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Capitol Blog by bobbyharrison
Daily Journal Capitol Bureau Chief Bobby Harrison reports on Mississippi state government

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State superintendent's post does have risks
by bobbyharrison

JACKSON -- The post of state superintendent of education, which is expected to be filled later this year, is no doubt an attractive opening for an ambitious educator.

But the post does come with some perils and drawbacks. New accreditation standards are upping the ante as far as pressure on the post at the same time the Legislature continues to underfund the schools -- by $1.28 billion since fiscal year 2009.

Plus, the perception by some is that the state Board of Education, which will hire and supervise the superintendent, has lost some of its clout with the new Republican majorities in the House, Senate and Governor's Mansion.

A possible example of the lost clout is that the during the 2013 seession the Legislature bypassed the existing state Board of Education and created another board to oversee charter schools.

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Would Gunn consider race to replace Cochran?
by bobbyharrison

 

JACKSON -- Speculation is that state House Speaker Philip Gunn's name should be added to the long list of possible candidates for the U.S. Senate seat in 2014 if incumbent Thad Cochran opts to retire.

It is anybody's guess right now what Cochran might do.

But many speculate that Gunn, along with many other of the state's political leaders, might be interested if Cochran does retire,

Perhaps that issue came up last week when Gunn hosted an after-hours meal in his state Capitol office for Billy Mounger, Billy Powell and Wirt Yerger, three legendary king makers in state Republican Party circles.



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Are all studies created equal?
by bobbyharrison
JACKSON -- During Friday's special session, Mississippi Development Authority officials cited a study by the Institutions of Higher Learning Policy Research and Planning Division highlighting the economic benefits to the state of an incentive package to lure Yokohama tire manufacturing plant to Clay County.
Bob Neal, an economist and author of the study, said the incentive package, which includes up to $130 million in bonds and various tax breaks, would pay for itself within a couple of years of the plant's opening.
Democrats in the Legislature pointed out Neal also is the author of the study that said the Medicaid expansion proposed under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act would create 9,000 jobs in the state.
Democrats pointed out Republican Gov. Phil Bryant embraced the study as it related to Yokohama, but not when it came to Medicaid expansion, which he opposes.


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Special session opportunity for transparency
by bobbyharrison

 

JACKSON -- When and if Gov. Phil Bryant calls a special session, perhaps as early as the coming week, Sen. David Blount can re-introduce his proposal to require more analysis of bills cutting or raising taxes before legislators vote.

The transparency proposal, which has bipartisan support, died in the 2013 regular session.

Speculation is that Bryant will call a special session soon for an economic development proposal in the Clay County area. That could come as early as April 26 or soon after.

Of course, Bryant also is expected to call a special session to take up re-authorizing and funding Medicaid before July 1.

Blount, D-Jackson,  could introduce his proposal at either special session or in both.



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