Analysis: Mississippi pump fight unresolved as Trump departs
Farmers and environmentalists have been arguing for decades over proposals for a massive federal flood-control project in the south Mississippi Delta. The fight is continuing into a new presidential administration.
Analysis: Legislators approaching busy part of 2020 session
Mississippi lawmakers have had a slow start to their four-month session, but the pace is about to quicken as committees start debating bills dealing with the criminal justice system and other issues.
Analysis: Leadership team will shape the lawmaking process
Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn has completed one of his most consequential tasks of the four-year legislative term — choosing House committee members and leaders.
Analysis: Hosemann dives into role as lieutenant governor
Mississippi’s new Republican lieutenant governor, Delbert Hosemann, has a reputation for working hard and expecting others around him to do the same.
Analysis: Defeated state lawmaker questions validity of election
A one-term state lawmaker in Mississippi is contesting her narrow loss in the general election, saying she believes voting irregularities raise questions about the fairness of the election process.
Analysis: Auditor continues push on non-classroom spending
State Auditor Shad White is continuing his push to get Mississippi school districts to cut non-classroom spending.
Analysis: Republicans show unity, but only some Democrats do
Mississippi Republican candidates are at least making noises about supporting each other for statewide offices this year. Most Democrats, however, are not campaigning as a unified ticket.
Elections don’t always run according to calendar
Elections usually end when the calendar says they should, but sometimes they go into overtime.
In one Mississippi Senate race on the Gulf Coast, a Republican primary that started in August won’t be resolved until the Nov. 5 general election because a judge ordered a new round of voting in a few precincts.
Analysis: Candidates spin numbers on government employment
Mississippi has about 3,900 fewer state government employees now than it did five years ago, and the employees’ average salary has increased by about $3,700.
Analysis: Republicans line up to support immigration arrests
Many Mississippi Republican officials see the immigration raids on seven chicken processing plants earlier this month not only as good policy, but as good politics.
Analysis: 2 years after rule changes, bail still flourishes
Two years after rule changes in Mississippi courts, judges are still demanding bail — and people are still getting stuck in jail.
Analysis: With residency rules, no carpetbaggers wanted
How long should someone live in Mississippi or a particular district, county, or city before they are eligible to run for office? Lawmakers say years, and they’re applying the requirements to more elective offices.
Analysis: Tort reform is back at the Mississippi Capitol
Tort reform is back at the Mississippi Capitol.
Analysis: Hood’s downcast pitch clashes with sunny GOP take
At times, it seemed like the politicians addressing the Mississippi Economic Council last Thursday were mainly there to boost or oppose Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith’s bid to retain the U.S. Senate seat to which Gov. Phil Bryant appointed her.
Analysis: First achievement for special district? Get going
Mississippi was supposed to have a special district for troubled schools operating by now. But when, or if, the achievement school district will actually start is anyone’s guess. A year after a search for a superintendent stalled out, the Mississippi Department of Education has yet to start looking again.
Analysis: Public retirement plan pressure won’t end soon
Mississippi’s public pension system got a particularly unwelcoming reception last week when its leaders told legislators to budget for higher pension contributions.
Analysis: Appeal over charter school funding heats up
Chancery court was never going to be anything but the first round in a lawsuit over how Mississippi’s charter schools are funded.
Analysis: Auditor wants improved use of accounting system
State Auditor Stacy Pickering says an increasing number of accounting problems shows state employees need more training in governmental accounting practices and how to use the $100 million accounting software system that the state turned on in 2014.
Analysis: Clash of ideology on health care regulation
A clash of ideology was on display last week in the Mississippi Legislature.
Analysis: 2018 could bring substantial debate in Mississippi
Mississippi legislators are starting the third year of a four-year term, which means they have a chance to accomplish goals without the immediate pressure of election-year politics.