DHS shuts down centersPamela Berry of the Clarion Ledger writes: "By month's end, 34 family resource centers will close and more than 100 Mississippi families will be stripped of their child-care assistance in an effort to balance the state's Department of Human Services' …
Will Goldwater Followers Vote Against Bush?Sidney Blumenthal writes in Salon about the father of modern-day conservative, and why he turned on the right of today: "It was Goldwater, the genuine article, who established the image of conservative as Western hero. His persona was indistinguishable from …
McCoy releases budgetAP reports: "McCoy said the House plan would inject $673 million into the anemic state budget. He says the money would come from several sources, including increasing costs for licenses and similar fees, using the annual payment from a tobacco …
Tort reform raises rallyByrd of the AP reports :" 'We're saying that we know better than the citizens of this state as to what value a life might be, and that's wrong,' Tollison said. The Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association opposes the bill. 'The …
Wyatt Emmerich: Raise Cigarette TaxesEmmerich writes: "For Pete's sake, let's raise the taxes on cigarettes. Mississippi currently has one of the lowest cigarette tax rates in the nation. Just a quarter-a-pack increase could raise $100 million or so. We all want to reduce smoking. …
House, McCoy Budget Puts Education FirstClarion-Ledger online today: "Mississippi's Adequate Education Plan that funds K-12 public schools and the state health insurance program would be fully funded under a House budget plan unveiled today at the Capitol. As hundreds of cheering teachers and state workers …
Barbour Urges Tort Reform Rally[Verbatim; from Barbour office) Governor Barbour is asking tort reform supporters to attend a rally at the New Capitol Building this Wednesday (2/25) at 1:30 p.m. on the second floor rotunda. He is encouraging those who attend to arrive early …
Barbour, McCoy on course for collisionGeoff Pender of THE SUN HERALDwrites "Barbour is slick; McCoy is sly. Both are powerful - Barbour through his alliance with Tuck and the Senate, his considerable public relations skills and Washington contacts; McCoy through his position as leader of …
Nader Wants to Be 'POTUS'; Barbour Sez Dems 'Nervous'AP reports: "Nader's decision was greeted with a chorus of condemnation from Democrats, longtime friends and former supporters who blame him for Al Gore's loss four years ago. They suggested that Nader would not pull close to the 2.7 percent …
Senate passes bill to raise payThe Clarion Ledger reports today: "Senate Bill 2647 would allow a 22 percent hike for tax assessors and tax collectors, along with a $5,000 bonus for anyone serving in both capacities. Supervisors, sheriffs, justice court judges and coroners would see …
Barbour supports bill saying teacher jobs can't be cutEmily Pettus of the AP reports "'Getting rid of teachers should not be the first, knee-jerk reaction to saving money in education,' Barbour said. But, with K-12 public education facing a $161 million shortfall next fiscal year under recommendations by …
Kerry and his ‘Band of Brothers'Mary Lynn F. Jones writes on Alternet: that Kerry has strong appeal with veterans, who could swing the election. <i>Kerry is finally giving Vietnam veterans a platform. "They're eating it up because no one has ever done it before," says …
The Progressive Populist Moment?Tom Hayden writes for Alternet: <i>It's been a remarkable shift after the past decade of Democratic catering to corporate interests and conservative voters, Only one year ago, candidates John Kerry, John Edwards and Richard Gephardt had voted for the Iraq …
The DLC vs. Howard DeanNaeem Mohaiemen writes for Alternet: "[A] core part of Dean's appeal was his overwhelming support among young people. In 2000, one of the lowest voter turnouts was among young people. If you were under 24, you tuned out and stayed …
[Just In] Barbour Says He Won't ‘Streamline' EducationWe just received this from Barbour's office: <i>Contrary to what some have said, the "Operation: Streamline" legislation does not affect funding for education at all. There are no bills dealing with schools, teachers or K-12 funding. My executive budget submitted …
Mississippi Mulls Marriage AmendmentThe Advocate reports: <i>Mississippi gay and lesbian leaders are trying to raise awareness about a bill that would constitutionally ban gay marriages. "We've got the word out through memberships, through our e-lists, our Web sites. This is part of educating …
Barbour Details ‘Streamline' Budget[verbatim statement] (Jackson, Miss.)-- Governor Haley Barbour was joined today by Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck and scores of legislators as he filed the bill that represents his budget-fixing plan, "Operation: Streamline." "Operation: Streamline recognizes that we cannot move forward as …
Barbour Faces Budget Opposition... especially on education cuts. The Clarion-Ledger reports today: </i>On Tuesday, dozens of lawmakers — mostly GOP allies — gathered with Barbour to pledge support for the changes. "I'm willing to make the tough decisions ... if you'll join me …
High Tech, Free Trade and ‘New Labor'The blogosphere seems a bit a-flutter over the dawning awareness that an increasing number of "knowledge worker" jobs -- mostly high-tech -- are being outsourced by American corporations to other countries such as India. Democratic presidential primary candidates are bring …
PEER slams state veterans' homesAndy Kanengiser of the Clarion Ledger reports "Mississippi's watchdog agency today slammed the state's four veterans homes in a hard-hitting report that says residents' health and safety is at risk."
Amendment opposedThe AP reports "Same-sex marriages are already banned by Mississippi law. The legislation proposed by Sen. Alan Nunnelee of Tupelo would protect that law from court challenges by making it a part of Mississippi's Constitution."
Bush "Dead Even" with Kerry; on DefensiveAP is reporting: "Republicans have a lot to worry about; hence the reason Bush has been on the defense, says national pollster Mark Schulman."
Smooth Talk: Barbour on the BudgetThe former lobbyist was smooth. Gov. Haley Barbour touched on a lot of issues that many Mississippians think are important in his first State of the State address last month. He also glided on by a few on which some …
[Lott] Doing Our JobThe U.S. Senate is considering highway legislation that will improve public safety, make transportation easier and help create new jobs. Since the beginning of our republic, Congress has been charged with establishing and maintaining roads. This duty stands shoulder to …
[Ladd] Rest In PeaceWhen Dr. Monique Guillory called me and said she wanted to bring the "Without Sanctuary" exhibit to Jackson, I swallowed hard. I knew about the horrifying and controversial exhibit of lynching photographs, the images that sear themselves into your psyche …
[Cannon] Stamp Out Black History MonthIt's here again. Black History Month. "Roots" will be played over and over and over again. The Black Heritage Movie Network will show films like "Sweet Sweetback's Baadassss Song." And we'll be blessed with all those precious Black History Moments: …
Senator says he won't approve local and private taxesBryd of the Associated Press writes:"The chairman of the Senate Local and Private Committee says he won't approve any tax increase bills, including those from cities that are trying to fund special projects. Sen. Ralph Doxey, D-Holly Springs, is head …
Young People to Pols: Don't Forget UsScott Beale writes for Alternet: "Dean's campaign was the first ever to reach out to young Americans, not just as campaign runts, but as participants in a discussion of political issues, as small financial contributors, as canvassers knocking on doors, …
Bill will open schoolsSun Herald reports : "The bill would still let children take most of their classes at home. But they could go to public schools for classes that might be difficult to teach at home, such as chemistry lab or foreign …
White wins Senate electionPosted from the Associated Press: "It's been a struggle, but I'm telling you it's been a learning experience, Republican White said Tuesday night. I did the job before, but I'm going to be a little bit more active now."