Supes approve purchase of multi-purpose floor at Crawford gym
The Crawford Elementary School gym is getting a new floor. But not the kind its district county supervisor Jeff Smith would like to see.
PAC money pushes Smith well ahead in fundraising for Dist. 39 race
By the end of the final reporting period before the upcoming primary elections, candidates seeking the District 39 seat in the Mississippi House of Representatives raised a combined $68,750, making it the most expensive race for a state legislative office.
LCSD sets criteria for superintendent search
The Lowndes County School District board laid out their list of criteria for qualified superintendent candidates during a special-call meeting Monday night.
LCSD enrolling city students, taking MAEP funds, then sending students back to CMSD
Columbus Municipal School District has been left on the hook for educating dozens of former county students for which they have no state funding, and for testing those students without what some officials consider a fair opportunity to prepare them.
Golden Triangle gets $13M from Legislature for projects
The Golden Triangle will have an additional $13.1 million to spend on a variety of projects, including more than $6 million for construction and Mississippi University for Women and $5 million for the Partnership School in Starkville.
2-percent bill awaits governor’s signature
A long-debated 2-percent restaurant sales tax is a stroke of a pen away from returning to Columbus.
County to borrow $1 million to finish horse park
Lowndes County supervisors voted unanimously to borrow $1 million to pay for the completion of the county’s horse park, changing their approach to how they spend revenues from the county’s hospital trust fund.
Restaurant tax: Conflicting ideas fuel efforts to revive restaurant tax
Several issues still need addressing if the city or county hope to see a 2-percent restaurant sales tax restored after it expires June 30.
Restaurant tax: Smith’s votes on sales taxes show inconsistency
Rep. Jeff Smith said his opposition to Lowndes County’s failed request for an extension on its 2-percent restaurant sales tax was based on his belief that “new” tax should first be approved by the voters.
Our View: Shame
It is the nature of the job that a legislator must sometimes defy popular opinion to do what he knows is best for his community.
Restaurant tax: CVB looks at budget amid cuts from two-percent tax loss
It’s the nature of the job for tourism officials to look ahead and in the aftermath of this week’s failed effort to extend Lowndes County’s 2-percent restaurant tax, that is what Nancy Carpenter was doing Wednesday morning.
Restaurant tax: Legislators fail to reach tax agreement for CVB
The bill to extend Lowndes County’s 2-percent restaurant sales tax is all but dead, as local business, government, economic development and tourism officials begin to absorb the bleak consequences.
Slimantics: Our community will pay a staggering price for Smith/Chism obstinance
The Mississippi legislature ends its 2018 session as soon as today and Rep. Jeff Smith and Rep. Gary Chism will come home to Columbus.
They can stay home, as far as I am concerned.
Restaurant tax: CVB funding in limbo as Legislature argues over tax
The fate of Lowndes County’s 2-percent restaurant sales tax hangs in the balance after a conference committee failed to agree Sunday evening on whether the new legislation should extend to all businesses that sell prepared meals, as was requested by both the City of Columbus and Lowndes County.
Rep. Smith: Governor was source of lofty industrial claim
When Rep. Jeff Smith (R-Columbus) told listeners on the Gallo radio show on Jan. 25 that a major aerospace project that would create 4,000 jobs was expected to come to Mississippi, economic development officials from one end of the state to the other were caught flat-footed.
Slimantics: Smith doesn’t sugar coat disappointing legislative session
Jeff Smith has represented Lowndes County in the House of Representatives since 1992. Wednesday, during his appearance at the Kiwanis Club of Columbus at Lion Hills Center, he noted he has just completed his 26th legislative session.
State Rep. Smith speaks to Columbus Rotary
State Representative Jeff Smith addressed state budget issues, House Bill 1523 and gun control at the regular Columbus Rotary Club meeting Tuesday afternoon at Lion Hills Center.
Our View: Jeff Smith: Beer czar or just bizarre?
As the Legislature proceeds with its 2016 session, the economic outlook is worrisome for out state.
Brooks, Smith abstain from voting during supes meeting
The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors held their regular board meeting Friday. All five supervisors were present, but just three voted.
Jeff Smith: State budget uses no one-time money
Jeff Smith, who represents House District 39 in the Legislature, spoke to the Columbus Rotary Club on Tuesday about the legislature’s budget following the 2015 session.