Two in custody in Madison carjacking
Two men are in custody following a carjacking in the Madison Burger King parking lot. The carjacking occurred at the fast-food restaurant at the intersection of Highway 463 and Galleria Parkway around 9:00 Tuesday morning.
The driver of the carjacked vehicle was put out at the intersection by two black men. They were making a turn against the light at Highway 463, and were hit by another car.
Master Sergeant Kevin Newman of the Madison Police Department says, "The Burger King Manager was leaving with a bank deposit when she was carjacked in the parking lot. One of the men was armed."
After the wreck, both men fled into a wooded area, but they were caught as they tried to elude police.
The names of the two in custody have not been identified. Madison Police say one is a juvenile. Both are black males. No weapon was recovered.
Officers from the city of Madison, Madison County Sheriff's Department, Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and the Mississippi Highway Patrol assisted in the search.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Update: Senator Lugar of Indiana changes his tune on House spending cuts bill in the Senate
Update: GOP Sen. Lugar says he'll support House Republican spending cuts
Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), who faces a Tea Party-backed challenge in his 2012 primary, has withdrawn his stated opposition to House-passed spending cuts.
Lugar said Tuesday afternoon that he made a mistake when he told reporters earlier in the day that he would oppose H.R. 1, the House GOP plan to cut an additional $57 billion from the 2011 budget.
“I’m going to vote with the Republicans on the issue when H.R. 1 comes up,” Lugar said. “If it’s strictly an affirmative vote, I will be for H.R. 1 because all the Republicans will be voting for H.R. 1.”
Lugar said he does not like the “formulation” of the spending cuts passed by the House and would like Congress to go even further to cut the deficit.
Republican Sen. Lugar to oppose House GOP's $61B spending cuts
Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), the most senior member of the Senate Republican conference, said Tuesday he will oppose the House-passed proposal to make drastic cuts to the federal budget.
He is the first Senate Republican to publicly state his opposition to a plan that Democrats have blasted as “reckless.”
Lugar, who is facing a Tea Party-backed challenge in the 2012 Indiana Republican primary, is taking a political risk. But he and other centrist Republicans have concerns about steep spending cuts that will eliminate funding for some federal programs in mid-year.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has pledged to schedule an up-or-down vote on the House-passed plan to put centrists on the record about whether they support it or not.
“The plan the Tea Party pushed through the House is an irresponsible plan,” Reid said Tuesday. “It’s a reckless plan. It’s dangerous for the health of our economy and certainly the citizens of our great country.”
Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) has criticized cuts to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program that benefits many constituents in his home state, where the temperature plummets in the wintertime.
The House bill would eliminate funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Planned Parenthood. It would also cut substantially from the federal nutrition program for women, children and infants.
Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), who faces a Tea Party-backed challenge in his 2012 primary, has withdrawn his stated opposition to House-passed spending cuts.
Lugar said Tuesday afternoon that he made a mistake when he told reporters earlier in the day that he would oppose H.R. 1, the House GOP plan to cut an additional $57 billion from the 2011 budget.
“I’m going to vote with the Republicans on the issue when H.R. 1 comes up,” Lugar said. “If it’s strictly an affirmative vote, I will be for H.R. 1 because all the Republicans will be voting for H.R. 1.”
Lugar said he does not like the “formulation” of the spending cuts passed by the House and would like Congress to go even further to cut the deficit.
Republican Sen. Lugar to oppose House GOP's $61B spending cuts
Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), the most senior member of the Senate Republican conference, said Tuesday he will oppose the House-passed proposal to make drastic cuts to the federal budget.
He is the first Senate Republican to publicly state his opposition to a plan that Democrats have blasted as “reckless.”
Lugar, who is facing a Tea Party-backed challenge in the 2012 Indiana Republican primary, is taking a political risk. But he and other centrist Republicans have concerns about steep spending cuts that will eliminate funding for some federal programs in mid-year.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has pledged to schedule an up-or-down vote on the House-passed plan to put centrists on the record about whether they support it or not.
“The plan the Tea Party pushed through the House is an irresponsible plan,” Reid said Tuesday. “It’s a reckless plan. It’s dangerous for the health of our economy and certainly the citizens of our great country.”
Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) has criticized cuts to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program that benefits many constituents in his home state, where the temperature plummets in the wintertime.
The House bill would eliminate funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Planned Parenthood. It would also cut substantially from the federal nutrition program for women, children and infants.
Monday, March 7, 2011
HUH? Obama Administration to promote financial capabilities among high-schoolers.
Challenge Prepares Students for Secure Financial Futures; Runs March 7 – April 8
WASHINGTON – Today, high school-aged students across the country will begin taking an voluntary online exam as part of the 2011 National Financial Capability Challenge. The Challenge is designed to enhance the financial capability of high school-aged youth across the United States by strengthening their knowledge of the basics of saving, budgeting, and investing.
"All of us - parents, educators, policymakers and students - share the responsibility to ensure that young people in our country learn a set of practical skills that will help them navigate important personal financial decisions,” said Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. “This Challenge will help students understand basic finance. It will help them understand what it means to save for retirement. And it will help them understand the risks and benefits associated with debt from things like car loans and credit cards. Empowering students with this knowledge is important for the long-term strength of our economy.”
“Our goal is for every student in the nation to get a world class, well-rounded education,” said Education Secretary Arne Duncan, “and that includes preparing them to make critical financial decisions. I hope the Challenge not only helps high school students get smart about money, but encourages more states and schools to make financial education a priority in classrooms as early as kindergarten.”
Congressman Harper denounces administrations move to tap fuel reserves.
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| Congressman Gregg Harper (center) |
“The White House would be ill-advised to reach into our nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves. While the escalating price of oil creates hardship and threatens economic recovery, there can be no denial that the President’s energy policies are short-sighted and restrict the advancement of domestic oil production. The same President who is proposing to release government owned petroleum stocks, which are held for national emergencies, has essentially halted offshore drilling by investor owned companies in the Gulf of Mexico. Instead of slowing the approval process for new offshore drilling permits, the President should be promoting increased domestic energy production from oil, renewables, natural gas, clean coal technology and nuclear power – ultimately leading to an energy independent America. Expanding our supply of domestic energy would lower costs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil from nations like Libya and create American jobs. This misstep by the White House is yet another example of the Obama Administration’s failure to enact an effective energy policy.”
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Federal Health and Human Services emails response to Utah instructing them not to use email.
Over Email, Federal Government Tells Utah It Can’t Use Email to Communicate With Medicaid Recipients
Utah officials waited for eight months to find out if the state would be allowed to use e-mail rather than paper to communicate with Medicaid recipients and save $6 million a year, he said.
"They sent us a denial by e-mail," [Utah’s Republican Governor Gary] Herbert said. "The irony is rich." The state is continuing to pursue that Medicaid waiver and several others.
I’m not sure which is more absurd: That HHS said no, or that Utah had to ask in the first place. It’s not particularly surprising, though, given the administration’s overall track record on the issue. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sent states a letter earlier this month suggesting ways they could make Medicaid more efficient and less costly. But the administration’s position on the matter essentially comes down to “don’t make cuts; instead, do more with less.” That’s just not a workable solution.
Utah officials waited for eight months to find out if the state would be allowed to use e-mail rather than paper to communicate with Medicaid recipients and save $6 million a year, he said.
"They sent us a denial by e-mail," [Utah’s Republican Governor Gary] Herbert said. "The irony is rich." The state is continuing to pursue that Medicaid waiver and several others.
I’m not sure which is more absurd: That HHS said no, or that Utah had to ask in the first place. It’s not particularly surprising, though, given the administration’s overall track record on the issue. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sent states a letter earlier this month suggesting ways they could make Medicaid more efficient and less costly. But the administration’s position on the matter essentially comes down to “don’t make cuts; instead, do more with less.” That’s just not a workable solution.
Breaking: Gill to run for Ag Commish
The Flora Harvester has learned that Joel Gill, Mayor of Pickens and two time opponent of Congressman Gregg Harper has filed to run for the job of Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner. Despite living outside of District Three, the Democrat twice ran and lost to Harper before winning the Mayor's office in Pickens.
This brings to four the number of people running for the open post of Ag Commissioner. Current Commissioner Lester Spell has announced he will not seek re-election. Others in the race include State Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, Representative Dannie Reed, and Max Phillips.
This brings to four the number of people running for the open post of Ag Commissioner. Current Commissioner Lester Spell has announced he will not seek re-election. Others in the race include State Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, Representative Dannie Reed, and Max Phillips.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Johnson to run against Dick Hall for transportation commissioner
Madison County Supervisor Tim Johnson has announced his intent to run for Central District Transportation Commissioner, challenging incumbent Dick Hall, who will be seeking his fourth term in the office.
Johnson qualified today as a Republican candidate and said he is running to bring jobs to Mississippi.
"Mississippi needs more jobs," Johnson said in a press release. "We can bring more jobs to our state by improving our roads and bridges and making conditions favorable for increased economic development."
In his second-term, Johnson, the District 2 Madison County supervisor, made it widely known for months that he had no plans to run for re-election, but there was broad speculation about what he would do next.
In late January he revealed that a run against Hall was something he was considering.
Madison County Journal
You have to question a person that lists Elvis impersonations in his bio when running for a state-wide office.
Tim Johnson news release
Johnson qualified today as a Republican candidate and said he is running to bring jobs to Mississippi.
"Mississippi needs more jobs," Johnson said in a press release. "We can bring more jobs to our state by improving our roads and bridges and making conditions favorable for increased economic development."
In his second-term, Johnson, the District 2 Madison County supervisor, made it widely known for months that he had no plans to run for re-election, but there was broad speculation about what he would do next.
In late January he revealed that a run against Hall was something he was considering.
Madison County Journal
You have to question a person that lists Elvis impersonations in his bio when running for a state-wide office.
Tim Johnson news release
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Longest serving Supervisor in Mississippi killed in "freak accident"
Walthall supervisor killed in accident
Longtime Walthall County Supervisor Travis Alford died this morning when a flatbed truck struck him while he was working to clear a road.
Walthall County Coroner Shannon Hartzog said Alford, 83, died instantly when he was hit by the heavy-duty work truck driven by Henry Baughman of Foxworth around 6 a.m. on Sartinville Road.
Alford was working to clear the bridge of a tree that had fallen.
“He was sawing the tree and attempting to remove it from the roadway,” Hartzog said.
Walthall County Sheriff Duane Dillon said because the case involved a county official, the state highway patrol worked the incident.
Hartzog said Alford was doing the work by himself when the truck came upon the supervisor. The driver was trying to dodge the tree and apparently did not see Alford in the road.
Dillon called it “a freak accident.” He said no charges have been filed or are expected.
Dillon said Baughman’s unidentified passenger realized someone had been hit and the two stopped to see what had happened.
Alford has been a county supervisor for more than 43 years and was well-liked in the county.
Longtime Walthall County Supervisor Travis Alford died this morning when a flatbed truck struck him while he was working to clear a road.
Walthall County Coroner Shannon Hartzog said Alford, 83, died instantly when he was hit by the heavy-duty work truck driven by Henry Baughman of Foxworth around 6 a.m. on Sartinville Road.
Alford was working to clear the bridge of a tree that had fallen.
“He was sawing the tree and attempting to remove it from the roadway,” Hartzog said.
Walthall County Sheriff Duane Dillon said because the case involved a county official, the state highway patrol worked the incident.
Hartzog said Alford was doing the work by himself when the truck came upon the supervisor. The driver was trying to dodge the tree and apparently did not see Alford in the road.
Dillon called it “a freak accident.” He said no charges have been filed or are expected.
Dillon said Baughman’s unidentified passenger realized someone had been hit and the two stopped to see what had happened.
Alford has been a county supervisor for more than 43 years and was well-liked in the county.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Flora and Madison County gets blanketed in snow.
Click on the picture to enlarge.
Email your pictures to keith.plunkett@ymail.com
Email your pictures to keith.plunkett@ymail.com
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| Flora Depot covered in snow February 9, 2011. PHOTO: B. Keith Plunkett |
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| Magnolia leaves under the weight of snow in Flora. February 9, 2011. PHOTO: B. Keith Plunkett |
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| Downtown Flora snow. February 9, 2011 PHOTO: B. Keith Plunkett |
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| Stacking wood in preparation for a cold night. February 9, 2011 PHOTO: B. Keith Plunkett |
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| Flora was blanketed by snow on Wednesday February 9. PHOTO: B. Keith Plunkett |
PETA pulling stunts again downtown.
I'm going to eat a big bloody steak tonight, just because of this.
PETA was apparently in dowtown Jackson today to show how classy the organization is. The picture below was emailed to The Flora Harvester. According to the eyewitness report the sign said, " Vegans 'Do It' better."
Not sure how long the "act" went on. But, the word is the cops finally ran them off, suggesting they had no permit.
Classy.
PETA was apparently in dowtown Jackson today to show how classy the organization is. The picture below was emailed to The Flora Harvester. According to the eyewitness report the sign said, " Vegans 'Do It' better."
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| Bet on a cold day like today this guys "manliness" is being severely challenged. |
The group pulled a similar stunt in April of 2010 when two naked women lathered up on the street corner. The two showered together at the intersection of East Capitol and Lamar Streets.
Classy.
Veteran political observer, commentator, and journalist Sid Salter to join MSU
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| Salter |
Reporting to Dean of Libraries Frances N. Coleman, the new position is designed to strengthen MSU's existing collections and to help develop a speaker series and other initiatives to enable MSU students to interact with leading U.S. journalists. Classroom instruction primarily for communication and political science majors will be among other duties.
The university's 2004 alumnus of the year, Salter was a John C. Stennis Scholar in Political Science as a student. At age 24, he became publisher and editor of the Scott County Times in Forest. He continued in that role for many years before leaving the weekly newspaper to become Perspective editor at the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, his current position.
In addition to duties at the state's largest newspaper, Salter served as weekday host for a statewide radio talk show covering politics and other current issues. "On Deadline with Sid Salter" aired in the 3-6 p.m. time slot on the Super Talk Mississippi Radio Network.
He was the first to hold the Kelly Gene Cook Chair of Journalism at the University of Mississippi, in residence at the university 1996-97. As one of the state's most respected journalists, he has covered politics from the court house to the state house to the White House.
"We are excited that Sid will help bolster our efforts to highlight the works of some of our state and nation's most outstanding journalists," Coleman said. "He is held in high regard within the profession, and he will bring a new level of visibility and exposure to Mitchell Memorial Library's collections, while helping introduce a new generation of students to the practice of journalism."
Salter is a two-time winner of the J. Oliver Emmerich Award, considered the premier annual honor of the Mississippi Press Association. The award is a memorial to another MSU alumnus who was longtime publisher and editor of the McComb Enterprise-Journal. Salter and Emmerich's collections are among those housed at the library.
Professional and personal files of other Mississippians in Mitchell's Special Collections include Pulitzer-Prize winner Hodding Carter, former editor of the Delta Democrat-Times in Greenville; former New York Times executive editor and Mississippi A&M (now MSU) graduate Turner Catledge; veteran political columnist Bill Minor of Jackson; and Norma Fields of Tupelo's Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, the first female in the state to head a capitol news bureau.
A Philadelphia native, Salter is a member of the hall of fame of the state press association, the nation's sixth oldest--it was founded in 1866--and whose files also are part of MSU's Special Collections.
"Because of Sid's unique background in both politics and journalism, we will be drawing on his talents to secure additional works in our Congressional and Political Research Center, as well as contributing to projects that highlight that collection," Coleman added.
For some time, Salter has served on the advisory board of MSU's John C. Stennis Institute of Government, where he now will work closely with executive director Marty Wiseman and his staff on a variety of political and public policy issues. (The Stennis Institute is located opposite the library along Hardy Road.)
President Mark E. Keenum said Salter's experience and background will "greatly benefit both the university and its students, especially those pursuing careers in journalism, public service and politics."
"We are placing increasing emphasis on our library as a cornerstone of the academic experience, and we know that Sid's energies, intellect and professional background will contribute significantly to these efforts," Keenum said.
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.
Charter School autonomy equals success for kids, but scares Mississippi Power Brokers.
BY: B. Keith Plunkett
Members of the Mississippi NAACP met with lawmakers Tuesday, asking some to reject a bill that would expand the state's current charter school law. But, it didn’t work. SB 2774 passed the State Senate. No doubt it will have a harder time in a House controlled by Democrats where the Legislative Black Caucus wields a big stick.
View SB 2774 in it's entirety HERE
Derrick Johnson, president of the state National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said lawmakers should focus on full funding for public education. Johnson sited the tough budget year as a reason to focus spending on traditional education instead of spending money on charter schools.
In the Washington Examiner article Johnson was quoted as saying,
But, it’s a disingenuous attempt on Mr. Johnson’s part to change the conversation. Redesigning schools is exactly what the conversation is about and exactly why charter schools are being discussed to begin with. Johnson doesn’t want to redesign schools for higher expectations. He wants to keep them exactly as they are to keep expectations low and the teachers unions happy.
Cecil Brown, Democrat from Jackson and long-time proponent of the public school system, worried the measure would take some charter schools from under the scrutiny of the state board and local parent-led boards, but wouldn't provide an alternative oversight for them.
In other words, these “progressive thinkers” care less about progress than they do about control.
Charter schools are given a high level of autonomy in hiring and teacher oversight, and that scares Mississippi Democrats. Their ability to hold on to power is directly correlated to keeping teachers unions blissfully unworried about whether what they are teaching children is actually working.
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is a national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. The Alliance works to increase the number of high-performing charter schools available to all families, particularly low-income and minority families who currently do not have access to quality public schools.
In a report released in 2010, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools showed how public charter schools can produce outstanding results when they have the freedom to hire highly qualified teaching teams, build innovative professional development programs and adjust curriculum or class structure to boost student achievement.
Continuing to throw money at a bottomless pit of the same-old-business-as-usual-problems doesn’t change a thing.
Following the release of the report Nelson Smith, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools had this to say,
Teachers at one of the profiled schools meet weekly with instructional coaches. Every teacher is observed weekly for at least 20 minutes and then given immediate, specific feedback for improvement. By contrast, many traditional districts evaluate teachers less than two times each year and give little feedback.
Another charter leader hired a former NASA scientist who responded to an online posting for a science teacher. The candidate was considered unqualified by the traditional district’s standards, which required specific teaching certifications. However, he is a highly-successful teacher at the charter school. Charters in some states may apply for a waiver from teacher certification requirements; in some jurisdictions certification is not required at all.
You can view the entire report HERE
New Orleans is another example of how charter schools dramatically change lives. In 2005 Orleans Parish was the second-worst-performing school district in the state, and in some schools 30 percent of seniors dropped out over the course of the year. In 2003 one high-school valedictorian failed the math portion of the state exit exam five times and could not graduate.
Immediately following Hurricane Katrina, resources were limited and charter schools filled the void. As a result, students and educators now have unprecedented control of their own education. Students can apply to and, if accepted, choose to attend any of the 46 charter schools or 23 “traditional” schools. The vast majority of schools have open-enrollment policies that allow any student to attend, regardless of past academic success. The prevalence of charters means that in most of the city’s schools, educators can choose how their schools are run. Even in traditional schools, principals have unusual autonomy over the hiring—and firing—of teachers, since the city’s teachers’ union lost its collective-bargaining rights.
Charter schools allow for quick changes that focus on student needs, not on teacher’s union goals. If charter schools see a problem school officials can quickly address it. That type of local control means a loss of power in the well furnished halls of Superintendent’s offices and Departments of Education buildings, and a focus towards putting kid’s achievement first. In fact, it might one day help do away with any need for an NAACP, and then we can all focus soley on everyones advancement. Not just a few with powerful friends.
Currently, more than 1.6 million students attend nearly 5,000 charter schools in 39 states and the District of Columbia.
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| Derrick Johnson |
View SB 2774 in it's entirety HERE
Derrick Johnson, president of the state National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said lawmakers should focus on full funding for public education. Johnson sited the tough budget year as a reason to focus spending on traditional education instead of spending money on charter schools.
In the Washington Examiner article Johnson was quoted as saying,
"You have to ask yourself, 'Is this not the same research I want for kids in every school?' If your answer is yes, why do we not have the progressive thinking and wherewithal to make this happen for public schools? The conversation should really be about how we redesign schools to meet the higher expectation for all children."
But, it’s a disingenuous attempt on Mr. Johnson’s part to change the conversation. Redesigning schools is exactly what the conversation is about and exactly why charter schools are being discussed to begin with. Johnson doesn’t want to redesign schools for higher expectations. He wants to keep them exactly as they are to keep expectations low and the teachers unions happy.
Cecil Brown, Democrat from Jackson and long-time proponent of the public school system, worried the measure would take some charter schools from under the scrutiny of the state board and local parent-led boards, but wouldn't provide an alternative oversight for them.
In other words, these “progressive thinkers” care less about progress than they do about control.
Charter schools are given a high level of autonomy in hiring and teacher oversight, and that scares Mississippi Democrats. Their ability to hold on to power is directly correlated to keeping teachers unions blissfully unworried about whether what they are teaching children is actually working.
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools is a national nonprofit organization committed to advancing the charter school movement. The Alliance works to increase the number of high-performing charter schools available to all families, particularly low-income and minority families who currently do not have access to quality public schools.
In a report released in 2010, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools showed how public charter schools can produce outstanding results when they have the freedom to hire highly qualified teaching teams, build innovative professional development programs and adjust curriculum or class structure to boost student achievement.
Continuing to throw money at a bottomless pit of the same-old-business-as-usual-problems doesn’t change a thing.
Following the release of the report Nelson Smith, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools had this to say,
“Freedom and flexibility have long been regarded as crucial to charter school success because they give principals and teacher’s authority to make decisions that directly enhance student achievement. These case studies illustrate why policymakers need to protect charter schools’ freedom to innovate and to act quickly when student success is at stake.”
Teachers at one of the profiled schools meet weekly with instructional coaches. Every teacher is observed weekly for at least 20 minutes and then given immediate, specific feedback for improvement. By contrast, many traditional districts evaluate teachers less than two times each year and give little feedback.
Another charter leader hired a former NASA scientist who responded to an online posting for a science teacher. The candidate was considered unqualified by the traditional district’s standards, which required specific teaching certifications. However, he is a highly-successful teacher at the charter school. Charters in some states may apply for a waiver from teacher certification requirements; in some jurisdictions certification is not required at all.
You can view the entire report HERE
New Orleans is another example of how charter schools dramatically change lives. In 2005 Orleans Parish was the second-worst-performing school district in the state, and in some schools 30 percent of seniors dropped out over the course of the year. In 2003 one high-school valedictorian failed the math portion of the state exit exam five times and could not graduate.
Immediately following Hurricane Katrina, resources were limited and charter schools filled the void. As a result, students and educators now have unprecedented control of their own education. Students can apply to and, if accepted, choose to attend any of the 46 charter schools or 23 “traditional” schools. The vast majority of schools have open-enrollment policies that allow any student to attend, regardless of past academic success. The prevalence of charters means that in most of the city’s schools, educators can choose how their schools are run. Even in traditional schools, principals have unusual autonomy over the hiring—and firing—of teachers, since the city’s teachers’ union lost its collective-bargaining rights.
Charter schools allow for quick changes that focus on student needs, not on teacher’s union goals. If charter schools see a problem school officials can quickly address it. That type of local control means a loss of power in the well furnished halls of Superintendent’s offices and Departments of Education buildings, and a focus towards putting kid’s achievement first. In fact, it might one day help do away with any need for an NAACP, and then we can all focus soley on everyones advancement. Not just a few with powerful friends.
Currently, more than 1.6 million students attend nearly 5,000 charter schools in 39 states and the District of Columbia.
WSJ: GOP Seeks to Block Funding for Health Law
House Republicans will use a stopgap spending bill coming to the floor next week as a vehicle to block money for the new health-care law, a top lawmaker said Tuesday.
The latest push to neutralize the legislation, confirmed by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, (R., Va.), comes on the heels of an earlier effort to repeal the law. That passed the House but fell short in the Senate.
The spending bill, needed to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, is being drafted by the House Appropriations Committee, which is seeking deep spending cuts. The current stopgap bill expires March 4.
While the initial version isn't expected to include the health-law funding ban, Republicans plan to introduce it as an amendment to the bill, Mr. Cantor said. It is expected to block the use of money in the bill to carry out the law, for example by preventing the Department of Health and Human Services from hiring more workers to oversee the new benefits.
The House Republicans' strategy means President Barack Obama's health-care initiative will be a major hurdle to passing the government-wide spending bill. Democratic leaders in the Senate are unlikely to back any move to defund the new law.
With repeal of the health law dead for now, Republicans have also called for rolling back specific parts of the legislation, such as the requirement that most Americans carry health insurance or pay a fine.
Read More
The latest push to neutralize the legislation, confirmed by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, (R., Va.), comes on the heels of an earlier effort to repeal the law. That passed the House but fell short in the Senate.
The spending bill, needed to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, is being drafted by the House Appropriations Committee, which is seeking deep spending cuts. The current stopgap bill expires March 4.
While the initial version isn't expected to include the health-law funding ban, Republicans plan to introduce it as an amendment to the bill, Mr. Cantor said. It is expected to block the use of money in the bill to carry out the law, for example by preventing the Department of Health and Human Services from hiring more workers to oversee the new benefits.
The House Republicans' strategy means President Barack Obama's health-care initiative will be a major hurdle to passing the government-wide spending bill. Democratic leaders in the Senate are unlikely to back any move to defund the new law.
With repeal of the health law dead for now, Republicans have also called for rolling back specific parts of the legislation, such as the requirement that most Americans carry health insurance or pay a fine.
Read More
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
State Senate passes Senate Bill 2532 to consolidate operations of agencies
After contentious debate, the Mississippi Senate passed a bill yesterday that would consolidate the business operations of all state agencies.
Senate Fees, Salaries and Administration Committee chairman Terry Brown, a Republican from Columbus, says the bill could help the state save money by centralizing the agencies’ operations at the Department of Finance and Administration.
The bill moves to the House.
MBJ
Senate Fees, Salaries and Administration Committee chairman Terry Brown, a Republican from Columbus, says the bill could help the state save money by centralizing the agencies’ operations at the Department of Finance and Administration.
The bill moves to the House.
MBJ
Bill would put teeth in law on auto insurance
The state House is expected to vote as early as today on a bill that would allow random computer checks to verify people have insurance for their vehicles. It’s intended to help enforce the state’s law requiring insurance.
Mississippi has one of the highest rates in the nation of uninsured motorists -- an estimated 28 percent, compared with the national average of 16 percent. State law has for decades said motorists must carry at least minimum liability coverage, but for most of that time the law had no teeth and was unenforceable.
Lawmakers strengthened the law in 2000, requiring motorists to show proof of insurance if stopped for other violations, at roadblocks and after accidents. A citation for no insurance carries a $500 fine.
Read more: SH
Mississippi has one of the highest rates in the nation of uninsured motorists -- an estimated 28 percent, compared with the national average of 16 percent. State law has for decades said motorists must carry at least minimum liability coverage, but for most of that time the law had no teeth and was unenforceable.
Lawmakers strengthened the law in 2000, requiring motorists to show proof of insurance if stopped for other violations, at roadblocks and after accidents. A citation for no insurance carries a $500 fine.
Read more: SH
House Republicans stumble on Patriot Act Reauthorization
Rank-and-file reject Patriot Act
House Republicans Tuesday night got a harsh introduction to the majority, as more than two dozen rank-and-file GOP lawmakers voted against reauthorizing the Patriot Act.
There was no sign that the leadership saw the setbacks coming. The Patriot Act was moved to the floor under suspension of the rules — a provision that requires two-thirds majority (290 votes) to pass and is often used for noncontroversial legislation. After holding the vote open well past the 15-minute window, it failed 277 to 148 with five Republicans and four Democrats not voting.
Republican leaders will bring the bill back to the floor under a rule, where it will almost certainly secure the 218-vote threshold.
It was a specifically rough patch for Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who was the subject of much finger-pointing after the vote, as he is charged with vote-counting. Erica Elliott, spokesman for McCarthy, noted that most House Democrats voted against the bill, “deny[ing] their own administration’s request for key weapons in the war on terror.”
Other Republicans blamed Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) for the debacle. Sensenbrenner is a senior Judiciary Committee Republican.
Speaker John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) office had no comment on the trade bill or Patriot Act failure. He did not vote, which is somewhat of a tradition for the speaker. Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and McCarthy voted for the Patriot Act extension.
The Patriot Act has long been a contentious issue on Capitol Hill. It was passed shortly after Sept. 11 to give the government expanded surveillance powers, while breaking down barriers between the CIA, FBI and other intelligence agencies.
But many — ranging from liberals like Rep. Dennis Kucinich (Ohio), to libertarians like Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) — have long expressed concerns over the sweeping breadth of the legislation. Kucinich called Tuesday’s vote a “significant defeat,” adding that it will “fuel opposition” to the measure nationwide.
Indeed, many members were concerned about Patriot Act provisions that would allow the government to access medical and business records, GOP sources said.
And a handful of the no-votes were freshmen who felt completely uninformed by their leadership. Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.), who voted for the bill, said he “didn’t know anything about (the vote) until today.”
Politico
House Republicans Tuesday night got a harsh introduction to the majority, as more than two dozen rank-and-file GOP lawmakers voted against reauthorizing the Patriot Act.
There was no sign that the leadership saw the setbacks coming. The Patriot Act was moved to the floor under suspension of the rules — a provision that requires two-thirds majority (290 votes) to pass and is often used for noncontroversial legislation. After holding the vote open well past the 15-minute window, it failed 277 to 148 with five Republicans and four Democrats not voting.
Republican leaders will bring the bill back to the floor under a rule, where it will almost certainly secure the 218-vote threshold.
It was a specifically rough patch for Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who was the subject of much finger-pointing after the vote, as he is charged with vote-counting. Erica Elliott, spokesman for McCarthy, noted that most House Democrats voted against the bill, “deny[ing] their own administration’s request for key weapons in the war on terror.”
Other Republicans blamed Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) for the debacle. Sensenbrenner is a senior Judiciary Committee Republican.
Speaker John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) office had no comment on the trade bill or Patriot Act failure. He did not vote, which is somewhat of a tradition for the speaker. Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and McCarthy voted for the Patriot Act extension.
The Patriot Act has long been a contentious issue on Capitol Hill. It was passed shortly after Sept. 11 to give the government expanded surveillance powers, while breaking down barriers between the CIA, FBI and other intelligence agencies.
But many — ranging from liberals like Rep. Dennis Kucinich (Ohio), to libertarians like Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) — have long expressed concerns over the sweeping breadth of the legislation. Kucinich called Tuesday’s vote a “significant defeat,” adding that it will “fuel opposition” to the measure nationwide.
Indeed, many members were concerned about Patriot Act provisions that would allow the government to access medical and business records, GOP sources said.
And a handful of the no-votes were freshmen who felt completely uninformed by their leadership. Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.), who voted for the bill, said he “didn’t know anything about (the vote) until today.”
Politico
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