WLBT – Mississippi lawmakers continue looking for infrastructure funding in day three of special session
Speaker Gunn calls passage of infrastructure bill “historic”
Historic day for MS w/ the passage of the Mississippi Infrastructure Modernization Act. The House has championed add’l funds for infrastructure for several years. MS will now have a continuous stream of revenue to help cities, counties and local bridges.
— Philip Gunn (@PhilipGunnMS) August 27, 2018
WLOX – Mississippi Senate OKs lottery, House says no
The Mississippi Senate has passed a bill that would create a state lottery.
Working late Monday, 31 senators voted for the bill and 17 voted against it.
The vote came shortly after the House killed the same bill, with 60 voting against the bill and 54 voting for it. The vote was initially announced as 61 opposed and 53 in favor, but one representative went from no to yes.
Gov. Bryant on lottery failure in MS House
House Democrats voted to continue losing more than $80 million to Ark., Louisiana and Tenn., $10 million-$20 million of which could have gone to education. With federal matching funds included, that could be a $160 million loss. Hope they can explain that to their communities.
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) August 28, 2018
MS Democrat response to Gov. Bryant
Republican @MSGOP supermajority #msleg kills lottery led by Speaker @PhilipGunnMS , Speaker Pro Tem and 34 Republicans who voted NO. Sorry @PhilBryantMS! Take off rose colored glasses Gov- YOUR team killed YOUR bill! NO LEADERSHIP AGAIN!!
— MS Democratic Party (@msdemocrats) August 28, 2018
House Democrat leader Baria on why they flipped their votes on lottery
It should be noted that the reason why we changed is because all the education amendments were stripped from the House version of the bill. https://t.co/vPCBiWXsZ1
— David Baria (@dbaria) August 28, 2018
Wicker says US Senate making progress on funding bills
The Senate is making great bipartisan progress toward meeting important funding decisions that are due by the end of next month. Read more in this week’s #WickerReport: https://t.co/ZI4yAcIBH9
— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) August 27, 2018
Gov. Bryant orders flags to half-staff for McCain
I have ordered Mississippi and American flags on state property lowered to half-staff to mourn the passing of Sen. John McCain, a great American hero. pic.twitter.com/8fQDpQy7Ze
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) August 27, 2018
CLARION LEDGER – Appeal over charter school funding heats up
Hinds County Chancery Judge Dewayne Thomas ruled in February that diversions of local property taxes to charter schools are acceptable. But the inevitable appeal to the state Supreme Court is now in motion.
In recent weeks, the plaintiffs, plus three supporting groups have filed briefs with the Mississippi high court asking justices to overturn Thomas’ decision and rule that transfers of local property taxes violate the state Constitution.
The state is asking to delay its reply until October, and a decision by the court is unlikely before 2019.
The plaintiffs are a group of Jackson property owners who have children in traditional public schools in the city. They say the transfers are draining money away from the Jackson district, even as it faces fixed costs that it can’t cut as rapidly as students are decreasing. Mississippi now has five charter schools, four in Jackson and one in Clarksdale.
WTOK – Scalise helps raise money for Mississippi GOP
U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana is helping fellow Republicans in neighboring Mississippi raise money for this November’s elections.
Scalise, a potential candidate for U.S. House speaker if Republicans maintain their majority, spoke Monday in Jackson to a Republican luncheon.
Before the luncheon, Scalise appeared briefly before reporters with GOP congressional candidate Michael Guest, who’s running to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper, also a Republican, in a central Mississippi district.
It was an honor to have the opportunity to hear directly from the House Majority Whip about Republican-led policies that are spurring economic growth and delivering for the American people. Thanks to all who made today’s extraordinary event possible. #Victory2018 pic.twitter.com/86zoVCuXMr
— Mississippi GOP (@MSGOP) August 27, 2018
Magnolia Tribune
