Sunday, October 22, 2023

Bill Crawford: Will Bailey's Experience Help Him Beat Stamps Again?

An agency that handles mostly complicated decisions may be without experienced leadership next year. Two of the three members of the Mississippi Public Service Commission will be missing and the third faces a tight race.

Southern District Commissioner Dane Maxwell was defeated in the August Republican Primary by Wayne Carr, a Gulf Coast contractor and developer. Northern District Commissioner Brandon Presley did not seek re-election and will be succeeded by Rep. Chris Brown, a north Mississippi businessman. Neither Carr nor Brown, both Republicans, has general election opposition so both will take office in January.

In one of the few hotly contested races on the November ballot, incumbent Central District Commissioner Brent Bailey faces state Rep. De’Keither Stamps, again. Bailey beat Stamps four years ago but only by the slimmest of margins, 50.4% to 49.6%. 

Laws and regulations limit Public Service Commission powers and most issues on its docket are technically complex. Its October docket included 39 energy items, 25 water and sewer items, and 9 telecommunications items. Further complicating matters, the Public Utilities Staff which researches, reviews, and recommends actions is independent from the commission.

From an experience standpoint, it appears that Bailey would be the choice in this race. He now has four years on the job and a reputation of doing his homework and being well prepared to discuss issues.

For example, in July the Magnolia Tribune published interviews with both Bailey and Stamps. Bailey’s responses were detailed and informative. Stamps’ responses were simple, often one sentence answers. 

From a demographic standpoint, it appears that Stamps, a former Marine described as a strong family man, would have an edge. The Central District Citizen Voting Age Population (CVAP) is majority Black by a slim margin, 51% to 49%. Also, the Central District has previously elected a Black to the Transportation Commission, Willie Simmons. 

In 2019, Simmons won his race over Butch Lee 149,573 to 143,003. Stamps fell short of Simmons’ vote total and lost to Bailey 146,596 to 144,474. At that time, Stamps was a Jackson City Councilman. In 2020, he won a special election to the House of Representatives upping his political stature. 

Should Stamps win, none of the new Public Service Commissioners will have had any relevant experience for the job. Should Bailey win, it will be the first time Republicans have held all three posts at the same time.

Like the Governor’s election, this race has the makings of a nail biter. 

“But those who listen and don’t obey are like a man who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it crumbles into a heap of ruins” – Luke 6:49.

Crawford is a syndicated columnist from Jackson.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Voting by color - classic racism.

Just the facts said...

If you want lower electricity rates, less robo-callers and more broadband, vote for Brent Bailey. If you want an experienced person who will fight for the people, vote Brent Bailey.

If you want bad/no water and sewerage on your streets vote for the other guy. He was on the Jackson City council and represented Jackson in the Legislature.

If you want someone with no experience or knowledge about utilities, vote for the other guy.

If you want someone who, as a legislator took thousands of dollars from utilities that would be illegal to take a a PSC candiadate, who is owned by the utilties, vote for the other guy.

Anonymous said...

Agree with 9:19am...Just the Facts!

Anonymous said...

Since the Public Service Commission has the job of regulating telecommunications,electric,gas, water and sewer utilities in Mississippi, they are failing.
I cannot from your description tell if it is the system as a whole or one of it's " parts" that is screwing up.
They have clearly failed if telecommunications includes cellular. They have failed in allowing the continuation of the practice of above ground electric lines in a state that is subject to hurricanes and tornados. And, if they did anything to keep Jackson's water crisis from happening or to make sure the sewers were functional, I missed it.
And, then there's the rates, particularly the electricity rates when we should be benefitting from Grand Gulf.
It seems to me the fact that there are so many layers in regulatory oversight in this State is the problem. It appears that rather than efficiency and oversight, job creation for themselves, family and friends has been the legislative goal.
Truman's "buck" has no place to land and the regulated get to "sole source" information gathering.
MS had over 21% of jobs as listed as government paid. The irony is it's the red states that are most dependent on government for jobs with Alaska and Wyoming heading the list! And, when you consider that teachers aren't included in federal stats as " government employees" then ...whoa!
But, please, let's not let reality interfere with politics...even the House has abandoned that notion! It's all about entertainment and high school superlatives!

Anonymous said...

@9:19 AM - Speaks the truth. The other guy is a sleeze.

Anonymous said...

I don't know either of them, but here's my read:

Brent Bailey has a resume that addresses the knowledge, ability and experience to retain the position, if won.

The 'other guy' whose knowledge extends no further than being able to identify a cell tower, has no knowledge or abilities related to the job, but he's confident the color of his skin will ease him into office salvation.

He may be right. And of those who do vote for 'the other guy, I suspect 96% of them either have no clue what the job is or have never heard of it. But if they know Stamps is black, he tallies another one. This is not deniable or arguable and is common knowledge (so, not sure why the post gets the axe).

Anonymous said...

I’ve had enough of Bailey. I’ll vote for the Marine. He is one of the few who would speak out against Chokwe.

Kingfish said...

Stamps and Foote were the only ones who consistently opposed the Mayor. They had no choice but to raise rates when the system was losing $20 million per year.

Anonymous said...

Is this the same Stamps family of $11 hamburgers? I always liked Stamps on the Council, wanted to try his family burger place but dangerous location.

Anonymous said...

I agree with 9:19. Commissioner Bailey has the knowledge & experience to do the job. We don't need a yes man to come in & try to change anything.

anonymous said...

I met Mr. Bailey 4 years ago and liked his knowledge or PSC. He has done a good job by all accounts.
RMQ

Anonymous said...

10:14 - next time before you let your fingers hit the keyboard, do a little - just a little - digging to know what you would be commenting about.

The PSC has NO regulatory authority over cellular phone rates.
The PSC has not regulatory authority or oversight over Jackson's utility systems --- water or sewer.
MS residents in the Entergy system are benefiting from the Grand Gulf system, and have been now for decades. Check our electricity rates to surrounding states and while you may not know to attribute these lower rates to GG, at least a portion of the difference can be attributed to the lower cost nuclear power.
"Allowing" the practice of above ground electric lines is not such an automatic mistake as you make it to be. You are asking for lower electric rates but if the utilities were required to put the lines underground - your electricity bill would increase multifold. Your 'hurrican prone' justification does not meet the economic cost/benefit reality.

As to your closing paragraph, it says more about you than anything else, since it has little to do with the PSC election - or any of your gripes for that matter.

Anonymous said...

@10:14 AM - On the average it costs $1,000,000 per mile to go underground.

Anonymous said...

@4:19 - There *IS* no 10:14. But if you're talking to 10:15, he doesn't have a closing paragraph since none of his diatribe is broken into paragraph form.

Anonymous said...

10:15 AM - "The irony is it's the red states that are most dependent on government for jobs with Alaska and Wyoming heading the list!"

Odd. So, you are saying if Alaska and Wyoming were blue states they would be less dependent on government jobs. As a republican I think having less government jobs is a fine idea and a very fine goal, but I am confused as to how having democrat governors in the states of Alaska and Wyoming would lower the number of government employees. Could you tell us the democrats' secret to lowering the levels of government employment? Thanks in advance.

Anonymous said...

My family has contacted the Central PSC numerous times about a safety issue after we received no response from AT&T.

They had absolutely no interest in helping either.

Anonymous said...

I had an issue with a transformer enclosure in my yard - rusted out, leaning over. I called Entergy twice over a year's time, and both times an Entergy employee drove by in his truck and never even got out to examine it. I was told they weren't going to fix it.

I contacted Brent Bailey's office and an Entergy contractor replaced the enclosure and supporting structure in less than a week.

Anonymous said...

Brent Bailey has responded every time I have had a concern or issue. He cares about his district and works hard! He is the ONLY one with the knowledge and background for this position.

Anonymous said...


October 22, 2023 at 10:24 AM De'Keither Stamps is anything BUT a "sleeze". He is a fine and honorable man and a leader. I loved having him on the Council but didn't blame him for leaving. I loved having him in the legislature. I have nothing major against Bailey, but will cast my vote for Stamps.

Just the facts. said...

BTW. Stamps voted for a bill in the legislature that would raise the pay of the PSC job he is now running to hold. Plus, he took thousands in campaign donations from the utilities. It would be illegal for him to take those donations as a PSC candidate. We have had enough corruption on the PSC, that is why those donations are illegal. Give it back, Dekeither!


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