ABC NEWS – ‘I would not rule out a wall in certain instances’ along the southern border: Top House Homeland Security Democrat Bennie Thompson
Gov. Bryant speaks at Southern Republican Leadership Conference
I enjoyed speaking at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference and meeting @charliekirk11 on Saturday morning in New Orleans. pic.twitter.com/2NgAepw5Xc
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) January 19, 2019
DESOTO TIMES – Fitch to run for Attorney General
Republican Lynn Fitch has served as Mississippi State Treasurer for nearly eight years. Fitch now believes she is ready to move to another state government office after November’s general election.
Fitch, a native of Holly Springs, this week has announced her candidacy for State Attorney General. A three-day statewide swing ended Wednesday afternoon with a stop at the DeSoto County Administration Building in Hernando.
There may seem no connection between being the overseer of the state finances and leading the legal side of Mississippi government, but Fitch pointed out that her background and work as State Treasurer make her prepared to serve as Attorney General.
Senators Wicker, Hyde-Smith support POTUS compromise to end shutdown
I support President @realDonaldTrump‘s plan. I will absolutely vote for this proposal when @senatemajldr brings up the bill next week.
— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) January 19, 2019
Appreciate @realdonaldtrump offering something to bring Democrats to the table to end the #shutdown. Will they now work in good faith to get everyone back to work? It should.
— U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (@SenHydeSmith) January 19, 2019
DAILY JOURNAL – Tobacco makes $400 million impact on Mississippi Medicaid
The estimated direct and indirect cost of tobacco-related illness was $388 million, 9.2 percent of the total $4.4 billion Mississippi Medicaid health expenses in 2016 and $396 million, 9.1 percent of $4.3 billion in 2017.
The tobacco expense report was among the items presented this week during a state Senate Medicaid committee hearing by Dr. Steve Demetropoulos, who serves as the chairman of the state Medicaid Medical Advisory Board.
“This is as close as you can get for real time data for this population,” said Tupelo pulmonologist Dr. Jim Rish, a member of the advisory board. “I hope they pay attention to it.”
The report confirms there’s a significant opportunity to improve the health of the state, said State Sen. Hob Bryan, D-Amory, who is a member of the Medicaid committee.
Magnolia Tribune
