In his inauguration speech new Gov. Tate Reeves promised, "This will be an administration for all Mississippi," as reported by the Clarion-Ledger. "Governing is about coming together," he said and proclaimed a new motto for his first term, "For. All. Mississippi."
Faced with his first crisis as governor – prison rioting, deaths, and deplorable conditions – Reeves appeared to be on track with his promise. He appointed a bipartisan committee to lead a national search for the next prison commissioner with the Mayor of Vicksburg, former state Rep. George Flaggs, as chairman. He also included a former attorney with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens. Both are Democrats and African-Americans.
Other members include retired Leake County Sheriff Greg Waggoner, Harrison County District Attorney Joel Smith, former Parole Board member Kathy Henry, Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Rushing, and Mississippi Court of Appeals Judge Sean Tindell. All are Republicans and white.
Meanwhile, new Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann also exhibited some bipartisanship in his appointment of Senate committee chairs, naming Democrats to chair 13 of the Senate's 42 committees. Notably, longtime Democratic Sen. Hob Bryan will head the Public Health Committee and Democratic Sen. Juan Barnett, former longtime African-American mayor of Heidelberg, will chair the Corrections Committee. Republicans will head all other major committees including the money, education, and transportation committees. Hosemann has also touted a bipartisan approach to teacher pay and Medicaid reform.
Speaker of the House Phillip Gunn was less bipartisan, appointing two Democrats and one Independent to chair three of the House’s 46 committees. Gunn, who sees himself primarily as the lead Republican in the House, appointed Democratic Rep. Kevin Horan of Grenada as chair of the Corrections Committee and Democratic Rep. Cedric Burnett of Tunica as chair of the Youth and Family Affairs Committee. He also appointed Independent Rep. Angela Cockerham of Magnolia (a Democrat until 2019) as chair of the Judiciary A Committee. Cockerham and Burnett are African-American. All other committees are headed by Republicans.
It will be interesting to see if this kumbaya approach lasts in the face of difficult spending decisions.
The prison crisis will require significant money infusion as well as new leadership. Hosemann's plan to fund teacher pay raises early will require lots of money. Reeves' plan to spend more on workforce training and take better care of foster kids will take money.
That comes as pressure mounts for more funding from pent up demand from community colleges, universities, mental health, health, economic development, emergency management … the list goes on and on.
Oh, and don’t overlook the never-ending request for more money to catch up on critical repairs to highways and bridges.
(Here’s an interesting side note. An analysis showed today's vehicles to be far more efficient gas burners than vehicles in 1986. Factoring in both modern fuel efficiency and annual inflation, the analysis suggests the gas tax burden on consumers today is about one-third of that back in 1987 when today’s 18.4 cent a gallon fuel tax was enacted. But no Republican leaders appear willing to up it any to fix roads and bridges.)
How will this this varied outreach to non-Republicans by leaders of state government totally controlled by Republicans play out? Sit back and watch.
“Live in harmony with one another” – Romans 12:16.
Crawford is a syndicated columnist from Meridian.
Sunday, January 26, 2020
Bill Crawford: Coming Together in Jackson?
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24 comments:
Noooooo!
Hosemann = RINO
This will become very evident over time.
Don’t listen to what they say, watch what they do.
Time will tell if the new Governor is inclusive in this “pay-to-play” term.
He has a lot of self declared enemies and too many lines drawn in the sand to keep up with.
Yes, we need a gas tax increase too.
The math is getting so obvious that even non-engineers get it.
(Especially if we are building new roads to Flowood subdivisions.)
Don’t hold your breath. Tate does not have a progressive, bipartisan bone in his body. For example, he is crowing about a meager $1,200 per year raise for teachers. If he is not willing to make the lives of teachers better, the inmates can forget it.
It is an excellent start. And by example of the disjunction in Congress, perhaps our state government can decide that working together can problems be addressed.
The challenge is that with liberals, you meet them half-way and they want it all. "Bi-partisan" is not in their vocabulary.
This puts the conservatives on the defensive.
And around and around we go.
Not approving any comments where someone's name is turned into something vulgar or sexually crude.
Couple questions-
1. Were previous administrations only for some Mississippians?
2. If so, who and why?
3. As Lt. Governor were you not able to implement all the great ideas you have now?
4. If not, why?
The prison situation is, and has been, the hottest hot potato in state government. The guvna will be more than happy to share this no-win situation with anybody crazy enough to accept it. He might even appoint some Jackson Black Democrats on this roller coaster to hell. Bi-partisan Ha Ha Ha.
Small, insecure, people hold grudges and have enemy lists.
Real leaders do what is in the best interest of those they serve.
I truly hope that Tate is a true leader and makes Mississippi a better place for all.
Will be watching and listening carefully. 4 years will be here pretty quick.
Anyone with half a brain knows it’s easier to express your own ideas if you’re on top. I’m not a Tate fan, but I’m curious to see where he goes with all of this. And, Sam is right! The #1 stumbling block will be the all-or-nothing liberal mentality.
For goodness’ sake, lay off the stupid road. It was never built. If you don’t think every single politician isn’t having inappropriate conversations, you’re so naive!! I despise lobbying; however, the shit happens.
Parenthetically speaking Bill mentioned a gas tax, along with a brief analysis. It appears that the weight and number of cars on the road would also make a difference. Bill certainly covered the fuel efficiency side of the equation.
Bill please enter the number of cars on the road today versus 1986 and the average weight of vehicles today into the equation.
(I have no idea if number and weight make a wits difference, but I seldom have the occasion to use parenthetical....not even sure if this is the correct spelling)
MDOT stats show trucks in MS up 125% from 1989 to 2016; cars up 50%.
George Flaggs is an Independent. Former Democrat.
For the author: Since you're an expert on Jackson's ills, how's thangs over in Meridian? Asking for friends in Enterprise.
Pass a damn gas tax. If someone drives 12,000 miles a year in a vehicle that gets 20 mpg, that's 600 gallons. Add a 10 cent gas tax which is $60/year or $5 per month. Heck, gas stations now a few miles apart have a 10 cent or more difference in price.
Our previous legislators were just a bunch of spineless wimps, so we'll see if this new group has any relevant body parts (backbone, guts, brains, b&%ls, etc.) And if Tater vetoes it, override him.
The RINO dig is a buzz word created by opposition political strategists for entertainment talking heads pretending to know anything about government.
Yes I know that stands for Republican in Name Only but what does that mean when it comes to any philosophical anchor?
Do you mean by it that they really follow the platforms of The Tea Party or the KKK or Neo-Nazis or Facists?
Do you mean they are fiscal conservatives but conservative enough on social issues to suit you?
Do you mean they are people who think government and the rule of law is still important?
Do you mean they still think fiscal responsibility important and don't like the deficient?
Do you mean they still think religion should be separate and don't want a theocracy?
Or do you have to be Trump loyalist so a person follower who has no coherent point of view and changes policy positions constantly?
Frankly, the GOP has become as populist as the extreme wing of the Democrats and neither party is doing very well to recalling how they defined themselves.
If you bother to read the positions and platforms of either party, both have swapped positions on social issues over the decades. Their philosophy is to get followers.
Are Republicans now being criticized for not raising fuel taxes, including Democrats and the condition of the roads, bridges and prisons a week into office?
@7:55 (1/27)
The state's infrastructure has been an issue for years now. The can is being kicked downed the road as usual, regardless of party.
The challenge is that with liberals, you meet them half-way and they want it all. "Bi-partisan" is not in their vocabulary.
This puts the conservatives on the defensive.
And around and around we go.
That why there's currently a Democrat supermajority in Mississippi state government? SMH
The sh*t people say on this website serves as a constant reminder of why Mississippi is considered the laughing stock of this country.
11:19 D Supermajority... huh?
@ January 27, 2020 at 12:24 PM
It's called sarcasm
Does Tate always sound like a ninth grader reading off of a sheet of paper?
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