YP Daily Roundup 4/11/18

Gov. Bryant declares State of Emergency ordering 83 bridges closed

I have signed a proclamation declaring a state of emergency that orders the MS Dept. of Transportation to immediately close 83 locally owned bridges judged deficient by the federal National Bridge Inspection Standards and the Mississippi Office of State Aid Road Construction. pic.twitter.com/HwQPc3sKgd

— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) April 10, 2018

WTOK – Hyde-Smith gets committee assignments

The U.S. Senate Tuesday approved a resolution to confirm the Senate Committee on Appropriations subcommittee assignments for newly sworn-in Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith.

“Senators from Mississippi have a proud tradition of serving on the Appropriations Committee, and I look forward to being a good steward of taxpayer dollars as the committee works on fiscal year 2019 bills,” Hyde-Smith said.

Hyde-Smith has been assigned to serve on the following subcommittees:
• Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
• Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
• Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies
• Legislative Branch
• State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs…

…Hyde-Smith will also serve on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.

MERIDIAN STAR – Mississippi’s new US senator sets top staff jobs

She is keeping Brad White, a former state Republican Party chairman, as chief of staff.

John G. Campbell becomes deputy chief of staff for administration in the Senate office. The former state entomologist worked as deputy commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture.

Umesh Sanjanwala is the senator’s state director. He worked in information technology for several state agencies, including the agriculture department. He became special assistant to Hyde-Smith in 2012.

Sen. Wicker questions Facebook’s Zuckerberg

Today, I asked Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg about what his company is doing to address recent concerns about user privacy on its platform. Read our full exchange here: https://t.co/wXsa8zVZEP

— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) April 10, 2018

WLOX – Record tourism brings billions and new jobs to the state

Good news from the state’s tourism industry. Record numbers are visiting our state.

People from around the world and across the country are being lured to the Magnolia State, spending billions of dollars for the true southern experience.

From beaches on the coast to the Capital City, the Mississippi Delta and beyond, 23.15 million people visited the state last year.

That’s up from 23 million in 2016.

WLOX – Biloxi NAACP speaks out ahead of Spring Break weekend

“I personally, as NAACP president, would wish that we would not come down here at all because we should not be spending all this money with people who don’t want to change that flag and change that perception of Mississippi,” said James Crowell, President of the Biloxi NAACP.

GULFLIVE – Local NAACP issues ‘advisory’ warning of ‘hostile enviornment’ in Ocean Springs

In the advisory, written by longtime Jackson County NAACP President Curley Clark, the NAACP says it is “putting the community on alert for signs of outright racism and discrimination.

“The Ocean Springs that we once knew and loved has been transformed into a cold, uncaring breeding ground for far-right racists,” Clark wrote. “Black People be warned. Brown People be warned. LGBT People be warned. Jewish faith Brethren be warned. Everyone who are not regarded as “Anglo White” should be concerned…

…”The Mayor and Board have emboldened those forces that spew hate and white supremacy,” Clark wrote. “This administration has shown it unconcern for the cries of compassion and mutual respect. But the NAACP is putting them on notice. THEY WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE!!!”

Gov. Bryant: Mississippi was the only state to see increases in scores by fourth and eighth graders from 2013-17

Mississippi was the only state to see increases in scores by fourth and eighth graders from 2013-17. We were also one of only four states with significant improvement in math scores in at least one grade. Our innovative education reforms are working. #MississippiProud https://t.co/lA7uWlM3Mp

— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) April 10, 2018

WJTV – Equal Pay Day public awareness event held at State Capitol

WTOK – PSC to review operations of Mississippi Power

The Mississippi Public Service Commission says it will begin an operations review process for Mississippi Power Company, to be used as a precursor to a future rate case.

At its Tuesday meeting, the PSC told its staff and legal staff to prepare an Order and Request for Proposals to begin the process.

The commission plans to order similar operation reviews preceding all future general rate cases for investor-owned utilities.

Congressman Palazzo speaks in Jackson County

I enjoyed speaking at the Jackson County Republican Women’s monthly meeting in Gautier! pic.twitter.com/GYwQWSpqlP

— Cong. Steven Palazzo (@CongPalazzo) April 10, 2018

DAILY JOURNAL – Poll: Voters want transportation fixed, support Medicaid expansion

Fixing the state’s transportation system remains the top priority of a plurality of Mississippi voters, who also support expanding Medicaid to cover the working poor, according to a survey commissioned by Millsaps College.

The poll found that 29.1 percent of respondents said that fixing the state’s roads and bridges should be the top priority of the state’s politicians, followed by 20.2 percent saying providing more funds for public education should be the No. 1 priority.

CLARION LEDGER – Charlie Mitchell: State’s K-12 teachers seem to have other priorities

Today, Mississippi teachers, by some reckonings, remain 50th in compensation at an annual average of almost $43,000 per year. Other tallies say 47th, 48th or 49th.

Back in 1985, Gov. Bill Allain said the state could afford no more than $1,500 per year and the Legislature took action to provide increases. The brief strike ended. But there was a little surprise. Along with the raises, lawmakers decreed that any future teacher strikes would be criminal…

…There has been good news on the education front. Teachers did receive raises two years ago. Scores have been edging upward and dropout rates have been declining. The average score on the American College Test remains, at 18.6, next-to-last among states, but that number must be viewed in context. In many states, only students who are college-bound take the ACT. In Mississippi, it is required for all students.