DUNGER: An open letter to Senator Thad Cochran

BY: Michael Dunger Senator Thad Cochran, Today, I read with great sadness that you have decided to seek another term as one of the US Senators from the Great State of Mississippi. I had truly hoped that you would choose not to run, and to quietly retire out of public life. As a productive, tax-paying …

Senators Wiggins and Bryan support changes to sentencing laws.

(Editors Note: Senator Brice Wiggins has contacted Mississippi PEP via Twitter to take exception to the headline of this aggregated article saying it is not representative of his position. One can only assume because he doesn't support changes as the headline says, and the content suggests. But, that would assume he supports the "system of distrust" …

HALL: Gunn stood firm against Reeves in Medicaid Session.

A meeting between the state's top three leaders that Friday, just before the end of the session, is now something of minor legend among Capitol politicos. Supposedly the only three people there were Bryant, Gunn and Reeves -- though some say a governor's aide or two were present -- so only a very few know …

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, …

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 …

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 …

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 …

June 11-On this day in Mississippi History . . .

in 2012, the Mississippi House Management Committee voted to pay Democrat Rep. Billy Broomfield’s expenses to a 2012 Southern Legislative Conference in Charleston, West Virginia after another black Democrat warned that Black Caucus members could obstruct business in the 2013 legislative session over the denial. “I think you need to go ahead and let him …

Rewind One-Year: Speculation beginning for possible replacement to Senator Thad Cochran | Mississippi PEP

One year ago today: Harrison: Speculation beginning for possible replacement to Senator Thad Cochran | Mississippi PEP.

NEWSOM: Cochran scenario to produce Coast lieutenant governor?

I've heard Republican power brokers are already working on a fairly complicated contingency plan involving multiple appointments that could end with a South Mississippian in the lieutenant governor's office if Cochran steps down before his term ends. Gov. Phil Bryant would appoint Cochran's replacement until an election could be held. Bryant could choose Lt. Gov. …