Mississippi Political News
Wham, bam and here’s the money
I assume the Mississippi Development Authority did its job in checking out the proposal for the biofuel project that state taxpayers are putting up incentives and a $75 million no-interest loan to recruit.We have to assume because that is the way these economic development projects are presented, largely on a promise. They are run out in a flurry of legislative action with information withheld ...
Monday August 30, 2010 8:28PM | clarionledger.com
Freedom of religion
There should not be a controversy about a plan by a Muslim group to build a mosque and Islamic community center in New York City near the Ground Zero site. Opposition flies in the face of one of this nation’s most important tenets — freedom of religion. The same would be true for any community voicing opposition to building any house of worship for that matter. The First Amendment applies to ...
Monday August 16, 2010 6:02PM | clarionledger.com
Football madness
I guess I shouldn`t be shocked, but the case of talented and troubled quarterback Jeremiah Masoli going to Ole Miss again shows how much a farce the idea of the "student athlete" is these days. Masoli was kicked off the University of Oregon`s team after two run-ins with the law. He pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary for an incident involving stolen laptops at a fraternity ...
Tuesday August 3, 2010 11:13PM | clarionledger.com
Immigration law lawsuits
All of the tough talk by politicians around the country about enacting immigration laws similar to Arizona`s has cooled a bit since a federal judge blocked major portions of it. Arizona is headed up the appeals court route and ultimately to the Supreme Court after U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton knocked down controversial portions of the law that were most likely unconstitutional. Now, o ...
Tuesday August 3, 2010 10:07PM | clarionledger.com
Education funds
Congress needs to approve a measure to extend enhanced federal matching funds for state Medicaid programs, but it is getting caught up in congressional election politics. The bill would free up about $153 million in funds for Mississippi. If it is approved, the Legislature already has decided to plug money back into the budget for this fiscal year, which would mean some $82 million for public educ ...
Wednesday July 14, 2010 11:46PM | clarionledger.com
Immigration
It would be a big mistake for Mississippi legislators to jump on the anti-immigration bandwagon, attempting to enact laws similar to Arizona`s immigration enforcement law. Arizona`s frustration with its illegal immigration issues may be understandable, but its new law scheduled to go into effect July 29 goes too far. Its provisions requiring immigrants to carry papers and directing law ...
Monday July 12, 2010 10:54PM | clarionledger.com
Obama, Barbour oil spill PR blues
I would have liked to have heard President Obama and Gov. Haley Barbour’s private discussions. For two on such opposite ends of the political spectrum, they both have something in common — political PR issues with the oil spill.Barbour has been blasted for painting a rosy picture and being too supportive of BP. He walks the tight-rope, trying not to say anything that might discourage touri ...
Tuesday June 15, 2010 10:03PM | clarionledger.com
Justice Graves
The White House today announced that President Obama has nominated Mississippi Supreme Court Justiice James Graves to serve on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Justice Graves is an excellent choice for the 5th Circuit with a solid record as a lawyer, Circuit Court judge and state Supreme Court Justice. It is hoped the Senate will confirm him quickly based on his qualifications and not subj ...
Thursday June 10, 2010 9:16PM | clarionledger.com
Perfect game
Perfection is a word not usually thrown around in sports, or anything forthat matter. But pitching a perfect game in baseball is a rare and specialthing.Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga did it Wednesday night.Twenty-seven up, 27 down. Perfection.Or would have been. It was denied the young man by a bad call by umpire JimJoyce. It was worse than bad or missed or blown, words usually reserved ...
Friday June 4, 2010 11:36PM | clarionledger.com
Childers and guns
Democratic 1st District U.S. Rep.Travis Childers was the object of a protest at his Washington, D.C., office Wednesday. A group of advocates for autonomy for the District of Columbia lined up to protest Childers` sponsorship of a law to loosen gun control laws in D.C. They lined up to present a petition to Childers to drop his sponsorship of the pro-gun bill, holding signs that called for him ...
Wednesday June 2, 2010 9:40PM | clarionledger.com
Smoking law
The Jackson City Council has approved a tougher smoking ordinance that will apply to all restaurants and bars, basically fixing the loopholes in the city`s first run at a smoke-free law. The key now is enforcement. Without enforcement, it will — like the first one — be ignored. Still, it is a breakthrough for a healthier city. The council is to be commended.
Wednesday June 2, 2010 12:17AM | clarionledger.com
Incumbents strong in Mississippi
The voters may be angry at members of Congress, but Mississippi congressional races are fairly tepid. There are no tough races expected in three districts. The only hot race is in the 1st, where the GOP is going after U.S. Rep. Travis Childers, D-Boonville. In the GOP primary Sen. Alan Nunnelee, R-Tupelo, faces former Fox News analyst Angela McGlowan and former Eupora mayor Henry Ross. A divis ...
Tuesday May 18, 2010 10:48PM | clarionledger.com
Losses
I try to note the passing of people who have made important contributions to the state. Unfortunately, there have been three losses in recent days I am sad to have to report.--George Walker of Clarksdale died Friday. Mr. Walker, 83, was a visionary business leader in the Delta and the most dedicated and passionate advocates of the state`s community colleges. He put his money and his time into ...
Tuesday May 11, 2010 9:50PM | clarionledger.com
Mason leaves positive mark at JSU
Jackson State University President Ronald Mason’s decision to take the position of president of the Southern University System in Louisiana is understandable. It represents a opportunity for him and new professional challenges to tackle.It represents a gain for the Southern System and a loss for Jackson State and Mississippi.Mason has been an effective leader at Jackson State. After a decade and ...
Friday May 7, 2010 12:33AM | clarionledger.com
Revenue down again
Just got this from Gov. Barbour`s office. Not good.STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR BARBOUR “Mississippi’s revenue collections in April returned to their previous pattern of decline. April revenue came in at 8.54 percent, or $45.1 million, below estimates. These numbers confirm what we have known all along: the deep global recession continues to affect our state’s revenue, and it may take year ...
Monday May 3, 2010 9:30PM | clarionledger.com
Are we really ready for 'drill baby drill'?
I have always split with some of my environmentalist friends on the issue of offshore drilling for oil.Oil is a finite resource and this nation has an insatiable apatite. Politically, this nation has not been able to belly up to the real steps needed to reduce dependence. So realistically, we have no choice in the long run but to seek oil everywhere it may be found.I had agreed with President ...
Monday May 3, 2010 9:04PM | clarionledger.com
GM
It`s good to see General Motors riding high again. GM now has paid off its government loans — in full with interest and five years early. Its stock is doing OK and American taxpayers, who own much of the company, now are seeing it might be a good investment after all. It was necessary to bail out GM. It was in the interest of the entire nation. It is working out. I saw a survey that showed ...
Thursday April 22, 2010 6:20PM | clarionledger.com
Legislature winding down
The Legislature returned to Jackson Tuesday to, hopefully, wrap up work on the 2011 fiscal year budget. A budget agreement supposedly is in the works with plans to finish up this year`s work without protracted special sessions, as occurred last year. At the Capitol today, things were strangely calm. Lobbyists milled around watching their clients` backs and lawmakers generally were visiting ...
Tuesday April 20, 2010 9:38PM | clarionledger.com
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