Cheers to Bi-partisanship in the Mississippi House
The blame for the budget meltdown belongs to both the House and the Senate, but if you believe that bipartisanship, maintaining the state's infrastructure and compromise are important in how laws are made, give your House members a high-five the next time you see them.
What ‘Confederate History Month’ Really Is
Celebrating Confederate History Month without even attempting to put it in its proper context of human slavery and racism is just another one of the things we do to refuse to let go of our white supremacist past.
A Bi-Partisan Mutiny Over Roads and Bridges
Lightning flashed outside as storms gathered inside the Mississippi Capitol late the night of Monday, March 27, a pivotal deadline day for budget legislation.
Ahem, City Candidates
Sixteen people may be running for mayor, but as of press time, only two of them had met the Jan. 31, 2017, annual reporting deadline—nearly two months later.
UPDATED: Capitol Complex Bill with Funds for Jackson Passes, Heads to Governor
The year 2017 may be the charm for Jackson, at least when it comes to getting upward of $20 million a year from the State of Mississippi to help repair crumbling infrastructure around where lawmakers and most state workers drive, meet, dine and debate for four months a year, give or take a special session or two.
MAEP, Mental Health Among #MSLeg Cuts
Public schools should prepare for more budget cuts, as the Mississippi Adequate Education Program took a hit in the budget lawmakers passed late Monday, March 27.
Midnight Meltdown Over Roads, Bridges: Three Budgets Die after House-Senate Showdown
Lawmakers staged a showdown in the Capitol last night over money for roads and bridges, as the Mississippi Senate and the House of Representatives stayed in session until midnight on budget deadline day.
Legislature Scorches State Services After Governor Cuts Budget Four Times
If the U.S. Civil War is a metaphor for Mississippi's supermajority's approach to state services, Gov. Phil Bryant and the Mississippi Legislature are leading a Sherman-esque march to the sea with deep cuts of the state's budget, including to agencies providing vital services.
Legislature Cutting Millions of Dollars from Human Services, Mental Health and Rehab Services
The Mississippi Legislature is cutting millions of dollars from state health-care services, and Democrats are not happy about it, especially with lawsuits looming.
Gov. Bryant Signs 'Back the Badge,' Increased Penalties Bills
Surrounded by law enforcement officers, emergency personnel and first responders, Gov. Phil Bryant signed the "Back the Badge Act," which adds law-enforcement officials, firefighters and emergency personnel as protected classes under Mississippi's hate-crime laws.
Veteran Democratic Lawmaker Diagnosed with Dementia, Plans to Retire
House Speaker Philip Gunn directed all members to their seats this morning, as Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville, took the podium for a point of personal privilege.
The Last Confederate Stronghold in America
"This is no longer a Mississippi fight. This is a battle for the soul of America."
Americans for Prosperity: Online Sales Tax is Wrong for Mississippi
The Jackson Free Press recently published an editorial criticizing my organization, Americans for Prosperity, for opposing a bill that would impose sales taxes on all online purchases made in Mississippi—even when the seller has no presence in the state.
Last-Hour Gang Law Overhaul Is Self-Defeating
When Sen. Brice Wiggins, R-Pascagoula, stood up at the last hour to amend state gang law at the Mississippi Legislature on March 8, he committed what can be called a "tell."
Stinker Quote of the Week: 'No Evidence'
On his personal Twitter account, President Donald Trump used Clapper's decision to not comment on the ongoing investigation into the Trump administration and campaign's ties to Russia to conclude that there must be "no evidence" of such collusions.
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