The Sun Herald Editorial, 1/18/9
Even though the three commissioners who oversee the Mississippi Department of Transportation must win the support of tens of thousands of voters every four years, the executive director they hire needs the support of only two people to keep his job, presumably for life.
When first hired by the commissioners, MDOT’s executive director must be confirmed by the state Senate. But after that, the executive director faces no further scrutiny from the Senate unless two of the three commissioners resubmit his name for reconfirmation.
For Butch Brown, who as executive director appears to have commissioners Wayne Brown and Bill Minor in his pocket, this is tantamount to a lifetime appointment, at least as long as those commissioners keep their jobs.
No official in Mississippi — whether elected or appointed — should enjoy such job security.
Magnolia Tribune
