Gov. Phil Bryant exposes #RememberMississippi, Chris McDaniel apologist MS Conservative Daily in a single tweet
As it was written long ago: And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. pic.twitter.com/FFjFDyJElD
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) March 29, 2018
WTVA – CANDIDATE DROPS HIS CHALLENGE OF U.S. SENATOR WICKER
A candidate has ended his Republican primary challenge of U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker in Mississippi, two weeks after saying that’s what he would do.
State lawmaker Chris McDaniel filed the papers Wednesday with the state Republican Party. He said March 14 that he would leave the Wicker race and run in a special election for Mississippi’s other U.S. Senate seat.
CLARION LEDGER – White House officials to meet with Cindy Hyde-Smith over concerns
White House officials planned to meet Wednesday with U.S. Senate appointee Cindy Hyde-Smith, who received a frosty reception in the West Wing when she was picked last week, The Washington Post reported.
Hyde-Smith was slated to sit down with administration officials including White House political director Bill Stepien, according to three sources familiar with the talks. But she was not expected to meet with Trump. The people describing the talks spoke on the condition of anonymity because they had not been announced publicly.
DAILY JOURNAL – Jamie Franks, Lee County Democratic Party leader mulls Senate run
TUPELO – Local attorney and former state representative Jamie Franks is eying an upcoming special election for the U.S. Senate, making him the second Northeast Mississippi Democrat known to be discussing a possible candidacy.
Franks currently serves as chairman of the Lee County Democratic Party and holds a post in the statewide Democratic Party leadership ranks…
…“Yes, I’ve seriously considered being a candidate for U.S. Senate,” Franks said. “I think Mississippi needs a senator who’s going to be concerned about the working man, not one who’s going to be a tin solider who marches to the drum of the Republican Party.”
CLARION LEDGER – Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton may seek Cochran’s Senate seat
Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton is considering entering a special election for retiring Sen. Thad Cochran’s U.S. Senate seat.
Late last week, Shelton, a democrat, asked for feedback in Facebook post on a run for the Senate. Multiple sources with connections to Tupelo City Hall, including elected officials and administration members, confirmed that Shelton had voiced interest in seeking the seat, the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported.
Sabato’s Crystal Ball puts open #MS03 seat as Safe Republican
WDAM – 2018 Legislative Session has ended
Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves gaveled the end of the legislative session Wednesday after the Legislature passed an approximate $6 billion budget that funds critical state services and new laws to encourage job creation. The Legislature also passed a practical bond plan that invests in universities, community colleges, and deficient bridges across the state.
“Working with Governor Bryant and Speaker Gunn, I believe we have a conservative spending plan that saves for a rainy day and increases funds for critical areas,” said Lt. Gov. Reeves. “Our state’s economic performance has shown improvement, which allowed us to invest more tax dollars in those priorities that result in positive outcomes like the School Recognition Program and putting more troopers on the road.”
WTOK – Senate confirms Bryant choices for agencies, College Board
Senators approved all four of Bryant’s choices for the College Board, which oversees Mississippi’s eight public universities.
Meridian insurance agent Bruce Martin, Hattiesburg radiologist Dr. Steven Cunningham, Ocean Springs businesswoman and Republican Party official Jeanne Luckey and Flowood lawyer Powell Ogletree, Jr., will take office May 8 for 9-year terms. Because of a quirk in a constitutional amendment that voters approved in 2003, Bryant becomes the first governor to appoint all trustees.
Senators also confirmed agency heads including former state Supreme Court Justice Jess Dickinson to lead Child Protection Services, Joe Spraggins to lead the Department of Marine Resources and Kelly Hardwick to lead the state Personnel Board.
WLOX – WLOX Editorial: It’s time for our state lawmakers to do the right thing
It appears to us this is no real deal at all, only a statement to try to appease the coast leaders and then slowly take the millions year after year to other areas of the state. We understand that lawmakers from other areas of the state want money to fund projects in their backyards.
Our lawmakers want the same thing. But taking money that should clearly be earmarked for the coast is wrong.
It’s time for the entire house and senate to do the right thing in a special session and stop the money grab of dollars that are needed to improve the coastal economy so badly damaged by the 2010 oil disaster.
WLBT – US judge extends temporary block on 15-week abortion ban
U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves issued a temporary restraining order March 20 to block the law for 10 days.
Reeves on Wednesday extended the block until April 13, giving attorneys for the clinic and the state more time to work on legal arguments.
DAILY JOURNAL – 2018 session ends with transportation still unresolved
Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, said he believes the multiple ideas that passed the House would have gone a long way to resolve the issue.
“We did our part in the House,” Gunn said.
Reeves saw it differently, saying his BRIDGE Act would have addressed many of the transportation needs.
Part of the problem is the reluctance of the leadership on both sides to raise taxes to deal with the issue. Both sides, to a very large extent, relied on diverting money normally earmarked for education, health care and other areas to transportation.
Magnolia Tribune
