Once upon a time, legislators really did run the state government in Mississippi. They didn't just cut the check. They signed 'em, hired, and fired, and performed management duties as they sat on the various boards and commissions in state government. The practice continued for nearly a hundred years until an intrepid Attorney General named Bill Allain said no. The good ole boyz didn't like that so they decided to teach him a lesson.
The good ole boyz sued, expecting an easy win. However, the Mississippi Supreme Court had other ideas and ruled unanimously against against the boyz, holding they were violating the separation of powers.* They did not like the rejection one bit. Speaker of the House Buddy Newman made a bunch of noise. Legislators threatened doom and gloom, unable to comprehend that Mississippi might be able to function without their meddling, oops, I meant guidance. The ruling stood and Mississippi managed to survive.
This was a pretty momentous ruling as it was one of the few times the Supremes have really trimmed the power of the Legislature. It somewhat strengthened the weak office of the Governor. It also shows what happens when a Court follows the law instead of what the powers that be want it to do.
* Legislators sat on these boards and commissions. (Number of legislators serving)
Budget Commission
Board of Economic Development (3)
PERS (2)
State Personnel Board (4, 1/2 of Board)
Medicaid Commission (4)
Capitol Commission (6 of 8 Board members)
Wildlife Heritage Committee (6)
Board of Corrections (1)
8 comments:
"It also shows what happens when a Court follows the law instead of what the powers that be want it to do."
How apt. My former Republican brethren don't like this too much these days.
Bill Allain spent four years as Attorney General of Mississippi suing whoever was in charge so he could build up his "Goobernatorial" resume. Sued the legislature, Mississippi Power and Light, Mississippi Valley Gas. Billy Boy was looking out for the peoples of Mississippi. Say Hallelujah. It paid off because he won a big victory even after all the sordid personal stuff. Then he spent the next four years as Governor embarrassed to be in public.
It will be interesting to see how our Supreme Court rules on the Gunn v. Reeves matter.
In 2018, the court cited the Allain ruling in the budget case when Bryant Clark and John Horhn sued Phil Bryant. Southern poverty law sued and represented those legislators and Krissy Nobile and Justin Matheny w/ the AGs office represented the governor. I remember it because it was basically a 9-0 decision in favor of the governor.
to 12:11 ...you are just a punk ass whiner......84 was the year mississippi began to move out of the dark ages. we still aint there but at least allain was trying. that's more than we can say for you.
What ever became of the position of State Bank Comptroller?
Funny you say 1984 Mississippi moved out of the dark ages. So you're saying the previous four years under the Progressives hero, William Winter was still in the dark ages.
Winter was no bright bulb. But he was brighter than Mabus, who yesterday tweeted that those who fought for the Confederacy and seceded were guilty of treason. And that dumbass, absent of facts, managed to be an ambassador and a Naval Secretary. Nobody was charged with or tried for treason. States had the same right to leave the union of states as they did to join it. Recorded history is your friend. Unless you fabricate your own facts.
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