**************************************************** Magnolia Political Report #67
February 21, 2006
**************************************************** Six More Years
Senator Trent Lott announced that he is running for a fourth term for the U.S. Senate. Rumors flew for months about Lott’s future, but now the only question is whether or not he will run for another leadership position in the Senate.
Before a leadership election is held, the more pressing issue of a statewide U.S. Senate campaign needs to be adressed. State Rep. Erik Flemming has already announced his intentions to pursue the Democratic nomination. With Lott in the race, no serious challenger will likely emerge in either primary.
Senator Lott has served in Congress since 1972. His seniority and legislative experience have been a huge asset to Mississippi as Congress has grappled with the federal response to Hurricane Katrina. According to Lott, he decided five years ago to retire at the end of his current term. However, in the aftermath of Katrina, he decided to stay in the Senate, where he will continue to be an important part of Mississippi’s efforts to secure federal relief.
Lott’s decision to not retire forestalls an anticipated Chip Pickering v. Mike Moore Senate contest for at least two more years. If Senator Cochran does not retire in 2008, Pickering and/or Moore may have moved on to other things by the time Lott finishes his six-year term in 2012. Of course, that assumes Lott serves an entire six years. It is entirely plausible that he will get Mississippi through the next few years – a critical time as the state recovers from Katrina – and then move on to greener pastures. Lott could earn more in a few years as a lobbyist than he has earned during his entire career in Congress. Also in the rumor mill is the option that Lott could be the chancellorship of his beloved alma mater, the University of Mississippi.
Mississippi Political Trivia
Click Here to test your knowledge of Mississippi politics for a chance to win a Magnolia Report baseball cap. The winner will be drawn at random from those correctly answering all 8 questions. Please be sure to fill out the form so we know how to contact you if you are the lucky winner.
Pete Perry of Jackson is the winner of a Magnolia Report baseball cap for correctly answering the trivia questions. If you have any suggestions for trivia questions e-mail them to scoop@magnoliareport.com.
Sneak peak at the 2007 money race
Elected officials, parties and PACs filed their annual campaign finance reports for 2005 at the end of January. No one posted huge totals, partly due to the fact that almost everyone suspended fundraising after Hurricane Katrina struck Mississippi's Gulf Coast at the end of August. However, several Republicans are at least starting to build their war chests for 2007.
Finance reports for potential candidates for lieutenant governor were the most eagerly anticipated. Republican State Auditor Phil Bryant ended the year with $136,635 on hand after raising $183,048 and spending $73,414. His likely primary opponent, State Senator Charlie Ross of Brandon, closed out the year with $309,023 on hand. Ross raised $211,711 for the year and spent $17,991. Secretary of State Eric Clark, a possible Democrat candidate for lieutenant governor, had $105,768 on hand after raising $47,740 and spending $19,559. State Rep. Jamie Franks, who has also spoken about a run, raised considerably less. Franks finished the year with $42,640 on hand. He raised $8,450 for the year and spent $300.
Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck, who is serving her final term, raised $188,829 for whatever she chooses to run for next. Tuck has $271,373 on hand after spending $44,186 last year. Attorney General Jim Hood has $52,710 on hand but has a $209,000 campaign debt from 2003 left to repay. Hood raised $167,504 in 2005 and spent $86,771. Treasurer Tate Reeves has $201,369 on hand. Reeves raised $141,395 last year and spent $6,089. The only other statewide elected official with significant cash on hand is Insurance Commissioner George Dale, who has $160,119 on hand, even though he raised only $1,700 last year.
Relatively speaking, both state parties fared well in 2005. Democrats, though they raised considerably less than their Republican counterparts, raised more than in past off years. Democrats raised $246,666 in combined state and federal funds. They spent $286,725 and ended the year with $30,659 on hand. Republicans around the state coughed up $1,356,138 in combined state and federal contributions. They spent $1,317,06 and ended 2005 with $65,389 left in their state and federal accounts.
Notable fundraisers in the Senate are Walter Michel, Merle Flowers, Nolan Mettetal, Dean Kirby and Jack Gordon. Michel raised $46,973 and ended the year with $127,461 on hand.
Flowers only raised $5,934 but still has $99,095 on hand.
Mettetal, who chairs the Business and Financial Institutions Committee, took in $59,024. He didn’t report his cash on hand for this year, but spent only $1,328 in 2005 and reported ending 2004 with $31,538 on hand.
Dean Kirby, who is often mentioned as a candidate for Commissioner of Insurance if George Dale does not run for re-election, closed out the year with $79,563 on hand after raising $36,150 in 2005.
Haley Barbour appears to be winning his battle against Mike Moore and The Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi. When Barbour and State Treasurer Tate Reeves filed their motion to intervene in a court order giving PHMS $20 million a year from the state’s tobacco settlement proceeds, Mike Moore asked, “Why is the governor wasting time with this frivolous lawsuit,” and he stated that the court order is “absolutely legal.” Not so fast, says Jackson County Chancery Judge Jaye Bradley. She ruled in December that Barbour’s motion can go forward, and she froze the $20 million payment the PHMS received for 2006.
Probably sensing that they are doomed in the courts, Partnership proponents are seeking the legislature’s assistance. Last week, the House voted 70-49 to fund The Partnership at $20 million a year. Jon Reeves (Jackson) was the only Republican to vote for the appropriation. Democrats Tracy Arrinder (Morton), Sid Bondurant (Grenada), Scott Bounds (Philadephia), Billy Nicholson (Little Rock), Deryk Parker (Lucedale), Randall Patterson (Biloxi), Margaret Rogers (New Albany) and Mary Ann Stevens (West) voted against it. Though Partnership proponents can take some comfort in the fact that the bill passed, the 49 votes against it is bad news considering it’s enough to sustain a likely veto by Governor Haley Barbour. First, it must get past the Senate where it will probably be even more veto proof.
State Senator Terry Burton has filed legislation appropriating $20 million a year from the Heath Care Trust Fund to the non-profit Partnership. If the on-going tax bill controversy isn’t enough, wait until this one explodes in the Senate. Last week, when Appropriations Chairman Jack Gordon tried to bring the bill to the floor, most Senate Republicans revolted, making Gordon and Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck read each bill they were considering aloud until Tuck and Gordon relented. Republicans were upset that Senate Pro Tem Travis Little had apparently given his word to one of their own that the bill would not come up that day. Little apparently kept his word by convincing Gordon to back away from bringing up the legislation.
Saying most Republicans are skeptical of Mike Moore’s motives with The Partnership is an understatement. It is not uncommon to hear them describe it as Moore’s personal “political slush fund” or “campaign fund.” Moore has only made it worse by chairing the PHMS board himself and stacking it with political cronies. Refusing to let the state auditor examine the books and contributing $2.9 to the Legislative Black Caucus FEED fund haven’t helped. Republicans smell a RAT (www.gorat.com) , and it has nothing to do with the smoking cessation objectives of the Partnership.
It gets even more interesting when considering Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck’s support of The Partnership. Tuck has said she thinks The Partnership does “great work.” In public comments, Moore has indicated she will go along with his plan to divert $20 million legislatively.
Governor Barbour came out with his own plans for spending the $20 million at a capitol press conference on February 16th. Barbour’s “Healthy Kids Initiative” would appropriate $5 million to the Department of Health for tobacco cessation programs and appropriate another $5 million to Health for the school nurse program – an increase from what the program currently receives. Another $5 million would go to the University Medical Center for cancer research, screening, education, and treatment. The final $5 million would be set aside for the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics to support the state’s fight against drugs. Barbour says the money will provide “50 percent more narcotic agents to investigate and arrest the drug dealers who prey on our children.”
Partnership proponents will try to frame the debate around the good things The Partnership does – primarily school nurse, youth education and smoking cessation programs. At the end of the day though, no one will advocate doing away with any of the programs. The fight will primarily be over how they are delivered. Moore and his supporters will argue that the PHMS should continue. Republicans will advocate moving the programs into state government, where they will be subject to purchasing and auditing standards required for taxpayer money.
Somebody is about to get “smoked”
The legislative session has gotten off to a taxing start. Republican Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck proposed increasing cigarette taxes and offsetting it by phasing out the sales tax on groceries. Her legislation passed the Senate in the session’s first week. It puts her at odds with Gov. Haley Barbour, who solidly opposes any tax increases. Realizing their chance to drive a wedge between Tuck and Barbour, House leadership pressed for passage of the legislation, even though it is rumored that they do not think it is good public policy. Barbour vetoed the legislation last week, setting up a veto showdown in the Senate.
Members of both political parties are left scratching their heads about Tuck’s motives. Republicans seem perplexed while Democrats are amused. Speculation about what is motivating Tuck runs the gamut. Some believe she’s trying to distance herself from Governor Barbour. Tuck has been stung in the past by observations that she has been no more than a puppet for Barbour. Others believe Tuck is preparing the way to make up funding for The Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi if Governor Barbour is successful in overturning a court order, thus giving the Partnership $20 million a year from the tobacco proceeds. Finally, others speculate Tuck thinks she was hurt politically by not passing a tobacco tax increase last year, and furthermore, that she is now triangulating by supporting a politically popular tax increase while off setting it with an even more popular tax cut on groceries.
Whatever her motives, the Senate’s passage of the tax legislation puts Governor Barbour in a predicament. Barbour has stuck to his campaign promise of no new taxes. He reiterated his stance during the State of the State speech. He also believes that now is not the time to create budget uncertainty by enacting a massive tax cut on groceries. Possibly his most compelling argument is that Mississippi should not be cutting taxes while we areasking the American taxpayers to help us pay our bills in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
During the first two sessions of his term, Barbour was backed by Tuck through his political ups and downs. Now that he’s at the peak of his popularity with state voters, Tuck is making a break toward political independence.
Wellspring
The controversial Wellspring economic development site won early approval in the House where it passed 77 to 40. Three counties in Northeast Mississippi are providing $4.5 million in funds and asking the state of Mississippi to spend $14.5 million to secure the site in hopes of luring an automaker to the region. House Speaker Billy McCoy and Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck, both from North Mississippi, are the project’s chief supporters in the legislature.
Governor Barbour and many lawmakers outside of Northeast Mississippi are opposed to the concept. Opponents point to a similar site that the state of Georgia created to lure Chrysler, which is now sitting empty several years after the automaker decided to locate its new plant elsewhere. Many are also reminded of another recent legislative venture into economic development – the ill-fated Mississippi Beef Processors. On February 15th, the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors voted to issue $23 million in debt to develop a site for an auto manufacturer if an auto-maker chooses Lowndes County as the site for a new facility. If none decides to locate in the county, the bonds will never be issued.
Lowndes County’s action undercuts the argument for the Wellspring site in Northeast Mississippi. Lowndes County is willing to put the money where the mouth is and isn't asking Mississippi taxpayers to pitch in. Furthermore, Lowndes County would only issue debt if an automaker agrees to come to the county. The Wellspring plan would develop the site in hopes of a plant locating at the site without any guarantees.
Governor Barbour on Katrina
On Wednesday, January 4th, two days into the session, Governor Barbour was invited to the House Chambers in the capitol to address the legislature on the federal hurricane relief package. U.S. Senator Trent Lott and Congressman Chip Pickering were in attendance for the meeting. They were both instrumental in getting the federal legislation passed, along with the rest of Mississippi’s Congressional delegation. Barbour did not give a speech to the legislature, but instead gave an in-depth briefing on how much money would be coming to the state and where it would be going. The Governor was relaxed and had great knowledge of what the federal money meant to the state. It was obvious Barbour spent a great amount of time studying the material and lobbying for its passage in Congress.
The total package is $29 billion, which includes funds for Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida and Mississippi. Mississippi is expected to get approximately $10 billion of the package. The money is provided for damages caused by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. In Mississippi, money is set aside for everything from highways to schools and will go a long way to keep the state from incurring any gargantuan financial debt.
Poet Laureate of Mississippi
Southern Transportation Commissioner Wayne Brown
Commissioner Brown decided to try his hand at poetry in late 2005. Having had several run-ins with Ocean Springs Mayor, Connie Moran, Brown felt the best way to express himself would be through a literary technique--poetry. Much could be said of the Commissioner's poem and his political future. However, perhaps it is better to let the poem speak for itself.
Status of Highway 90 Bridges
Katrina’s fury did blow,
Highway 90 bridges did go;
MDOT hand,
Did prepare a plan;
Cities three,
Thereon did agree;
Supervisors five,
Also jive;
With prompt reply,
Federal Highway does comply;
To build bridges high,
So ships may ply,
While cars go by;
A lovely mayor with pride,
Asks for a path so bikes may ride;
She so did pine,
For lights so fine;
She decreed a bridge at ground,
Where water and waves sound;
She also did rail,
For an under-trail;
With canny duty,
She sought bridge beauty;
With backs to wall,
MDOT conceded all;
The mayor for four lanes then did plead,
MDOT saw a six-lane need;
The mayor pouts,
and seeks outs;
Traffic is bleeding,
MDOT is proceeding;
While artists few,
Sputter and spew.
Wayne H. Brown
2005
Coming to bookstores near you
Supreme Chaos: The Politics of Judicial Confirmation & the Culture War by Judge Charles Pickering is available at local bookstores. This is the first of two books by Judge Pickering. The second is scheduled to be released later this year.
Longtime GOP activist Billy Mounger is writing a biography that promises to be heavy on two of his passions in life – Republican Party politics and his alma mater, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Mounger has been at the center of some of the most fascinating events in Mississippi and national politics. His book should be a fascinating read for everyone interested in Mississippi politics.
Quotable Quotes
“It think it is so painful to go to these dinners. They oughta pay me.” - Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., speaking on lobbying reform proposals that include a ban on lobbyists buying dinner for lawmakers.
“Would you not agree that it's just kind of putting lipstick on a pig right now?” - Rep. Bill Denny, R-Jackson, asking Ways & Means Chairman Percy Watson on whether there was any point in passing a bill that Governor Barbour had promised to veto.
"Some of the things the speaker asks you to do, you go on and do them," – House Ways & Means Chairman Percy Watson on his support of the Wellspring economic development project.
"I regret very deeply that it turned out the way it did, and I have faith in the judicial system that it will work its way, if there were any wrongdoing on anybody's part.” -
Rep. Steve Holland on his support of the failed Mississippi Beef Processors venture
Movers and shakers
Grenada native Burns Strider is leaving his position as advisor to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to become Policy Director for the House Democratic Caucus under Chairman James Clyburn (D-SC).
After 12 years as Congressman Roger Wicker’s chief of staff, John Keast is leaving the Hill to join Cornerstone Government Affairs, a DC-based lobbying firm. Clinton native Michelle Barlow is replacing Keast as COS. Barlow began her career with Wicker in 1996 as his scheduler and has since risen to deputy chief of staff.
Former Barbour campaign staffer Whit Hughes has left his job as a project manager at the Mississippi Development Authority to open his own consulting firm, PWH Strategies. Hughes, who raised money for Barbour, landed State Senator Charlie Ross as one of his first clients.
Steve Browning and his wife Mary Alice had their first child, Virginia Hollon, on December 26th. Steve is a lobbyist with Hayes Dent Strategies and Mary Alice is a policy assistant for Governor Haley Barbour.
Aimee Boudreaux has joined the Mississippi office of Southern Strategy Group, a Tallahassee-based lobbying firm. She is a Pass Christian native and Millsaps graduate who previously worked as a legislative correspondent for Congressman Mike Rogers of Alabama.
New Websites
Kudos to the Clarion Ledger for starting blogs for Sid Salter, David Hampton and their legislative correspondents. After checking out the Magnolia Report, check their blogs for the latest on what’s happening in state government.
Congressman Chip Pickering has revamped his congressional site, giving it a new look and making it easier to navigate.
www.house.gov/pickering
Senator Trent Lott announced that he is running for a fourth term for the U.S. Senate. Rumors flew for months about Lott’s future, but now the only question is whether or not he will run for another leadership position in the Senate. 
Saying most Republicans are skeptical of Mike Moore’s motives with The Partnership is an understatement. It is not uncommon to hear them describe it as Moore’s personal “political slush fund” or “campaign fund.” Moore has only made it worse by chairing the PHMS board himself and stacking it with political cronies. Refusing to let the state auditor examine the books and contributing $2.9 to the Legislative Black Caucus FEED fund haven’t helped. Republicans smell a RAT (
