Mississippi PEP David Baria, Legislature, MDOC

Rep. Baria wants to convene panel to investigate “systemic corruption” of MDOC scandal.


State Rep. David Baria, D-Waveland, wants to convene a legislative panel to look at the charges against Epps, who was indicted along with former lobbyist Cecil McCrory last week on 49 counts involving an alleged bribery and kickback scheme, as well as Epps' reappointments to head MDOC. Baria believes the MDOC scandal represents systemic corruption … Continue reading Rep. Baria wants to convene panel to investigate “systemic corruption” of MDOC scandal.

Mississippi PEP Legislature, Phil Bryant, Revenue

Legislative Budget Committe adopts 3-percent increase in revenue estimates for FY 2016


The Mississippi Legislature will have $170 million more to spend during the 2015 session, which starts in January, than it did during the 2014 session, based on the revenue estimate adopted Monday. The Legislative Budget Committee, which consists of Speaker Philip Gunn, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and legislative leaders, met with a representative of Gov. … Continue reading Legislative Budget Committe adopts 3-percent increase in revenue estimates for FY 2016

Mississippi PEP health, Legislature

SUN HERALD EDITORIAL BOARD: Legislature should revoke Open Meetings Act exemption for public hospitals.


Obviously, our own support for the measure has been bolstered by recent revelations about Singing River Health System mishandling its finances and pension plan. But the concern is not limited to the Coast. As the Natchez Democrat editorialized at the time Collins' bill was killed by inaction, "we had hoped against hope that Senate Bill … Continue reading SUN HERALD EDITORIAL BOARD: Legislature should revoke Open Meetings Act exemption for public hospitals.

Mississippi PEP Legislature, Phil Bryant

Gov. Bryant has Dept. Of Revenue looking into tax break for families making under $40K


It's too soon to know what kind of tax cuts legislators will consider. They could look at a business-focused break, or at a narrowly focused reduction of income taxes. "We're looking very closely at the possibility of an income tax cut for working-class families. So we're looking at roughly about a $40,000 income and below," … Continue reading Gov. Bryant has Dept. Of Revenue looking into tax break for families making under $40K

Mississippi PEP Gulf Coast, Legislature

Coast residents pushing for wind insurance clarity bill in 2015.


Coast residents are gearing up to get a wind insurance clarity bill passed in the Mississippi legislature in 2015 MPB’s Evelina Burnett reports. The legislation is modeled on a similar bill in Alabama, which requires insurance companies to disclose how much they take in in premiums and how much they’ve paid out in claims by … Continue reading Coast residents pushing for wind insurance clarity bill in 2015.

Mississippi PEP health, Legislature, Medicaid, Mississippi, Obamacare, Politics, State Government

MS Hospitals continue pressing for Medicaid expansion.


(graphic credit: Kaiser Family Foundation via MPBOnline.org) St. Dominic's president Lester Diamond says Mississippi hospitals are working on a proposal that would include changes to the existing Medicaid program to help convince reluctant state lawmakers to expand it. Diamond says there is a sweet spot that includes conservative changes to Medicaid but still open access … Continue reading MS Hospitals continue pressing for Medicaid expansion.

Mississippi PEP Legislature, MDOT, Public Safety, Taxes, Transportation

PENDER: Rough road ahead for motorists, politics


BY: Geoff Pender Many of our roads and bridges are in poor shape and expected to get worse from lack of maintenance. On present course, experts predict more than half the state’s roads will be un-travelable by 2030. Part of the problem is the state, with an ambitious road building program in the 1980s, added … Continue reading PENDER: Rough road ahead for motorists, politics

Mississippi PEP Legislature, Mississippi State House, Republican, Retirement, State Government

Rep. Rita Martinson won’t seek re-election in 2015, Joel Bomgar expected to make a run for seat.


(Rep. Rita) Martinson on Wednesday confirmed rumors circulating for months that she won't seek re-election after her present term ends in 2015. As the rumors have flown, tech executive Joel Bomgar has said he would consider running if Martinson does not. Martinson entered the Legislature when Kirk Fordice was governor and there were few solid … Continue reading Rep. Rita Martinson won’t seek re-election in 2015, Joel Bomgar expected to make a run for seat.