Republican Infighting Continues

Possible "pole dancer" and state Rep. Forrest Hamilton (R-Olive Branch) took to social media to blow up at his fellow Republicans for pushing the idea that he has poor attendance in the legislature in an attempt to discredit him prior to the August primary. Hamilton and other DeSoto County Republicans face primary challengers from conservative challengers in August. Taking a quick trip back in time, Hamilton and most of the DeSoto County delegation voted against charter school legislation during the 2012 and 2013 sessions - making them enemies of Tea Party groups and the Phil Bryant agenda.

Rep. Forrest Hamilton

It was speculated during the 2015 Legislative Session that Tea Party groups and Joel Bomgar (who is running to succeed retiring Republican Rep. Rita Martinson of Madison) were planning to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to defeat Republicans like Hamilton in the Republican Primary. If you recall, Speaker Philip Gunn (R-Clinton) may have broken House rules by stopping the remarks of Rep. Steve Holland (D-Plantersville) when Holland spoke from the House Well that this mystery money was planning to be spent against candidates who support public education. From the Speaker's stand, Gunn demanded Holland reveal the source of the rumor. Always quick on his feet, Holland demanded that Gunn step down from the Speaker's stand to ask a question of a fellow member. Gunn refused.

Hamilton's frustrations are emblematic of how Republicans operate: get with the program or get out of the way.

Republicans Can't Figure Out Governing

With each passing year, Republicans seek to keep their friends in the political consulting industry employed rather than tackle the mounting issues facing Mississippi. This year is no exception. Rather than get things done during their time in power, Republicans focus on politics over policy.

Look no further than the frustration of outgoing state Rep. Rita Martinson (R-Madison) who has served in the legislature since 1992. On her way into retirement, you can hear in her tone that she is disappointed her fellow Republicans squandered a chance to make a difference during their time in the majority.

From the Madison County Journal,

Rep. Rita Martinson, R-Madison, said she was disappointed that during an election year officials did more playing politics than legislating. 

With regards to tax cuts proposed by both chambers and the governor's office, she said none passed because it was just politics. 

"That's the whole crux of the matter," she said. "Each body wanted to have their own tax cut. I do think some tax cut in the line of franchise taxes, as well as income taxes, would be beneficial."

The dysfunction and disinterest in governing by the Republicans is summed up best by Mississippi Democratic Trust Executive Director Brandon Jones in the video below.

Rita Martinson, tort reform, and her doctor-suin' husband

Our civil justice system has been the focal point of internet chatter this week after the debut of the documentary "Hot Coffee" on HBO Monday night.  One of the consistent memes has been the idea that tort reform advocates are all for tort reform until they or a loved one suffers injury due to, say, medical malpractice.

Well, Rep. Rita Martinson (R-Madison) could possibly enlighten us on that.  Her husband, Billy Martinson, sued Dr. Harold Blaylock and the Mississippi Urology Clinic back in 2009 for medical malpractice.  The complaint says that Mr. Martinson was infected with E. coli during a prostate biopsy, and that he suffered some pretty awful symptoms as a result of the defendants' failure to properly clean the needle they used.  Chockwe Lumumba (constant target of lawyer haters) represented Rep. Martinson's husband in the case.

Wonder how Rep. Martinson would vote on tort reform now?