money collected by his state political action committee through the Republican National Committee in 2002. State laws prohibit such funds from being used for political campaigns.
DeLay denied wrongdoing in the case. The AP reported that his attorney had sought probation, rather than a prison term.
Texas Judge Pat Priest could have sentenced DeLay to life in prison. Instead, DeLay was sentenced to three years in prison on the conspiracy charge and 10 years of probation on the money-laundering charge, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
Read More
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Dems prove early that the 112th will be no different than the 111th: Games, Games, Games
“Despite the fact that they read the Constitution today, they should have read it yesterday, actually,” one senior Democratic aide said. “I guess swearing in their Members wasn’t part of their pledge.”
The aide was referring to the adjourning of a GOP hearing on a health care repeal resolution.
Rules Chairman David Dreier (R-Calif.) abruptly adjourned a hearing on a GOP health care repeal resolution Thursday after he became aware that Rep. Pete Sessions was not sworn in as a Member of the 112th Congress, committee spokeswoman Jo Maney said.
The Texas Republican was not on the floor during Wednesday’s swearing-in ceremony. But he was the Member who offered the motion to constitute the Rules Committee.
The aide was referring to the adjourning of a GOP hearing on a health care repeal resolution.
Rules Chairman David Dreier (R-Calif.) abruptly adjourned a hearing on a GOP health care repeal resolution Thursday after he became aware that Rep. Pete Sessions was not sworn in as a Member of the 112th Congress, committee spokeswoman Jo Maney said.
The Texas Republican was not on the floor during Wednesday’s swearing-in ceremony. But he was the Member who offered the motion to constitute the Rules Committee.
Friday, December 17, 2010
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