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, 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 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 Budget, Democrats, Education, Legislature, MAEP, Mississippi, Mississippi State Senate, Politics, State Government, Superintendents, Teachers

Sen. Hob Bryan not happy about additional funding for MAEP.


Funding for public schools is expected to be about the same in the coming year as it is this budget year. During a debate last week, Sen. Hob Bryan, D-Amory, criticized budget writers for moving $20 million out of a fund for public school buildings. The money is being routed into the schools’ basic funding … Continue reading Sen. Hob Bryan not happy about additional funding for MAEP.

Mississippi PEP Bill Denny, Democrats, Elections, Legislature, Mississippi, Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus, Mississippi State House, Mississippi State Senate, Politics, Race, Redistricting, Republican, State Government

New state legislative districts submitted to feds


The Legislature passed the House and Senate plans in early May during the final days of the 2012 session. Before the plans can go into effect, they must meet federal approval to ensure they do not negatively affect minority voting strength. The delay in submitting the plans was to give private attorneys who consult with … Continue reading New state legislative districts submitted to feds

Mississippi PEP Budget, Legislature, Mississippi, Mississippi State Senate, Politics, Spending, State Government

Budget proposals not entertaining


Mississippi's budgeting process has drifted far, too far, from the bottom line. As a prime example, we cite the state Department of Health, which contends it needs at least $30 million to meet basic needs and an additional $6 million from the state to match a $13 million grant for life-saving medications. Yet some members … Continue reading Budget proposals not entertaining

Mississippi PEP Education, Governor, Mississippi, Mississippi State Senate, Politics, Republican, State Government

With 8 appointments and maybe more, Bryant’s impact on College Board unprecedented


JACKSON, Miss. — Republican Gov.-elect Phil Bryant will have the opportunity to do what no governor in modern times has done — have eight appointments during his first term to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. Thanks to a constitutional change approved by voters in 2003, Bryant will make four appointments … Continue reading With 8 appointments and maybe more, Bryant’s impact on College Board unprecedented

Mississippi PEP Haley Barbour, Legislature, Mississippi, Phil Bryant, Politics, Redistricting, Republican, State Government

Minor–Mississippi sitting on sidelines once again


The fact that Barbour has shown no sign of calling lawmakers back into special session to deal with either legislative or Congressional reapportionment--plus the role Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant played in the 2011 regular session-- indicates they are perfectly happy with federal court rather than the state doing the job. In the 2011 session, the … Continue reading Minor–Mississippi sitting on sidelines once again