Jackson Mayor John Horhn issued the following statement.
The City of Jackson today filed a motion asking the federal district court to enjoin implementation of HB 1677SG, the state law that would create a Metro Water Authority with only three board members appointed by the City. The City’s position is that the law attempts to take authority away from the federal court and that only the Court can determine the next steps for Jackson’s water system. The City also said it stands ready to work with the Court and all stakeholders to preserve Jackson’s voice in those decisions. “Jackson should not be asked to carry the greatest risk without having the authority to govern the assets it owns,” Mayor John Horhn said. “We own the asset, and we remain responsible for the debt if the system cannot sustain itself. The City should be able to control and manage its own assets, and any future structure must reflect that responsibility.” The City further maintains that the Mississippi Legislature does not have the authority to implement this law in a way that overrides the federal court’s control over the system. City officials said the Court should disregard the legislation and provide direction on what any future city ordinance or local legislation should look like. The City also said it remains prepared to draft its own ordinances consistent with that guidance. City leaders emphasized that Jackson remains committed to a fair, workable, and accountable solution that protects residents, preserves the City’s interests, and ensures the water system is managed in a way that aligns authority with responsibility.
Kingfish note: Posted below are excerpts from the motion for a preliminary injunction.
Governor of the State of Mississippi signed into law HB1677SG. Whatever its intent may have been, the law attempts to usurp the authority of this Court to manage the system today, to develop a transition plan for the future of the system, and to govern the system after that transition... the State is preempted from usurping this federal Court’s authority over federal litigation initiated to enforce federal regulations. The United States Constitution preempts the State from doing so pursuant to the Supremacy Clause... The Supremacy Clause provides a clear rule that federal law “shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any state to the Contrary notwithstanding.”... "10. But the Mississippi Legislature’s legislative findings and intent make clear that the State intends to take over the transition process and ITPM-successor appointment from this Court: “The creation and organization of a structure for future governance prior to the date of the conclusion of the interim third-party manager's work will allow for an orderly transition to ensure minimal disruption in water and wastewater service.” This statement alone is evidence of the State’s intent to invade the provenance of this federal Court."... 19. Governor Tate Reeves has made abundantly clear that his purpose in signing this bill into law is to preclude the City of Jackson from having majority control over the new water authority. Specifically, on April 21, 2026, Governor Reeves is quoted as follows: "I think the city of Jackson has proven they do not need majority control.” ... 22. If HB1677SG is implemented, it will ultimately result in a taking of the City’s property. In fact, the City’s due process rights would be violated by the implementation of such a scheme wherein the City is forced to lease its property to the new entity created by the State, which purposefully prevents the City from having any majority control over the operation of its water system. A forced lease is not the appropriate procedure for providing just compensation and due process protections related to fundamental property rights. This new law is simply an effort of the State to insert its wishes over the judgment of this Court, wherein the State can make sure that the City loses any control over its water system and its property necessary to operate the water system..... 23. The State of Mississippi is a party plaintiff to this case. The State of Mississippi could make proposals to this Court regarding the appropriate transition plan and leadership structure going forward, pursuant to federal law and the Interim Stipulated Order. Instead of actively participating before this Court, the State has chosen to enact legislation mandating a new authority that will take over the Jackson water system....
40 comments:
Horhn is a disaster. Does he understand what an asset is?
All I can say is I left Jackson almost 30 years ago and never looked back! I have had ZERO problems with my water .
If the debt was transferred to the water
Authority the city would no longer have
to pay it.
Jackson just won't get out of its own way will it?
The state and federal govt. will have a say in who gets the system.
Jackson never needs to have control over that again. They will destroy it in record time.
City leaders emphasized that Jackson remains committed to any structure which allows the city of Jackson to maintain 100% control so that they can screw it up again.
Give it to them! Save on lawyer fees, and walk away with love in your heart and a clear conscience.
Better yet, the city could lease the infrastructure to the Water Authority and generate an income stream without the burden. The only challenge would be maintenance responsibility.
We know what this is all about - it's about getting those federal dollars to repair the system's infrastructure into their inexperienced contractor friends' hands.
The city said that they are required to enter into a lease. That's not true.
5:09 thank you for letting us know! It’s all about YOU! Keep going rockstar!
That's what needs to happen because then,.....those who have the gold, make the rules.
the only way for the city to move forward with a water system is a water authority that will provide ongoing stability for the business of providing water. The City of Jackson, allowed politics and cronyism to destroy what was once a respected system, and its collapse affected more than it should have. As it currently stands, the city of Jackson can not even repair a street light, so they have no business in the providing clean and safe drinking water
It seems those Jacktown boys don't get the fact that the city is a child of the State and only has what authority the State grants it.
"Due Process"? Really? Does Jacktown really think that they are a separate but equal entity? How about the State revoke the city's charter and make it a district........ How 'bout them apples!
I voted for John as mayor but this is insane. The city has no one competent for this role anyway. We need the water authority as gov Tate reeves has said. Jackson should not be in control of the water
The mayor named members and now
turns around and wants to block it.
I hate to sound like an accounting nerd but technically the debt is owed by the water and sewer fund. Revenue bonds are NOT backed by the full faith and credit of Jackson, only by the revenue of the activity that they funded. Seems like a small deal, but it’s not.
>The City also said it stands ready to work with the Court and all stakeholders to preserve Jackson’s voice in those decisions.
Bull. Shit.
Don't forget: "It's 'our' shithole!"
John Horhn clearly didn't learn much during his long run in the Senate. These sort of moves by Jackson infuriates representatives from the rest of the State. Any future generosity Horhn may have been hoping for is now gone.
Hey Josh McManus. This is a perfect example why nobody gives a shit about the doughnut hole.
Why is it so important that they have control of the water? It doesn’t make sense to me.
Love him or hate him, the Governor nailed it with his comment. Given the challenges Jackson faces I can't imagine why they would not relinquish this work load. Let something that is working continue and tackle other issues. Pride and ego can cloud judgement.
Here comes the new Mayor, same as the old Mayor…. :facepalm:
The law is not forcing the city to do anything.
The judge has set a status conference
for 5/1. I wonder if it's about this.
Perhaps Horhn knows this is futile, and perhaps even knows the Legislature's plan is for the best. But.......he must support the lawsuit, at least to a point, to appease certain parts of his constituency.
Jackson leadership acts like immature children. They can’t build or maintain anything. Everything they touch turns to shit.
@5:24 at least I can drink my water! Can you??
@654 see 520’s comment above. That’s exactly why. They want their hands on those federal dollars so they can dole out contracts to their buddies and they can’t stand that Jacob’s is earning $18 million a year that could instead go to someone of their color locally.
“We own the asset, and we remain responsible for the debt if the system cannot sustain itself“ laughable and failure oriented
An asset is a resource used to hold or create economic value. Brown or no water is not an asset for the city. We already know the system cannot sustain itself under city management.
City has already made their choice when they appointed their 3 members.
hopefully Horhn is playing politics not wanting to lose face in the 'hood...but it's a dangerous game..but then he can play it 'cause I doubt he'll be up for another term...
7:04 - "Given the challenges Jackson faces I can't imagine why they would not relinquish this work load." C'mon, you know why.
Please let the city of jackson have complete control of the water system. Also let them know there will be no more bailouts, you want it…it’s yours.
This would be the greatest social experiment of our time, unfortunately for those people living in Jackson, it will not end well. Have a special election in Jackson about who controls the water and let the chips fall where they may! With complete control, there will be no blaming anyone else!
@8:02pm if you are in the City of Madison, then you probably shouldn’t considering that awful sulfur smell that comes from most of the faucets. Also - Madison County has the highest Prostate Cancer Death rate in the US I’m pretty sure. So maybe you should come down here and get some of this good Ted Henifin - Ross Barnett Reservoir Water that’s all natural and tastes just fine.
I think you are correct. I think the Zoo situation is the same way. This is 4D Chess from Horhn. Pretend like he’s going to do things that make the constituents happy but instead just get the roads repaved and bring the crime down! (At least one can hope)
5:09 you really have lost the plot. Do you realize if there were less weenies that ran off 30 years ago Jackson would be in much better shape today? Running away and contributing nothing to your town is not something to be proud of. I hope you don’t call yourself a “man”.
It's the standard Demo BS. They don't give a * about simply providing clean usable water. If JackTown had EVER had that in mind then they would quit trying to use what little tax funds are left to fight this. And not allowing someone else to try and fix this literal s**tshow shows the only reason is corrupt!!
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