Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Cecil Brown: Governor threatening future of our children.

Representative Cecil Brown (D-Geritol) submitted this column yesterday:


Governor Phil Bryant and the Republican controlled Legislative Budget Committee (LBC) have released their state budget recommendations for the upcoming fiscal year.  Despite a growing economy that will produce more than $400 million in new tax revenue over the next two years, the Republicans have once again failed to add any additional funds to the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP), the state’s formula for determining the level of appropriations for our public schools.  MAEP is currently some $265 million below the amount required by law.  If these budget recommendations are enacted during the upcoming legislative session, every school district will receive 12% less than the amount of money both the legislature and previous governors have determined is necessary to provide every child the opportunity to receive an adequate education.
 
Operating costs continue to escalate in school districts.  For example, we know that in districts served by Mississippi Power Company utility costs will increase by some 25% in the next few years.  Across the state other operating costs are increasing as well.  In some cases funding shortages will result in cuts to in personnel, books and school supplies.  In other cases, school boards will increase local property taxes to make up the shortfall. Either way, the recommended budgets are short sighted and indefensible.  Ninety per cent of all Mississippi kids attend public schools, and the Republican budget proposals are threatening their future. 
 
For the second year in a row, Mississippi’s Republican leadership is jeopardizing the health of hundreds of thousands of our state’s citizens by refusing to create a state-based health insurance exchange and expand the Medicaid program.  Two independent studies have projected that expansion of Medicaid would provide significant economic benefits and more than $9 billion of federal funding to Mississippi at very little or no cost to the state. In addition, these studies project that expansion would create between upwards of 12,000 private sector jobs in Mississippi.  Rejecting expansion will cause us to miss the opportunity for those jobs.
 
Those studies also point out how Medicaid expansion can provide a substantial amount of financial support to many of our hospitals. Under current law, our hospitals will lose millions of federal dollars over the next several years.  Those losses should be offset by money from the expansion of the Medicaid program.  By rejecting expansion, the Governor and the legislative leadership are endangering the survival of health care providers across the state, including our hospitals. There is no better example of the Governor’s willingness to put his partisan politics ahead of what is good for the state than his budget recommendation to cover losses at our hospitals with state tax revenue rather than take advantage of the federal funding that would go to these very same hospitals under expansion. 
 
There are many recommendations in both the Governor’s budget and the LBC budget with which Democrats agree.  But we cannot agree to continue underfunding public education and to denying basic health insurance to our hardworking fellow Mississippians.  
 
Cecil Brown
Mississippi House of Representatives

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

Go to the R&D Center and pull the economic and educational data for MS from the 1960 Census.
Then pull the data from 1970.
Then go home and get 2010 Census data from your computer.
Decide if there is an economic impact from MS receiving federal dollars in Medicare/Medicaid and for education.
Please note the percentage of jobs dependent on government.
Please note the change in those earnings over $100000 a year.
Please note the percentages of college graduates in each census.
Now, try to explain the changes in the economy and in education by looking at the types of jobs.
And, no, I won't do this for you. You won't believe something you don't want to believe unless you can't find a way to believe it for yourself.

Anonymous said...

Two areas of the economy that need re-tooling are healthcare and education. The state role is crucial regardless of your feelings about Obamacare. The state just yesterday outlined a new criminal justice initiative. We need the Governor's plan of education and healthcare, since those are big ticket budgetary items and clearly in need of a shakeup.

Anonymous said...

Is Cecil talking again? Cecil is that crazy Uncle that comes to family functions that nobody wants to leave him alone with the children.

Anonymous said...

Boring old troll.

Anonymous said...

His lips are moving...

Anonymous said...

Has anyone done the math. 9 billon divided by 12000 is $750,000.00 a job. Really? Than this is a no brainer.

I hope you know I am being sarcastic. No way on God's green earth are these so called 12000 jobs going to pay $750,000.00 a year.

I guess if you say something long and loud enough it becomes truth.

Anonymous said...

"...our hardworking fellow Mississippians..." are not the ones having a problem with education or health insurance. At least not until the socialist in chief instituted Obamacare...

He needs to address his concerns to the non-working, always got a hand out crowd.

Anonymous said...

How many jobs did CHIPs create Brown? Keep talking out of your ass.

bill said...

7:42, your point is going to be lost by people who don't have the time to do their own research. That's why we read blogs like this - to stay current on the issues without having to spend hours running all over town gathering data that someone else already has.

The jobs that the Medicaid expansion were going to create used to number 9,000. Now it's 12,000. 9,000 was never documented so I guess they figure they can just say whatever number they want. I'd like to see how this will create 12,000 new jobs.

Anonymous said...

9:20, do you realized that the state of Mississippi receive the largest amount of handout in the United States. It was all over the news local and national early this year. Do you farther realized that Mississippi is one the top states that have their citizens without healthcare insurance. And last, but not least. You stated that Mississippi is not one having a problem with education. Are you serious? Mississippi is rank last in the national in education. Where have you been and who have be lying to you about these topics. Do you remember when Nissan said that they had to go outer state to get workers for the high quality position because there was none in Mississippi. We can't afford to let high paying jobs like those leave the state. So lets get our facts straight and then post.

Anonymous said...

3:01; This subject is about education. Are you sure you should be participating?

Lloyd said...

Well written 3:01 PM-- you have made your point about the substandard education students receive in Mississippi.

Anonymous said...

If you think that 3:01 truly made that point Lloyd then we know all we need to know about your own education.

Anonymous said...

mo muny I say! it won't be enuff until it's enuff! Blame it on boosh!!

Anonymous said...

3:01 have you been drankin the purple stuff again? Keeps you from proof reading I see.

Anonymous said...

8:53, how are you doing sir? I pray that all is well with you and your love ones. Yes, I didn't get to proof it before submitting it. I was at work and was press for time but I can admit my grammar is not the best. But that is not the topic of this discussion. It is about the state of education in Mississippi which I probably know more about than most people here on the stream. For the people here on this stream my name is Anthony Stevenson, the former 10 year Director of Application Development for the Office of Research and Statistics at the Mississippi Department of Education. I am the guy who generated 90-95% of the data that showed how far behind we have put the youth of Mississippi.

5:59, my comment was clearly a response to 9:20 and if you had read to understand what I was saying, you can see that the last 50% of that comment was all education. All I did was point out information that has been known to the state for quite awhile. We need to do something about giving the youth of Mississippi a fighting chance to compete with the youths from other states.

Everyone have a great night and God bless.

Anonymous said...

5:59 Zing!

8:15 "sarcasm" - look it up

Apply Hear said...

"...my name is Anthony Stevenson, the former 10 year Director of Application Development for the Office of Research and Statistics at the Mississippi Department of Education."

My God, man, you have got to be kidding us. Was there an education requirement for the job when you applied? Was there no review of your work, evidence of your ability to compose sentences and write effectively? And you were hired by our State Department of Education? Did you tell them in the interviews that 'My grammar isn't that good', as you admitted here?

This is a perfect example of how sloppily the department has been run over the years. Poor grammar is not an outcome of not proofreading.

Anonymous said...

"9:20, do you realized that the state of Mississippi receive the largest amount of handout in the United States. It was all over the news local and national early this year. Do you farther realized that Mississippi is one the top states that have their citizens without healthcare insurance. And last, but not least. You stated that Mississippi is not one having a problem with education. Are you serious? Mississippi is rank last in the national in education. Where have you been and who have be lying to you about these topics. Do you remember when Nissan said that they had to go outer state to get workers for the high quality position because there was none in Mississippi. We can't afford to let high paying jobs like those leave the state. So lets get our facts straight and then post. "

Oh my heavens, where did you go to high school or college to have developed such poor grammar?

Anonymous said...

If he ever fired off a memo or email for the State Dept of Education, we were poorly served and surely ridiculed.

Anonymous said...

Wow 4:49, you're right Mr/Ms "Anonymous" user. I have recieved two degrees, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, and Master of Science in Software Engineering from the University of Maryland. Now, share who you are and your education. I do not believe that you will and that's okay. But your words speak quite well for you.

Employment
-----------
34 Years in the IT field
In charge of Computer Operation at NATO in SHAPE, Belgium
Department Head of Development for US Intelligence
Lead Developer for the Advance Control Center for the International Space Station at Johnson Space Center
Lead Software Engineer for BMS
10 years at MDE
Java Technical Lead for the US Goverment
Java Solutions Architect for a Global Telecommunication company.
Holder of a TS/SCI clearance
Have briefed two sitting Presidents of the United States.
President George H. W. Bush
President Clinton

Anonymous said...

MAARS and the Mississippi Highly Qualified Teacher programs are a couple of the web applications that I build for the MDE. Those two web applications saved the state millions of dollars. They were both highly acclaimed and recognized by the USDE, bad grammar and all. Every parent in the state used MAARS to check the school rating and test scores. Not too bad. Got a meeting will check back in later during the day.

Everyone have a great day and be bless in all that you do.

Anthony Stevenson.

Anonymous said...

something tells me that Anthony worked on healthcare.gov as well - seeing a pattern here.

Anonymous said...

Sure hope Cecil Brown signs up for Obamacare because he clearly has a need for the mental health coverage.

Anonymous said...

10:11 & 10:12 are the reason that the state of Mississippi is looked upon poorly. Since neither one has facts to add to the conversation. They, probably the same person, results to try to be funny, or try to attack someone. If it makes you feel good about who you are, I am glad to help. As I mention in a earlier comment, your words speak quite well for you. I wished that I was the lead on the ACA website,it would have been up and running on the 1st of November. It is always the "Anonymous" user who give a bloggers a bad name. My work speaks for itself. Not only did several billion people used MAARS, every newspaper in the state of Mississippi and several other states used it. I wont ask you what have you done to help the state. I can't get you to identify yourself so I don't hold any faith that you will do anything but what you have done. But, be care my friend, because people are listening. Just a word to the wise. God bless.

Kim Wolford said...

Well, I did some research and we are no longer the most poorly educated state in the US: West Virginia is. That being said, Cecil if you really want to make a change in education in this state, how about actual standards for teachers allowed to teach our children? In order to be allowed to become a teacher in MS, you can receive a 50% "assing" grade on the national test all future teachers in America have to take, an F by anyone's standards, and still receive a teaching certificate. So we have flunkies teaching our children to be flunkies. Change that Cecil and maybe we can effectuate decent education in public schools.

Anonymous said...

rexsmom, you have made an excellent point and brought a interesting fact. During my time at MDE I was the guy to determine if a teacher was highly qualified to a course base on the data associated with them. The way some teachers were able to get a endorsement to teacher where they may have not been able to pass the teacher requirements test is take the test for a easier course. Once they passed that course then one would be able to add other endorsement by having enough college courses in that field. In this way you can take a test in health education and add on the endorsement for Biology, which is a much harder test to pass. Great point rexsmom.

Anonymous said...

But, be care my friend, because people are listening.

LMAO. Oh no Mr. Bill. People are listening. We're sorry. Please don't send the black Obama drones to our location and take us out. We didn't mean it. Truly.

Anonymous said...

1:17, when I said that people are listening to you. I am talking about the people on this blog and not the people I work for. I said it before and I guess I have to say it again. Your words speaks volumes for the person you are. All I can do is put you in God's hands and let him change your ways and heart. God bless you my friend.

Anonymous said...

You must be new to these parts 2:10 PM. JJ already has a resident troll.

Anonymous said...

It is sad if people rely on blogs for information rather than trying to get objective and accurate information.

Anonymous said...

bill, if people who are uninsured or underinsured , whether it's 9000 or 12000 families ( not necessarily individuals), then the demand for preventive health care and routine care will increase. Increased demand for a service results in new jobs.
Whether or not Rep. Brown's numbers are accurate or not, I don't know. I do know he's an accountant by profession and should know how to do the math. There are formulas.

Kingfish said...

What is the net profit on a Medicaid patient? Increase in patients x net loss = bigger net loss.

Anonymous said...

KF @ 8:35 - you don't understand Democrats' math: if you're losing money on each Medicaid patient you need to make it up on volume :-)

frieren lksmig said...

The fact that politician Brown is also an accountant and as an accountant surely understands how bogus the numbers are which he is spouting makes his bullshit all the more galling.

It is like if Cecil tried to convince all of us that these two Donkey numbskulls were svelte and in tip top shape.

Anonymous said...

The braintrust at the JFP is running a story on this latest Medicaid study claiming that it will create 20,000 jobs! They must have taken math instruction from President Liar-of-the-Year.

Anonymous said...

KF, what makes you think doctors and hospitals are losing money on Medicaid patients? They are if you compare insured patients to Medicaid but not if you look at actual costs.
If , for example, the MRI is paid for, every time it's used there's a profit.
A doctor getting $50 for a visit is better than getting 0. And, when he get $108 from the insurance for insured patients, you average his actual pay per patient , doctors are still being well paid.
There wouldn't be any
doctors treating Medicare/Medicaid patients if it were a net loss. And, some doctors manage quite well just treating almost exclusively Medicare and Medicaid patients. Not as well of course, as the few who refuse to do so and still maintain a full schedule practice.

Kingfish said...

I said hospitals? Whole different cost structure.

Got to love how Obamacare sticks it to the doctors and favors the hospitals.

Anonymous said...

December 21, 2013 at 8:31 AM = loves, LOVES, Venezuelan wage and price controls.

Anonymous said...

8:31 is either abysmally ignorant or intentionally lying.

Example - a few years back Medicaid was reimbursing a childhood vaccine at $19 per dose. The doctor's wholesale prices was $21 per dose. If you don't immediately see the problem you are probably too dumb to be educated but I'll try.

It COST the doctor $2 out of his own pocket to give each child this vaccine if the child was on Medicaid. Private insurance was reimbursing around $25 per dose (it varied slightly among different private insurance companies, but was generally $3 - $4 above the cost). Out of that $3-$4 the doctor had to pay a nurse, receptionist, light bill, rent, lease on equipment, water bill, heating bill, malpractice insurance, premise insurance, student loans, etc, with maybe something left to take home as "profit" to pay the bills at home.

Obviously, if you start $2 in the hole for each patient you will go bankrupt and the community will lose a physician.

Nurse Goodbody said...

"During my time at MDE I was the guy to determine if a teacher was highly qualified to a course base on the data associated with them."

What the hell does that even mean? What 'data' is associated with teachers? And THIS guy is determining teacher qualifications?

Meanwhile; 10:32's careful but silly analysis doesn't factor in the daily trays of sausage-biscuits, fruit, sandwiches, drinks, salads and donuts brought in by the vendor reps. If medicare and medicaid patients were showing up only for a $2 losing shot, that would be one thing; however, the clinic is also charging it as a visit with a diagnosis.

So, forty five minutes in the waiting room, six minutes in the little room and she's on her way. The register dings. The doctor is happy. The nurse is happy. The vendors are happy. Happy Happy Happy.

Anonymous said...

Nurse Goodbody, the data come from several different things. College degree(s), certificates, college credits from additions class taken after graduation from college, work shops to name a few. When using computers to determine definitions on any calculation one has to use the data associated to that topic. This is what separate a user who uses Microsoft Word and Excel from an individual who uses computers to calculate decisions.

Ms. Nurse Goodbody why did you feel the need to attack someone when you HAD NO CLUE WHAT WAS BEING DISCUSS. I like to educate myself on subjects/topics what I don't know instead of speaking and showing the lack of education I have in it. YOU CHOICE TO TRY AND ATTACK ME WHEN IT IS VERY CLEARLY SHOWN THAT YOU LACK IN INTELLIGENCE IN THAT I WAS PAID TO DO. A apology would be nice. That is what a mature individual do once they realize that they have made a mistake. I will look back later to see what kind of person you really are. God bless you, your love ones and enjoy your Sunday.

Anthony Stevenson.

Anonymous said...

You are not helping your cause, Anthony. You should quit while you're behind.

Anonymous said...

In this case it looks like Mr. Stevenson is 100% correct. He said that he use the teacher's data in the first comment. The second comment explain what data mean. Nurse Goodbody is the one behind in this scenario. Sorry, but someone has to be truthful sometime.


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