WTOK – Bryant gives final speech as governor at NCF
CLARION LEDGER – Neshoba Fair: Phil Bryant’s swan song as Governor
Gov. Phil Bryant on Thursday gave his final Neshoba County Fair political stump speech as governor, as he’s term limited and in his eighth and final year.
It was something of a greatest hits speech, a rapid-fire recounting of his administration’s accomplishments.
For Bryant, it was his 22nd Neshoba speech, dating back to when he was state auditor in 1997. He said after it was bittersweet, but maybe not his last time at the podium here. Former governors have spoken here numerous times.
“You never know when they might run out of talent one year,” Bryant joked. He also told the crowd, “I’m not running for office now, or ever again.”
WTOK – Candidates for governor stump at NCF
CLARION LEDGER – Neshoba Fair: Republican governor candidates sharpen attack on Reeves before primary
Republican gubernatorial candidates Bill Waller Jr. and Robert Foster on Thursday sharpened their attacks on Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, seeking to poke holes in his positions on Medicaid expansion and road funding.
But in a series of Neshoba County Fair political speeches ahead of the Tuesday primary, Reeves and the presumptive Democratic front-runner, Attorney General Jim Hood, only took swipes at each other. Both candidates clearly expect to advance to the Nov. 5 general election.
Foster, a state representative, and Waller, a former state Supreme Court chief justice, both support a type of Medicaid expansion passed in some other Republican-led states. They say it would help the state’s working poor and assist its cash-strapped rural hospitals.
They both back raising the state’s gas tax to pay for road and bridge repairs. In return they propose cutting the state’s income tax — Foster wants to eliminate it entirely.
WJTV – Democrat candidates for Governor push top issues and platforms in Warren County
Speaker Gunn takes on “hogwash” at Neshoba
#Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn says media & some politicians are spreading false narrative that the Legislature has done nothing the past 8 years under Republican leadership. #NCF19 #mselex #ncf2019 pic.twitter.com/JVljdJ97Rg
— Emily Wagster Pettus (@EWagsterPettus) August 1, 2019
WTOK – Neshoba County Fair welcomes Attorney General candidates
Taggart hits Fitch over connections to Hood’s donors
Lynn Fitch draws contributions from same plaintiffs’ lawyers that funded Jim Hood.
Money from big plaintiffs’ lawyers from both outside and inside our state is pouring into the race for AG at this late date in an attempt to influence who directs legal fees in our state. pic.twitter.com/XRBetcIf96
— Andy_for_AG (@Andy_for_AG) July 31, 2019
DAILY JOURNAL – AG candidates openly spar on the stump
Republican candidates for attorney general offered biting criticism of each other Thursday, providing some of the most fierce oratorical fireworks amid this year’s political speeches at the Neshoba County Fair.
Andy Taggart, an attorney and longtime behind-the-scenes figure in state GOP politics, spoke first with a thunderous speech that lauded his commitment to fight drugs and counted his legal experience as far exceeding that of his opponents.
State Rep. Mark Baker was up next. He took a swipe at Taggart’s legal skills but focused more directly on Treasurer Lynn Fitch, calling her the “hand picked successor” of Democrat Jim Hood.
Neshoba Democrat endorses McRae for Treasurer
Very honored to receive the endorsement of the Neshoba County Fair’s hometown newspaper @NeshobaDemocrat #mselex #NCF19 pic.twitter.com/Q8WEz5W0K7
— David McRae for Treasurer of Mississippi (@DavidMcRaeMS) August 1, 2019
Wicker, Hyde-Smith support President’s budget agreement
Today I voted to support @realDonaldTrump’s budget agreement, which will build upon the investments we have made to restore our military strength and readiness after the Obama-era cuts. https://t.co/oxLl9HdWO3
— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) August 1, 2019
— U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (@SenHydeSmith) August 1, 2019
WJTV – Appeals court won’t reverse Mississippi district line change
A federal appeals court is rejecting an effort that sought to reverse the redrawing of boundaries of a state Senate district in Mississippi.
A three-judge panel on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal on Thursday ruled 2-1 that the new boundaries should remain, meaning Tuesday’s primary will proceed under the new lines.
Lawmakers redrew Senate District 22 after a federal judge ruled in February that previous lines illegally diluted black voting strength.
Wicker introduces Fishery FUNDD
This week I introduced legislation to provide Mississippi’s fishermen with disaster relief more quickly. I am thankful for the support of Gulf Coast leaders as we work to reform a failing system. See what they said here ⤵ #FisheryFUNDD https://t.co/rm13T1EPGn
— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) August 1, 2019
WAPT – Senators: Bill would reverse veto of Mississippi Delta pumps
U.S. Sens. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Roger Wicker are introducing a bill they say would overturn the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2008 veto of a pumping station that could relieve flooding in parts of the Mississippi Delta.
The Mississippi Republicans said Wednesday that the measure would amend the Clean Water Act to prohibit the EPA from vetoing a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood project Congress specifically authorized. The bill would also overturn the EPA veto.
Thanks @SenatorWicker and @SenHydeSmith. This must be done and soon by the EPA. #FinishThePumps https://t.co/e3xO1l1vIP
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) August 1, 2019
Congressman Guest introduces Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel Exercise Act
My bill would help train law enforcement to respond to scenarios involving individuals traveling abroad to join terrorist orgs. Recent news of 2 Somali refugees in the US planning to travel to the Sinai region to join ISIS underscores the importance of this piece of legislation. pic.twitter.com/a3a7f3KP1v
— Congressman Michael Guest (@RepMichaelGuest) July 30, 2019
Azar writes “One Mississippi” at Governor Bryant’s request
DAILY JOURNAL – Report: Saltillo should switch to river water
Customers of the Saltillo Water Department will get a chance to discus the management review next week when Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley holds a public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, at the Community Center in Saltillo City Park, located at 200 Park Ave.
The review, ordered by Presley, determined the best way to solve the city’s well-documented problems with dirty water is to purchase water from the NMRWSD.
The city voted to do just that in July 2018. But the proposed switch was delayed repeatedly by increased estimates and the need for additional infrastructure. Presley and the PSC caused further delays.