CRAWFORD: Gov. Phil Bryant is no fool
Holland’s note came after the Governor published an op-ed piece defending his Medicaid position. Not many days earlier, Holland wrote an op-ed piece defending PERS, the state retirement system. I think Steve’s position bordered on foolish, but that doesn’t make him a fool. Quite the opposite, he is one of our most opinionated, entertaining, and dedicated legislators. You always know where Steve stands, whether you agree with him or not.
Right now, he should stand up and apologize to the Governor.
Holland’s piece on PERS dealt with the proposal of the PERS Study Commission and Sen. Nancy Collins to add independent members with financial know-how to the PERS Board. As it stands, PERS Board members are people who get, or will get, money from PERS, an apparent conflict of interest.
Holland says this is as it should be. “How many Mississippians, if given a proper choice, would wish to have politicians in charge of their money and their financial future? Does it not seem both fair and equitable for PERS members to elect their own Board of Trustees?”
Holland’s foolish position is that PERS’ money belongs to PERS members so they should control it. Not so.
Bill Crawford
MBJ
3/10/13
Magnolia Tribune
