Board trying to cut upcoming budget
Madison County educators are beginning to consider their options for dealing with state funding that continues to fall short of what is needed.
Dipping into cash reserves, cutting jobs, cutting paychecks or closing a school were among the possible scenarios floated before the Madison County School Board Monday in its first look at the upcoming budget process.
The idea of a tax increase was not among the alternatives suggested on how to cope with state funding that currently lags a cumulated $6.6 million below expectations for the past two years. The Legislature is still considering the funding amount for school districts for the 2011-2012 year.
"I'm not going to raise taxes on my way out the door," said Superintendent Mike Kent, who is not running for a fourth term in this year's election.
Possible options presented to the five-member school board by finance director Debbie Jones include:
•Take $2.7 million from the district's fund balance.
•Cut all teachers' and administrators' local pay supplement, an average of $2,000, which would be a savings of $1 million, and then supplement that with $1.7 million from fund balance.
*Cut 40 teachers' positions or cut 20 positions and take $1.7 million from reserves.
•Close East Flora Middle and take $1.7 million from reserves.
Which option would you pick? Vote in the poll to the left of the page.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Study Finds 5,000 Non-Citizens Likely Voted in Colorado
Chairman of House Subcommittee on Elections Pledges Review of Voter Registration Processes After a Recent Study by Colorado Secretary of State Revealed 12,000 Non-Citizens Registered to Vote in 2010 Elections and 5,000 Likely Voted
WASHINGTON – Today, Subcommittee on Elections Chairman Gregg Harper, R-Miss., issued the following statement announcing a review of state voter registration processes after a recent Colorado study revealed that as many as 5,000 non-citizens voted in Colorado during the 2010 elections:
“This report is extremely troubling and cause for a thorough review of the current registration processes implemented across the country, which I guarantee will be a priority for this Subcommittee. It also calls into question each state’s ability to enforce current voting laws and whether or not we need to pursue additional measures to better protect the integrity of our electoral process.”
According to the study conducted by the Colorado Secretary of State in conjunction with the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, 11,805 non-citizens registered to vote in the 2010 elections and 4,947 voted. The report also finds that without access to federal citizenship data, the state is unable to identify and remove non-citizens from its voter rolls.
WASHINGTON – Today, Subcommittee on Elections Chairman Gregg Harper, R-Miss., issued the following statement announcing a review of state voter registration processes after a recent Colorado study revealed that as many as 5,000 non-citizens voted in Colorado during the 2010 elections:
“This report is extremely troubling and cause for a thorough review of the current registration processes implemented across the country, which I guarantee will be a priority for this Subcommittee. It also calls into question each state’s ability to enforce current voting laws and whether or not we need to pursue additional measures to better protect the integrity of our electoral process.”
According to the study conducted by the Colorado Secretary of State in conjunction with the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, 11,805 non-citizens registered to vote in the 2010 elections and 4,947 voted. The report also finds that without access to federal citizenship data, the state is unable to identify and remove non-citizens from its voter rolls.
Barbour hires a blogger for online outreach
Barbour adds online communications aide
Haley Barbour's political operation, steadily ramping up toward a full presidential campaign, has hired a communications adviser to handle its online outreach, a Barbour aide confirmed this evening.
James Richardson, who was online communications manager for the RNC in the 2008 cycle, joins a team that already includes former 2004 RNC communications director Jim Dyke.
Richardson has more recently been a consultant to Senator Dan Coats and to the National Republican Senatorial Committee. He's also a blogger who's written quite a bit at RedState and elsewhere.
"Haley is very pleased that James Richardson has joined his team to help manage the national interest of bloggers and other online journalists in the Governor's political activity," Barbour's nephew and chief aide Henry Barbour said in an emailed statement. "Haley understands the significant role bloggers play in today’s political world and wants to maximize that dynamic medium."
Haley Barbour's political operation, steadily ramping up toward a full presidential campaign, has hired a communications adviser to handle its online outreach, a Barbour aide confirmed this evening.
James Richardson, who was online communications manager for the RNC in the 2008 cycle, joins a team that already includes former 2004 RNC communications director Jim Dyke.
Richardson has more recently been a consultant to Senator Dan Coats and to the National Republican Senatorial Committee. He's also a blogger who's written quite a bit at RedState and elsewhere.
"Haley is very pleased that James Richardson has joined his team to help manage the national interest of bloggers and other online journalists in the Governor's political activity," Barbour's nephew and chief aide Henry Barbour said in an emailed statement. "Haley understands the significant role bloggers play in today’s political world and wants to maximize that dynamic medium."
Wisconsin conservatives on the verge of defeating union activists
Morning Bell: Bravery and Common Sense Prevail in Wisconsin
In what Reuters is calling “a confrontation with unions that could be the biggest since then President Ronald Reagan fired striking air traffic controllers nearly 30 years ago,” the Wisconsin Senate approved a scaled-down version of Governor Scott Walker’s (R) budget-repair bill last night that would rein in government union collective bargaining powers. After securing approval from three widely respected nonpartisan agencies—the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the Legislative Council, and the Legislative Reference Bureau—Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald removed the appropriations measures from Walker’s budget, thus eliminating the need for any of the 14 truant Democratic Senators to be present for the vote. The State Assembly will take up the new version of the bill at 11 a.m. today, and if it passes, Walker will have achieved a significant victory for taxpayers everywhere.
The courage of the Wisconsin Senate conservatives cannot be understated. Before the vote, lawmakers were threatened with death and physical violence. After the vote, thousands of protesters stormed into the capitol building, ignoring announcements from police that the building was closed. Once inside, and at great risk to the public welfare, activists handcuffed some doors to the capitol shut. When security escorted the Senators to another building, a Democrat tipped off the mob, which then surrounded their cars and tried to break their windows as Senators returned home.
Senate Democrats, who are still hiding in Illinois, are now claiming that the majority’s committee meeting that broke up the budget-repair bill violated Wisconsin’s Open Meetings Law. But the Open Meeting Compliance Guide clearly states that when there is “good cause,” only two hours’ notice is required. The Senate majority did provide the two hours’ notice. If the Senate Democrats’ 19-day refusal to show up for work wasn’t “good cause” enough, certainly minimizing the opportunity for union mob violence is.
In what Reuters is calling “a confrontation with unions that could be the biggest since then President Ronald Reagan fired striking air traffic controllers nearly 30 years ago,” the Wisconsin Senate approved a scaled-down version of Governor Scott Walker’s (R) budget-repair bill last night that would rein in government union collective bargaining powers. After securing approval from three widely respected nonpartisan agencies—the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the Legislative Council, and the Legislative Reference Bureau—Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald removed the appropriations measures from Walker’s budget, thus eliminating the need for any of the 14 truant Democratic Senators to be present for the vote. The State Assembly will take up the new version of the bill at 11 a.m. today, and if it passes, Walker will have achieved a significant victory for taxpayers everywhere.
The courage of the Wisconsin Senate conservatives cannot be understated. Before the vote, lawmakers were threatened with death and physical violence. After the vote, thousands of protesters stormed into the capitol building, ignoring announcements from police that the building was closed. Once inside, and at great risk to the public welfare, activists handcuffed some doors to the capitol shut. When security escorted the Senators to another building, a Democrat tipped off the mob, which then surrounded their cars and tried to break their windows as Senators returned home.
Senate Democrats, who are still hiding in Illinois, are now claiming that the majority’s committee meeting that broke up the budget-repair bill violated Wisconsin’s Open Meetings Law. But the Open Meeting Compliance Guide clearly states that when there is “good cause,” only two hours’ notice is required. The Senate majority did provide the two hours’ notice. If the Senate Democrats’ 19-day refusal to show up for work wasn’t “good cause” enough, certainly minimizing the opportunity for union mob violence is.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
House Hearings over federal pay could get testy.
Federal pay and benefits back in the spotlight
The Republican-led House is scheduled to hold its first hearing today on the compensation of federal employees, pitting the Obama administration and federal worker union leaders against conservative fiscal experts armed with detailed reports suggesting federal employees are paid too generously when compared to private sector workers.
The hearing comes as state governments are working to overhaul public pension plans and scrap collective bargaining rights for state workers and as Republican continue introducing proposals to curtail federal pay and the workforce. Among the bills, some GOP lawmakers hope to cut the federal workforce by 10 percent, implement a two-week furlough of most workers, freeze some pay raises, fire tax-delinquent feds, prohibit federal retirees from earning workers compensation payments and cut the pay for overseas diplomats.
Wednesday's hearing is the first of several House Oversight and Government Reform Committee meetings on these issues that are also likely to serve as tutorials for freshmen members less familiar with the complexities of the federal personnel system.
Disagreements are likely to begin today with Rep. Dennis Ross's opening statement. The Florida Republican, chairman of the subcommittee on the federal workforce, suggests that federal employees earned an average $101,628 in total compensation in 2010 -- nearly four times the average private sector salary.
According to his opening statement, Ross combines the Office of Personnel Management average 2010 federal salary ($74,311) with statistics suggesting the government pays 36 percent of employees' base pay health insurance and pension benefits, plus the financial value of the government's "generous" paid leave system.
Those figures are sure to irk OPM Director John Berry and National Treasury Employees Union President Colleen M. Kelley, two of the scheduled witnesses who have spoken in defense of federal salary levels before. The others witnesses are Partnership for Public Service CEO Max Stier -- a relatively neutral, nonpartisan, well-quoted expert on the issue -- and American Enterprise Institute scholar Andrew G. Biggs and Heritage Foundation labor policy expert James Sherk -- who've penned detailed studies on the size and scope of the federal pay and benefits system.
The Republican-led House is scheduled to hold its first hearing today on the compensation of federal employees, pitting the Obama administration and federal worker union leaders against conservative fiscal experts armed with detailed reports suggesting federal employees are paid too generously when compared to private sector workers.
The hearing comes as state governments are working to overhaul public pension plans and scrap collective bargaining rights for state workers and as Republican continue introducing proposals to curtail federal pay and the workforce. Among the bills, some GOP lawmakers hope to cut the federal workforce by 10 percent, implement a two-week furlough of most workers, freeze some pay raises, fire tax-delinquent feds, prohibit federal retirees from earning workers compensation payments and cut the pay for overseas diplomats.
Wednesday's hearing is the first of several House Oversight and Government Reform Committee meetings on these issues that are also likely to serve as tutorials for freshmen members less familiar with the complexities of the federal personnel system.
Disagreements are likely to begin today with Rep. Dennis Ross's opening statement. The Florida Republican, chairman of the subcommittee on the federal workforce, suggests that federal employees earned an average $101,628 in total compensation in 2010 -- nearly four times the average private sector salary.
According to his opening statement, Ross combines the Office of Personnel Management average 2010 federal salary ($74,311) with statistics suggesting the government pays 36 percent of employees' base pay health insurance and pension benefits, plus the financial value of the government's "generous" paid leave system.
Those figures are sure to irk OPM Director John Berry and National Treasury Employees Union President Colleen M. Kelley, two of the scheduled witnesses who have spoken in defense of federal salary levels before. The others witnesses are Partnership for Public Service CEO Max Stier -- a relatively neutral, nonpartisan, well-quoted expert on the issue -- and American Enterprise Institute scholar Andrew G. Biggs and Heritage Foundation labor policy expert James Sherk -- who've penned detailed studies on the size and scope of the federal pay and benefits system.
McCain proposes to end safeguards on catfish imports
MBJ: Catfish industry ’stunned’ by McCain proposal
WASHNGTON — A proposal by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to repeal a law making all catfish safer for American consumers ignores numerous findings of banned substances in imported catfish products and favors inadequate food safety requirements, according to Catfish Farmers of America.
“It is stunning that Sen. McCain has chosen to protect importers and Vietnamese farmers over the health and safety of American citizens,” said Butch Wilson, newly elected president of the Catfish Farmers of America.
The U.S. Congress voted to move catfish inspections and regulation from the FDA to USDA as part of the 2008 Farm Bill.
A bill proposed by McCain and Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) would repeal the 2008 regulation.
In a statement announcing the bill, McCain alleged the “Food and Drug Administration hasn’t reported any safety or health problems with the Vietnamese imports.”
That is wrong, according to the CFA. The FDA has found in imported catfish from Vietnam and other nations potentially dangerous chemicals or drugs that are banned by the United States in farm-raised catfish, according to the FDA.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported last month a major criminal case of mislabeling and hazardous contaminants found in Vietnamese frozen catfish fillets imported by a seafood import company in McCain’s home state of Arizona, the CFA says.
WASHNGTON — A proposal by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to repeal a law making all catfish safer for American consumers ignores numerous findings of banned substances in imported catfish products and favors inadequate food safety requirements, according to Catfish Farmers of America.
“It is stunning that Sen. McCain has chosen to protect importers and Vietnamese farmers over the health and safety of American citizens,” said Butch Wilson, newly elected president of the Catfish Farmers of America.
The U.S. Congress voted to move catfish inspections and regulation from the FDA to USDA as part of the 2008 Farm Bill.
A bill proposed by McCain and Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) would repeal the 2008 regulation.
In a statement announcing the bill, McCain alleged the “Food and Drug Administration hasn’t reported any safety or health problems with the Vietnamese imports.”
That is wrong, according to the CFA. The FDA has found in imported catfish from Vietnam and other nations potentially dangerous chemicals or drugs that are banned by the United States in farm-raised catfish, according to the FDA.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported last month a major criminal case of mislabeling and hazardous contaminants found in Vietnamese frozen catfish fillets imported by a seafood import company in McCain’s home state of Arizona, the CFA says.
Huge Crowd Expected at the Blue Front Cafe for the 2011 Bentonia Blues Festival in June
Bentonia, MS, March 09, 2011--On Saturday, June 18, 2011, downtown Bentonia, Mississippi, a community with a population of about 500, will swell to an estimated 10,000, all coming to participate in an annual celebration of the unique country style of blues referred to as the Bentonia School. With Free admission, live gospel music starting at 9 a.m., activities and games for families and children, arts & crafts, food and more, this is sure to be an event everyone can enjoy.
The blues stage will kick off at 1 pm, including live performances from Big Joe Shelton, Terry "Harmonica" Bean, Mark "Muleman" Massey, Bentonia's own Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, Kenny Brown Band, Fearless Four, Dexter Allen ft. Tonya Youngblood, the Jarekus Singleton Band, Johnny Rawls, and national recording artist T.K. Soul.
The festival, founded in 1972 by Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, is one of the oldest blues festivals in the state of Mississippi. With Bentonia Blues fans coming from as far away as Japan, England, Norway, Canada, and all corners of the United States, the festival has become a favorite for visitors nationally and internationally.
Jimmy “Duck” Holmes is the last living practitioner of the famed Bentonia blues style made famous by Skip James and Jack Owens. Holmes, who studied directly under Jack Owens, is also the owner of the legendary Blue Front Cafe, Mississippi's oldest juke joint and the location of the annual Bentonia Blues Festival. He will delight audiences once again on the blues stage this June.
“I've never seen anything like it,” says Holmes. “In 2007 we had about 2000 here for the festival, but in the last couple years it has really grown. That's just amazing to me. I'm thrilled to know that my music and this festival is helping to keep the Bentonia style of blues alive.”
Yazoo County Convention & Visitors Bureau is seeking help from the community in being able to continue to provide this incredible event. “This event showcases our southern hospitality as well as our unique Yazoo County culture that brings travelers from across the globe to our little corner of the Mississippi Delta,” says Executive Director of the CVB, Tonja Ray-Smith. “But, it wouldn't be possible without our sponsors and volunteers.”
For those interested in volunteering and/or sponsoring, call the Yazoo County CVB at (662) 746-1815 or visit www.yazoo.org. And, a festival just isn’t a festival without food or arts & crafts vendors. To be considered, contact the Town Hall of Bentonia, MS at (662) 755-2281.
To keep up with the latest developments of the festival, become a fan of the Bentonia Blues Festival on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BentoniaBluesFestival
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Morning carjacking in Madison results in manhunt and arrests
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.
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.
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.
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