On August 14, Rep Tyrone Ellis (D-Starkville) received a $5,000 state travel voucher to attend the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorada for educational purposes.
Of course, a firestorm ensued. Ellis and House Speaker Billy McCoy (D-Rienzi) began to waffle mightily. First, McCoy said that he would offer the same courtesy to Rep Mark Baker (R-Brandon), who refused the offer flat out. Then Ellis came out and defended the expense by saying it was necessary to build relationships so that MS can get federal funds, but also said that he would refund the expense after he got back from the trip. However, the damage was done. The main stream press got the story and piled on to McCoy and Ellis.
Last week, Rita Martinson (R-Madison) and Michael Janus (R-Biloxi) wrote two letter. The first requested all similar expenditures from the Department of Finance and Administration. requested to Alyce Clarke that the House Ethics Committee investigate these expenditures.
On August 29, Clarke responded with a letter declining for the House Ethics Committee to review.
Stay tuned as the players behind the scenes vow to not let this go unchecked.
Magnolia Tribune
