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City Balances Budget by Refinancing Debt
Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. announced a 2011 fiscal-year budget containing no layoffs, but promising significantly more long-term debt. The $313.6 million budget, which begins in October, is a $10.6 million decrease over the city's operating budget from the previous year.
Ulterior Motive Behind Lawsuit Threat?
Gov. Haley Barbour may have his own reasons for threatening to sue to stop the Democratically passed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, says Dave Levinthal, communications director for lobbyist watchdog group Center for Responsive Politics in Washington, D.C.
Council Protests Melton Picks
Council members bickered Monday afternoon over Mayor Frank Melton's decision to appoint Chief Administrative Officer Robert Walker and City Attorney Sarah O'Reilly-Evans to run the city while he recovers from surgery in Texas.
Home, Sweet Homestead
Last week, The Jackson Free Press ran a story about Jackson Mayor Frank Melton's dual residency in Texas and his filing for homestead exempt status in Tyler, Texas, rather than in the city he serves as mayor. More information from the Hinds County tax assessor's office shows that Melton has consistently filed an application here for "owner occupied real estate" classification on his home at 2 Carters Grove in Jackson, for the last five years, saving him around $2,300 every year he claimed the 10 percent classification.
[City Buzz] no. 13 December 13 - 20
King Edward Still Moving
Jackson Attorney David Watkins, who is a partner in King Edward Revitalization Co., along with Deuce McAllister and other investors, said the King Edward redevelopment is still ongoing, despite the absence of cranes and hard hats around the hotel lately.
Congress Probes 'Witch Hunts'
With Congress nipping at its heels, the U.S. Justice Department is looking into its own alleged political prosecutions, including that of Paul Minor and Oliver Diaz in Mississippi.
Lose the Residency Requirements
Jackson's City Council is considering extending the residency requirements of fire and police employees to an area 30 miles beyond the city of Jackson. City ordinance currently demands that city employees live inside Hinds County, but a 30-mile extension would allow the city's personnel department to consider applications from deep within nearby counties like Madison and Rankin.
Old Wound Still Bleeds On Farish
Money, by far, is the most daunting of the countless little plagues haunting the development of the Farish Street Entertainment District.
Good Look, Haley!
The Farish Street Entertainment District barely survived another trial last week. Some planned anchor businesses in the district, including the B.B. King Blues Club, discovered they could not sell alcohol thanks to their proximity to a school, in this case the Mississippi College School of Law.
Wait, And Wait Some More
On Oct. 1, Mayor Frank Melton announced that he was dissolving the city's Crime Prevention Unit with only days' notice. Charging that the members were not doing their jobs—despite the workers collecting hundreds of hours in comp time—Melton dismissed the division as inefficient, vowing to replace them "within days" with his Quality of Life Division, staffed with volunteers.
Suburban Bootleggers?
Hinds County Supervisor Robert Graham said a preliminary audit suggests the cities of Madison and Ridgeland have been bootlegging Hinds County's 800 MHz Motorola digital radio system with the help of a former Hinds County employee.
It's Official; We Run it Now
Mayor Frank Melton's administration confirmed to council members Monday that the city will soon be in the business of running a bus route, whether or not council members like it.
Entergy Seeking Friendlier Court
U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate said last week that he would rule within three weeks to 30 days on a motion for venue change requested by Entergy Mississippi.
Smoke ‘Em If You Got ‘Em
Graphic courtesy of The Mellman Group
The Mississippi Legislature made a second attempt at tax reform this year, with the House's approval of Senate Bill 3084 on a 79 to 41 vote. The bill is an attempt at compromise after the last tax bill was vetoed by Gov. Haley Barbour.
Airport Toll Road Moves Forward
The Mississippi House and Senate moved forward last week in making the Airport Parkway a possibility.
Will Obama Help Mississippi?
Even though he is a "blue" president and Mississippi is a "red" state, local and state politicians are expecting more federal help with municipal money problems now that Barack Obama is heading to the White House.
Hood Suggests 'Shell Game
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood filed suit in Hinds County Chancery Court last week to force Entergy Mississippi to release information on the company's practice of buying and selling natural gas and electricity.
The Lingering Effect of Dispersants
Even though the Federal Drug Administration and other U.S. agencies remain confident that oil and dispersants are not tainting Gulf seafood, the jury is still out, according to some tests and opinions.
Medicaid Boots Kids
Deborah Edmonson, a parent attending a Nov. 4 legislative hearing on Medicaid, said the state rejected her Down syndrome daughter for aid, even though the U.S. Department of Disability Services guidelines say she qualifies.
City Eyes Water Hikes
The city of Jackson is eyeing water and sewer fee hikes this year.