What To Expect: A New Year, Same Tired Republican Excuses

This is Part 2 of a series this week highlighting what to expect from the Mississippi Legislature this session.

If the very calculated and well-funded defeat of Initiative 42 did not clearly spell out that the Republicans are not for the funding of a public education system, there is not much else we could say on this blog to prove this fact to you. 

The problem is, our education system needs an infusion of money. We can go round and round about where the money should come from, how it should be spent on kids and not administration, and on and on and on. But the fact remains, quality people and facilities cost money. Money that our schools do not have, as repeated over and over again during the Initiative 42 battle. Money that is needed – money to pay for teachers, money to pay for walls and roofs, money to pay for textbooks and working computers.

With all those big businesses and lobbyists and associations backing the anti-Initiative 42 on behalf of Gov. Bryant, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, and Speaker Gunn, all three are now beholden to them and their wish list of tax breaks and incentives for companies and businesses. 

Republicans have announced that they plan to fund K-12 at current levels. Which means, underfund K-12 for another year. Instead of coming up with a plan to generate revenue, or not cut more corporate taxes, Republicans are developing a plan to move the goal posts and change the MAEP formula so the same or less amount of money will magically fully-fund education. 

When looking at what’s going on around the country in terms of charter schools, it’s hard not to get cynical about the next four years for public education. Republicans have basically been setting up unrealistic goals for public schools or defunding schools to the point where they cannot meet basic standards (or a combination) in order to convert schools to “charter schools.” But don’t think of these schools as the ones fought over a few years back – these are for-profit institutions using state money to run schools. ALEC and their friends in Indiana have already developed model legislation that will surely make its way to Mississippi.

Rep. Bubba Carpenter (R - Burnsville) Caught on Tape, Blatantly Race Baiting

Oftentimes, we are taught to listen for the subtle undertones of Republican language, dog-whistles that are meant to break through some of the dreariest days of Mississippi's past.

We must do this, because it's no longer usually socially acceptable to outright race-bait in Mississippi politics. But this week, Jack Ivy of WRMG-TV was on location to film the Midway Republican Rally, and what Rep. Bubba Carpenter (R-Burnsville) said may shock you.





In the video Carpenter is repeating the now typical (ridiculous) argument from opponents of Initiative 42, suggesting a Hinds County judge would be able to control funds from all sorts of school districts at his liking.  (You can watch the entire Republican rally here.)

Except Bubba went off script a bit. Instead of using the dog-whistle "liberal," Carpenter said what they always meant.

Bubba told a group of constituents that a black judge would be making the decision. And he meant it as a cuss word.  (This has the extra benefit of not even being true, as the Hinds County Chancery Court bench is evenly split, with two black female judges and two white male judges.)

And not only that, Carpenter assured the room that Governor Bryant, Secretary Hosemann, and fellow Representative Donnie Bell would be visiting later to "tell you the same thing."

This is the breakdown of a talking point in action; Carpenter is simply repeating what he heard from fellow Republicans. They wanted to put a black face on this issue, and this time, he forgot to disguise it.

Will they get away with it?

The 12 grades that prove why Mississippi's school system is a wreck

Last night, Gov. Phil Bryant made a big deal about Mississippi being ranked 9th in the nation in preschool enrollment, a stat he pulled from Education Week magazine's state report cards.

Of course, there's a lot that he didn't tell you about Education Week's evaluation of the Mississippi education system, and what he didn't tell you explains why our public schools are in such bad shape.

So let's take a look at some of Mississippi's grades from Education Week that Gov. Phil Bryant didn't share with you last night.

First, let's look at how we are doing funding-wise:

• Spending: F (48.4) !!!!!!!!
• Building & supporting capacity: F (56.7)
• School Finance: D (66.1)

Now, you know where Education Week says we are doing a great job? Accountability!

• Standards, Assessments, & Accountability: A (92.8)
• Standards: A (100.0)
• School accountability: A (100.0)

So when you have plenty of accountability, but no funding, what does that get you?

• Chance for Success: D+ (68.9)
• The Teaching Profession: D (66.5)
• Adult outcomes: D+ (68.2)
• College readiness: D- (60.0)
• K-12 Achievement: F (56.6)

How much longer are we going to have to wait until we elect leaders who understand the very simple concept that schools require adequate funding in order to teach our children?

Remember, we choose these leaders, Mississippi.

The big thing Gov. Phil Bryant hid from you in last night's State of the State

Last night, Gov. Phil Bryant made a big deal about an Education Week ranking that had Mississippi ranked 9th in the nation in preschool enrollment.

That's a good thing. But what else does Education Week say about Mississippi's public education system under Gov. Phil Bryant?

In its most recent review of state education systems across the nation, Education Week gave Mississippi an overall C- grade. Well, that's just barely below average, right?

No.

The only states to score lower than Mississippi were Idaho, Nevada, and South Dakota, and they only did so barely. That means that according to Education Week, we have the 4th worst education system in America. (You have to register to view that article, but it's free.)

To borrow a phrase: And now you know the rest of the story.....