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Barbour's Ambitious Posturing

Gov. Haley Barbour has been a vociferous opponent of the Obama administration's stimulus package, especially when it comes to accepting the $2.3 billion allocated to Mississippi.

Transcript of Frank Melton Remarks in Short Press Conference Wednesday

JACKSON CITY HALL—Mayor Frank Melton called a press conference for 10 a.m. today to address plans for Maple Street Apartments, "new and ongoing economic development iniatives" and "continued/long-term focus on serving the City of Jackson." His remarks lasted about three minutes, and he left without answering any questions from the media. A full transcript of his remarks follows.

Senate Kills Public Records Access Bill

The Mississippi Senate shelved a bill designed to make public records more accessible to the public, according to The Greenwood Commonwealth,

Republicans Choose Black Chairman

The New York Times is reporting:

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The 2009 JFP Interview With John Horhn

John Horhn, 53, recently reclaimed his District 26 Senate for a fifth term, but now he wants to be mayor of Jackson. A self-proclaimed "lifelong resident of Jackson," and a product of Jackson Public Schools, Horhn won the then-newly created Senate seat in 1993.

Wicker on Roe v. Wade Anniversary

Sen. Roger Wicker released the following statement today:

WASHINGTON - On the 36th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., reaffirmed his belief that no one should be denied the right to life. Wicker also thanked the participants in today's March for Life rally in Washington, D.C.

Obama Signs Order to Close Gitmo; End Torture

The New York Times is reporting:

Happy Inauguration Day! Share Your Thoughts.

Jan. 20, 2009, is here, and Barack Obama will make history as the next president of the United States. What are your thoughts on this historic occasion? What message do you want to send to Obama? To fellow Americans? Please share your feelings with the JFP nation below.

What to Do in Jackson on Inauguration Day

There are several gathering around Jackson, day and night. Click here for a list on the JFP events calendar (and you can add your own!). Feel free to post about events below as well.

Kids Kollege Inauguration Ball at Jackson State

[Verbatim] On January 20, Kids Kollege & the Jackson State University Senior Class of 2009 will host the Kids Kollege 2009 Inauguration Ball in the Jacob L. Reddix Campus Union: General Purpose Room of JSU at 7pm. This event is free and open to the public. Donations to the Kids Kollege Scholarship Fund will be accepted. All are invited to celebrate as Kids Kollege honors a night of hope and a season of change. For more information call (601) 979-1142.

Congress Reauthorizes Children's Health Insurance

The House of Representatives voted to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) yesterday, a move that, if sustained, would extend coverage to an additional 4.1 million children nationwide. The bill, which passed by a vote of 289 to 139, secures federal funds for Mississippi's State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) through the 2013 fiscal year. Democratic Mississippi Reps. Bennie Thompson, Gene Taylor and Travis Childers voted in favor of the reauthorization, while Republican Rep. Gregg Harper opposed it. Childers released the following statement after the bill's passage:

Childers: Stimulus Must Help North Miss.

Dear Friends,

In an email released today, North Mississippi Congressman Travis Childers pledged to bring his district "its fair share of stimulus funds":

Wicker Battles Fairness Doctrine Bogeyman

Sen. Roger Wicker's office just released a statement trumpeting Wicker's defense of free speech against the dreaded Fairness Doctrine. The bogus threat of the Fairness Doctrine--an old FCC rule requiring broadcasters to give equal airtime to opposing political views--was a favorite Republican scare tactic during the campaign, and Wicker seems intent on continuing the fight against a rule nobody cares to reinstate.

Rep. Childers Praises Efforts at PAYGO, Controlling Earmarks

[Verbatim from Childers] Washington, D.C. – Congressman Travis Childers (D-MS) today applauded the House and Senate's efforts to increase government fiscal responsibility and transparency. His praise came in response to new steps to cut earmarks and provide further disclosure, as well as improvements in pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) rules. "Congress' efforts to improve fiscal discipline and transparency are essential steps in the right direction towards reaching a more commonsense policy for government spending," said Congressman Childers. "I applaud both the House and Senate's efforts to make our government more accountable to the American people, especially during this time of economic crisis."

111th Congress Sworn In, Burris Left Out

Amid controversy over the Ill. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama, Mississippi's congressmen were sworn in to the 111th Congress today. Freshman Republican representative Gregg Harper joins Democrats Bennie Thompson, Gene Taylor and Travis Childers, who won his first full term in November. Roland Burris, embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich's pick to take Obama's place, was blocked from taking the seat.

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