Former MS Governor Haley Barbour appointed to national education board
(Information provided by the National Assessment Governing Board) Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has appointed Haley Barbour, former governor of Mississippi, to a four-year term on the National Assessment Governing Board—which oversees the only continuing, nationally representative evaluation of U.S. students’ knowledge—and named him chair of the board through Sept. 30, 2020. The Governing Board is a nonpartisan body that works independently from the U.S. Department of Education to set policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as The Nation’s Report Card. NAEP provides objective information on student performance in various subjects and allows comparisons of student achievement among states, large urban districts, and various student groups. The 26-member Governing Board is responsible for deciding which subjects NAEP assesses, determining the assessments’ content, setting achievement levels that describe student performance, and pursuing new ways to make NAEP results meaningful to the public. Barbour is serving in one the Governing Board’s general public representative positions. Christine Cunningham, a professor of practice in education and engineering at The Pennsylvania State University, and Patrick Kelly, an AP U.S. Government and Politics teacher in South Carolina’s Richland School District 2, also were appointed to the Board. Cunningham is serving in a curriculum specialist position. Kelly is serving in the twelfth-grade teacher position. “We are thrilled to welcome these three outstanding new members to the Board. They join an esteemed group of leaders from across the country who ensure the Nation’s Report Card serves as a resource for improving educational outcomes for all American students,” said Lesley Muldoon, executive director of the National Assessment Governing Board. Barbour served as governor of Mississippi from 2004 to 2012. He was the political director of the White House under Ronald Reagan, chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1993 to 1997, and chairman of the Republican Governors Association from 2009 to 2011. Barbour returned to BGR Group—the government affairs firm he founded—after leaving the governor’s office. The Governing Board appointees announced Thursday are the final board members to be appointed for the 2019-2023 term. Their terms officially began on Oct. 1, 2019 and will end on Sept. 30, 2023. The post Former MS Governor Haley Barbour appointed to national education board appeared first on News Mississippi.
Governor Reeves announces disaster assistance for Pine Belt area
Courtesy of Gov. Tate Reeves’ Office Governor Tate Reeves announced disaster assistance for Mississippi businesses and residents hit by severe weather and tornadoes on December 16, 2019. Working to help Mississippians recover from the devastation, Governor Reeves sent a letter to Administrator Jovita Carranza at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) requesting a disaster declaration to make loans available to those impacted. The declaration covers Jones County and the following Pine Belt counties: Covington, Forrest, Jasper, Perry, Smith, and Wayne. Residents and businesses in those counties can apply for low-interest disaster loans from SBA. “Mississippians are strong, but they should never have to go it alone. When one of us is struggling, we stand up and hold out a helping hand to our fellow man. The people and businesses in the Pine Belt are still recovering from the recent devastation and deserve that helping hand. Working with the U.S. Small Business Administration, I am committed to helping Mississippi businesses and communities get back on their feet whenever disaster strikes,” said Governor Reeves. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov. Businesses and individuals may also obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. The post Governor Reeves announces disaster assistance for Pine Belt area appeared first on News Mississippi.
Palazzo concerned over attempt to repeal Use of Military Force Against Terrorists Authorization
Mississippi Congressman Steven Palazzo voted against the Lee Amendment to HR 550, which includes language to repeal the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists (AUMF). Ahead of the vote, Palazzo delivered the following remarks in opposition of the AUMF repeal (Click here to view Congressman Palazzo’s remarks): I want to thank my friend, Mr. McCaul, for yielding me time. Madam Speaker, The amendment before us today, is another example of the Democrats most recent campaign to undermine our military, our national security and as always, President Trump. Repealing the AUMF of 2002 without a replacement is dangerous, and the House majority must understand that. If the Democrats choose to adopt this amendment, it shows our military men and women stationed in the Middle East that the United States Congress does not have their backs. By adopting this amendment, it tells our enemies that they can continue attacking the United States completely unchecked. It projects uncertainty and weakness to those who are actively working against us. The United States must maintain the ability to counter terrorist attacks and an active AUMF accomplishes that. This amendment, if adopted, will only weaken America’s defense strategy in the Middle East. The AUMF is important and helped lead our military to the defeat Al Qaeda in Iraq. It continues helping us identify other international terrorist organizations that want to harm Americans and spread terror throughout the world. No one wants endless wars in the middle east, but we must have the tools necessary to react in this highly volatile region. We should not prevent the President from defending Americans from imminent threats. To do this is reckless and dangerous. Not only will you put our military at risk but you will also endanger American civilians. Keep in mind, we need to fight the global war on terrorism over there, otherwise it will end up in our backyard. I urge my colleagues to vote no on this destructive resolution. I yield back The post Palazzo concerned over attempt to repeal Use of Military Force Against Terrorists Authorization appeared first on News Mississippi.
Teacher pay raise advances through Senate Education Committee
A teacher pay raise bill is advancing through the early stages of the legislative process. SB 2001 would raise the starting salary for new teachers in Mississippi to $37,000 a year while also giving current teachers a $1,000 raise, and this morning, it passed unanimously out of the Senate Education Committee. At the beginning of the 2020 session, lawmakers passed a bill to cover the $18.4 million deficit from last year’s teacher pay raise, and Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann said that both chambers are ready to support Mississippi’s teachers. “The House had the leadership to begin resolving the $18.4 million deficit from last year’s teacher pay raise as soon as the 2020 Session started, and the Senate wanted to send a similar message to our public educators this year. The message is one of support and respect,” Hosemann said. “I appreciate the leadership Chairman Dennis DeBar and Vice Chairman David Blount have shown working together on this important legislation.” Lt. Governor @DelbertHosemann says that he wants to make sure becoming a teacher isn’t an economic decision and that this is the first step in the right direction with the teacher pay raise bill. #msleg — News Mississippi (@News_MS) January 30, 2020 During his State of the State Address on Monday, Governor Tate Reeves stated that Mississippi’s current financial outlook allows lawmakers to address teacher pay. “Thanks to cost-saving measures and tax cuts that have spurred our economy, we have more money coming in than ever before. We must never forget that our focus on protecting that taxpayers is what got us to this financial position. As we begin to allocate this new revenue, I can think of no one more deserving, and no task more essential, than increasing the pay of our teachers,” Reeves said. Chairman Debar, the bill’s author, will work with Hosemann and other leaders to continue to address the issues facing education in Mississippi moving forward. “We are facing a teacher shortage in many of our districts which is reaching a critical level. Part of turning this dire situation around is monetary. Our teachers are doing some of the most important work in our State, and they deserve to be properly compensated for it,” DeBar said. “I look forward to working closely with my colleagues in the House on this and other education issues.” SB 2001 will now be sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee before being brought to the Senate floor. Hosemann stated that the bill already has bipartisan support in the chamber. The post Teacher pay raise advances through Senate Education Committee appeared first on News Mississippi.
Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann Speaks on Governor Tate Reeves asking to close Unit 29 at Parchman
Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann held a press conference right after the Senate adjourned on Thursday. He started off this meeting by answering questions about the recent events and 13 deaths that have taken place in the state prisons since late December. Just the other day, Governor Tate Reeves has asked to close Unit 29 in Parchman, this is where many of the deaths occurred and the living conditions are not well. “I think that’s appropriate and his action is well taken, clearly Mississippi is better than Unit 29,” Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann said. “In addition to this, releasing prisoners back into society is really a four-step process.” Hosemann went on to explain what the steps should be, “The first step is what the Governor and Commissioner Taylor are doing now which is to secure Parchman and make it safe for our inmates and guards and everyone who goes there. The second is to move those people to facilities that will ensure that safety continues. The third step is that we start a process of making sure that those inmates are educated, skilled, have the ability to get a driver’s license, an address and other so they start that process while they’re incarcerated to prepare them for coming out to the community.” The closing date for Unit 29 at Parchman has not been set but Governor Reeves did say they are in the process of re-evaluating inmates and getting them placed properly. The post Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann Speaks on Governor Tate Reeves asking to close Unit 29 at Parchman appeared first on News Mississippi.
Presley highlights one year anniversary of signing of Broadband Act
(Information provided by the Office of Commissioner Brandon Presley, Northern District – Mississippi Public Service Commission) Today marks the one-year anniversary of House Bill 366, also referred to as the Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act being signed into law. The Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act made it possible for electric power cooperatives across the state to offer high-speed internet service to its customers. On January 30, 2019, Governor Phil Bryant signed the bill into law. The bill originally passed 115 to 3 in the House of Representatives and unanimously in the Senate. In one short year, eight electric cooperatives have created broadband services guaranteeing high-speed internet access to their member-owners. These eight cooperatives are: Alcorn County Electric, Monroe County Electric, North East Mississippi Electric, Prentiss County Electric, Tallahatchie Valley Electric, Tippah County Electric, Tishomingo County Electric, and Tombigbee Electric. “There is no doubt in my mind that the Broadband Enabling Act has changed and will continue to change the future quality of life of our citizens. No longer will many rural Mississippians have to wait for the big telecom companies to come and serve them. With our electric cooperatives bringing high-speed internet to many areas our state, it will also mean economic development, provide education opportunities, make telehealth more accessible, and so much more for generations to come,” said Commissioner Brandon Presley. “I commend the eight electric cooperatives who have taken the next steps and agreed to serve their member-owners with world-class internet service and I look forward to even more announcements this year. We cannot stop until the house at the end of every dirt road in our state has access to high-speed internet service.” “This law would not have been possible without the leadership of Speaker of the House Phillip Gunn, now-Governor Tate Reeves, and now-former Governor Phil Bryant,” Presley continued. “Their actions are a testament to collaboration and cooperation and, without them, it would not have been possible to take this from the idea-stage to passage by the legislature to signing it into law.” For more information on the Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act or to find out if your cooperative is looking into expanding services into broadband, please contact Commissioner Presley’s office at 1-800-637-7722. The post Presley highlights one year anniversary of signing of Broadband Act appeared first on News Mississippi.
Coast suspect in custody after faking own death amid rape charges
A Moss Point man, who was added to the U.S. Marshal’s ’15 Most Wanted Fugitive’ list on Wednesday, is now in custody after faking his own death to avoid charges related to the sexual abuse of his 14-year-old stepdaughter. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that 43-year-old Jacob Scott Blair was arrested in Oklahoma Wednesday night. While he could face additional charges, he was initially arrested in 2018 on a 14-count indictment charging him with sexual battery, touching a child for lustful purposes, and exploitation of a child. Scott was arrested after authorities received a tip that he was living in a camper in the Antlers, Oklahoma area. In July 2018, Scott was out on bond when he failed to show up for a scheduled court hearing. Authorities then found Scott’s boat abandoned off the coast of Orange Beach, Alabama. On the boat, they found a gun and a suicide note but little forensic evidence to suggest a suicide. A week-long search of the Gulf of Mexico was conducted for Scott’s body, but his remains were never found. Officials also determined that Scott withdrew $45,000 before his disappearance. Scott is a military veteran who received a Purple Heart in 2011for injuries he sustained while deployed in Iraq. The U.S. Marshals stated that his military background and survival skills may have enabled him to live off the grid. The post Coast suspect in custody after faking own death amid rape charges appeared first on News Mississippi.
Watson: Working to improve MS driver’s license services
(Written by guest columnist, Secretary of State, Michael Watson) Since I took office as Mississippi’s Secretary of State earlier this month, my team and I have been working hard to implement the plans we discussed on the campaign trail. We’ve put together a great staff across the state working for the betterment of Mississippians. As we reach the time of year when many people struggle with keeping their New Year’s resolutions, I wanted to update you on my biggest resolution for 2020: improving Mississippi’s driver’s license services. Waiting in line for a new driver’s license is something that most of us dread and procrastinate, but I am working to change that. While campaigning across the state this past year, I promoted the idea of having the legislature move the driver’s license services bureau from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to the Secretary of State’s office. Many of you shared your frustration with long lines, faulty kiosk machines, limited renewal options, and “day of” office closures, among other issues. I hear stories repeatedly from people who drive long distances from their homes to other towns many miles away just to avoid long lines and limited service. As a conservative, I am for limited government, but in the areas it must exist, it should serve citizens in the best manner possible. There must be a more efficient way to operate the DMV than the unacceptable way it’s being handled right now. As a taxpayer, you have a right to expect greater efficiency and customer service in this process. Getting a driver’s license should be as quick and painless as possible, and I plan to work diligently during the 2020 legislative session to make that happen by implementing something new that I call the “SIP Plan” which stands for Service, Information, and Professionalism. The change I am proposing is not without precedent. Several states already have their driver’s license services operated by their Secretary of State’s offices. I have researched these states’ programs and am confident we can implement a successful system here, with the goal of having the most efficient way to both issue and renew personal and commercial driver’s licenses. Not unlike other state agencies, DPS and the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) face funding and staffing challenges that are stretching them thin. My proposal is not a criticism of DPS in any way. In fact, it is intended to better support their primary mission of law enforcement. Transferring driver’s license duties away from DPS will enable them to reallocate more resources toward public safety efforts to keep Mississippians safe. The DPS personnel who work at driver’s license offices will better serve the public by utilizing their experience and expertise on the roadways, not in an office. Additionally, our plan would separate the Sex Offender Registry from the DMV so our families will not be subject to being in the presence of sexual predators when waiting at the DMV. What would be different for our citizens by transferring driver’s license services from one state agency to another? We can find efficiencies, increase the use of technology, promote more online renewals, hire customer-focused managers at each office, and also outsource the written and driving tests. For example, our plan would make sure our Driver’s Education teachers are certified to administer both the written and driving portions of the test, which would remove numerous new drivers from the backlog in the offices to dramatically transform people’s experiences for the better. We also need to implement new ways of conducting business such as an enhanced and expanded online scheduling system and improved renewal options that will save people time in the short and long term, so they do not have to return as frequently to renew a driver’s license. Moving driver’s license services to the Secretary of State’s office is a natural fit. The office already handles business licensing for entities such as limited liability companies (LLCs) and charitable organizations, has secure record-keeping systems and is the lead elections official for the state. We can also more efficiently and securely administer the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which allows people to register to vote when applying for or renewing a license. My proposal is a very real change that affects most Mississippians. If you have more questions about the SIP plan, you can read about it on my website here. I welcome your ideas and suggestions as we move forward to pass a bill this legislative session and I hope you will join me in encouraging our legislators to move the DMV to the Secretary of State’s office. Service, Information and Professionalism from our state government is a New Year’s resolution we can all support and should see through to completion. The post Watson: Working to improve MS driver’s license services appeared first on News Mississippi.
Senate bill to legalize lemonade stands
(Article courtesy of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy (MCPP) Senate Bill 2196, sponsored by Senator Kevin Blackwell, allows minors to operate an occasional business without a permit or license from the government. Other states, starting with Utah, have begun to pass similar laws. This bill is a response to local governments across the country taking aim at occasional businesses run by young kids, usually lemonade stands. In California, the family a five-year-old girl received a letter from their city’s Finance Department saying that she needed a business license for her lemonade stand after a neighbor complained to the city. The girl received the letter four months after the sale, after she had already purchased a new bike with her lemonade stand money. The young girl wanted the bike to ride around her new neighborhood as her family had just moved. In Colorado, three young boys, ages two to six, had their lemonade stand shut down by Denver police for operating without a proper permit. The boys were selling lemonade in hopes of raising money for Compassion International, an international child-advocacy ministry. But local vendors at a nearby festival didn’t like the competition and called the police to complain. When word of this interaction made news, the local Chick-Fil-A stepped up as you would expect from Chick-Fil-A. They allowed the boys to sell lemonade inside their restaurant, plus they donated 10 percent of their own lemonade profits that day to Compassion International. In New York, the state Health Department shut down a lemonade stand run by a seven-year-old after vendors from a nearby county fair complained. Once again, they were threatened by a little boy undercutting their profits. A state senator in New York has since filed legislation to legalize lemonade stands. That is correct, we need new laws to clarify that a seven-year-old can run a lemonade stand with the government’s blessing. For those who may read this and believe the world has gone crazy, we do have a story in Missouri that ended on a good note – though there is plenty of crazy in this story. An eight-year-old boy was being heckled by neighbors inquiring about his permit. If those potential customers got sick, they wanted to know “who we should go to.” The neighbors then proceeded to yell at the boy’s mom after the boy went inside. Fortunately for the boy, the local police department heard about the incident and came by the boy’s lemonade stand to show their support, and to provide their stamp of approval. As parents and as a society, we should be encouraging entrepreneurship. We should celebrate young boys and girls who want to make money, whether it’s for a new bike or to give to a ministry. When children have the right heart and the right ideas and are willing to take actions, we shouldn’t discourage it. The lessons are valuable. They learn that money comes from work, that you have to plan, and then produce a stand, signs, and lemonade. Introducing kids to the concepts of marketing, costs, customer service, and the profit motive is a good thing. MCPP has reviewed this legislation and finds that it is aligned with our principles and therefore should be supported. Read the bill here. The post Senate bill to legalize lemonade stands appeared first on News Mississippi.
Powerball & Mega Millions tickets now on sale in Mississippi
Photo courtesy of MLC/Facebook Powerball and Mega Millions tickets are now on sale across the state. The multi-state lottery games join the increasing number of scratch-off games that are available at lottery retailers in Mississippi. Drawings for both games occur twice per week and have had jackpots reaching more than $1 billion. Powerball drawings occur on Wednesdays and Saturdays, while Mega Millions drawings take place on Tuesdays and Fridays. Related: Learn how to play Powerball & Mega Millions Sales from Powerball and Mega Millions will add to a successful start for the lottery. Through the first eight weeks, scratch-off ticket sales have exceeded $80.7 million and players have claimed more than $44 million in prizes. Recently, the MLC made its initial transfer of $7,621,232.37 to the ‘Lottery Proceeds Fund’ in the Mississippi State Treasury. The Mississippi Department of Transportation recently designated the first $30 million of lottery proceeds for pavement restoration projects. Until 2028, the first $80 million of revenue from the lottery each year will be put toward infrastructure, and anything further will be placed in the state’s ‘Education Enhancement Fund’. The post Powerball & Mega Millions tickets now on sale in Mississippi appeared first on News Mississippi.