Thursday, November 12, 2020

Throwback Thursday: When the Supremes Turned Mississippi Politics Upside Down

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:

Anonymous said...

"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.

Anonymous said...

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.

Anonymous said...

It will be interesting to see how our Supreme Court rules on the Gunn v. Reeves matter.

Anonymous said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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.

Jingle Pockets said...

What ever became of the position of State Bank Comptroller?

Anonymous said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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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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.

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