Looks as though the House is going to take up a large amount of bills

The House calendar is jammed full today.  Rep. Gary Chism (R - Columbus), is likely still twisting arms on the Workers Compensation Destruction Bill, as he hasn't called it up yet.  The longer he waits, the more likely it is that he doesn't have the votes to pass it.

***HOUSE*** - Workers Comp Destruction Bill on calendar

Here it comes....

What are the legal implications of simple assault on a legislator?

I've got your answer here.

Rep. Chuck Espy (D - Clarksdale), a charter schools proponent, vows to investigate Dickson shoving incident

In a fiery speech made on a point of personal privilege just before the House adjourned this afternoon, Rep. Chuck Espy (D - Clarksdale) vowed to get to the bottom of what happened that led to Rep. Reecy Dickson (D - Macon) being "disrespected" after the charter schools vote in the House Education Committee.

Espy is referring to the reported incident in which a purported TEA party member allegedly shoved Rep. Dickson in the hallway after the charter schools bill died in the House Education Committee by a single vote.  Rep. Dickson voted against the bill.

Rep. Chuck Espy has been a strong supporter of charter schools legislation.  Previous posts on this are here and here.

Photo of State Capitol Police investigating possible assault of Rep. Reecy Dickson

The above photo purportedly shows State Capitol Police investigating reports that Rep. Reecy Dickson (D - Macon) was assaulted after the charter schools vote in the House Education Committee.  The charter schools bill died by one vote, with Rep. Dickson voting against the measure.

HB 1152 to be amended by Senate with charter school language

Republicans in the Mississippi Senate, not satisfied with the defeat of charter schools legislation in the House Education Committee moments ago, will amend HB 1152, a conversion charter schools bill.  The amendment will purportedly be a strike-all amendment that will add the language of the now-dead charter schools bill to HB 1152.  Should the amendment be successful and the Senate pass HB 1152 as amended, HB 1152 will go on the House calendar for concurrence or nonconcurrence.  The House will then have a straight up or down vote on the charter schools language.

***BREAKING*** - Rep. Reecy Dickson (D - Macon) shoved by TEA party member after charter schools vote ***UPDATE at 2:03 p.m.***

Just in from the Capitol: Rep. Reecy Dickson (D - Macon) was shoved by a TEA party member after the charter schools vote.  The TEA party member is being questioned by State Capitol Police at the moment.

***UPDATE at 2:03 p.m. - I have been informed that no arrest will be made.

CHARTER SCHOOLS BILL DIES IN HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Here are the votes:


No

Bain
Burnett
Calhoun
Clark
Dickson
J Evans
Gardner
Hamilton
Holloway
Jennings
Massengill
Nelson
Straughter
Thomas
Weathersby
Whittington

Aye

Arnold
Barker
Boyd
Chism
Crawford
Currie
DeBar
Espy
Frierson
Guice
Martinson
Mayo
McGee
Moore
Warren

New blog launched

Acting as if I had plenty of free time on my hands, I decided to start another blog, one geared towards what I actually do for a living.  So, here it is: Eichelberger on Mississippi Criminal Law.  Hope y'all enjoy it.

TRANSVAGINAL ULTRASOUND BILL DEAD

Sen. Hob Bryan (D - Amory) today killed HB 1196, the forced transvaginal ultrasound bill, by not calling it up for consideration in Senate Judiciary B, the committee he chairs.  The bill passed the House earlier in the month, leading to fears that the State of Mississippi would effectively violate rape victims a second time by forcing doctors to insert the transvaginal ultrasound wand into their vaginas prior to the termination of their rape-induced pregnancy.  Kudos to Sen. Bryan for having more courage than quite a number of his colleagues.