Friday, January 27, 2017

Hood blasts Entergy over bill

Attorney General Jim Hood issued the following statement.


ATTORNEY GENERAL JIM HOOD ISSUES STATEMENT ON HB 555

JACKSON—Attorney General Jim Hood issued the following statement today regarding House Bill 555:

“A legislator advised us that Entergy demanded another vote on the bill and that it be made retroactive. It’s no coincidence that the State’s case against Entergy is now active again in federal court, and this company fears having to pay more than $1 billion for its illegal acts.

“Obviously, House leadership and proponents of this bill bow down to their corporate masters, and it’s unfortunate that this bill’s supporters put such pressure on conscientious Republican legislators to change their vote. I am grateful for the bipartisan group of Democrats and Republicans that saw this bill for what it is: an unconstitutional, political power grab that puts the interests of corporations ahead of Mississippi citizens.”

Copy of bill.

Kingfish note: This is the section of the bill that is at issue:

In matters wherein the amount reasonably sought to be recovered by the state or arm or agency thereof exceeds the sum of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) inclusive of attorney's fees, interest and costs, the Attorney General shall not file suit or otherwise assert such a claim or cause of action or employ special or outside counsel to file such suit or otherwise assert such a claim or cause or action, without the prior written approval of the Outside Counsel Oversight Commission as defined and provided for is Section 7-5-8.

In matters wherein the amount reasonably sought to be recovered by the state or arm or agency thereof exceeds the sum of Two Hundred Fifty Thousands Dollars ($250,000.00) inclusive of attorney's fees, interest and costs, the Attorney General shall not continue to pursue the matter in any currently pending litigation which has not yet been reduced to final judgment until the Outside Counsel Oversight Commission has reviewed the matter to determine if the Attorney General should proceed, and if so, whether the matter should be pursued before state or federal agency with expertise and primary jurisdiction over the subject of the matter rather than in any state or federal court in which the matter is currently pending.  The written decision of the Outside Counsel Oversight Commission shall be required before the Attorney General shall proceed with the matter in any matter.

The bill failed on a vote of 58-60 in the House.  However, the bill passed on a 63-56 vote a week later after a motion to reconsider was filed.  

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Unconstitutional on its face.

Sanctions should be awarded against Tate and phil and mark "piece o crap" baker

Anonymous said...

This state's legislators, for the most part don't give a rip about the people whom they claim to care for.

Anonymous said...

Neither does Hood.

Anonymous said...

James, this is what happens when you abuse your ability to hire outside counsel. The "But look what I was just about to do!" plea isn't going to get you anywhere.

Anonymous said...

So, two votes shifted and one more vote came in. Sounds like three men got a wild west hunting trip.

Anonymous said...

Hood's freaked out because he knows this will pass the Senate.

Anonymous said...

Why would the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Secretary of State be any less abusive than Hood? Are you saying the Republicans don't take care of their own? Have you met Haley Barbour? Why not stick to the Rules of Court and let the trial court determine and the appellate court review the fees of the lawyers? What is wrong with that?

Anonymous said...

8:18---How is it unconstitutional....you are probably right, but how?

Anonymous said...

How will they balance the budget? Money from Hood has bailed them out for several years.

Anonymous said...

9:57

The AG has to get permission from the idiots in the legislative committee to sue anybody if it's going to cost more than 1/4 million

Anonymous said...

Mark Baker. That's just about all you need to know here.

Anonymous said...

9:57

It makes the legislative branch the judicial branch.....which erases the separate branches.

What if the Supreme Court had to approve a bill if it exceeded $25 dollars?

Anonymous said...

Overall, as a voting republican, I think Conway does a good job.

Anonymous said...

The Repulicans cannot defeat Hood at the ballot box, so their only hope. Is to reduce his authority and power via legislation. This is the same crap that the North Carolina Republican legislature was trying to do to the newly elected Democratic Governor. Mark Baker's statement is that Attorneys have made millions that should have gone to the State of MS. Well, the Attorney's were paid on a contingency. They assumed all the risk and financed the litigation. The attorneys were not working for free. Whether you are a Republican or Democrat, understand that power corrupts. This is nothing more than a power play by the Gov and Lt. Gov with Baker executing it in the House.

Anonymous said...

The Repulicans cannot defeat Hood at the ballot box ...

They will should he run for Governor.

Anonymous said...

10:45 & 10:50 (assume you are one and the same)

Get back to work over there in the Sillers Building - know you can spend time on the state computers since your boss is in Chickasaw County not watching.

But if you can't determine constitutionality any better than this, you need to be looking for another job.

This does not require the AG to get permission from a legislative committee.

This does not put the legislature in the Executive Branch.

Evidently you not only are an incompetent lawyer, you can't even read. Must have taken Obama's Constitutional Law class.

The bill specifically avoids your 'constitutional crises' - sounds like you are trying to run your piehole to confuse people with fake facts.

The Oversight Commission consists of: The Governor (Executive), The Lt. Governor (Executive) and the Secretary of State (Executive). There is no legislative committee involved. And there is no crossing of the separate branches of government.

Thanks for playing though. You can get your participation trophy on your way out this afternoon. Better luck next time.

Anonymous said...

322... surprised that you could get off of Feels nutz long enough to write that response. Bottom line is that this bill would not exist except for Hood being a Democrat; right wrong or indifferent.

3:22 said...

8:59, unlike you and Hood, I don't hang onto anybody's nutz, much less Feel's. This bill would not exist except for Hood trying to sue the world so that his trial lawyer financiers (you know, the ones that claim they are contributing to his campaign account - the one he lives out of during all years of his term) can get the big payouts.

Frankly, I think the AG should be appointed by the Governor, no matter who the Governor is or what party the Governor is. The AG should be the state's lawyer and not be constantly at odds with the rest of the state leadership that he is supposed to be representing. I don't give a damn about Hood's party; I do give a damn about the state operating on a somewhat level field.

But that doesn't change the fact that this bill is not unconstitutional, which I believe is what I was answering. Your trying to deflect from that point just shows you don't even have a doughnut hole to pay off the fact that you were wrong with your so-called constitutional argument.

Anonymous said...

3:22 pm I'm not in the Sillers building or the person(s) you attacked.
But,it is clear to me this committee is executive interference in the judicial branch and should not exist.
This " oversight" committee could easily use such power to keep an AG from an opposing party from doing due diligence for political reasons.
IF an outside counsel accepts a case ( especially this large) from the AG, you can be sure that counsel expects to win and win big because frankly, it's too expense for a small firm or even a large one to pursue cases against a large corporate entity. The small will go broke and the law one will lose money they could be making on cases that pay. Big corporate law firms will paper another law firm to the extent they can't pursue any other case and drive up legal fees with discovery and delays. They can even try to delay it for longer than an AG is in office.
And, it should occur to you that the AG office we have and will have cannot deal with ordinary responsibilities and a case of this magnitude . They can just barely fulfill their duties to the state agencies and law enforcement.
No "outside counsel" will take such cases unless the expected reward will far exceed the years they will be starved of billable income with overkill by the corporation. The corporate lawyers can be on a sizable retainer to guarantee that law firms constant availability plus hours and expenses that exceed that retainer. That is just the realities these days. The State and thus the ordinary citizen is at a disadvantage from the " get go".
Turn about on tactics is fair play, so how are things at Entergy or are you just a hired lobbyist?

Anonymous said...

It all comes down to a lot of crooks looking to gain more power than another bunch of crooks. You don't need a high school diploma to know politicians are crooked and power hungry. They would not be politicians if they were not that way.
The crooks will try to get power over the other crooks and in the end the people will pay. Always have and always will as the people continually choose crooks for leaders.

Anonymous said...

8:14, obviously not a staffer in Hood's office. Clearly one of the trial lawyers that are on his gravy train of contingent fees. Thanks for chiming in to protect your bank account

Anonymous said...

Go find an Entergy atty w expertise who will work for $86,000 a year on a multi billion $ litigation. They do not exist!

Anonymous said...

3:22 pm

You are quite the jerk huh?

Does the AG work for the executive branch or the state/people?

Why won't the legislature just fire Hood? Get rid of his office?

The answer is because they cannot.

This is an unconstitutional over reach.

High Street will show you....so get back to licking Phils shoes.

Anonymous said...

Hood and his 'Santa's Bag Of Toys And Gifts' is the Rudy Warnock of State Government.



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
.