Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Sid Salter: Legislature to Change Leadership

Nationally, the demographics of America’s state legislators are far different than Mississippi’s numbers indicate, according to data available from the National Conference of State Legislatures.


Looking at all 7,383 state legislators in the U.S. state legislatures, 82.53 percent are white, 9.12 percent are African American, 4.52 percent are Hispanic, .99 percent are Asian, .85 percent are other, .41 percent are Native American, .31 percent are Hawaiian, and .2 percent are multiracial.

U.S. legislators are 71.2 percent male and 28.8 percent female in a nation that is 50.8 percent female and 48.2 percent male.

From a partisan standpoint across the nation’s 7,383 state legislators, 52 percent are Republican, 47 percent are Democrat and the remaining one percent are independent, other, or undecided. Republicans control 61 percent of state legislatures nationally while Democrats control 37 percent, one state legislature is divided, and Nebraska’s unicameral and bipartisan legislature is not included in the count.

But in Mississippi, our state’s 174 legislators at the beginning of this year were 68.97 percent white, 28.74 percent African American, and .57 percent each Hispanic, Native American and other. That’s in a state with a population – according to the U.S. Census - that is 59.1 percent white, 37.8 percent African American, 3.4 percent Hispanic, and .6 percent Native American.

Mississippi lawmakers are 85.1 percent male and 14.9 percent female in a state that is 51.5 percent female and 48.5 percent male.

From a partisan standpoint, Republicans (at the beginning of the 2019 session) controlled the Mississippi Legislature with a 72-48 margin with two vacancies in the House of Representatives and with a 33-19 margin in the State Senate.

The 2019 general election in terms of the Legislature are unlikely to significantly redistribute the partisan mathematics as Republicans appear likely to pick up at least a couple of net Senate seats. The House appears headed for no real changes to the present Republican majority.

What will be different is the legislative leadership. While there is no indication that House Speaker Philip Gunn, the Republican who succeeded Democrat Billy McCoy of Rienzi in the leadership post in 2011, doesn’t have the support to be returned to the post, that’s about the only stability in the present legislative leadership.

House Speaker Pro Tempore Greg Snowden, the Meridian Republican, was defeated in his re-election bid. There are several possible potential successors to Snowden but suffice to say new leadership is coming to that key position.

Over in the State Senate, two-term GOP Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves is running for governor while State Senate President Pro Tempore Terry C. Burton stepped down from the post early in 2019 and did not seek re-election. Veteran Sen. Grey Tollison, R-Oxford, was elected to succeed Burton – but that after he had announced his intention not to seek Senate re-election.

There will be a new lieutenant governor and a new Senate president pro tempore leading that chamber in January in addition to a successor to Snowden in the House pro tem post.

There has been significant turnover in both houses of the Mississippi Legislature, which will guarantee new faces in the committee leadership positions as well.

The marquee political matchup in the 2019 Mississippi general election is the governor’s race between Reeves and Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood. But from a governing standpoint for what will clearly be a GOP-dominated Legislature, the winner of the race for lieutenant governor between Republican Delbert Hosemann and Democrat Jay Hughes is equally impactful.

Sid Salter is a syndicated columnist. Contact him at sidsalter@sidsalter.com.


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Do you PAY Sid Salter for this?

Anonymous said...

Did anyone get anything meaningful from this article?

Anonymous said...

I didn't. But in fairness, I couldn't make myself finish reading it either.

Anonymous said...

Just like Sid, my post didn't make the cut.

Anonymous said...

Seems like someone had to much time on their hands with an Excel spreadsheet.

Anonymous said...

How many Doctors are in the Legislature helping Mississippians get decent, affordable, health care. Including mental health care.

None? That can't be true. Can it?

Anonymous said...

98% of the people reading this didn't understand what the heck you are talking about.

Anonymous said...

And in other news.....we will have a new governor, lt. governor, atty gen, sos, and treasurer.

Anonymous said...

Not all States where governed by the Federal Voters rights Act. That is why Mississippi is out of step with country.

Anonymous said...

It's not by choice, 5:32. You've heard of federal mandates. We're still in the middle of reconstruction. And reconstruction will soon be joined by reparations.


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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.


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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
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