Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Blake Wilson, CEO of the Mississippi Economic Council, spoke in favor of the Senate’s transportation bond bill at the Capitol, which could create a way for lawmakers to fund the state’s crumbling infrastructure. Photo by Imani Khayyam.
Funding for the state's crumbling infrastructure didn't exactly top priorities for legislators on their first round of revenue bill deadlines, and Senate Bill 2921 made it over to the House by four votes.
The bill is the highway "dummy" funding bill, which brings forward multiple tax code sections and possible bonds to possibly provide the suggested funding to the state's crumbing highways, roads and bridges. The Mississippi Economic Council spoke in support of the bill last week at the Capitol. The council's "Excelerate Report" calls for $375 million annual increase in funding in order to repair the state's 424 deficient bridges and state roads that need repairs.
The Mississippi Economic Council, the state's chamber of commerce, has itemized lobbyist's client reports for the past few years that reveal how much money they spend on some of their big gatherings, including the Hobnob event, where some politicians get invited to speak each fall. The reports show their tendency is to throw big receptions for lawmakers and public officials instead of spending on individuals as much. The council is made up of both local and national corporation and business supporters. Their "pinnacle members" include big campaign spenders like Atmos Energy, AT&T, Nissan, Trustmark and Entergy.
The council spent a little over half a million dollars on receptions in 2015. Their two big "receptions" are political and business events, the Hobnob the last week in October and the PowerPlay Conference in late April every year, which are the council's most costly receptions, and all of their receptions have more attendees than public officials in attendance. For more on the group, visit msmec.com.
2015 Total Expenditures
$0 on public officials' food, beverage, travel, leisure
$502,162 on receptions
Biggest Receptions of 2015
MEC PowerPlay, April 30, 2015, Jackson
Public Officials in Attendance: 75
Total Attendance: 2,100
Total Cost: $167,455
Hobnob Mississippi, Oct. 29, 2015, Jackson
Public Officials in Attendance: 150
Total Attendance: 1,700
Total Cost: $103,718
MEC Capital Day, Jan. 8, 2015, Jackson
Public Officials in Attendance: 125
Total Attendance: 1,200
Total Cost: $89,609
Reception on March 6, 2015, Hattiesburg
Public Officials in Attendance: 16
Total Attendance: 200
Total Cost: $12,384
Reception on March 20, 2015, Ridgeland
Public Officials in Attendance: 20
Total Attendance: 175
Total Cost: $10,836
2014 Total Expenditures
$236 on group meetings for public officials
$591,451 on receptions
Biggest Receptions of 2014
MEC 65th Annual Meeting, April 10, 2014, Jackson
Public Officials in Attendance: 150
Total Attendance: 1,900
Total Cost: $198,085
MEC Capitol Day, Jan. 8, 2014, Jackson
Public Officials in Attendance: 225
Total Attendance: 1,200
Total Cost: $87,993
Hobnob Mississippi, Oct. 30,2014, Jackson
Public Officials in Attendance: 225
Total Attendance: 1,500
Total Cost: $83,590
Reception on May 14, 2014, Jackson
Public Officials in Attendance: 50
Total Attendance: 350
Total Cost: $29,717
Reception on Feb. 20, 2014, Gulfport
Public Officials in Attendance: 20
Total Attendance: 185
Total Cost: $15,466
All attendance numbers are estimates, taken directly from Lobbyist's Client Reports available on the Mississippi Secretary of State's website.