YP Daily Roundup 2/21/19

YP – Gov. Phil Bryant officially endorses Lt. Governor Reeves

Lt. Governor Reeves tweets appreciation to Bryant for endorsement

Thank you for your support, @PhilBryantMS! You’ve been a great conservative leader for our state, and I’m looking forward to continuing our efforts to help Mississippi workers and families. https://t.co/hL5teO2ZxW

— Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) February 20, 2019

CLARION LEDGER – Sid Salter: Waller’s entry into 2019 governor’s race reshuffles political deck

The immediate reaction across the state was that Waller’s bombshell announcement reshuffles the political deck. But does it? Perhaps.

First, there’s the pedigree. Waller’s father, former Gov. Bill Waller Sr., died in 2011 at the age of 85. With his seersucker suits and outsized political persona, Waller was every inch a populist who rose to power by indicting the “Capitol Street Gang” in Jackson.

Underrated and under-appreciated as governor, the senior Waller’s real legacy lies on two fronts: He provided significant leadership to bring Mississippi into the modern era on race relations, and he made the first significant appointments of black bureaucrats into state government.

The junior Waller also brings to the table a natural constituency not just from the legal profession, but from the Mississippi National Guard, where he rose to the rank of Brigadier General.

State Sen. McDaniel posts Facebook poll over Gov. Bryant’s endorsement of Reeves

WXXV – Pascagoula mayor kicks off campaign for Public Service Commissioner

MSGOP hits back at Jim Hood over teacher pay raise

That’s because wealthy trial lawyers are still receiving tobacco funds that should go to the general fund. That would help with a pay raise for teachers. https://t.co/oFmRAQcCiW

— Mississippi GOP (@MSGOP) February 19, 2019

WTOK – No guarantee of raises for Mississippi state employees

Mississippi lawmakers have agreed to an early set of recommendations for a $6.1 billion state budget. More work is coming in the next few weeks.

The state House passed bills Tuesday to fund dozens of state programs for the year that begins July 1. The Senate did the same Wednesday.

The two chambers will exchange bills for more work. And, a final round of budget negotiations will happen in late March or early April.

During a House debate, Democratic Rep. John Hines of Greenville pushed for pay raises for state employees, but his effort fell flat.

MCPP takes issue with MS House approval of additional funds for Ingalls Shipbuilding

Gov. Bryant talks heartbeat bill on Fox and Friends

If you missed my interview this morning on “Fox and Friends” about protecting the unborn with a heartbeat bill in Mississippi you can catch the video here: https://t.co/dw11Ui23l3

— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) February 20, 2019

State Rep. Anderson sends Gov. Bryant letter over support of President Trump’s “fabricated” emergency for border wall

The people of Mississippi should always be our first priority. That is why I have just sent a letter to Governor Phil Bryant requesting that he reconsider his full-throated support of President Trump’s fabricated State of Emergency. Declaration. See my letter below: pic.twitter.com/at8sNwtqRP

— Rep. Jeramey Anderson (@jerameyanderson) February 20, 2019

Congressman Thompson to lead trip to border

? NEWS ?

Tomorrow, Chairman @BennieGThompson will lead a trip to the southern border to examine @CBP processing centers, ports of entry & border security technology.

Members will also meet with local immigrant advocacy groups & borderland stakeholders. https://t.co/93eHVhwOVN pic.twitter.com/1qtptjQgye

— House Homeland Security Committee (@HomelandDems) February 20, 2019

CLARION LEDGER – Mississippi lawmakers plan to borrow $182 million for universities, projects

Mississippi universities would receive $85.3 million of $182 million in borrowing for projects approved Wednesday by the House Ways and Means Committee.

“This is our big bond bill,” said Ways and Means Chairman Jeff Smith, R-Columbus.