Gov. Bryant issues declaration ahead of Tropical Storm Gordon
I have declared a state of emergency in advance of Tropical Storm #Gordon, making state resources and personnel available to affected areas. Please stay weather-aware and follow @MSEMA for real-time information. pic.twitter.com/4PQgRDGqUc
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) September 4, 2018
CLARION LEDGER – Lawmakers finally cut knots on road funding: Analysis
When Mississippi lawmakers met in special session to deal with transportation funding, they agreed relatively quickly on issues that had been tangled in arguments for months or years.
They voted to create a state lottery, over objections of Baptist and Pentecostal groups that usually hold considerable influence in conservative politics.
They agreed cities and counties will receive a portion of sales tax revenue the state collects when people shop online. They also agreed that taxes the state collects on sports betting in casinos will be used, until 2028, to help pay for highways and bridges.
Legislators passed a bill to divvy up hundreds of millions of dollars that Mississippi is collecting after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, with most of the money going to the six southernmost counties.
They also authorized the state to issue $50 million in bonds to create a Transportation and Infrastructure Improvements Fund to pay for local roads, bridges and “other projects that are economically beneficial.” Legislators approved the first list of projects, with critics calling it a “Christmas tree” because it had goodies for 63 of the 82 counties.
#MSSen: Hyde-Smith hits back at McDaniel
.@SenatorMcDaniel Caught Lying About Democratic Voting Record; Refuses To State Previous Support For Hyde-Smith In Ag Election
Full Story Here >>> https://t.co/SUtMCXmwd0@GeoffPender @jeffamy @samrhall @EWagsterPettus @GanucheauAdam @BobbyHarrison9 @JPaulHampton @courtneyannj pic.twitter.com/sZ4vt8R0r8
— Cindy Hyde-Smith (@cindyhydesmith) August 31, 2018
#MSElex: Baria, Espy, Anderson campaign in Diamondhead
Agreed! Ready to restore sanity and good common sense to our Nation’s Capitol. #BariaForMississippi https://t.co/fuxo5BFGAS
— David Baria (@dbaria) September 3, 2018
WJTV – Vicksburg Mayor temporarily closes American Legion after teen is shot
State Auditor White prepares for new responsibilities following Special Session
#msleg concluded its special session on infrastructure this week. In the legislation, our office was given authority to conduct performance audits of the infrastructure spending and BP money and investigate the lottery corp. if necessary. Working on a plan of action today. https://t.co/l1i8wNzvZe
— Shad White (@shadwhite) August 31, 2018
GULFLIVE – BP bill includes money for immediate projects in Jackson County
With the Mississippi Legislature finally passing the long-awaited BP bill that will direct 75 percent of the $750 million BP settlement money to the coast, Jackson County will soon see funding for some long-awaited projects.
Sen. Brice Wiggins, who introduced the original BP bills into the Senate, said several Jackson County projects will be funded through the BP money and that the payments BP will make to Mississippi over the next 15 years will continue to benefit the area.
“This is going to mean a lot to Jackson County,” Wiggins said. “In terms of infrastructure, there’s going to be funding for a number of Jackson County projects that have been in the works for a while.”
Among the projects already approved and set to receive funding:
- $500,00 for Ocean Springs water and sewer improvements
- $500,000 for improvements to the Gautier Town Green
- $2 million for the North Rail Corridor
- $2 million for the East Bank Access Road in Pascagoula
AG Hood addresses Women for Progress
It’s great to talk to a room full of women interested in running for public office. Thanks to Women for Progress of MS, Inc. for having me! https://t.co/0aqFIimD0i
— Jim Hood (@AGJimHood) August 30, 2018
WXXV – $68 million revitalization project awarded by Ingalls Shipbuilding
Magnolia Tribune
