College Board head: MUW name change remains 'focal point' 11/20/2009 11:35:00 AM JACKSON — Thursday’s College Board meeting left more questions than answers, as the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning discussed Gov. Haley Barbour’s proposal to merge five of the eight state-funded universities.
Barbour calls for merger of MUW, Mississippi State 11/16/2009 2:41:00 PM JACKSON — Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said today the state should consider merging Mississippi University for Women with nearby Mississippi State University and that Alcorn State University and Mississippi Valley State University be merged into Jackson State University.
Mississippi coastal areas warned of flooding 11/9/2009 11:16:00 AM PASCAGOULA — Coastal areas of Mississippi were under a tropical storm warning Monday after Ida lost strength over the water on its way to a landfall sometime early Tuesday.
Hurricane warnings were dropped along the Gulf Coast and replaced with tropical storm warnings that stretch from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle.
In Gulfport, 17-year-old Blaise Gargiulo, who was let out of school early because of the storm, went to retrieve his catamaran from its mooring in front of his beach front home.
Gargiulo said he learned an expensive lesson last year with the storm surge from Hurricane Gustav. He said the surge crushed the hulls on each side of this boat cost $1,000 dollars in repairs.
MUW president Limbert says she's retiring 10/12/2009 9:48:00 AM Mississippi University for Women President Dr. Claudia Limbert announced her retirement today, months before the state College Board is expected to consider her proposal to change the name of the nation’s first state-supported college for women.
Gov says ‘dismal’ revenues mean more cuts likely 10/2/2009 9:46:00 AM Mississippi’s tax collections fell 10 percent short of expectations in September, and Republican Gov. Haley Barbour said more budget cuts are coming in the remaining nine months of the fiscal year.
“These dismal facts reinforce what I said earlier,” Barbour, on a business trip in Asia, said in a written statement. “It is likely that more spending cuts will be necessary in this fiscal year to ensure a balanced state budget. The fact that state law will not permit me to cut any agency more than 5 percent until every agency is cut at least 5 percent may present some additional challenges.”
State unemployment rate drops 9/24/2009 9:31:00 AM Mississippi’s unemployment rate dropped a percentage point — to 9.5 percent — in August, but still is above the 7.4-percent jobless rate seen in August 2008.
Impact of 9/11 felt eight years later 9/12/2009 8:29:00 PM Mary Slater was at work at the Mississippi University for Women Police Department when she heard the news over the radio.
One word came to mind: “fear.”
Schools, colleges report wave of swine flu cases 8/20/2009 10:06:00 AM School districts around Mississippi have reported suspected cases of what is being called the novel H1N1 swine flu.
State health officials have not recommended any closings.
GOP officials seeking voter ID support 8/5/2009 10:53:00 AM Fairness, not partisanship, is the driving force behind a statewide push to bring voter identification laws to Mississippi, area Republican officials said during a Tuesday afternoon rally at the Lowndes County Courthouse.
Hinds Circuit Judge Bobby DeLaughter to plead guilty in Scruggs corruption probe 7/28/2009 5:18:00 PM JACKSON — The attorney for Hinds County Circuit Judge Bobby DeLaughter says his client will plead guilty to lying to an FBI agent who was investigating a judicial corruption case involving former prominent lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs.
Pontotoc woman, two Noxubee men arrested on drug charges 7/28/2009 10:09:00 AM Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agents, along with Pontotoc deputies and police officers, over the weekend arrested a local woman wanted for attempted burglary by Illinois authorities for fraudulently obtaining prescriptions, according to MBN Director Marshall Fisher.
Unemployment rate jumps 7/23/2009 10:23:00 AM Lowndes County continued its streak of double-digit unemployment in June figures released Wednesday, while Oktibbeha, which typically enjoys a low unemployment rate compared to neighboring counties, inched closer to a double-digit rate.
Mississippi reports first 2009 case of West Nile Virus 7/14/2009 The state Health Department reported Mississippi’s first case of West Nile Virus on Tuesday, alerting the public to avoid standing water and mosquito-prone areas when insects are most active.
‘Critical’ time for state’s crops 7/6/2009 JACKSON — Mississippi farmers who saw vital planting time washed away by persistent spring showers are now in desperate need of rain as heat and abnormally dry conditions threaten to reduce grain crop yields significantly.
Analysis: Despite haggling, budget contains record spending 7/3/2009 The state budget approved by Gov. Haley Barbour this week includes record-high funding increases for education and health care, but he warned those are generous windfalls that will dry up in 2011. The $20 billion budget contains so much federal stimulus money that “we must learn to wean ourselves from it soon, as it ends after next year,” Barbour said.
State Supreme Court reverses Lowndes decision 7/3/2009 JACKSON — The state Supreme Court has reversed two lower courts’ rulings in a life insurance dispute from Lowndes County. The high court said Daniel Ray Weathers can pursue his claims of fraud against Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.
Lawmakers finish most of budget by midnight deadline 7/1/2009 JACKSON — The state Legislature toiled until midnight to pass budget bills to ensure state government began the new fiscal year today with money.
“We shouldn’t be here at the last minute, but we were able to patch it all together,” said House Education Chairman Cecil Brown, D-Jackson.
Two new swine flu cases reported in Oktibbeha 7/1/2009 STARKVILLE — Two new cases of the H1N1 virus were reported Tuesday in Oktibbeha County, which brings the total to three after another was reported June 26.
Shining a new light on tanning 7/1/2009 Robin Jones is going to be strict. Jones, the owner of Columbus’ two Sun Struck tanning salons, said she’d posted signs in every room three or four months ago about the new teen tanning law — as soon as she got word of news the Legislature had begun working on one.
Lawmakers rush to pass spending bills 6/29/2009 JACKSON — Mississippi’s long-stalled Legislature today is hurrying to have more than 100 budget bills passed so state government can begin the new fiscal year Wednesday with the money needed to operate.
Barbour calls special session with no budget deal 6/27/2009 JACKSON — Gov. Haley Barbour has summoned Mississippi lawmakers back to the Capitol for a special budget session starting at 2 p.m. Sunday, just three days before the state’s new fiscal year begins.
AG: Impasse threatens public safety 6/26/2009 JACKSON — The Legislature and Gov. Haley Barbour haven’t passed a state budget with just five days left before the new fiscal year amid disagreements over funding what he calls “the elephant in the room” known as Medicaid.
With new antenna, WMAB signal clears up 6/25/2009 WMAB 88.9 FM, which airs Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s programs locally, is now traveling across airwaves by way of a new antenna, ending weeks of sometimes shoddy reception.
Barbour shoots down budget deal 6/23/2009 JACKSON — Gov. Haley Barbour scuttled a budget deal between legislative leaders and refused Monday to call the House and Senate back into session until Democrats agree to preserve his power to cut the state’s deficit-plagued Medicaid program.
Legislators reach a budget agreement 6/22/2009 JACKSON — Legislative leaders tentatively reached an agreement Sunday on the state budget, but they still had details to work out for Mississippi’s Medicaid program, said Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant.
U.S. consumers could get up to $4,500 toward new vehicle 6/21/2009 WASHINGTON — Car shoppers could take advantage of government incentives worth up to $4,500 this summer to send their old gas guzzler to the scrap heap in favor of a more fuel-efficient new vehicle.
Barbour: State can function without budget 6/21/2009 Gov. Haley Barbour said state government could operate and spend money without the Legislature approving a budget when the fiscal year ends in nine days.
Bounds: Role spans more than colleges 6/18/2009 JACKSON — Hank Bounds will become Mississippi universities’ chief executive next month, but he said he won’t lose too much of his focus on elementary-secondary education, where he’s spent his whole career until now.
College Board considers tuition, dorm increases 6/18/2009 JACKSON — The state College Board and university presidents continued their discussions this morning about raising tuition and room-and-board charges.
Program frees $3M for businesses, local governments 6/16/2009 JACKSON — The federal economic recovery program is making more than $3 million available to Lowndes County government and businesses to borrow for training workers and building new structures to help pull out of the nation’s 18-month-long recession.
Is Barbour the best face for ‘new’ GOP? 6/15/2009 JACKSON — If the Republican Party is in danger of being marginalized as a conservative, white male Southern enclave, is Haley Barbour — the longtime Washington power broker and current Mississippi governor — the best person to turn things around?
Mississippi not alone in budget impasse 6/13/2009 Mississippi is not the only state that has a legislature struggling with its governor to pass a budget so close before the deadline to act in two weeks.
Windfall sweetens budget impasse 6/12/2009 JACKSON — Microsoft Corp.’s settlement of an antitrust lawsuit filed by the state of Mississippi will result in a payment of $40 million in about 40 days, and the House’s Democratic leaders say the windfall should lead to a breakthrough in stalled state budget talks.
Fifty-eight swine flu cases reported in Mississippi 6/9/2009 JACKSON — The Mississippi Department of Health has confirmed a second case of swine flu in Lowndes County, bringing the state’s total number of H1N1 virus cases to 58.
Barbour plays role of both wedge, hammer in stalemate 6/9/2009 Gov. Haley Barbour and the Republican-led Senate are determined to control spending and not have Mississippi fall into a budget hole if the economy worsens.
Budget Woes: School contracts in Limbo 6/4/2009 JACKSON — The House and Senate concluded their five-month session last night in gridlocked failure over the state budget and now await Gov. Haley Barbour to order them back.
First case of swine flu reported in Lowndes 6/4/2009 The Mississippi Department of Health has confirmed a case of swine flu in Lowndes County, bringing the state’s total number of swine flu cases to 50.
State superintendent named new IHL head 6/3/2009 JACKSON — The state college board has selected a fast-rising administrator who was a city school superintendent just four years ago to oversee Mississippi’s higher education system, and it named a medical doctor who specializes in high blood pressure to lead the University of Mississippi.
Budget: Gov. Haley Barbour says another tobacco tax possible 6/2/2009 JACKSON — Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is poised to grab more control over the budget-writing process as top lawmakers warn they’re likely to end the on-again, off-again regular session without agreeing on a state spending plan.
Pressure mounts for lawmakers 5/31/2009 JACKSON — State lawmakers return Wednesday for their stalemated 2009 session as pressure mounts for them to pass the state budget or be forced to give up and see Gov. Haley Barbour wrest control in a special session.
Lawmakers gain momentum in budget talks 5/29/2009 JACKSON — The House and Senate have gained ground in negotiating a budget compromise.
Thursday, it seemed they had moved backward instead of forward.
This morning Rep. Cecil Brown, D-Jackson, one of the Legislature’s chief budget negotiators, said, “We’re very close.”
Supreme Court: Suit against trooper wrongfully dismissed 5/29/2009 JACKSON — The state Supreme Court ruled Thursday that U.S. District Judge Sharion Aycock as a state judge wrongfully dismissed an automobile-negligence suit filed in Monroe County against an Alabama state trooper without letting a jury hear the case.
Legislative negotiators separated by $103 million 5/28/2009 JACKSON — About $103 million is separating the Mississippi House and Senate from a budget agreement as Democrats advocate spending more on education and health care while Republicans want to save money for later in case Mississippi encounters worse financial times.
New buzzword as Legislature continues to drag on budget: ‘frustration’ 5/27/2009 JACKSON — The House and Senate still haven’t agreed on a state budget amid increasing frustration about the deadlock for funding state government services for the people that provide and receive them.
Hospital tax talks stall 5/23/2009 JACKSON – Legislative negotiations worsened Friday as lawmakers gave up reaching a House-Senate compromise on a hospital tax and now head into a budget conflict that will be hard to reconcile.
Hospitals balk at plan for tax hike 5/22/2009 JACKSON — Hospitals can absorb a $45 million tax increase to help fund the deficit-plagued Medicaid program, but the higher rate the governor is pushing for would hit them too hard, said the president of the Mississippi Hospital Association.
Legislature still at loggerheads over budget 5/21/2009 JACKSON — House-Senate budget negotiators continue to haggle over how much to tax hospitals and reduce spending as they try to reach a deal for the state Legislature to approve next week.
Court upholds life term for bad check 5/20/2009 JACKSON — The Mississippi Court of Appeals has upheld the life-without-parole sentence imposed in Oktibbeha County on a habitual criminal convicted of buying $106 worth of liquor with a bad check.
University buildings called ‘woefully underinsured’ 5/16/2009 JACKSON — The state College Board has decided to consolidate property insurance coverage for Mississippi universities with a plan that will take care of more buildings at a lower cost than the current approach.
House, Senate far apart on budget 5/15/2009 JACKSON — House-Senate negotiators remain deadlocked in passing the state’s $19 billion budget as they argue over whether to squirrel away $60 million for another year.
Cigarette prices rise on Friday 5/14/2009 JACKSON — Mississippi’s cigarette tax increases to 68 cents a pack Friday, culminating a years-long battle to generate more state revenue and discourage people from smoking.
Republican Gov. Haley Barbour — who vetoed previous cigarette tax-increase bills — on Wednesday quietly signed into law the 50-cent hike the House and Senate approved last week. The old 18-cent-a-pack tax had been the same since 1985.
Education, health care: Lawmakers continue to grapple with state budget 5/9/2009 JACKSON — The Legislature returned last week to pass the state’s long-delayed budget after a five-week recess, but it got put off again because House-Senate negotiators remain deadlocked in disagreement.
Cig tax behind, budget looming ahead 5/7/2009 JACKSON — Gov. Haley Barbour plans to approve the cigarette tax increase the state Legislature passed Wednesday as lawmakers resumed efforts to build a state budget amidst what Barbour calls a “financial storm.”
Despite cig tax compromise, lawmakers still far apart on budget 5/6/2009 JACKSON — The state Legislature ended its five-week recess today and returned with plans to easily approve a cigarette tax increase to raise more revenues and relieve car owners from higher taxes, but passing a state budget will be a struggle.
Local letter carriers partner with Lowndes County United Way to ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ 5/6/2009 The National Association of Letter Carriers will conduct the nation’s largest food drive to combat hunger Saturday. On that day, letter carriers in over 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states will collect non-perishable donations from homes as they deliver mail along their postal routes.
Barbour expected to sign cigarette tax bill 4/29/2009 JACKSON — Lawmakers expect to give final approval next week to a bill increasing Mississippi’s cigarette tax to 68 cents for generating much-needed revenues and fortifying the state’s diminishing car tag reduction fund.
After being bogged down since Januar
No swine flu cases in Miss., but tests, prep under way 4/28/2009 JACKSON — Public health officials say there are no confirmed swine flu cases in Mississippi, but they warn that it’s likely the disease will eventually make its way into the state.
Funding spurs war of words 4/23/2009 JACKSON — State Democratic Party Chairman Jamie Franks has berated Republican Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant for calling the federal stimulus initiative wasteful spending.
Despite best efforts, cigarette tax negotiators fail to negotiate 4/22/2009 JACKSON — House-Senate negotiators didn’t give in and agree Tuesday to resolve the Legislature’s three-month stalemate on how to raise the state cigarette tax and preserve the car tag discount.
MUW grad tapped new state law librarian 4/22/2009 JACKSON — Attorney Amanda Tyre Watson has been selected to be the state law librarian by the Mississippi Supreme Court.
Watson will become acting librarian May 4 as she awaits confirmation by the state Legislature. The position is called for by the state constitution.
Leaders vow to reach pact on car tags 4/21/2009 JACKSON — State legislators are getting increasingly agitated in seeking a compromise on raising the cigarette tax to help prevent car tag prices from going up.
State's $2.8B has tight strings attached 4/17/2009 JACKSON - The $2.8 billion Mississippi is getting in federal stimulus funds comes with strict public accounting and transparency mandates.
Legislature’s tax measures a mixed bag 4/14/2009 JACKSON — People toiling to have their income-tax returns done by Wednesday’s deadline can look ahead to a variety of changes the state Legislature recently made for Mississippi’s tax structure.
OMG! New state law bans texting while driving 4/10/2009 JACKSON — Gov. Haley Barbour this week approved a bill to make Mississippi one of at least 10 states banning young drivers from text-messaging.
Supreme Court questions Death Row inmate’s mental claims 4/9/2009 JACKSON — State Supreme Court justices Wednesday questioned Lowndes County murderer Mack Arthur King’s arguments that he’s mentally retarded and shouldn’t be executed for murdering Lela Patterson 29 years ago.
Barbour signs sweeping school bill 4/9/2009 JACKSON — Gov. Haley Barbour on Wednesday signed into law a bill lauded by the Department of Education as “the state’s most sweeping education reform in more than a decade.”
Work along Highway 45 gets funding 4/8/2009 JACKSON — Work may soon begin on improvements to Highway 45 in Lowndes and Noxubee counties, as the state contracts with road builders to start highway projects being paid for by federal economic stimulus funds.
Legislators break with major issues unresolved 4/2/2009 JACKSON — State lawmakers are taking a break in their annual three-month session, but they still have hard work ahead in trying to find more revenue and construct a state budget complicated by the economic recession and red tape in spending federal funds to help Mississippi.
Miss. schools get new rating system 4/1/2009 Mississippi’s public schools will soon have a new accountability rating system, and officials say the top status will be harder to achieve.
The state Board of Education approved the new system earlier this month; it will be put into effect this fall.
Will the cigarette tax rise from the ashes? 3/30/2009 Legislators continue anguishing over a looming spike in car-tag prices taxes, but they’re still hoping to avert that by increasing the tax on cigarettes, even though the bill for that died last week.
MUW to get $1.5M from finance bill 3/28/2009 JACKSON — The House and Senate gave final approval Thursday to a $282 million construction-finance bill that includes borrowing $1.5 million for Mississippi University for Women, but it doesn’t earmark $1.2 million to renovate the Columbus City Hall like the House wanted.
Southeast storm floods parts of Miss., Ala. 3/28/2009 BILOXI — A spring storm dumped heavy rains, baseball-sized hail and whipped up winds across the Southeast on Saturday, flooding homes and cars in parts of Mississippi and Alabama.
House honors Mississippi’s ‘Idol,’ Jasmine Murray 3/27/2009 The Mississippi House of Representatives this morning honored Columbus native Jasmine Murray, who made it to the top 13 of “American Idol.” She’s the first person from Mississippi to ever make the finals of the top-rated televised talent show.
Senate fails to override eminent domain bill veto 3/27/2009 JACKSON — The Senate failed Thursday to override Gov. Haley Barbour’s veto of a bill restricting government’s power to force people to give up their land for industrial uses.
Railroad bill passes without $14M earmarked for C&G revitalization 3/27/2009 JACKSON — The House and Senate gave final approval Thursday to a state railroad-funding bill but without the $14 million originally earmarked to help reopen the old Columbus and Greenville rail line.
Prather, past governors honored for service, improving Mississippi 3/27/2009 JACKSON — Former Chief Justice Lenore Prather, of Columbus, joined former Govs. William Winter and Bill Waller on Thursday to receive Mississippi Medals of Service from Gov. Haley Barbour.
Barbour: Eminent-domain bill violates constitution 3/26/2009 JACKSON — Gov. Haley Barbour said the state Legislature will be unconstitutionally restricting government’s land-takeover powers if the Senate enacts an eminent domain bill over his veto.
LEGISLATORS SNUFF CIGARETTE TAX HIKE 3/26/2009 JACKSON — House-Senate negotiators gave up trying to reach a cigarette tax-increase compromise Wednesday night and killed the bill the Legislature passed in January to come up with much-needed revenues.
Senate considers override of veto 3/25/2009 JACKSON — The Senate will try to override Gov. Haley Barbour’s veto of the eminent domain bill, but it appears it won’t be as easy as it was in the House.
Lawmakers stalemate on cigarette tax hike 3/24/2009 JACKSON — The House and Senate still haven’t agreed on a cigarette tax increase as negotiators face a Wednesday deadline to find a compromise or let the bill die.
House overrides Barbour's veto of eminent domain bill 3/24/2009 JACKSON – The House voted today to override Gov. Haley Barbour's veto of a bill that would restrict government power to force landowners to sell their properties so private industries can locate there. It's now up to the Senate to decide whether the bill becomes law over Barbour's objection -- and become the first veto override of his five-year tenure as governor.
Barbour OKs red-light camera ban 3/23/2009 Gov. Haley Barbour has signed into law a ban on traffic cameras used to photograph and ticket people who run red lights.
STATE CUTS REVENUE ESTIMATE 3/20/2009 JACKSON — State lawmakers might delay building Mississippi’s budget for the coming year because state revenues are falling far worse than the Legislature expected and questions linger about the federal economic stimulus funds coming to the state.
Legislature pushes for sales-tax holiday 3/20/2009 JACKSON – The House gave final approval Thursday to a bill exempting clothes from sales taxes in the last weekend of July each year.
HOUSE PUTS LIMITS ON MUW FUNDRAISING ARM 3/19/2009 JACKSON — Mississippi University for Women’s ability to get private-sector contributions could be restricted if state lawmakers enact a House-passed ban against the school sharing office space and funds with the MUW Foundation.
Local line not named in Senate railroad bill 3/18/2009 JACKSON — The Senate Tuesday approved a bill to provide $14 million to a state fund for revitalizing railroads, but it doesn’t specify the money be given to Columbus and Greenville Railway as the House of Representatives wants.
It’s crunch time for cig tax, stimulus $ 3/14/2009 JACKSON — The Legislature has two weeks to finish up the state budget for the next year, but it has two big unanswered questions.
What revenues will come from a cigarette tax increase the House and Senate still haven’t agreed on?
Area legislators approve eminent domain bill 3/13/2009 JACKSON — State lawmakers on Wednesday gave final approval to an eminent domain bill that Gov. Haley Barbour has said could be “a major impediment to Mississippi’s job-creation efforts” because it overly restricts government’s ability to take land for industrial use.
Spending bill includes millions for Golden Triangle 3/12/2009 The federal omnibus spending bill President Obama approved Wednesday includes about $34 million for research programs at Mississippi State University, $1.4 million to extend the runway at Golden Triangle Regional Airport and $950,000 to improve the Lowndes County road by the Severstal steel mill.
Noxubee schools spared from state takeover plan 3/12/2009 JACKSON — The state Legislature is sending the governor a bill that provides an extra $3 million to the Mississippi Department of Education to seize control and bail out two school districts going broke.
New rules of road for teen drivers 3/11/2009 JACKSON — The Mississippi House voted Tuesday to extend to one year the amount of time teenagers seeking their driver’s license must learn how to operate a car with adult supervision.
Troubled school districts close to state takeover 3/11/2009 JACKSON — House-Senate budget negotiators have agreed to use at least $3 million to buttress four school districts — including Noxubee County — on the brink of running out of cash and being taken over by the state.
Columbus rail line bill faces tough hearing 3/10/2009 JACKSON — State senators asked tough questions Monday and heard opposition to a House-passed bill to provide $14 million to renovate the old Columbus & Greenville Railway line that’s been closed between West Point and Greenwood since 2001.
Push to salvage voter ID bill fails 3/10/2009 JACKSON — The Senate failed by one vote Monday to resurrect a voter identification measure killed last week by Republicans who object to other provisions in the bill that would make it easier to vote.
Lawmakers trying to kill traffic cams 2/28/2009 JACKSON — Legislation against cameras that catch red-light runners has gained widespread support in the Mississippi House and Senate.
Senate passes inventory tax cut 2/26/2009 JACKSON — The state Senate Wednesday approved an inventory tax reduction for businesses, which have been pushing heavily for this.
“Businesses are asking for help, and I think we should give them some help,” said Senate President Pro Tem Billy Hewes, R-Gulfport, chief sponsor of the bill.
House OKs $14 million to reopen Columbus rail line 2/25/2009 JACKSON — The Mississippi House approved giving $14 million to renovate the Columbus and Greenville Railway line that’s been closed between West Point and Greenwood since 2001.
Barbour’s pledge to reject funds stimulates debate 2/24/2009 JACKSON — Leaders of the Democratic-controlled House are hankering to override the governor and accept millions of dollars being offered by the federal economic bailout package to pay extra benefits to people losing their jobs.
Senate Oks sales tax increase, but not for all 2/21/2009 JACKSON — The state Senate passed a bill last week to let Jackson increase the sales tax there to improve streets and crime-fighting efforts but declined to give all Mississippi cities and counties that option to raise revenues for their high-priority needs.
Congress’ stimulus bill includes $1.5 billion for Miss. 2/14/2009 JACKSON — At least $1.5 billion for Mississippi is in the economic stimulus bill Congress passed Friday to upgrade roads and help states avert budget cuts for schools, Medicaid and other programs crippled by the country’s financial collapse.
Medicaid could die in June 2/4/2009 A Senate committee on Tuesday killed its bill to keep the state Medicaid program alive beyond June as lawmakers continue agonizing over how to fund the multibillion-dollar program that provides health care for the poor.
IHL defends secretive selection process 1/30/2009 State college board president Amy Whitten defends the way Mississippi university presidents are selected, with candidates’ names officially cloaked in secrecy while public speculation abounds on who’s being considered behind closed doors.
Mixed response to sin tax legislation 1/30/2009 According to data from the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, Mississippi is one of six states whose cigarette tax has not seen an increase since 1999 or earlier.
Public Service Commission pushes ratepayers’ bill of rights 1/30/2009 The Public Service Commission may not be able to always guarantee low rates, but it can ensure consumers get a “fair deal” when dealing with large, regional utility companies, according to Commissioner Brandon Presley.
Miss. legislators look for ‘classic compromise’ on cigarette levy 1/30/2009 Mississippi House and Senate negotiators will try to reach a compromise on how high to raise the state’s cigarette tax and what this new generation of revenue should be for to help ease the state’s financial agony.
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