Mississippi PEP Golden Triangle, Legislature, Mississippi State Senate, Politics

Younger and Patrick make it into runoff for state senate seat.


Charles “Chuck” Younger and Bobby Patrick are headed to a runoff to decide who will replace the late Terry Brown in the state Senate. Complete but unofficial results show Younger got 41.4 percent of the vote while Patrick received 26 percent in yesterday’s election. The runoff is Nov. 25. Read More

Mississippi PEP Legislature, Mississippi State Senate, Public Service Commission, Tony Smith

Sen. Tony Smith says he’s looking “very seriously” at run for Southern District Public Service Commissioner.


State Senator Tony Smith tells the Picayune Item that he is looking closely at a possible run for Southern District Public Service Commissioner in 2015. In an article to preview upcoming issues in the 2015 Legislative Session, Smith said that he was "considering running for public service commissioner next year." He added: "I haven’t made … Continue reading Sen. Tony Smith says he’s looking “very seriously” at run for Southern District Public Service Commissioner.

Mississippi PEP contributor, Democrats, Entitlements, Ethics, Federal Government, Governor, health, Insurance, Keith Plunkett, Legislature, Medicaid, Mississippi, Mississippi State House, Mississippi State Senate, Obamacare, Opinion, Politics, Republican, Spending, State Government, Tate Reeves

PLUNKETT: Medicaid Session truth is not pretty, but the deal got done.


BY: B. Keith Plunkett @Keithplunkett It is said that truth is stranger than fiction. It’s oftentimes a little less flattering, too. Such is the case with the Medicaid Special Session held last week at the State Capitol.Unity is the word of the week from Republicans--ALMOST all Republicans--but the truth is the session wasn’t all smiles, … Continue reading PLUNKETT: Medicaid Session truth is not pretty, but the deal got done.

Mississippi PEP Democrats, Governor, Gun Control, Law Enforcement, Legislature, Mississippi, Mississippi State Senate, Phil Bryant, Politics, Second Amendment, State Government

Democrat legislators ask Governor to repeal open carry law.


A group of Mississippi lawmakers and lawmen gathered Thursday to ask Gov. Phil Bryant to repeal the state's open carry law, which goes into effect on Monday. "The open carry law should be repealed. It's a very dangerous law and I dare say that most members of the Legislature were not aware until after the … Continue reading Democrat legislators ask Governor to repeal open carry law.

Mississippi PEP Democrats, Entitlements, health, Insurance, Legislature, Medicaid, Mississippi, Mississippi State House, Mississippi State Senate, Politics, Republican, Spending, State Government, Tate Reeves

Lt. Gov. Reeves hints at support of one-year repealer, and more expansion debate in 2014.


On the opening day of the special session Thursday, the House voted to both reauthorize and to fund the health care program, something it could not do in the regular session. But both bills were held on parliamentary maneuvers meaning they cannot be taken up by the Senate before Friday. With the votes on funding … Continue reading Lt. Gov. Reeves hints at support of one-year repealer, and more expansion debate in 2014.

Mississippi PEP Democrats, Entitlements, Governor, health, Legislature, Medicaid, Mississippi, Mississippi State House, Mississippi State Senate, Obamacare, Opinion, Phil Bryant, Philip Gunn, Politics, Republican, Spending, State Government

CORDER: Medicaid Special Session could go well into the weekend.


After all the smoke clears, the real question is will Democrats really vote against this program for a 5th time? A straight up or down vote against reauthorizing Medicaid is a killer vote for Democrats right now. Vote for it (and do the right thing) and they lose the political fight. Vote against it and … Continue reading CORDER: Medicaid Special Session could go well into the weekend.

Mississippi PEP Democrats, Federal Government, Governor, health, Insurance, Legislature, Medicaid, Mississippi, Mississippi State House, Mississippi State Senate, Obamacare, Phil Bryant, Philip Gunn, Politics, Republican, Spending, State Government

Rep. Steve Holland: We’re going to talk about expansion.


In today’s special session, the Republican leadership, particularly Speaker Philip Gunn of Clinton and Gov. Phil Bryant, will continue to try to block an expansion vote. But Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville, said, “We’re going to talk about Medicaid, all facets of it, including of the expansion.” Whether there will be a vote on expansion remains … Continue reading Rep. Steve Holland: We’re going to talk about expansion.

Mississippi PEP Entitlements, Ethics, Federal Government, Governor, health, Insurance, Legislature, Medicaid, Mississippi, Mississippi State House, Mississippi State Senate, Obamacare, Opinion, Phil Bryant, Philip Gunn, Politics, Republican, State Government, Tate Reeves

HALL: Will Lt. Governor play inter-party politics with Medicaid special session?


If you don’t think Reeves is purposefully trying to distinguish his position from that of Bryant and Gunn while still maintaining his current opposition to Medicaid expansion, then explain why he included this next part: “Earlier this year, the Senate reauthorized and funded Medicaid without expansion in a bipartisan vote. Unfortunately, the bill died in … Continue reading HALL: Will Lt. Governor play inter-party politics with Medicaid special session?

Mississippi PEP Angela Burks Hill, Chris Massey, Chris McDaniel, contributor, David Parker, Josh Harkins, Keith Plunkett, Legislature, Medicaid, Melanie Sojourner, Michael Watson, Mississippi, Mississippi State Senate, Opinion, Perry Lee, Politics, Republican, State Government, Tate Reeves

PLUNKETT: Political response to Senate Conservative Coalition proves why it is needed.


BY: B. Keith Plunkett @Keithplunkett A group of eleven state senators announced on Tuesday the formation of the Mississippi Senate Conservative Coalition (MSCC). The group will assist conservatives in parsing through the details of approximately 3,000 bills filed each year at the state capitol with the hope of getting good conservative legislation in the spotlight … Continue reading PLUNKETT: Political response to Senate Conservative Coalition proves why it is needed.

Mississippi PEP Angela Hill, Chris McDaniel, David Parker, Josh Harkins, Legislature, Melanie Sojourner, Michael Watson, Mississippi, Mississippi State Senate, Perry Lee, Politics, Public Service, State Government, Tony Smith, Will Longwitz

Invitations go out to conservatives to join senate coalition to evaluate legislation.


Eleven of the 32 Republicans in the Mississippi Senate say they're forming a conservative coalition to help evaluate bills. In announcing their plan Tuesday, they say they're not disgruntled. They also say they're inviting others to join, sending letters today to their fellow senators. "This is about advancing conservative issues. Period. End of game," said … Continue reading Invitations go out to conservatives to join senate coalition to evaluate legislation.