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.

What to expect: Republicans Love Low Wages

As we enter the 2016 legislative session, Cottonmouth will be sharing a series of posts on what to expect. This is the first time the Republicans have held both chambers and the executive branch. We'll be focusing on a few issues early on, and we'll be watching as the session progresses. 

Mississippi workers don’t get paid very much. For the most part, the pay is less than less than very much. Most agencies have been decrying the problem for years, along with college leaders who are training Mississippians to go work in other states. Our Republican leadership has pretty much ignored the problem for the past 12 years, but there are two things that might bring it to the forefront in the next year.

First, prominent Republican-appointees are taking the issue to the media. MDOC head Marshall Fisher has been complaining about the poor pay rate and high turnover rate of correction officers since before his first day on the job. In interviews last week with the newly appointed foster-care head, Justice David Chandler criticized how social workers are paid less than teachers. While the legislature did find a way to raise teacher pay a few years ago, Mississippi teachers are still some of the lowest paid in the country. And yes, social workers are paid less than teachers – a lot less.

Second, the complete lack of income growth across the country (and, of course in our own state) will be a presidential issue next year. There is no avoiding the topic, as much as Republicans may want to. So far, no elected officials are making better pay their issue. For starters, in every agency, most of the pay rates for each job are so much lower than even our southern counterparts, it’s hard to even know where or how much to begin with – it’s really that bad. It’s easy for politicians and the state to get away with paying people less when they promote the retirement and healthcare benefits. However, the actual take home pay for most people, especially starting out is not anywhere equal to the dream of “two cars and a boat,” that Governor Bryant is touting with workforce training. Plus, most of these jobs (social workers, teachers) require a four-year college degree. So, not only are people taking home $1515/month*, but they also are probably paying off some sort of student loan.

Republicans might offer incremental raises to the lowest paid workers, or to MDOC officers and DHS workers, or some combination, but it’s doubtful they’ll be able to raise the pay to 1) attract quality candidates who will stay or 2) compete with other states’ pay rates. Perhaps, this will wait until 2019.

*Where this math came from: Entry level DHS job posting in Hinds County has a pay rate of $23,643. When entered into an online take-home pay calculator, without taking anything for retirement or additional medical insurance payments, and factoring this at the single and no dependents rate, take home pay was approximately $1515/month.

At least we're not 50th...

In case you needed more proof of the failure of the Bryant-Reeves administration, WTVA reported today that 24/7 Wall St. ranked Mississippi as the 48th best run state in the country:

To determine how well each state is managed, 24/7 Wall St. says it looked at key financial ratios and social and economic outcomes through information collected by the U.S. Census Bureau, The Pew Research Center, The National Association of State Budget Officers, the FBI, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and more.

According to 24/7 Wall St.'s research, Mississippi has the ninth highest unemployment rate at 5.9 percent, the lowest median household income at $39,680 and the highest poverty rate at 21.5 percent.

It also says the population shrank from 2010 to 2014 as the state's workforce shrank by 5.4 percent.

This is not particularly shocking to anyone who has followed Mississippi's economic trajectory over the past few years. Nor will it be shocking when the legislature reconvenes next year and continues to push through policies that exacerbate all of these issues. In these inconsistent times, we can always count on our Republican leaders to keep the ship's wheel steady, no matter how close that iceberg gets.

Be Good To One Another

Your friends at Cottonmouth are taking some time off during the holidays, but we will be back if a story breaks that we wish to share. Rest assured, we will return for the legislative session in January. While the political heat (hopefully) cools along with the temperatures this fall, it is important to remember why you are reading this post in the first place.

Cottonmouth is a forum designed to be a conduit of ideas that advances public discourse over a host of issues. Sure, many of us are guilty of using blogs to see who's up/who's down or who's right/who's wrong. There are some who do not agree with my viewpoints or the viewpoints of my co-authors, but that is part of the process. We can agree to disagree through fact-based discourse. I am thankful that we continue to have the opportunity to impact policy discussions. It is ultimately up to voters and policy makers to determine the best course of action as she or he sees the evidence.

Another year is about to conclude, but we still have time to enjoy 2015. As we gather with family and friends this holiday season, cherish the company you are blessed to have. Watch a football game. Go see a movie. Donate some time to a charity. Retell funny stories about a loved one. Live in the moment. Most of all, let's be good to one another.

The Ties That Tie

Earlier today, Rep. Bo Eaton (D-Taylorsville) won the tie-breaker between him and his Republican challenger, Mark Tullos. Certified election results show each candidate receiving 5,489 votes. A document obtained by Cottonmouth shows that the results may be askew. A relative of Mr. Tullos - Mr. Jeffrey Tullos - has filed homestead exemption on property he owns in Rankin County. Yet, Jeffrey Tullos is voting in Smith County elections. So we have a situation where a voter voted in a county where he does not live. This would imply the type of ballot irregularities that Mark Tullos argued existed just this week; thus, the election was tied likely due to a voter improperly voting in favor of his brother, Mark Tullos.

Health Care on the Brink

A recent report shows the dire financial situation facing Mississippi's rural hospitals. The report reiterates what has been known for years: hospitals are struggling financially while patients are in danger of and are actually going without medical care.

Some of the hospitals in jeopardy reside in districts represented by some of the worst offenders when it comes to health care in the state:

• Highland Community Hospital, represented by Rep. Mark Formby (R-Picayune)
• Tippah County Hospital, represented by Rep. Judas Steverson (R-Ripley)
• Baptist Medical Center Attalta, formerly Montfort Jones Community Hospital, represented by Rep. Jason White (R-West)
• Natchez Regional Medical Center, ironically represented by Public Health Committee Chairman Sam Mims (R-McComb)

This report was released as news broke that the Pioneer Community Hospital in Newton, represented by Reps. Randy Rushing (R-Decatur) and William Shirley (R-Quitman), will be closing their doors - forcing their patients to drive to other counties to seek medical care. Imagine having to drive to another county if you are having a heart attack or delivering a baby! 

For years, Reps. Formby, Steverson, White, Mims, Rushing, and Shirley and the Republican Party have stood in the way of ensuring that hospitals have patients who are able to afford medical care. This shameful behavior is disgraceful, and their stubbornness is costing lives. Once the new legislature is seated in January, we must hope that our legislators will be more concerned about the well-being of their constituents who need health care than being concerned about where a lobbyist will buy them pink-colored drinks and expensive dinners. If history is our guide, we should not get our hopes up. 

New Report Shows What Won't Be Addressed

A health report out today shows alarming numbers for Mississippi. The report shows that nearly 2,300 deaths could be avoided each year if policy makers will fix the problems associated with poor access to health care services. Based on what we have seen over the past four years of Republican governance, it seems unlikely that Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves or House Speaker Philip Gunn will address any of these problems over the next four years.

Here are some highlights of the report:

• 20 percent of Mississippians do not have health insurance (Republican't don't care.)
• 34 percent of children live in poverty (Republicans don't care.)
• Income inequality is very high (Republicans don't care.)
• 35 percent of Mississippians are obese (Republicans don't care.)
• 45 percent of children in Mississippi live in single-parent households (Republicans don't care.)
• 12 percent of Mississippians are excessive drinkers (Republicans don't care.)
• 20 percent of automobile accidents are caused by alcohol impairment (Republicans don't care.)
• A 877:1 ratio of citizens to mental health providers (Republicans don't care.)

Some of the best policy tools lawmakers have at their disposal to remedy this crisis are the Earned Income Tax Credit (a credit which helps working individuals and families) and paid family medical leave. The record of the Republicans gives us little hope that Republicans care enough to do anything about the problems. Meanwhile, Mississippi remains on the bottom of the bad lists. Republicans don't care. 

The "Secret Plan" That Isn't So Secret

Today, Rep. Brad Mayo (R-Oxford) ran this full page ad in The Oxford Citizen, attempting to white-wash his abysmal voting record on the Public Employees Retirement System.

Mayo wants his constituents to think that his record on PERS is just a series of silly partisan accusations, and says that Democrats think there's a "secret plan" to dissolve PERS. 

Mayo is right that there is no secret plan to dissolve PERS.  There is a public plan to dissolve PERS.

And he's the one who introduced it.

In the 2013 session, Brad Mayo introduced House Bill 486, and if it became law, would have provided an opportunity for public employees to opt out of PERS, essentially rendering it useless. 

What incentive might a financial advisor have to dissolve it?

Legislators across Mississippi think that pointing out their record is mud-slinging. I think it's called telling the truth. 

Update:

Here's an ad that ran in the Oxford Eagle for Jay Hughes. What about this is anything other than accountability? 

About That Jim Hood Poll

A poll is circulating around Mississippi showing a close race between incumbent Attorney General Jim Hood and his opponent. The poll shows Jim Hood leading with 50% to his opponent's 44% with 6% undecided (a plurality of the undecided voters are Democrats). This poll also shows a number of statewide Republican incumbents with oddly high re-elect numbers.

Before anyone on either side of these campaigns gets in a tizzy, let's take a look at who conducted the poll. The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research. In case you have not heard of them, it is likely because they try to keep their history out of the news. For instance, during the 2012 election cycle, Mason-Dixon had an awful track record.

Mason-Dixon proudly projected that Mitt Romney would carry states like Virginia and Florida - Romney lost both; Mason-Dixon's poll showed Republican pickups in US Senate seats in Montana and North Dakota - Republicans lost both; Mason-Dixon polled a Congressional race in Utah showing a Republican pickup - the Republican lost.

In each poll, Mason-Dixon consistently raised likely turnout expectations among Republican voters anywhere from 4-6 percentage points. The same situation appears to be taking place in their Mississippi poll with Republican candidates running stronger than the historical average.

Is your Legislator Going to Destin on your Dollar?

FLASHBACK (8/11/2013):


This morning, The Clarion Ledger's Geoff Pender wrote a few (1) damning reports (2) about state legislators using taxpayer dollars for trips with lobbyists.

According to Pender, not only did lobbyists cover the cost of much of a trip to Destin, these legislators were then reimbursed by the state for travel, food, etc, essentially double dipping on the taxpayer dollar.

The trip's purpose was to meet with a group pushing for the ability of loan sharks to charge up to 99% on "small" loans. Obviously driving up heinous debt on sometimes the most desperate people.

Now this, at its face, is appalling. But what really sticks out is how legislators like Bubba Carpenter (R-Burnsville), Tracy Arnold (R-Booneville) and Ray Rogers (R-Pearl) responded when they were asked about the trip.

Pender on Rep. Bubba Carpenter (R-Burnsville):

Rep. Bubba Carpenter (R - Burnsville)

...when first contacted, on his way back from the same MCFA event in Destin this year, said: “No, sir, I did not. I didn’t file anything on my state report. (Lobbyist) Buddy Medlin paid for that. I can’t turn that in — (the House Management Committee) wouldn’t have approved it. You’ve got some wires crossed with whatever you’re looking at. … Something’s not geehawing. I would have to be approved by Management, and this is a private convention.” 

...

But then, after checking his expense records, Carpenter said he had been pre-approved by the Management Committee, and the $652.70 he was reimbursed by taxpayers for the travel was for mileage, meals and other out-of-pocket expenses. He said neither the association nor lobbyists provided for all meals at the convention.

Pender on Ray Rogers (R-Pearl):

Rep. Ray Rogers (R- Pearl)

...at first said he recalled only filing mileage and that “where lobbyists pay for motel and so forth, the thing they don’t pay for is mileage.”

“I certainly did not ask for meals,” Rogers said. “Mine better not show meal expenses.”
Records show Rogers was reimbursed $547.04, including $138 for meals. Later, Rogers said: “Well, I apologize. Records show I asked for mileage and meals that weren’t covered. … We don’t double up. We don’t pay anything that the lobbyists cover. No, they don’t cover all meals.”

Pender on Tracy Arnold (R-Booneville):

Rep. Tracy Arnold (R - Booneville)

...had a similar first response: “You’re saying the state paid? I need to check that out because it was my understanding that the Mississippi Consumer Finance Association paid for everything on that trip … That’s the first one of those that I’ve been on … the first time I’ve went to one where someone was supposed to be totin’ and paying it all.” He also said he’s had problems with an assistant at the Capitol who files his expenses.


Arnold state-expensed $654.54 for the trip, including $170 for meals. After checking records, he, too, noted the travel was pre-approved by House Management and directed further questions to House Management Committee Chairman Greg Snowden.

But a 23% increase in travel over the last year sounds less like a mistake, and more like uninhibited corruption (by the way, Speaker Gunn refused to comment for these stories).

So was it complete incompetence or good ol' corruption?

Why not both?