Harper supports new COLA formula for Seniors, rejects pay raise for himself.

U.S. Representative Gregg Harper renewed his call for the passage of H.R. 5305, the “CPI for Seniors Act” following today’s announcement that Social Security beneficiaries will not receive an increase in payments for the second consecutive year. Harper is one of five original co-sponsors of this legislation.

“I am excited about working with Members of Congress to enact this important legislation that will have a positive impact on Mississippi’s seniors,” said Harper, a freshman Republican who represents Mississippi’s Third Congressional District. “This formula would better measure seniors’ expenses, most of which are living on a fixed income and battling this economic downturn.”

The current index that is used by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). For the second year in a row, this index has not increased over the 2008 level, which is the last year seniors received a COLA increase.

The “CPI for Seniors Act” was introduced by Representative John Duncan Jr. of Tennessee and would establish a new Consumer Price Index for Seniors (CPI-S) so that annual Social Security COLAs can be more fairly determined. This legislation would direct the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to finally determine a new CPI-S formula for seniors that more accurately reflects the costs incurred by older Americans, specifically individuals in the United States who are 62 years of age or older.

Many seniors have complained that Members of Congress received a pay raise for 2010 and 2011 while their benefits remained the same. Although the Employment Cost Index (ECI) – the formula used for Congressional pay adjustments – calculated a total three percent increase for 2010 and 2011, Congress denied the additional pay with Harper voting for no increase in his pay in both years.

“With nearly one in 10 Mississippians out of a job and seniors being denied a COLA, it would be completely inappropriate and irrational for me to accept a pay raise,” added Harper. “Congress should not delay consideration of this legislation that will provide more precise payments to our senior citizens.”

H.R. 5305 was referred to the House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions on June 29, 2010.

Deadline for Madison town square extended

Developers have more time to come up with plans to develop Madison’s town square.

The city, along with the Madison Square Redevelopment Authority (MSRA), recently extended the deadline for proposals for the highly anticipated project to January 18.

Alan Hoops, director of Community Development, said the original deadline was in August. “We had at least two interested developers who wanted more time,” he said.

While construction might not begin as soon as city officials had hoped, extending the deadline has had at least one benefit. Since making the decision, other builders have also shown interest in the project.

“We’ve sent out requests for proposals to at least two or three developers. One of them is in south Florida and the other is from Arkansas,” Hoops said. “There is a company that advertises projects like this for developers and we were picked up.” The city didn’t pay for the advertising and Hoops couldn’t think of the name of the company during the interview.

He said the number of developers showing interest in the square is about what city leaders expected.

Contractors can make proposals to lease the property or buy the property from the city. Ideally, Hoops would like to see a developer chosen who already has tenants lined up to move in as soon as buildings go up.

The square will sit on approximately 17 acres bordered by U.S. 51, Madison Avenue, Main Street and Magnolia Street

Read more: NS

Obama and the Black Farmer: Something for Nothing.

Obama Wants $1.25 B to Compensate up to 66,000 African American Farmers for USDA Discrimination in 1981-96; Census Says African American Farmers Peaked at 33,000 in Those Years


President Barack Obama is requesting $1.15 billion from Congress—to add to a $100-million earmark he pushed through Congress in 2008 when he was a senator—to create a $1.25 billion federal fund to settle discrimination claims by what the Justice Department says is 66,000 African Americans who “farmed or attempted to farm” and were allegedly the victims of discrimination committed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) during the period from Jan. 1, 1981 to Dec. 31, 1996.

During that 16-year period, however, the number of African American farm operators in the United States peaked at 33,000 in 1982, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. By 1992, says the Census Bureau, the number of African American farmers had fallen as low as 19,000. (There were 2.24 million total farmers in the United States in 1982 and 1.93 million in 1992.)

A "farm operator," according to the Census, is "a person who operates a farm, either doing the work or making day-to-day decisions." Farm operators include both individuals who own farms and who rent them.


Read More: Obama Wants $1.25 B to Compensate up to 66,000 African American Farmers for USDA Discrimination in 1981-96; Census Says African American Farmers Peaked at 33,000 in Those Years

2 arrested in child-porn case

A mother and son were arrested on child pornography charges Tuesday.

Keyes Pierce

Keyes Pierce, 28, was charged with four counts of possession of child pornography. His bond was set at $1 million, or $250,000 per count, by Municipal Judge Dale Danks Jr.

Lisa Pierce

Pierce's mother, Lisa Louise Pierce, 52, who lives in Florence, was charged with one count of accessory after the fact of possession of child pornography. Her bond was set at $50,000.

Both were being held at the Madison County Detention Center in Canton.

They were arrested after Madison police and members of the state attorney general's Internet Crimes Against Children unit served a search warrant at 388 Sundial Road in an investigation of alleged possession of child pornography.

CL

Canton Flea Market Today

If you have business in Canton today, reschedule.

The Flea Market will be from 8-5. Held on the second Thursday in May and October, it began in 1965 as an art show on the grounds of the Courthouse. It now takes up several streets, and attracts many thousands of visitors.

AP: 700 MS homes in foreclosure in 3rd quarter

Lenders took back the property of just over 700 Mississippi homeowners during the third quarter of 2010, a national company that tracks foreclosures reported Thursday.

Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac said that although foreclosure action picked up overall, there was a slight decline from August to September.

RealtyTrac said that in addition to the repossession of 727 homes, another 705 property owners received a notice of a pending foreclosure sale during the July-through-September period.

One in every 885 homes received some sort of foreclosure-related notice during the third quarter. Mississippi ranked 46th nationally in the rate of foreclosure actions, RealtyTrac said.

Third-quarter foreclosure filings in Mississippi increased 40.1 percent from the second quarter of 2010, but decreased 35.5 percent from the third quarter of 2009.

RealtyTrac CEO James Saccacio said he expects to see a dip in lender repossessions in the fourth quarter, not because of an improving economy, but because some major lenders have stopped foreclosures amid questions about documentation.

On Wednesday, officials in 50 states and the District of Columbia launched a joint investigation into allegations that mortgage companies mishandled documents and broke laws in foreclosing on hundreds of thousands of homeowners.

The states’ attorneys general and bank regulators will examine whether mortgage company employees made false statements or prepared documents improperly. Employees of four large lenders have acknowledged in depositions that they signed off on foreclosure documents without reading them.

RealtyTrac said the Mississippi foreclosure rate dropped 10.9 percent from August and 63.3 percent from September 2009. Last month, there were 260 homes repossessed, while 264 were set for auction by lenders.

Those actions affected one in every 2,418 Mississippi homes, ranking the state 45th in the United States.

RealtyTrac reported that 930,437 properties in the United States were hit by a third-quarter foreclosure action, affecting one in every 139 homes. Nationally, 288,345 properties were repossessed.

The highest foreclosure rates in the third quarter were recorded in Nevada, Arizona, Florida, California, Idaho, Utah, Georgia, Michigan, Illinois and Hawaii.

CL: Ex-Canton official avoids jail time for animal cruelty

Judge fines Alonzo Esco, orders community service

Alonzo Esco

Former Canton animal control officer Alonzo Esco will get no jail time for two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and dumping.

Justice Court Judge Tommy Faulkner ordered Esco on Wednesday afternoon to perform 120 hours of community service with the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol.

Esco has 30 days to pay a $500 fine for each count and $320 in court costs.

Faulkner suspended the 120 days in jail that Esco could have served.

With two defense attorneys, Esco gave no comments and asked no questions during the sentencing. Faulkner accepted a handwritten statement that he expected from Esco 59 days ago.

“Mr. Esco has had a lot on his plate this year and he’s glad to have this chapter behind him,” said Esco’s attorney, Trey O’Cain.

Esco is suspected of shooting more than 100 animals and dumping the carcases in a Canton creek and possibly other sites.

Read More: CL

Congressman Harper on The Morning Show WMOX-Meridian (Video)

Congressman Harper talks taxes, Obamacare and more.

www.ustream.tv/recorded/10175666

Mitchell stretches to connect dots and Holland cries, "That's Not Fair!!"

Jerry Mitchell

In a Clarion Ledger story about meetings at MPB yesterday to find a new director, writer Jerry Mitchell plays up the connection of former Director Judy Lewis' resignation and her July 8 decision to pull the show "Fresh Air" from the lineup. Mitchell writes that Lewis resigned "amid criticism" for that decision. One can opine that the move to pull the show probably had something to do with the resignation. But, you just got to love how the writer chooses his words to say what he believes without any actual proof of a direct connection.

Mitchell also writes how the the show removal drew criticism and "sparked creation of a Facebook Fan page." I checked the Facebook Fan page. As of the time I write this it has 820 "Likes". That's hardly a massive outcry from a statewide audience. My own personal friend group is over 1,000 and I don't have a radio show, nor have I "sparked" anything.

Dr. Lewis' decision to remove the show was a bad move. I occasionally listen to Fresh Air, and I do find it entertaining. But, Mitchell's story is making a mountain out of a mole hill. It's only when you read on that you find out why.

Barbour! As in Governor Haley Barbour.

On Tuesday, MPB officials acknowledged another programming decision that has raised concerns over fairness. They acknowledged their satellite feed of the Republican Gov. Haley Barbour's State of the State address in January did not to include the Democratic response. They would not comment further. Television stations around the state typically use those speeches to prepare their stories.


On Jan. 15, MPB sent out a news release for satellite coordinates for television stations to be able to pick up the State of the State speech. There is no mention of the Democratic response, which aired live on MPB but was not carried on the satellite feed.

Rep. Steve Holland

"That doesn't sound like that's being fair, but the governor has done a magnificent job of running the executive branch with an iron fist," said state Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville. "All hail, President Barbour."

Turns out the Guv's State of the State Speech was underwritten by a sponsor, and the Democrat's apparently couldn't find someone to pay for the response time.

"My guess is that if the Democrat response had been sponsored, MPB would have put that on the satellite feed as well," said Governor Barbour Spokesman Dan Turner.


"Virtually every entity receiving any significant state funding has been forced to make changes in the way they have operated in years past," Turner said.

Mitchell's stories are less about what he writes and more about what he conveniently leaves out in order to make his point. How many television stations from around the state watched it on MPB and didn't actually need the satellite feed? The Democrat response did air on the MPB channels, just not on the feed. And, how many stations actually had a crew a the capitol? How many stations know a Democrat they can immediately call for follow up questions? Mitchell makes it sound as if those poor souls at televison stations across the state don't know how to pick up a phone. And, he does all this by playing up a slight connection, and downplaying numerous other points that nullify his argument.

He's merely looking to play up the "evil" Governor Barbour/Republican angle, and will make whatever stretch he can to do it.

MCH: Funding request may get OK in '11

Madison County has denied Canton's request for a 76 percent increase in firefighting funds, but the county's interest could reignite early in 2011.

"I don't have a problem reimbursing them, but I don't have the numbers right now to justify it," county fire coordinator Mack Pigg said.

Calling the handling of calls in the county a financial burden, Canton officials asked the Board of Supervisors last week to increase the financial assistance the city receives from $17,000 to $30,000 annually. The city's year-to-year agreement with the county to assist with calls ended Sept. 30.

The supervisors, at Pigg's recommendation, agreed to extend the contract, now in its third year, but at the current $17,000 level, for now.

"We don't have the money to guarantee" the higher pay, Pigg said.

The county pays Canton, Flora and its five volunteer departments contracted amounts from fire insurance rebate funds and uses the rest of the money for major fire safety expenses throughout the county. Last year, the county received $124,000 in fire insurance rebates. Madison and Ridgeland have mutual aid agreements with the county but receive no money.

"I don't want to cost Canton any money, but I don't want to pull any numbers from the air," Pigg said. "We don't want them to be operating in a deficit."

Pigg said he needs to determine how much insurance rebate money the county will get in 2011 before Canton can get an increase. The rebate, issued through the Mississippi Department of Insurance, is based on population, Pigg said. Once census data is received early next year, the amount of the county's rebate will be known, he said.

"I don't want to commit to Canton, not knowing any figures now," Pigg said. "We want to show justification on how much this is costing the city of Canton."

Canton Mayor Richard Truly told the supervisors the city would appreciate consideration of the higher fees "because of increased medical calls and increased fuel and equipment costs."

Read More: MCH

Teen charged in wreck that killed MRA teacher out on bond

Ethan Vansice, the 19-year-old indicted on a manslaughter charge in the death of a Madison-Ridgeland Academy teacher, is out on bond after turning himself in Monday at the Hinds County Sheriff's Department.

Bond for Vansice already had been set last week at $100,000.

"He came in shortly before 10 a.m," Lt. Jeffery Scott, spokesman for the Hinds County Sheriff's Department, said.

On Sept. 28, a Hinds County grand jury indicted Vansice in the Aug. 17 death of Leigh Anne Ward, 35, of Jackson.

The indictment states, "Ethan Vansice ... did unlawfully and feloniously, without authority of law, kill and slay Leigh A. Ward, a human being, by culpable negligence in the operation of an automobile."

On Monday, a woman who answered the phone at Vansice's north Jackson home and identified herself as his grandmother said she had "no comment."

Vansice is expected to be arraigned on Friday, Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith said.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

Read more: CL

No Cost of living Increase in Social Security Payments for 2011

As if voters don't have enough to be angry about this election year, the government is expected to announce this week that more than 58 million Social Security recipients will go through another year without an increase in their monthly benefits.

It would mark only the second year without an increase since automatic adjustments for inflation were adopted in 1975. The first year was this year.

"If you're the ruling party, this is not the sort of thing you want to have happening two weeks before an election," said Andrew Biggs, a former deputy commissioner at the Social Security Administration and now a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.

"It's not the congressional Democrats' fault, but that's the way politics works," Mr. Biggs said. "A lot of people will feel hostile about it."

The cost-of-living adjustments, or COLAs, are automatically set each year by an inflation measure that was adopted by Congress in the 1970s. Based on inflation so far this year, the trustees who oversee Social Security project there will be no COLA for 2011.

The projection will be made official on Friday, when the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases inflation estimates for September. The timing couldn't be worse for Democrats as they approach an election in which they are in danger of losing their House majority, and possibly their Senate majority as well.

Last Friday, the same bureau delivered another painful blow to Democrats: The United States lost 95,000 jobs in September, and unemployment remained stubbornly stuck at 9.6 percent.

Democrats have been working hard to make Social Security an election-year issue, running political ads and holding press conferences to accuse Republicans of plotting to privatize the national retirement program.

This week's announcement about Social Security benefits raises more immediate concerns for older Americans whose savings and home values still haven't recovered from the financial collapse. Many haven't had a raise since January 2009, and they won't be getting one until at least January 2012.

"While people aren't getting COLAs, they certainly feel like they're falling further and further behind, particularly in this economy," said David Certner, AARP's legislative policy director. "People are very reliant on Social Security as a major portion of their income, and quite frankly, they have counted on the COLA over the years."

Social Security was the primary source of income for 64 percent of retirees who got benefits in 2008, according to the Social Security Administration. A third relied on Social Security for at least 90 percent of their income.

A little more than 58.7 million people receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income. The average Social Security benefit is about $1,072 a month.

Social Security recipients got a one-time bonus payment of $250 in the spring of 2009 as part of the government's massive economic recovery package. President Obama lobbied for another one last fall when it became clear seniors wouldn't get an increase in monthly benefit payments in 2010.

Congress took up the issue, but a proposal by Sen. Bernard Sanders, Vermont independent, died when 12 Democrats and Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, Connecticut independent, joined Senate Republicans to block it. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, Maine Republican, was the only GOP senator to support the second bonus payment.

Mr. Sanders said he expects older voters to be angry when they learn there will be no increase for the second straight year.

"I do think there's going to be political fallout," Mr. Sanders said. "Many seniors who are spending a lot of money on health care and prescription drugs really are going to find it hard to believe that there has been no inflationary costs to their purchasing needs."

Federal law requires the Social Security Administration to base annual payment increases on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, which measures inflation. Officials compare inflation in the third quarter of each year — the months of July, August and September — with the same months in the previous year.

If inflation increases from year to year, Social Security recipients automatically get higher payments, starting in January. If inflation is negative, the payments stay unchanged.

Social Security payments increased by 5.8 percent in 2009, the largest increase in 27 years, after energy prices spiked in 2008.

But energy prices quickly dropped. For example, average gasoline prices topped $4 a gallon in the summer of 2008. But by January 2009, they had fallen below $2. Today, the national average is roughly $2.70 a gallon.

As a result, Social Security recipients got an increase in 2009 that was far larger than actual inflation. However, they won't get another increase until inflation exceeds the level measured in 2008. The Social Security trustees project that will happen next year, resulting in a small increase in benefits for 2012.

Social Security spokesman Mark Lassiter said the agency has no leeway to increase payments if the inflation measurement doesn't call for it.

Rep. Earl Pomeroy, North Dakota Democrat, who is chairman of the Ways and Means subcommittee on Social Security, has introduced a new bill to provide $250 payments to seniors if there is no increase in Social Security. Maybe, he said, there will be more of an appetite in Congress to pass it after lawmakers hear from voters in November.

"Costs of living are inevitably going up, regardless of what that formula says," Mr. Pomeroy said. "Seniors in particular have items such as uncovered drug costs, medical costs, utility increases, and they're on fixed incomes."

Washington Times

Citizens coming together for another attempt at change on West Madison Utility Board

Last month, residents who rely on West Madison Utility to provide water and sewer went as many as 16 days with neither. But, as most residents know, this is nothing new.

Over the years, attempts have been made. Local contractors and residents have tried to get involved to fix the problems. But, the West Madison Board has resisted. When confronted with the fact that they haven't been doing their job at board meetings, they simply go into executive session, and have even called the cops on residents who refused to leave.

As a result of the newest issues, citizens are again coming together to confront the board and find solutions to the decades old problem. But, after the latest meeting, it would seem that the board is still very defensive. A group of 35 plus in attendance on October 4 got to see the secretary of West Madison Utility verbally threaten one resident. The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said the secretary challenged her to fight.

 "She told me that we could go outside and pretty much she was saying we could fight," said the unnamed meeting attendee.

Promises of  no disconnections for the month of September were not kept, reconnection fees were charged, and some residents still saw bills in excess of $100 despite receiving no service from September 14 through September 30.

The citizens group has formed a committee and hired a lawyer. They plan to meet with Supervisor Karl Banks on Tuesday and ask for assistance moving forward. However, Banks has never been very helpful with this situation in the past, even going so far as to blame residents. Banks has used the problem to his political advantage over the past 25 years, but done little to help.

Residents are working with Rural Development hoping to have West Madison audited. Currently, rural water associations are only required to submit an annual "self-audit" to the State Auditor's office for review. That lack of oversight into the business practices of rural water associations invites mismanagement and misuse.

Questions have arisen regarding the award of a $400,000 grant many months ago to the utility that has never materialized. Some residents suggest it is sitting in a bank account unused. Others say misused.

Then there is the old story of the West Madison Director years ago who left town following the award of a grant, moving to Arkansas. The grant money supposedly disappeard with her. But, due to her connections with both Supervisor Karl Banks and Congressman Bennie Thompson she nor the money were heard from again.

Whether some of these stories are true or not remains to be seen. But, their is almost always a hint of truth, even in a lie. The fact that it is believable shows how far we have come, and how low West Madison Utility has fallen. If some of the mismanagement rumors turn out to be true there is further to fall yet.

If there is a silver lining, it is that the crisis has brought together the community like never before.

Said one, "Blacks and whites are pulling together and working hard to ensure that we no longer have to live with these injustices."

Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month at 6:00 pm. at the Kearney Park Community Center. For more information, or to be added to the agenda call 601.879.9718. The next meeting is November 1.

Related Posts: Here we go again! Decades old problems with West Madison Water District again rears it's ugly head.
Madison Co. Routes Water From Flora To Help Cover Outage
Madison Co. residents without water get relief


West Madison Utilities/Kearney Park

MIM: A Republican Challenger To Pickering?

Mayor Mary Hawkins-Butler

A couple weeks back state Auditor Stacey Pickering announced he will run for re-election rather than test the waters of a competitive lieutenant governor primary. I don’t think there is much denying that this was a victory for Republicans as Pickering looks likely to win a second term.



State Auditor Stacey Pickering

 However, last weekend Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins-Butler admitted that she at least had interest in running for state Auditor. She made that statement on the Red and Blue Review with Jere Nash as she was filing in for Andy Taggart.

To say this would be a shakeup in the race is an understatement. I would venture to say that Hawkins-Butler is probably one of the two or three most well known mayors in the state after the mayor of Jackson. Whether or not that is a positive remains to be seen. But for a Republican to run against a sitting Republican office holder would certainly be a game changer, and give political watchers like myself another highly competitive GOP primary.

MIM

Rasmussen Poll: Tea Party Participation Up As Election Nears

Twenty-nine percent (29%) of Likely U.S. Voters now say they are Tea Party members or have close friends or family members who are part of the movement.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 17% describe themselves as members of the Tea Party, up four points from late August. Twelve percent (12%) more say they are not members themselves but have friends or family who are involved in the small government, anti-tax movement.

Just after Democrats in Congress passed the national health care bill in late March, 24% of voters said they were Tea Party members, with 10% more saying they had close friends or family members who were participants.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 6-7, 2010 by Rasmussen Reports.

Rasmussen Reports

Congressman Harper says new job numbers report is "very disappointing"

Congressman Gregg Harper

U.S. Representative Gregg Harper issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Labor announced that the economy shed 95,000 jobs in the month of September.

“Over 18 months ago, American citizens were promised that unemployment would not surpass eight percent if the President’s trillion-dollar ‘stimulus’ plan were to become law. Sadly, Mississippi has lost 30,800 jobs since this promise was made.

“Republicans understand that the federal government does not create jobs, businesses do. This is why we urged the Democratic leadership to extend the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts before leaving Washington for the November elections. If the current tax rates are not extended by January 1, 2011, small businesses owners that pay in the 35 percent tax bracket will pay 39.6 percent. To boot, individuals that file in the lowest tax bracket will be subject a 50 percent tax increase, with their rate rising from 10 to 15 percent.

“The federal government should lend a hand to America’s employers, not weigh them down with more heavy tax increases. Today’s report of 95,000 more jobs lost in our country is very disappointing.”

Obamacare already coming unraveled: McDonald’s exempted from health care reform mandate

Bloomberg Business News reports that almost one million workers won’t get a consumer protection in U.S. health law meant to cap insurance costs because the government exempted their employers.

Thirty companies and organizations, including McDonald’s (MCD) and Jack in the Box (JACK), won’t be required to raise the minimum annual benefit included in low-cost health plans, which are often used to cover part-time or low-wage employees, Bloomberg said.

The Department of Health and Human Services, which provided a list of exemptions, said it granted waivers in late September so workers with such plans wouldn’t lose coverage from employers who might choose instead to drop their health insurance altogether. Without the waivers, companies would have had to provide a minimum of $750,000 in coverage next year, increasing to $1.25 million in 2012, $2 million in 2013, and unlimited coverage in 2014, according to Bloomberg.

The Associated Press reported Sept. 30 that the new health care law could make it difficult for companies like McDonald’s to continue offering limited insurance coverage to their low-wage workers.

MBJ

Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins-Butler talks about a possible run for state auditor

Mayor Mary sat down with Terry Cassreino of the Better Mississippi Report recently to talk about her 30 years as Mayor of Madison and her future as a potential candidate for statewide office. You can listen to entire interview via podcast HERE.

While Mississippi and the nation have suffered through the worst recession since World War II, Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler said strong management and leadership have helped her city survive.


Butler, mayor of the city of 27,000 just north of Jackson, said Madison has benefited from such things as growth in retail and the opening of a branch campus of Tulane University. Construction continues on new retail along Grandview Drive.

“There are some things that we had to cut, tighten our belt,” Butler said. “But we never want to do anything that’s going to jeopardize the safety and the health and welfare if the people.”

Butler talked about the recession, retail growth, Tulane University and her political future in a wide-ranging interview featured on Episode 11 of the “Better Mississippi Report Internet Radio Podcast” – which was released today.

Better Mississippi Report

Look for Dems to sling mud nationwide, but especially in the South.

I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left.

--Margaret Thatcher

If the former British Prime Minister was right then the article by Hastings Wyman with the Southern Political Report pretty much sums up what the Dems have to offer the American public . . . gossip, mud and negativity.

Wyman reports that Democratic candidates have launched a full-scale assault of personal attacks on their Republican opponents. We Southerners will see more of it than the rest of the country.

With the policies of the Obama Administration and the Democratic congress offering them little in the way of campaign ammunition, the Democrats – mostly incumbents – are relying on an onslaught of politically damaging charges, mostly related to past business and financial dealings of the GOP standard bearers. The personal-attack strategy is present in Democratic congressional, senatorial and gubernatorial campaigns in virtually every Southern state. This, of course, is not a Southern strategy. Democratic personal attacks have dominated campaigns in California, Delaware, New York and elsewhere, but it is especially useful in Dixie, where the Obama Administration is so unpopular. 

Hyman whittles the argument down to the current leadership not offering enough "campaign ammunition". But, if good policy is good politics then you have to connect it to the simple fact that folks don't like where things are headed. The article tries to make a purely political assesment, but it can't be disconnected from the reality of the situation. People aren't rejecting the lack of campaign hype, they're rejecting the redistributive effort and pandering. Voter's are smart enough to know that a flashy logo and an ad campaign doesn't put food on the table or reduce the amount of money they are forced to give to the government.

Hyman continues,

For some of the attacks, the Democrats themselves – either in Washington or on the state or district level – have done the necessary digging into the past activities of Republican candidates. In others, the news media – mostly newspapers – have done the negative research.

Wouldn't it be great if they did as much "digging" into the solutions that would alleviate the problems?

It is noteworthy that even in hotly contested Republican primaries, few of the political time-bombs were uncovered and defused, leaving the GOP with some nominees who are weaker than they were when they were nominated. Moreover, because most of the Democrats, especially the freshmen, anticipated a tough reelection battle and raised flush war chests, their campaigns – aided by Washington-based Democratic committees – have well-funded advertising budgets to make sure the negative message gets out there.

Sickening isn't it? Why build yourself and your constituents up, when you can knock others down to your level with the help of your DC committees?

The GOP is not responding in kind, but continues to hammer away at the policies of President Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi. “Pretty much all of our candidates are running on the issues,” says National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Andy Sere. “There are plenty of negative ads, but all on the issues, on votes and quotes.” He adds, “Personal attacks are not relevant to unemployment.”

Running on the issues. What a novel concept. One we can only hope isn't drowned out by the negativity.

Another One Bites the Dust: 3M to Change Health-Plan Options for Workers

First McDonald's warned federal regulators last week that it could drop its health insurance plan for nearly 30,000 hourly restaurant workers due to Obamacare.

Now this.

3M Co. confirmed it would eventually stop offering its health-insurance plan to retirees, citing the federal health overhaul as a factor.

The changes won't start to phase in until 2013. But they show how companies are beginning to respond to the new law, which should make it easier for people in their 50s and early-60s to find affordable policies on their own. While thousands of employers are tapping new funds from the law to keep retiree plans, 3M illustrates that others may not opt to retain such plans over the next few years

The St. Paul, Minn., manufacturing conglomerate notified employees on Friday that it would change retiree benefits both for those who are too young to qualify for Medicare and for those who qualify for the Medicare program. Both groups will get an unspecified health reimbursement instead of having access to a company-sponsored health plan.

The maker of Post-it notes and Scotch tape said it made the announcement now to give retirees a chance to explore different options during this year's benefit-enrollment period, according to a 3M memo reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. A 3M spokeswoman, Jacqueline Berry, confirmed the contents of the memo.

"As you know, the recently enacted health care reform law has fundamentally changed the health care insurance market," the memo said. "Health care options in the marketplace have improved, and readily available individual insurance plans in the Medicare marketplace provide benefits more tailored to retirees' personal needs often at lower costs than what they pay for retiree medical coverage through 3M.

"In addition, health care reform has made it more difficult for employers like 3M to provide a plan that will remain competitive," the memo said. The White House says retiree-only plans are largely exempt from new health insurance regulations under the law.

The company didn't specify how many workers would be impacted. It currently has 23,000 U.S. retirees.

WSJ

Demint: The Fired Congress

Senator Jim Demint

BY: Senator Jim Demint

In December, more than a dozen senators will come back to Washington and decide how much more tax money to take from Americans, without being accountable to any of them.

Some companies have a policy that once someone is fired, they aren’t allowed back on the premises out of fear they might do further damage to the company. It’s too bad Congress doesn’t have the same policy. Because before they’re replaced in January, all of the Democrats who are put out of a job in November will be able to come back and rob the nation blind.

More than a dozen senators will come back to Washington and decide how much more tax money to take from Americans, without being accountable to any of them. Higher taxes, cap-and-trade, amnesty, and card check will be top-priority items for the Fired Congress, otherwise known as the lame-duck Congress. They’re also likely to roll unfinished appropriations bills into a massive, pork-stuffed omnibus to snag every last possible earmark on their way out of Washington.

This must not happen. The only acceptable outcome of the lame-duck session is a continuing resolution to keep government operating at current levels of spending and taxation, as I pushed the Senate to do in 2006 after Republicans lost the majority to the Democrats. No last-minute earmarks, no add-ons, no tax increases, and no big deficit spending.

By simply passing a continuing resolution that kept the government funded at current levels until February 2007, Republicans stopped more than 10,000 earmarks from being enacted and prevented big spenders in Congress from wasting billions of dollars on pork-barrel projects. Then, 2007 became the year without earmarks, because when that temporary continuing resolution expired in February, Congress extended it for the rest of the year. We should adopt the same approach during the 2010 lame-duck session.

To stop a wasteful omnibus and instead secure a continuing resolution, Republicans must hold together. Fortunately, the GOP may have a few reinforcements on the way. Three new senators will take office immediately following the midterms — one each from Delaware, Illinois, and West Virginia, where special elections are being held to replace temporarily appointed senators. And the Republicans running in these races are eager to help.

Illinois Republican Senate candidate Mark Kirk has promised that if he wins, “I will become the 42nd Republican senator, with the opportunity to put the brakes on any lame-duck overreach.”

Delaware Republican candidate Christine O’Donnell has made it part of her pitch, too. “Who do you want serving in that lame-duck session?” she has said. “Someone who’s going to promote that very liberal agenda that can’t even get enough Democratic support, or someone who is going to push back against the establishment?”

West Virginia’s Republican Senate candidate, John Raese, who is up in the polls, has stated unequivocally that he would oppose the Democrats’ lame-duck agenda. He has said, “It is completely inappropriate for House and Senate Democrats, who would be in cahoots with President Obama, to take up any legislation that would significantly affect the country after an election that will considerably alter the political landscape of Congress. Any attempt to do so would be a slap in the face to all Americans who voted for a change from the liberal status quo.”

More candidates should go on the record with such statements. There’s a whole month of campaigning left before the midterms, and voters can extract promises from their elected officials not to let the Fired Congress pass major legislation. This is a reasonable request that even the Democrats should be able to support. Colorado Republican Senate candidate Ken Buck has called on Democratic senator Michael Bennet to promise to oppose any tax hikes Harry Reid may try to ram through during the lame-duck session. All Senate Democrats up for election this year should be asked to do the same.

Getting more elected officials to speak out against a spendthrift lame-duck session can help deter the Democratic leadership from cramming it with votes. It’s been reported that Democrats are considering as many as 20 pieces of legislation to bring up for a vote. After failing to get the New START Treaty (an agreement that hurts America’s missile-defense systems) ratified, to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell,” and to pass legislation to give amnesty to illegal aliens, Democrats see opportunity after the elections, when a number of their members won’t have anything to lose.

Democrats are also hoping that the pressure of a Christmas deadline will get some Republicans to break their way. White House senior adviser David Axelrod recently said he thinks Republicans will “blink” and help Democrats raise taxes as the end-of-the year deadline approaches. Republicans must not cave.

Democrats are playing political games and Americans are going to fire them for it in November. When the Democrats come back in December to box up their personal belongings, Republicans must make sure that’s all they take with them.

Jim DeMint is a U.S. senator from South Carolina.

NRO

MCH: State audit probing county contracts

Madison County officials can soon expect the results of a state audit that looked at the county's contracts for services.

"We will have a final draft in a week for the Board of Supervisors and a final report a week after that," said Laney Grantham, a spokesman for the Mississippi Department of Audit.

The final report in two weeks will be made public, she said.

The audit was prompted by months of questions raised by city officials, citizens and others over the county's engineering contracts and what county residents are getting for their tax dollars. Last year, the boards of Madison and Ridgeland approved resolutions for an for an audit of fees paid to Rudy Warnock, the county engineer. Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler has also questioned Warnock's business practices and contracted with an outside engineer to analyze Warnock's contracts and works with the county on road and bridge projects.

In a special meeting last Thursday to close out the 2009-2010 budget year, the supervisors did what [Supervisor Tim] Johnson called "housekeeping" to clear up some issues raised by the Audit Department. The board granted the authority to department heads to contact any vendors if they needed more information to finalize county business and not ask supervisors for the right on a case-by-case basis.

Supervisor Karl Banks agreed with the move, but added that board members also have the right to ask for additional information or verification on bills "because we are the ones ultimately responsible. Any claims that don't have proper documentation should be held until they can be verified."

The board also noted for its minutes, which serves as the county's official record, that board attorney Eric Hamer and Warnock have contract with the county until the end of the current term in 2011. Hamer said he was told by the former county administrator that their contracts did not have to be renewed each year.

Johnson said that contract issue also resolves questions raised by the Audit Department. "We hire a professional engineer and a professional attorney and authorize them to do contract work for Madison County," he said.

"As board members, if our attorney recommends a contract to protect the county's interests, we go along with him. The minute we lose that faith, we replace him," Johnson said.

The out-of-state engineer's analysis of Warnock's work, issued by Butler in February, offered the opinions that the county failed in having adequate controls over contracts and that Warnock's firms was paid excessive fees.

Warnock has denied all the allegations in the report. A majority of the Board of Supervisors has stood firm in support with Warnock and the county contracts with his firm.

Read Related Posts HERE

MBJ Video: Harper Predicts GOP House Victory, "Bigger Than 1994"

From the Stennis Institute Luncheon:

We're teaming up with The Blue Rooster for an October Surprise!

Anyone who watches politics looks to October with great anticipation. One can often expect a challenger who is behind in polls or who is attempting to gain a little more name recognition to come forward with a jaw-dropper just prior to November elections.
Well, here at the Harvester, we're helping engineer an October Surprise for our friends at The Blue Rooster just in time for another November election. And, you can be a beneficiary. After all everybody loves a surprise.

Here's what you need to do:

1. Go to the email subscription to the right of The Flora Harvester website and enter your email and follow the Feedburner directions.


2. Look to your email inbox, and verify that you subscribed.

3. Stay tuned to your email for a notice that you won a free appetizer from The Blue Rooster. We're giving one away every week in October beginning Monday, the eleventh. This should be sufficiently enticing to get you in to the restaurant to try the Best Burger in Mississippi (Frankly, the appetizers are pretty darn good too!)

The Rooster Burger. You're drooling aren't you?

4. Vote for Mississippi's Best Burger by clicking HERE . Enter in The Blue Rooster, Flora Mississippi, and the Rooster Burger. Be sure and click Done at the bottom of the page. Voting goes on through the first week of November.

5. Read The Flora Harvester. We'll give our online subscribers and Facebook Friends an opportunity to double the chance to win throughout the month.


We'll give away an appetizer every week starting Monday, October 11.

Now here's the kicker, the real reward for those who have a long enough attention span to read this far: The entire list of subscribers, including double-chancer's will be entered for a chance to receive a Dinner For Two at The Blue Rooster. We'll draw on October 29th.

Now Get To Work.
Enter, Win, Vote and Eat.


NOTE: Some restrictions apply: Offer good for two entree's and two non-alcoholic drinks.
Questions? Comments? Email us at floraharvester@bellsouth.net

Medicaid! Just Look At It Grow!

BY: Peter Suderman

At the beginning of the summer, legislators in Congress balked at a proposal to extend the additional federal Medicaid funding initially included in the stimulus. And for a moment, it looked as if the money might not come through. But eventually a funding measure passed. State budgets got a big break. Officials in several states had built an expectation of that extension into their budgets, and without it, those states would’ve been certain to face significant shortfalls. Now, thanks to that extension, the cost of Medicaid to the states has actually declined slightly. But the program is funded jointly by the states and the federal government, meaning that the size of the state fiscal burden isn’t necessarily representative of the size of the program as a whole. And a new report by Kaiser indicates that, in total, the program has expanded beyond what was expected over the last year:

This was the highest rate of growth in 8 years and exceeded the 6.3 percent spending growth that Medicaid directors had expected; higher than expected enrollment, driven by the recession and job losses, was behind the higher spending. State legislatures have authorized a slower 7.4 percent rate of Medicaid spending growth for the current fiscal year, but two-thirds of states said the chances of a spending shortfall were at least 50-50.

If you fund it, it will grow. If you fund it more, it will grow even more.

Despite the extra billions provided for the program, it’s not enough. (It will never be enough.) “There seems to be no end in sight for the fiscal pressure on Medicaid programs,” the lead author of Kaiser’s Medicaid report tells Health Affairs. And that, of course, leads to greater and greater demands for funding. Already there’s talk about extending the extra federal funding again next summer. Temporary funding is rarely temporary.

And rather than attempt to slow the program’s growth, or cut it back, Congress voted to make it significantly larger: Half of the new health care law’s projected expansion of insurance coverage comes through Medicaid. By the end of the decade, that law is expected to result in additional 16 million individuals getting covered through the program. Historically, state-based efforts to expand Medicaid have not had much success. And overall the program’s record is one of spotty health outcomes and rapidly expanding cost.

Stupid is as stupid does

Support for Repeal of Health Care Law Down to 50%

The number of voters who favor repeal of the health care law has fallen to its lowest level since the bill was passed by Congress in late March.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 50% still favor repeal of the bill, including 41% who Strongly Favor repeal.

Forty-four percent (44%) of voters say repeal of the law would be good for the economy, while 33% say it would be bad for the economy.


However, just 30% say repeal would lead to the creation of more jobs, showing little change since April. Thirty-seven percent (37%) disagree and says the law’s repeal would not lead to more job creation. Another 33% are not sure.

With midterm elections scarcely a month away, health care ranks as the second most important issue out of a list of 10 regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports.

Rasmussen Reports

Can you spot the Democrat in this picture?

Joel Gill sign sightings have begun in a few areas around Madison County. The one pictured below is at the intersection of Highway 22 and 463. Notice anything missing?  No mention he's a Democrat. No indication except for that tiny little donkey. But the word "CONSERVATIVE" sure is prominently displayed, huh?


What is Mr. Gill ashamed of?

Can you find this Donkey in the picture below? Hope your wearing your specs!

He claims he's the most conservative person running for Congress.

Can he be more conservative THAN THIS GUY LISTED ON LINE 3?

10:10 Climate Change Campaign creator's actions proves the campaign's uselessness (Video)

Franny "Super Carbon" Armstrong

Franny Armstrong, the creator of the self described climate change "blockbuster" movie,  admits that the only way she could make it was to increase her carbon footprint 10 fold. Begin watching the video below at around 1:10.

Fran has been quoted as saying, "If you're not fighting climate change or improving the world, you're wasting your life."

Funny that the only way she could "improve" the world was by burning enough carbon to fuel a small village.

The audacity of these people is stunning. They can rationalize almost any behaviour as long as it gets them to their end result. Does it make sense to increase your carbon footprint by 10 fold, in order create a movie to encourage people to reduce their carbon footprint?

Makes no sense. Unless your making money.

This idiot logic is so outside the realm of sanity that it might need a referral for medication.

Health inspector called on the Reds for celebration cigars

So much for celebrating. The Reds will be investigated by the Cincinnati Heath Department for violations of the state smoking ban.

Complaints of players smoking cigars indoors after they clinched the National League Central Division were filed Tuesday night.

Players could be seen on TV smoking their celebratory cigars in the locker room handed out by Reds owner Bob Castellini.

Five people called a statewide smoking ban complaint hotline, said Rocky Merz, health department spokesman.

USA Today

I didn't do it!

Another Obamacare Casualty: McDonald's May Drop Health Plan

McDonald's Corp. has warned federal regulators that it could drop its health insurance plan for nearly 30,000 hourly restaurant workers unless regulators waive a new requirement of the U.S. health overhaul.

McDonald's warned federal regulators that it could drop its health insurance plan for nearly 30,000 workers unless regulators waive a new requirement of the U.S. health overhaul. Janet Adamy discusses. Also, Neal Lipschutz discusses the exit plan that the U.S. has agreed on to exit the governments interest in AIG.

McDonald's May Drop Health Plan: The chain has told regulators it may ditch its plan unless a new health-care requirement is waived, Janet Adamy reports.

The move is one of the clearest indications that new rules may disrupt workers' health plans as the law ripples through the real world.

Trade groups representing restaurants and retailers say low-wage employers might halt their coverage if the government doesn't loosen a requirement for "mini-med" plans, which offer limited benefits to some 1.4 million Americans.

The requirement concerns the percentage of premiums that must be spent on benefits.

While many restaurants don't offer health coverage, McDonald's provides mini-med plans for workers at 10,500 U.S. locations, most of them franchised. A single worker can pay $14 a week for a plan that caps annual benefits at $2,000, or about $32 a week to get coverage up to $10,000 a year.

Last week, a senior McDonald's official informed the Department of Health and Human Services that the restaurant chain's insurer won't meet a 2011 requirement to spend at least 80% to 85% of its premium revenue on medical care.

McDonald's and trade groups say the percentage, called a medical loss ratio, is unrealistic for mini-med plans because of high administrative costs owing to frequent worker turnover, combined with relatively low spending on claims.

Read entire article: WSJ

Kingfish has the skinny on the rejection of Rudy Warnock's complaint against independent investigator Richard McAfee

The Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors cleared Richard McAfee of any wrongdoing in response to a complaint filed by Madison County Engineer Rudy Warnock.


Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins-Butler and Madison County Engineer Rudy Warnock skirmished a few months ago over his work for Madison County.

The Board took a nice long look at it all and told Rudy: sorry kid, better luck next time. The Board met yesterday and rejected Mr. Warnock's complaint. The Board informed Mr. Carson in a letter that was obtained by Jackson Jambalya through a public records request yesterday.

You can read the entire post and the document links at JJ

For Related Posts of all things Rudy go HERE.

Agency seeks eminent domain initiative on 2011 Mississippi ballots

The Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation says it will deliver more than 118,000 certified signatures of registered voters to the secretary of state's office Thursday in hopes of forcing a statewide vote on eminent domain.

The measure is designed to let voters decide on a proposal to prevent the taking of private property to give to private developers. Opponents warn it could stifle some economic projects.

The federation had faced an Oct. 6 deadline to submit at least 89,285 certified signatures to get the issue on the November 2011 ballot.

In 2009, the Legislature by an overwhelming margin passed a bill similar to the Farm Bureau's initiative. Republican Gov. Haley Barbour vetoed it, saying it could hurt the effort to recruit major manufacturers.

CL

MCH: Operation Jaguar to aid MC's military

Madison Central High School is commencing Operation Jaguar.

The community-wide project aims to reach out to Madison Central graduates and the uniformed men and women serving with them in war zones with a little touch of home.

"Currently, there are 369,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines located at duty stations outside the United States. Of those, 94,000 are deployed to Afghanistan and 56,000 are deployed to Iraq, some of whom are Jaguars," MC teacher Aaron King said.

One of those Jaguars is First Lt. Brian King, 2003 graduate of MC, 2008 graduate of the United States Military Academy and the brother of Aaron King, a 2005 graduate of West Point.

"It is the mission of Operation Jaguar to provide some of the basic comforts we all take for granted," said King, who is joined by Lt. Col. Mike Gentry of the school's Air Force Junior ROTC program, in leading the drive for donations of money and items for the troops.

Madison Central is first targeting Bull Company, which has about 200 soldiers, for the wave of toiletries, foods and fun items, Gentry said. "Then, based on recommendations from faculty and staff, we want to hit as many others as we can."

Donations will go toward deployed military personnel.

"It would be hard to say just how many former students are serving or have been deployed, but everyone knows someone who has either been overseas or is on the way," King said.

Read more: MCH

New Ridgeland Zoning Ordinances take affect in October

The City of Ridgeland’s stricter requirements for new payday lenders, pawnshops and other businesses takes effect in October.

Formal approval of the zoning changes by alderman came last week. The restrictions will take effect in 30 days.

The Clarion-Ledger reports that the new rules also affect tattoo parlors, title loan businesses, check-cashing establishments, cash-for-gold entities, nail salons and bail bondsmen.

The restrictions prevents such businesses from coming within 2,000 feet of each other. Those businesses cannot exceed 3,000 square feet of space, and they can’t combine into a single office to sidestep the new rules.

Ridgeland aldermen also extended the city’s moratorium on such establishments until Nov. 2, preventing any from moving to the area until after the new zoning rules go into effect.

The new rules don’t effect those already in business.

Ridgeland aldermen originally adopted a temporary ban on these establishments in Aug. 2009. That October, the moratorium was extended for nine months for aldermen to decide whether they wanted stricter or more permanent bans.

Other areas have adopted or are considering such zoning rules.

MBJ

Sheriff Trowbridge tells state lawmakers illegals are a "security problem", Commissioner Simpson disagrees

Immigration proposal sparks legislative hearing

A Mississippi sheriff told state lawmakers Tuesday his deputies take illegal immigrants into custody on a nearly hourly basis, and the booking process has burdened his department.

Madison County Sheriff Toby Trowbridge told a Senate panel it's difficult to keep track of illegal immigrants because they don't have identification and they may use variations of their names each time they're picked up.

"We encounter one or two people an hour in Madison County," Trowbridge said. "It's a security problem. Anytime you encounter anyone without identification, we view it as a homeland security problem." Not all of them face charges in Mississippi; many are being held for immigration authorities, he said.

The Senate Judiciary A Committee was holding hearings this week to gather information for a plan to introduce a bill like the law in Arizona that allows police officers to check the status of people they think might be in the country illegally.

Some lawmakers have said they would support such a measure during the 2011 session that starts in January. Opponents say the proposal could foster racial-profiling and harassment.

Mississippi isn't a border state like Arizona. Officials don't know the size of the state's illegal immigrant population, but most agree it is far smaller than Arizona's.

Trowbridge said the proposed law would help police and sheriff's departments by forcing immigrants to pursue legal status and get identification. But Mississippi Public Safety Commissioner Steve Simpson said he doesn't want legislators to pass an unfunded mandate.

Simpson said state troopers routinely ask for identification after stopping someone for a violation. He said detaining illegal immigrants isn't a "widespread" problem for troopers.

"We're stretched very thin right now and do not need a lot of unfunded mandates on us," Simpson said.

Republican Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, who observed the hearing, said the federal government's lawsuit to block Arizona's law shouldn't prevent Mississippi from pursuing its own legislation "that would stand up to a federal challenge."

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Joey Fillingane, R-Sumrall, said the hearing would help determine how the proposal could be tweaked to fit Mississippi's needs. After the hearing, Fillingane said the proposal "had merit."

Karla Valez, a case worker who works with immigrants for Catholic Charities, said immigrants already live in fear of being harassed. She said many would leave the state if a tougher law was enacted.

"Mississippi would be hostile," Valez said. "They would be targeting people who don't look white or African American."

Read more: TU

CL: Canton police probe burglaries

Canton police are looking into leads to identify anyone involved in a recent rash of burglaries across the city.

Chief Vickie McNeill said homes and churches have been targeted by criminals.

“It takes a very small person who wants to burglarize, and when you go after a church, you have no substance as far as I’m concerned,” McNeill said.

CL

SDN: A Talk with Congressman Harper, Part 1

By BRIAN HAWKINS

Editor’s note: The following is the first in a series of stories based upon an interview conducted Monday afternoon with U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper, R-Miss., at the Starkville Daily News offices. Today’s installment deals with Harper’s comments on extension of the Bush tax cuts and federal government spending. Other installments will be published over the next few days to address other issues.

U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper has had a whirlwind few days in Mississippi while Congress has recessed briefly before heading back later this week to finish work before its scheduled recess early next month.

“Probably the biggest single issue facing us for the rest of this year is what will happen with the extension of the Bush tax cuts,” said Harper, referring to the tax cut package passed in the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act in 2003 as proposed by then-President George W. Bush.

Not extending the tax cuts will impact Americans at all income levels, Harper said Monday.

“If nothing is done, then on Jan. 1, 2011, you will see the single largest tax increase in the history of the United States,” said Harper. “It will have a great impact at every level, particularly for the middle class. Every tax rate will go up.”

It would also mean that the nation’s estate tax — commonly referred to as the “death tax — would return at the beginning of the year. The estate tax is imposed on the transfer of the “taxable estate” of a deceased person, whether by will, life insurance or other means.

The estate tax is something he believes “needs to be permanently done away with,” Harper said.

“It’s really hurt a lot of family farms and other folks in Mississippi over the years, and we need to lay it to rest,” Harper said.

There has also been discussion by congressional officials — among them House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. — over allowing the cuts to expire for those making at least $250,000.

“The problem with our current economic and tax situation is those that making $250,000 are the small business owners who are doing the hiring and fueling the economic recovery,” Harper said. “They’re waiting to see what will happen with the rates.”

Federal government spending is another issue that will affect the nation’s economy. Harper said the current level of spending is a “roadblock and a detriment to what we’re doing” to try to create jobs.

“Non-defense discretionary spending went up by 84 percent the first year of President Obama’s administration. Deficit spending hit $1.4 trillion in the first year of a leadership with Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, (D-Nev., Senate majority leader) as composed to $400 billion in President Bush’s last year,” Harper said. “And there’s no real end in sight.”

Should Republicans win a majority of the House and Senate seats in November’s general election, there will be a push in 2011 to significantly reduce federal government spending to “pre-stimulus and and pre-bailout levels,” Harper said.

“That would be a significant amount. When we talk about the loss of jobs across the country ..., the federal government had the nerve to add over 25,000 new federal employees over the last year,” Harper said.

“We should be setting the standard and getting out of the way so that business can do its work.”

SDN

Congressman Thompson among those taking money from bailed out GM's PAC

Congressman Bennie Thompson

 General Motors has already sent money to more than 40 members of Congress.

Auto giant General Motors restarted its long-dormant political action committee this summer and has already sent money to more than 40 incumbent members of Congress.

The July and August donations from GM PAC are the first since the committee stopped donating after GM filed for bankruptcy in June 2009. Who’s on the receiving end? Both supporters and opponents of the auto bailout, Democrats and Republicans and, mostly, incumbents.

Much of the money went to powerful members who sit at or near the top of influential committees. In the House, Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Transportation Committee Vice Chairman Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) and Rules Committee Chairwoman Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) all received donations.

In the Senate, Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) received $1,000, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) — still the ranking member on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee despite losing a primary challenge — received $1,000.

The list of other GM PAC money recipients, according to Federal Election Commission reports, spans the political map from California to Georgia and includes those running for the House, the Senate and a handful of governor’s mansions.

Politico

HT Respond Mississippi

Viking Classic Kicks Off With Pro-Am

The Viking Classic, Mississippi’s premiere sporting event, is expected to attract thousands of spectators not only on the golf course, but also in the culinary tent.

The 2010 Viking Classic kicked off Monday and runs through Sunday at Annandale Golf Club in Madison. It will be the first event of the PGA Tour’s 2010 Fall Series.

Several days of rain canceled last year's tournament for the first time in its 43-year history. It still raised $560,000 for local charities, including $100,000 for the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children.

"Since our inception in 1994, we've managed to give $6 million to local charities, including last year when we were able to give just under $570,000," said Gene Simmons, the president of Century Club Charities.

Organizers said this year's event will have a $20 million effect on the area's economy.

The first round of the PGA tournament tees off Thursday at 7 a.m. The final round is Sunday.


Viking Range Corp. has agreed to sponsor the event through 2011. This year's purse is set at $3.6 million, with $648,000 going to the winner.

For tickets and information on the Viking Classic, visit http://www.vikingclassic.com/ or call the tournament office at 601-898-GOLF (4653).

WAPT