Thursday, August 15, 2013

Sometimes you can brag a little too much.

Here is an interesting quote about the Governor's travel expenses that appeared in Sunday's Clarion-Ledger:


The first-term governor’s spending on travel in his first full budget year was about $130,000 less than that of his predecessor, former Gov. Haley Barbour, in his last full budget year as he made many out-of-state trips while exploring the possibility of a 2012 presidential run.

In addition to selling the state’s jet for $2 million, Bryant has taken approximately five commercial flights as a means to cut back on travel expenses since taking office in January 2012.

“Not only has he ridden commercial, but he has raised private dollars to pay for the travel and not at the expense of the taxpayers,” Bryant’s spokesman Mick Bullock said.Article

Oh really, Mick? From who? A shame the reporter didn't bother to question that little statement. So again we will ask. Who? Barksdale? Southern Company? Entergy? The CIA?  The taxpayers have a right to know who or what is paying for the Governor to fly. Probably above-board but one expects the reporter to ask the question. All barbing aside, the taxpayers do have a right to know who foots the bill for flying their Governor.

15 comments:

Bill Dees said...

If Mississippi law doesn't require disclosure of all gifts to elected officials, then changes are due.

Anonymous said...

Disclosure is required - plane trips are in-kind contributions. That's why selling the state jet was such a stupid symbolic gesture. Our governor needs to fly places, and I'd rather him do it on the taxpayer dime than bum rides with billionaires.

Lloyd said...

C'mon, I'm sure politicians would never shower favoritism on companies or people who give them money or gifts.
BTW--who paid for Kenny Stokes bus debt?

Anonymous said...

BTW--who paid for Kenny Stokes bus debt?

Also, the money Kenny begged from the churches to put toward the bus bill.....he said it was used for other things. Where did the church money go?

Kingfish said...

I'm criticizing the reporters more for not asking the question than I am the Governor's office.

Anonymous said...

It would be great if someone(s) would get the ball rolling on the impeachments of snooker and booboo.
They will never be voted out of office.

Anonymous said...

You can criticize the reporters. I will criticize the Governor. We need to know who he is indebted to.

Anonymous said...

I want to know if we foot the bill for Haley's " presidential" aspirations or campaign tv appearance trips.

Anonymous said...

Does the politician have to pay the commercial fare equivalent for that Gulfstream ride? Or can the rich guy just give the gov a free ride?

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with disclosure. The reporter should have asked that question on not just used the press release he/she was given. The citizens of Mississippi have a right to know who is making decisions for them via the Governor's office - one thing we know for sure, it's not Bryant
Bryant's "puppet strings" are so tight he's not allowed to make a move on his own - not that he would know the right direction to move!

Anonymous said...

Wife and I were on the flight back from Paris (we were on vacation, they were at the Air Show) last month with the Bryants. Sat in first class on the domestic leg, I'm guessing business class for the jump across the pond (didn't see them in there but BC is huge on that flight, maybe 40 seats).

About $7k for a round trip ticket for two.

Anonymous said...

In a related subject, I'd love to know who paid the portion of money that former Mayor Greg Davis of Southaven repaid so far? The news reports said it was "supporters". And (here's a loaded question), what did they get in return for their donations?

Anonymous said...

Phil bryant started running for gov at age 16. Who knows what people have paĆ­d for¿. Barney Fife goes to Jackson. Is there a better description anywhere¿

Anonymous said...

11:13. ... The extra cost to the taxpayers (minimal) when haley thought about running for president was the travel cost for his security. He had a highway patrolman with him as is customary. Security is necessary for a governor - regardless of party, typically the only elected official in the state with near-100% name ID and there are lots of people who may be upset about something the government did (lock a loved one up in prison, deny a Medicaid claim, etc.) that threaten to take it out on who they perceive as being in charge of the government that did them wrong.

As for who paid for the political travel, his campaign fund paid for that and those donors are publicly disclosed.

Anonymous said...

6:38 am If the Governor's travel is a TV or campaign or fund raising appearance on behalf of himself or his party's candidate or party outside of the state, the MS taxpayers should not pay for his security, he should or his party should...regardless of party.

And, frankly, I'm old enough to remember being able to hear elected officials speak without having to pay to do so. I heard Presidents, Vice Presidents, Senators, Congressman, Governors etc and even heard them in times of war. It was first come, first to get a good place to sit or stand.

All of these sorts of things are part and parcel of why our politicians are now filled with such a sense of self-importance.


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.