Well, that was interesting. Representative Jeff Smith of Columbus Packet fame spent an hour on Gallo yesterday trashing me and the Lieutenant Governor. It was quite funny actually, as Mr. Smith said about me, "I wouldn't trust him in an outhouse with a muzzle on." I'm sure Billy McCoy could say the same about him, but I digress. Mr. Smith later said there was no $400 million bond bill, it was $250 million, and anyone who says it was $400 million is "lying". He said the $400 million was a list of possible projects presented to the Lieutenant Governor.
Oh, really Mr. Smith? Lets take a look at HB #1631. It was passed by the House. Here is a list of projects in the 77 page bill:
$5 million Ace Fund
$4 million Ms. Job Protection Act Fund
$2 million Ms. Rural impact fund
$5 million Ms Existing industry productivity loan fund
$15 million increase in limit for bonds issued under MS. business investment act
$40 million Economic Development Highway Act
$9 million for junior colleges
$5 million for small muni fund
$2 million for county jail repair
$2 million for bridge repair
$55.1 million for muni infrastructure (p.25)
$1.5 million for loan loss program at banks (p.27)
$2 million for new spillway and dam structure at Lake Mary in Wilkinson County
$150,000 for repairing muni community centers
$100,000 to Holly Springs to provide water & sewer service
$7 million for a a high economic benefit project as defined in Section
65-4-5(1)(c)
$196 million: $96 million for IHL Cap Improvement fund, $49.65 million
for state owned buildings discretionary fund, $8 million IHL building
fund,$20 million for juco cap improvement fund. Here is a partial list I've italicized so it doesn't get mixed in with the other items as there are so many of them:
$6.5 million for ASU for repair
$6.5 million for DSU
$11 million for JSU
$6.5 million for MUW
$16.5 million for MSU
$6.5 million for MVSU
$15 million for Ole Miss
$13.5 million for USM
Total: $96 million for universities
$20 million for junior colleges
$5 million for the small muni fund (p.57)
$2 million for MDOC
$20 million for bridge rehab fund (p.70)
Does that look like $250 million? Hmm... maybe in Desoto County Schools it does, but in a proper charter school $377.75 million does not equal $250 million. That is a whole lot more kabukis than $250 million. Now keep in mind the bill was 77 pages, and its very possible I missed some items, so if I have too many or too little, tell me where I am wrong and I will make corrections. I'll be more than happy to make the correction and apologize for the error.
However, the fact is, a bond bill for nearly $400 million passed the House. Don't take my word for it, here it is. The bill then went to the Senate where changes were made. Since changes were made, that means the differences had to be resolved in conference committee. Here is where the offer and counter-offer began. The House provided this list:
ACE Fund- $5 million
Ms Job Protection Act Fund- $4 million
Ms Rural Impact Fund- $2 million
Ms Existing Industry Productivity Fund- $5 million
Ms Business Investment Act- $15 million
Economic Development Highway Act- $40 million
IHL Cap Improvements- $96 million
Bureau of Building discretionary- $49.650 million
Bureau of Building IHL discretionary- $8 million
Juco's- $20 million
Juco's= $9 million
Small munis/counties- $5 million
County & muni jails- $2 million
Local bridge rehab fund- $20 million
DWFP- $10 million
Tammy Wynette Legacy Park Center- $5 million
Grammy Museum Mississippi- $6 million
Rural Fire Truck Fund- $3.2 million
Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund- $1.54 million
Mid-Mississippi Sports Complex- $20 million
Total: 326 million
Now I am going to take the representative at his word and accept the House only wanted $250 million out of this list. However, saying people are "lying" when they say $400 million is not exactly telling the truth, as that is what was in the House bill. See, this is how politicians play their games. They pass one thing, then come out with these super secret figures that were the real numbers. The Lieutenant Governor's office counter offer was a list of $73 million in bonds and $50 million in appropriations. His proposal would have given IHL $60 million, the Juco's $15 million, and $20 million for the bridge fund.
Now instead of taking shots at me, or the Lieutenant Governor, or Snowball, why don't you discuss the merits of each side, the actual projects, or the items in the bill. Keep in mind there are $1.2 billion in bonds that have been approved by the Legislature but not yet approved by the Bond Commission.
Note: I will also give credit to yes, Mr. Smith. One reliable Republican lobbyist disagrees with the House on the bond list but said Mr. Smith told them not to pass a bill that was nearly $400 million as the Senate would never go along with it but he was ignored. If true, then I give credit to Mr. Smith.
Gallo show w/Representative Jeff Smith at the 7:00 hour.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
The bond food fight continues.
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21 comments:
$50 million in appropriations? Where is that coming from? Thin air? Why aren't you digging into that Kingfish?
The best thing Bryant and Gunn can do at this point is let everything in the state come to a screeching halt and then direct the fallout to Reeves.
Because sooner or later in the court of public opinion Reeves is going to lose this one.
NOT because of the differences in amounts BUT because he pouted, picked up his marbles when the others wouldn't bow down to kiss his feet and then he went home.
Behind the scenes Bryant is going to make it painful for the greenhorn. Reeves fooled 'em all once but he won't ever do it again. Going to be a long, long 8 years. Tater gone shot his wad.
Why dont you look at HB1631. The only bill passing the House and the Senate and it was $280,500,000.
We gave the Lt. Governor and the Chairman of the Finance Committee a list possible projects of $376,000.000, can we at least agree on that? No signed conference report or any other items was presented to either Chamber. Even Mr. Reeves and Sen Terry Brown acknowledged it was $280,000.00. It was amended on the House floor by Hon. R. Johnson to add $20 million for roads and bridges. The original HB 1631 came out of Committee at $260 million Mr. Kingfish I at least had the intestinal fortitude to run agains Mr. McCoy for Speaker and hopefully got the conservative movement in the House start in 2007-2008. Perhaps you should run for the Legislature, it might do you some good.
Best wishes to you and your blog.
11:10, your scenario is pretty much spot on, except reverse the roles between Phildo and Tater
Why dont you look at HB1631. The only bill passing the House and the Senate and it was $280,500,000.
You are wasting your time Jeff. The purpose for all this is to backstop PoutReeves and redirect attention away from his monumental screw up.
Phil, when Tater calls you begging for a Special Session just say 'No'.
As a taxpayer, I'm thankful Tater picked up his marbles and went home. He ran on a hard line and he stuck to it. I realize this is hard for people to imagine, since it's pretty rare to see in politics, but I'm glad to see I voted for the right guy. I expected him to save my tax dollars for real needs, rather than wasteful amounts thrown together in a big convoluted package to please certain folks. What people seem to forget is these are bonds, not appropriations. Extra money. Let's get the state coffers somewhere in the vicinity of the ballpark before trying to issue more debt.
So, correct me if I am wrong, but you did say Tate only wanted to issue bonds on IHL, JUCOs, and bridges?
If that is correct, these are the things Tate does not want:
1. Tate said NO to Job Protection
2. Tate said NO to Industry Productivity
3. Tate said NO Highways for the State to help with economic development
4. Tate said NO to the Business Investment Act to help economic development and businesses
5. Tate said NO to the Mississippi Development Authority to help recruit and bring in new businesses
6. Tate said NO to jails for small municipalities and counties to house prisoners and keep our streets safe
7. Tate said NO to the University Medical Center to improve healthcare in the area and state
8. Tate said NO to allowing rural areas to have Fire Trucks and adequate fire and safety protection
I guess I know where Tate stands on the issues of business, economic development, health, safety, and the rural areas of the state. From his actions, it appears he likes to talk about helping and how he can help, but deliberately keeps help from occurring.
What is Job Protection? What is an Ace fund? What is Industry Productivity? Why are these bening bonded?
There is no reason this year to authorize any more than $100 million in bonds.
It will do us good to slow down on the issuance of bonds for a while to free up some general fund money to go to education and other programs, rather than toward bond payments.
Tate Reeves ran on the platform of slowing down the use of bonded indebtedness. He was elected on this platform. he is now keeping his promise and following up on his election platform.
Can this actually be held against him?? Most taxpayers especially Republicns will appreciate this. Also, putting the brakes on borrowing and debt is a good selling point, not a bad one.
Kudos to Tate. I wish we had more government leader who said NO to spend now-pay later policies.
Tate said NO to the University Medical Center
I knew there was *something* I liked about that boy ...
Special interests and their lobbyists and the people who make money from the government spending more money love bonds and they think because they are politically powerful that rejecting it is politically foolish. But in truth, most people in Mississippi want less government spending and less debt. Reeves won't suffer from this, no matter how much those who don't like him or those who want more bonds want to hope it will hurt him.
Kudos to Tate. I wish we had more government leader who said NO to spend now-pay later policies.
Then why did he rubberstamp $1 billion in bonds over the past 8 years while serving on the Bond Commission? Maybe one of you Reeves groupies can detail all of those "No" votes he cast in protest.
I too wonder what 'job protection' and 'industry productivity' in the above post mean. This is the only state without a department of labor and there are no laws in this state, nor have any been suggested, dealing with 'job protection'. 'Industry productivity'? What the hell does that mean. The first order of business needs to be a state that is attractive TO industry. Then let the industry worry about productivity. It's none of the gubment's business.
The last time Tate went on Gallo, he was talked down to and persecuted about the bond debt and his role on the the bond commission. Now, all of a sudden, Tate saying no to a bloated bond bill is "bad fiscal policy"?
Gallo is talking out of both sides of his mouth.
Rep. Smith:
Here's the bottom line: Tate Reeves whipped your ass. Whining to your silly client at the Columbus Free Press about your butt whooping makes you look pathetic.
You should be ashamed of yourself teaming up with known Reeves hater, hatchet man and welfare queen Paul Galtelli to attack another Republican.
Tate will win this fight every day of the week because (1) he did exactly what he promised the voters he would do during the campaign, and (2) you're whining about it.
If Speaker Disaster had half the leadership skills as the Lt. Gov., the only "chair" you would occupy would be located in the men's room.
I'm seeing a double standard that I'd like to expose. A few weeks ago when Cecil Brown showed up here, Kingfish quickly admonished all contributors to show him due respect and be kind to the man or risk having their posts shitcanned. Now, the above post from Bullethead, assailing Smith, appears and pretty roundly spits in the face of the 'rule of decency' KF earlier set for a similarly employed man. I don't know Mr. Smith, nor Mr. Brown, nor Mr. Bullethead, so this is just an observation.
what we have right now at the capitol is a GOP mess. lets look at the players. Jeff Smith: HUGE EGO..and a LOOSE CANNON!!! Jeff was a demon-crat his whole life till last year. He is considered the main reason the inexperienced GUNN elected as Speaker...thanks Jeff...you retard! Lt. Gov. Tater-Head! immature and insecure! doesnt play nice with others. desribed by almost everyone as having Napolionic syndrome. Throws fits like a little kid. telling everyone he is running for Gov against Bryant. Hates the Gov. Speaker Dumb....has no clue what he is doing. Cant control his House members! Is scared of confrontation! refered to by members and lobbyist as a sixth grader taking college courses! Gov Bryant....promised EVERYONE and there brother everything during his campaign...even though he had no need to cause we was going to win in a land-slide. Basicaly has pissed of most of his BIG contributors because he lied to just about all of them at some point! My Fellow republicans...we have a HUGE problem. We control all 3 branches of govt and these are the players who are causing all the headaches. problems in life happen. What we do about it will show if we are worthy of keeping it!
Thanks so much for the comments on me Anonymous.
I say we blame it all on me. No need in calling Phillip Gunn and Phil Bryant names or Lt. Gov for that matter. I say lets blame it all on me and move on, I was raised
to take your medicine and swallow hard. Phillip Gunn is no dummy though. Heck i am the only dummy here, I welcome the blame, so now leave the others alone.
Shadowfax: I'm seeing a double standard that I'd like to expose. ...
It is because anything goes when the commenter is covering the ass of YogurtRaisinsReeves.
Change the name of this joint to Jackson JambaTaterReeves.
First of all, Cecil Brown formally submitted a column to this website. Whenever politicians or other individuals do so in a serious manner, I expect a little more courtesy. When they decide to jump into the comments on any post though, that is a different story and I tend to let it go.
As for the last comment, why don't you tell us what projects you would have approved, what the Senate and House should have agreed on, and how much the price tag should have been. All I've seen you do is call names, engage in attacks against me or the Lieutenant Governor, and refuse to debate any merits, which means your comments are trash as far as I'm concerned.
Someone also said his staff was leaking me information. I wish they would give me some good leaks. The only information I have obtained from them has been through the communications director, just as I do through other state agencies.
"Jackson JambaTaterReeves"
LMAO!!!
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