Governor Phil Bryant just rescinded his executive order directing Blue Cross to reinstate ten HMA hospitals to network status. He also threatened legislative action if the dispute between the two companies is not resolved. The Governor issued Executive Order #1328 stating:
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Governor rescinds Blue Cross executive order
Chokwe speaks!!!
Mayor Lumumba appeared at a community association meeting Monday night at Jackson Academy. Here is a video recording of his remarks.
Clinton now publishes crime reports
Clinton now publishes monthly crime reports on its website. Clinton Mayor Phil Fisher made overhauling the city website one of the top priorities of his administration. The city started posting agendas and minutes two months ago. The crime reports are separated by the type of offense and state the number of monthly violations for each offense over the last twelve months. Clinton crime reports. Now that is progressive.
Click Here to Read More..
Miss. public schools' ratings system impossible to understand
How are Mississippi's public schools and school districts rated? By something called the state “Accountability Model,” and for most normal human beings, this model is confusing to the point of being laughable.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
WJNT today
Today was the Halloween edition. Had some interesting bumper music during the show. Discussed election next week, Obamacare, and the new PERS actuarial report.
Trick or treating tonight?
Post here any cities or areas that are moving trick or treating to tonight. Press releases are welcome.
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
Click Here to Read More..
Secretary of State Accuses Developer of Fraud in Metrocenter Project at Hearing (Updated w/video)
The Secretary of State charged developer David Watkins diverted bond proceeds meant for the Retro Metro project to another project in Meridian, at a hearing yesterday at its office. The Securities Division seeks to impose a $25,000 fine and repayment of the $587,084 it claims was diverted.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Special for Chicago
The Kesslers announced a ticket special for next week's showing of Chicago:
DPS to refund fees
The Lieutenant Governor issued this press release yesterday:
Obamacare update.
Looks like the Obama administration lied about keeping your health insurance. NBC news reported yesterday:
Monday, October 28, 2013
Blue Cross wins. (Updated)
Just got word Blue Cross got its TRO. Hearing scheduled next Tuesday for deciding whether to issue a permanent injunction. Both sides to exchange witness lists. Its a weird ruling. Here is the entry in Pacer:
Surprise. Cronyism & fraud in education
State education probe: Cronyism, school ratings fraud and security breaches
Mississippi public schools produce America’s most poorly educated students, if you judge them by college readiness.
Blue Cross hearing: Governor meddling in things "he knows nothing about."
U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate said at a Friday hearing he will rule today on Blue Cross's petition for a temporary restraining order against Governor Phil Bryant. The insurer seeks the TRO against the Governor's executive order directing the company to reinstate six HMA hospitals to network status. HMA sued Blue Cross earlier this year as it alleged the insurer violated their contract over reimbursement rates. Blue Cross notified HMA it was exercising the termination clause in the contract. The effect was all ten HMA hospitals in Mississippi were paid lower "out of network" reimbursement rates on September 1. HMA is currently paying the difference for Blue Cross policyholders as the dispute continues in court.
Questions for the PM
Last week's edition. Never gets boring. Wish we practiced this style of debate here. Very entertaining.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Obamacare rates in Mississippi
Healthcare.gov provides a little tool that allows one to see how much various plans are per month by county. JJ is going to present premiums for a particular county every few days. Today we will start with Hinds. Link to website Next up will be Rankin County.
Governor Bryant fought Obamacare.... before he used it.
I am about to write my post about the Blue Cross hearing in federal court Friday but thought I would go ahead and pass along a little gem to the readers.
State Auditor trying to seal DMR records
Not good. Not good at all. Stacey Pickering is trying to be so precious as he seeks to keep everything DMR under wraps. The Sun-Herald reported yesterday:
Saturday, October 26, 2013
No comment.
Lanier High school stands at the Germantown game in Gluckstadt last night.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Judge Wingate to rule Monday
Three hour hearing this morning. Judge Wingate will rule on Blue Cross petition for TRO Monday.
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
Click Here to Read More..
Chaney says Governor's order is illegal. Files motion to intervene.
Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney accused Governor Phil Bryant of "illegally" usurping his power in a motion to intervene and joinder he filed yesterday in the legal fight between Governor Phil Bryant and Blue Cross in federal court. A hearing is scheduled for this morning. Governor Bryant ordered Blue Cross to reinstate ten HMA hospitals to network status earlier this week. The same executive order also directed the Commissioner to conduct a hearing and review of the dispute. Blue Cross asked Judge Henry Wingate to issue a temporary restraining order against the executive order.
Exchanges crashing and burning
Obamacare still not working. Avik Roy writes in Forbes:
Thursday, October 24, 2013
JJ obtains Motorola settlement. Precious is the Million dollar man.
Hinds County settled its lawsuit with Motorola for $2.5 million in 2011. JJ just obtained a copy of the settlement agreement after filing a motion for contempt on Tuesday. Special Chancellor Larry Buffington ordered the county to turn over a copy of the agreement to this correspondent on June 4, 2013.
Zoo suffers loss
Here is the latest zoo financial statement as required by its contract with the city. Total revenue was $2.18 million but the budgeted revenue was $2.48 million. Variance of over $302,000. One line that stood out was private contributions. They were $60,000 less than expected. The Zoo suffered a loss of $134,512.
Gerald Barber: Tough Guy
The Madison County Journal published a rather amusing essay last week about the Madison County Tax Assessor:
Blue Cross asks for TRO against Governor
Blue Cross filed a motion for a temporary restraining order against Governor Bryant's executive order and a supporting memorandum yesterday in U.S. District Court. Governor Bryant issued an executive order Tuesday reinstating ten HMA hospitals to network status with Blue Cross. Nothing really new here as the filings are regurgitations of what was filed Friday. The affidavit of Blue Cross CFO Jeffery Leber contains market data at its end. This post is for the court junkies.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Contempt!
Yours truly filed a motion for contempt against Hinds County yesterday after the county failed to turn over a copy of the Motorola settlement agreement. I filed a public records lawsuit against Hinds County after Motorola sought to seal the agreement. Judge Larry Buffington ruled in my favor and ordered the county on June 4 to turn over the agreement.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Governor Bryant orders Blue Cross to reinstate HMA hospitals
Governor Phil Bryant just issued the following executive order :
Click Here to Read More..
Chaney to Phil: Your threatened executive order is "unsustainable"
In an October 18 letter, Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney told Governor Phil Bryant he could not force Blue Cross and HMA to enter into a contract. The Governor asked him to do so and said he will order Blue Cross to reinstate all HMA hospitals to network status if the Commissioner does not take such action.
Blue Cross reinstates 4 hospitals, Chaney orders review of Blue Cross
Blue Cross/Blue Shield announced yesterday it was unilaterally reinstating four HMA hospitals yesterday to "in-network" status. Blue Cross stated in a press release (posted below):
Monday, October 21, 2013
Killer of Lenora Edhegard gets life w/out parole + 55 years.
Rankin-Madison District Attorney Michael Guest issued the following press release.
Noooo!!!!!. Arthur Johnston resigns for greener pastures.
Madison County Chancery Clerk Arthur Johnston just resigned. We just lost one of the good guys and the best chancery clerk in the state. Mr. Johnson will assume the position of Clerk of Court for the federal court system of the Southern District of Mississippi. The Board of Supervisors appointed Deputy Clerk Cynthia Parker as his replacement per his recommendation on a unanimous vote. Here is a statement Mr. Johnston submitted to JJ:
Bigger Pie "private eye" Eddie Curran gives his side of the story
Kingfish note: This submission is several hundred words longer than what recently appeared in several newspapers. The freedom of the internet.
Close followers of Mississippi politics are probably aware of a public relations war between two non-profits, one from your state, the other from Alabama, and regarding Mississippi Power's Kemper coal plant.
Repost: Over $21 million spent on Farish Street "revitalization"
Note: In light of recent events concerning the Farish Street project, JJ decided to repost this story from June 2012. It should be noted these funds were spent before David Watkins became involved with the project. JJ also learned a major bank in Jackson loaned $6 million to someone to "do something" about the shotgun houses on Farish Street. Needless to say, the money never was spent on its intended use. This loan also took place before Mr. Watkins became involved with the project.Here is the original post. It has been moved forward and the comments are intact.
Note: Cathead wrote this post. Cathead is a new contributing writer for JJ.
Despite spending in excess of $21 million for more than twenty years, the prospects of transforming Farish Street into an oasis of bright lights, great food and memorable music have begun to lose their luster.
The whole story as to why Farish Street stands as a sad, neglected spectacle in the heart of the city will never be completely known as the only easily accessible record of the Farish Street revitalization effort is in the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH).
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Representin' Ole Miss at The Grove
TexasAgs toured the Grove before their game last weekend and produced this little video. Two Ole Miss chicks are the main stars.
R.I.P. Eric Hamer
JJ learned from Madison County sources that Eric Hamer, former attorney for the Board of Supervisors, died by his own action last week in Texas. Mr. Hamer was reportedly in the final stages of inoperable brain cancer.
Kingfish note: I would have done the same thing as I hope he found peace from the hell he had to endure. No comments will be allowed as he left several children behind. Please pray for his family and friends.
Be careful what you post here. Gene is watching you.
The Madison County Journal reported a very interesting little item about Ridgeland last week:
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Good job to the Rebels.
They made the plays, LSU didn't. They damn sure wanted that game alot more than did LSU. They earned it tonight. Hats off to them.
Click Here to Read More..
Governor to order Blue Cross to reinstate hospitals to network status. Blue Cross takes off the gloves.
Blue Cross & Blue Shield asked a federal court yesterday to issue a restraining order against Governor Phil Bryant after he told Blue Cross he will order the reinstatement of ten HMA hospitals to "in-network" status. Blue Cross terminated the contracts providing lower "in-network rates" to these hospitals* after HMA sued Blue Cross in Hinds County Circuit Court, alleging the insurer lowered reimbursement rates without HMA's consent.
Friday, October 18, 2013
JSU WINS!!!!
Grambling decided not to show up tomorrow. Now before you start blaming the players, just think of the movie Major League. Apparently the players were forced to ride the bus for 20 hours, weren't fed all their meals while the admins flew back and forth to the games, and were generally screwed over repeatedly by the administration:
Intimidation?
Check out the first item on the agenda under Supervisor Al Hunter. Agenda. It also looks like Stokes placed the discussion of the county administrator on the agenda as well.
Click Here to Read More..
Schools receive grants for law enforcement officers (Updated)
Update: Contacted the Mississippi Department of Education. All districts that applied for grants received them. That means Jackson, Pearl, Rankin, Madison, and Canton did not apply for the grants. Even if they already employed such officers, nothing to stop them from applying for the money.
Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves issued the following press release:
Latest crime stats
Sorry JJ was offline for a couple of days. Came down with a stomach bug on Wednesday and am just now opening up the laptop. Unfortunately the news didn't stop but one can only do so much. I'm not superman. He is 200 miles to the east this week. Here are the latest crime stats for Jackson, Rez, Rankin County, Byram, and Madison (City). Jackson does not post them on the website as they have in the past so JJ has to request them.
JJ's tribute to the '59 Rebels
Since Rick Cleveland and others are honoring the 1959 football team of the Ole Miss Rebels this week, JJ decided to post its own little tribute to that storied team:
Cory Wilson: Shutting Down the American Dream
There is an old Chinese proverb, “May you live in interesting times.” Americans are coming to understand why the saying is meant as a curse, not as a benediction.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Nothing like a tough guy
How do you turn a Marine into a pancake? Throw sand on the wall and tell him to hit the beach. Apparently one jarhead took this joke literally as he abused a female army soldier at a Buffalo Wild Wings in Columbia, South Carolina. Apparently Billy Bad-Ass was an off-duty deputy drinking at the establishment and decided he didn't like the way she was talking to him:
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Madison Supes Interview Jack Harrington of Steadivest fame for county adminstrator
Collection of posts on the Steadivest Case
The Clarion-Ledger reported on October 7 "The Madison County board of supervisors continues its search for a county administrator this afternoon as they conduct closed interviews with four candidates." JJ learned one of the names of the candidate interviewed. The name is well-known to those familiar with the Steadivest case: Jack Harrington. Mr. Harrington currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Madison County Economic Development Authority
Today at the Court of Appeals
Mike Crook argues his case at the Court of Appeals after Madison convicted him of violating the rental codes. COA website states:
DWF Returns to the Hunt: Gray Fox Available?
After an extended absence, I am returning to the dating world. I will need assistance, as my Cougar days were a few years ago, and I have no idea what women over age 50 in Jackson do to meet men these days. I have an ominous feeling there are no men left in the 50 year-old age range who are available without multiple issues. Please tell me I'm wrong!
Monday, October 14, 2013
Blue Cross sees HMA and raises with offer
Looks like Blue Cross & Blue Shield engaged in its own Corbomite manuever. BCBS terminated its agreement to pay in-network reimbursement rates to all ten HMA hospitals in Mississippi. The insurer did so after HMA accused BCBS of violating the contract between the two companies. BCBS offered to reinstate its agreement with four HMA hospitals today in this press release:
G Gordon Liddy wannabe?
Looks like Mike Brown has gone hard-core in prison:
WSJ: Kemper a "calamity". Southern says plant is coal's future.
The Wall Street Journal just won't leave Kemper alone. The Journal published another story about the project today:
No comment
The Clarion-Ledger reported on a little disturbance that happened at the Wal-Mart in Philadelphia last weekend:
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Freeze blows up
Coach Freeze ignored a cardinal rule of coaching last night: Ignore the fans no matter how bad the insult:
The Fall of the Tribe of Hotty Toddy
And there arose to the north of Eden a
tribe called the Hotty-Toddys, who were also called metros. And the
Hotty-Toddys were very displeasing; they didst place centerpieces on
their banquet tables, and didst exalt themselves much. And they didst
glorify the southern kingdom of the past.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Animal shelter challenges
Here is a little story about a shelter in Hattiesburg and the challenges they face. Typical of most shelters but a nice little window into that world. Please adopt a dog from a shelter if you are going to get one.
Cecil Brown on the Bible and government
Representative Cecil Brown (D-Leftover) submitted this column to JJ:
Friday, October 11, 2013
More on the RCSB/State Auditor scrum
WLBT reported on a Rankin County School Board matter:
Alabama Blue Cross raising prices
Ouch. WSFA reported premiums are doubling for some:
DA & JPD grab several thugs
Click Here to Read More..
Kenny Wayne: Obamacare.....GOP.......Klan
Senator Kenny Wayne Jones submitted this letter to JJ and several newspapers:
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Abigail Bonner case update
Press releases are flying off the presses today. The Madison Police Department just issued this press release about the Abigail Bonner case:
Davis falls upward
The Secretary of State announced former senator Doug Davis will serve as his new chief of staff:
Habitual burglar has 25 years to kick the habit.
Rankin-Madison District Attorney Michael Guest issued the following press release:
Ole Miss report on race: Old times are to be forgotten.
Ole Miss released the Extended Sensitivity and Respect Committee's report on the university's racial climate. Chancellor Dan Jones ordered the study after students became upset over President Obama's re-election and expressed their frustration in a um, crude manner on election night in 2012. The committee made the following observations and recommendations:
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Watkins speaks out on Farish Street woes and JRA "skullduggery". Asks city to reconsider.
Developer David Watkins issued a press release asking the city of Jackson to reconsider its decision to terminate his role in the Farish Street project:
Obamacare update. Pre-existing medical questions? Yes. Bad credit scores: No.
Heart attacks? Diabetes? Arthritis? AIDs? No problem under Obamacare. Got your '75 Eldorado repo'ed or stiffed C-Spire on that Iphone bill? Well, you are going to have a problem under Obamacare. WKMG (Orlando) reported:
WJNT today
Discussed the McQuirter election, Obamacare, and Jim Fraiser's column about Mississippi State.
Say it ain't so, Jon.
Jon Stewart had DHHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on his show this week:
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Vote today for McQuirter. Great reason? Stokes doesn't want him on the board.
Click Here to Read More..
Uh-oh
Look who was talking to Hinds County Supervisor Robert Graham yesterday:
Stokes tries to fire county administrator
Hinds County Supervisor Kenneth Stokes tried to fire County Administrator Carmen Davis at the end of the board meeting yesterday. The motion died for lack of a second from a stunned board as it was clear no one expected the move.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Greenbrook robbed last night.
Thieves broke into Greenbrook Flowers last night. They broke several windows and stole approximately $500 of merchandise on tables. They also ripped out all phone and internet cables from the phone box. If you need to place an order this morning, call 601-672-3350 or email. greenbrookflowers@ymail.com.
Click Here to Read More..
It's Beeeeeeert Case Day.
Hinds County Board of Supervisors present Bert with Above and Beyond award and declare today to be Bert Case Day.
Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
Click Here to Read More..
Calculate your Obamacare subsidy
The Kaiser Foundation was nice enough to provide an Obamacare subsidy calculator. Want to see if you qualify for a subsidy? How much will it be? Just enter some information in the calculator below. Have fun.
Obamacare update
The San Francisco Chronicle reported consumers were surprised at the cost of health insurance premiums under Obamacare:
FIND THIS MUTT!!! Update: FOUND!!!
Her name and the cell number are on the collar (not a tag, but written into the collar).She is very friendly and a survivor. I have to believe she is somewhere within a mile of my house (corner of Northampton and Sheffield). Dog belongs to Austin Barbour. Cell is 601-624-2562.
Update: She was found.Mr. Barbour wrote:
Click Here to Read More..
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Agendas.
Everyone has an agenda. Here are the agendas for meetings this week:
Public financing of stadiums: voodoo economics?
A 2011 study attacks the use of tax breaks and other forms of government largesse directed towards stadiums and other facilities. Dr. Robert Baade and Dr. Victor Matheson of Holy Cross studied the use of professional sports as a tool of economic development and found its effects are overrated. Here are some useful quotes from the study:
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Shaggybevo greatness.
Bored? Check out this thread on Shaggybevo. Read through page 1 to get an idea what the thread is about and then skip to page 5. Link The statues just begged for online abuse.
Southern Company loses $133 million tax break
Penn Energy reported on its website:
Ellis convicted in love triangle murder
Hinds County District Attorney Robert Schuler Smith issued the following press release:
Friday, October 4, 2013
Waaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!
David Archie filed a motion for an emergency temporary restraining order in the District 2 election for supervisor:
Pulling the plug on Farish Street?
The Jackson Redevelopment Authority terminated the Farish Street lease with David Watkins:
It's just data. What's the problem?
Obamacare & security breaches. Perish the thought. CBS News reported:
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Cory Wilson: Final thoughts on Hattiesburg's special election
Hattiesburg’s election saga is finally over. Saturday, while normal people were preparing to watch Alabama play Ole Miss, the Hattiesburg election commission was finishing its final count in the mayor’s race.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Auditor releases report on Mississippi schools. Ouch.
Auditor Stacey Pickering issued the following press release:
WJNT today
Karl Denninger of The Market Ticker appeared on the show today to discuss Obamacare. Good show as the phones lit up and stayed that way during the show. Recording starts two minutes late as we had a problem with the recorder. Cover your ears.
Don't mess with the Vets
Who wins when bureaucraps try to mess with some WWII vets?
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Told you!!!
I don' t think I need to add a word to this Politico story about the Obamacare exemptions for Congress:
Democrats slam Bryant on exchange
The House Democrats issued a press release on the Mississippi health insurance exchange today:
Amazing what money can do to people. Exhibit A: The Bradshaw estate
Timeline of events is posted at the end
Was former Rankin County Chancery Clerk Murphy Adkins the recipient of fortune's smile or did he take advantage of his position as conservator to obtain $1.6 million? Such is the question swirling around a will contest in Rankin County Chancery Court. Thomas Bradshaw, Jr. died on New Year's Eve, 2012. He outlived his wife and left behind no children. However, he did have an estate worth approximately $1.6 million. Mr. Bradshaw changed his will to make Mr. Atkins sole heir six months after he became the conservator for Mr. Bradshaw in 2009. The former beneficiaries objected in court. The case has not been resolved.
Rickey rants
The Mississippi Democrat Party issued the following press release:
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