State of Mississippi Archives: on Government Reform
Tate Reeves:
Eliminate unfair licensing regulations
Often, the most impactful thing that we can do at this building is get out of the way and allow innovators to thrive. That is why one of my priorities will be cutting red tape and improving customer service across government.
We must make it easier for everyone to earn money in Mississippi. That means eliminating those unfair regulations that keep people from getting licenses to work. We must make it simpler for anyone to thrive in our state.
Source: 2020 Mississippi State of the State address
Jan 27, 2020
Cindy Hyde-Smith:
Reverse one-size-fits-all rules on livestock haulers
Hyde-Smith has cosponsored legislation to make regulatory changes for livestock haulers, who face strict rules regarding electronic monitoring and hours of service. The Transporting Livestock Across America Safely Act (S.2938) would require the
U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to change its rule mandating rest time for livestock haulers,
which would put livestock at risk during summer and winter months. "The 150-mile limit and mandatory rest time regulations are out of touch with the realities of transporting livestock.
They are another example of the government making the mistake of trying to impose one-size-fits all regulations," said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee.
Source: Senate press release on 2020 Mississippi Senate campaign
Jun 27, 2019
Robert Foster:
Power corrupts all men; long-time candidates owe many favors
Foster, 35, a first-term legislator, said he'd bring a fresh perspective, that he hasn't yet been corrupted by working for decades in politics. That's why he wants to run for governor at such a young age, he added, and not gradually work his way
up. "After being in Jackson for just three years, I have learned that power corrupts all men and all people over time," he told the crowd. "It changes you; it takes away your passion; it changes your convictions. And it puts you in a position of
owing a lot of favors to a lot of people that you have made promises to."Missing from the debate stage was the Republican race's best-known candidate, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves. Foster did criticize Reeves. "If our third opponent was
here tonight, instead of being back home on the porch," Foster said, "I would like to ask (him): How many favors does he have? How many promises has he made, in order to build up a $7 million campaign fund?"
Source: Clarion-Ledger on 2019 Mississippi gubernatorial race
Apr 2, 2019
Jim Hood:
Apply "Open Records Act" to state legislative email
The AG opinion [on PERS retirement rules] apparently created a buzz among the Republican legislative leadership based on the correspondence they had with the administrators of the retirement system. The correspondence of legislators has long been
exempt from the state's public records laws, but Mississippi Today was able to obtain that correspondence through a public records request to the Public Employees Retirement System.Emails and others correspondence reveal that numerous key legislators
all were receiving updates on how the PERS Board of Trustees might change its regulations to adhere to the AG's opinion.
Hood said the emails prove that the law should be changed so that legislators are not exempt from the public records law. "These
communications clearly show why legislators should be subject to the Open Records Act like all other state and local elected officials," he said. "They should have to list those with whom they meet on legislation or who wines and dines them."
Source: Mississippi Today on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Mar 14, 2019
Tate Reeves:
Emails with PERS revealed by public records request
AG Jim Hood's opinion [on PERS retirement rules] apparently created a buzz among the Republican legislative leadership based on the correspondence they had with the administrators of the retirement system. The correspondence of legislators has long
been exempt from the state's public records laws, but Mississippi Today was able to obtain that correspondence through a public records request to the Public Employees Retirement System.Emails and others correspondence reveal that numerous key
Republican legislators, including Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, were receiving updates on how the PERS Board of Trustees might change its regulations to adhere to the AG's opinion. Hood said, "They should have to list those with whom they meet on legislation or
who wines & dines them."
When asked about Reeves' involvement, a spokesperson said, "The PERS board is working on regulations that adhere to federal law & maintain the health of the plan, and Lt. Gov. Reeves looks forward to seeing what they produce."
Source: Mississippi Today on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Mar 14, 2019
Robert Foster:
Enact sunset legislation; roll back rules and regulations
The countless number of rules and regulations that come from all of our state agencies, boards, and commissions must be rolled back. We need to enact sunset legislation forcing them to review all of their rules and regulations periodically
or they repeal automatically. We must also look into dismantling some unnecessary boards and commissions all together. Right-sizing government and empowering small business--not government, should be our top priority.
Source: 2019 Mississippi governor campaign website Foster4MS.com
Dec 31, 2018
Jim Hood:
Let retired teachers keep pensions AND serve in legislature
Hood's office says retired state employees may serve in the Legislature while continuing to receive their government pension. Hood's office issued a nonbinding legal opinion saying state retirees may still collect pension benefits while working in
part-time government jobs, including in the state House or Senate.For decades, retired teachers and other retired state employees have abstained for running for legislative offices because of concerns about hurting themselves financially.
The state has about 321,500 retired state government workers. The public education advocacy group Parents' Campaign said that the attorney general's opinion is "game-changing," because retired teachers could serve in the Legislature without taking a hit
to the pocketbook.
#"Teachers and superintendents of education and people that worked in state government--they understand how state government works," Hood said. "I think if those people run for office, we would have a better-educated Legislature."
Source: Jackson Free Press on 2019 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Dec 4, 2018
Chris McDaniel:
Voter ID yes; rehabilitated felons voting no
Q: Support voting rules that prioritize preventing the possibility of fraud, even if they limit access?Mike Espy (D): Probable No. Says "I stand firmly for civil rights, voting rights & women's rights."
Cindy Hyde-Smith (R): Yes.
Voted for legislation requiring specific forms of voter identification in order to vote.
Chris McDaniel (R): Yes. Helped defeat bill giving felons the right to vote & instituting early voting. Instead, pushed for a stronger voter-ID bill.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org: Mississippi legislative voting records
Oct 9, 2018
David Baria:
More campaign finance disclosure from lobbyists & candidates
Q: Campaign Finance: Require political ads & contributions to disclose their largest funders? Limit political donations from corporations & unions?David Baria (D): Has offered numerous bills to increase more campaign finance
disclosure from lobbyists & candidates. Would limit political donations.
Roger Wicker (R): No. Voted against 2012 DISCLOSE Act. Also against limiting political donations.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org: Mississippi legislative voting records
Oct 9, 2018
David Baria:
Nonpartisan redistricting commission to avoid gerrymandering
Q: Elections: Support nonpartisan redistricting to address partisan gerrymandering?David Baria (D): Yes. Introduced unsuccessful 2018 bill to create nonpartisan Commission.
Roger Wicker (R): No position found.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org: Mississippi legislative voting records
Oct 9, 2018
Roger Wicker:
Opposes limiting campaign donations, and opposes disclosure
Q: Campaign Finance: Require political ads & contributions to disclose their largest funders? Limit political donations from corporations & unions?David Baria (D): Has offered numerous bills to increase more campaign finance
disclosure from lobbyists & candidates. Would limit political donations.
Roger Wicker (R): No. Voted against 2012 DISCLOSE Act. Also against limiting political donations.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Mississippi Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
David Baria:
Government should be a straight shooter & disclose actions
We should expect our government to shoot straight with us. That includes disclosure of lobbyist and special interest involvement in the law-making process. I have consistently authored bills for increased openness in government including measures
to make it easier for citizens to access government records, bills calling for more robust open meetings laws and proposals to require more complete campaign money disclosures from lobbyists and candidates.
Source: 2018 MS Senate campaign website, BariaForMississippi.com
Jun 26, 2018
Jensen Bohren:
Prohibit all campaign donations from corporations
Corporations should not be able to donate money to a campaign,
and any donations must be limited to the legal maximum limit of $2,700 without exception.
Source: 2018 Mississippi Senate campaign website vote4jensen.com
Jan 1, 2018
Vicki Slater:
Hold referendum on Confederate flag; it's time to revisit
Q: For a lot of people, flying the Confederate flag is a state's rights issue, the idea of state sovereignty and that people who oppose the flag just don't understand Mississippi. What's your response to that kind of rhetoric?A:
States' rights is not a constitutional concept. The Constitution divides certain powers to the federal government and rights to individuals. The remaining governmental powers are designated to the states. So the state doesn't have rights; it has powers.
I don't really buy into the state's rights argument at all.
Q: You don't believe it's the will of the people to keep the Mississippi flag as it is now?
A: There was a referendum 14 years ago. We have a whole generation of new voters now, and this
country has been through a lot in 14 years, including the massacre of nine people in a church at a prayer meeting. At the least, I think it's time for the people to revisit that question.
Source: Jackson Free Press on 2015 Mississippi Gubernatorial race
Jul 22, 2015
Chris McDaniel:
Photo ID for voting
Question topic: People should be able to vote without photo identification.
McDaniel: Disagree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Mississippi Senate race
Jul 2, 2014
Thad Cochran:
OpEd: Earmarked spending brings federal funds to Mississippi
Chris McDaniel has sought to seize on the new antispending fervor, casting Cochran--who has delivered billions of dollars in federal spending projects to his impoverished state--as an avatar of a bygone political culture.After Cochran announced his
re-election bid Friday, the Club for Growth, who have endorsed McDaniel, put out a statement that criticized the senator for his support of earmarked spending projects, for bailing out Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac and for raising the federal debt limit.
But Cochran is a formidable figure in a state that has long relied on federal largess and that rarely turns over its Senate seats. He will have the support of Mississippi's
political and business establishment, which are deeply worried about what losing Cochran would mean to a state that, without him, would have little seniority in its congressional delegation.
Source: New York Times on 2014 Mississippi Senate race
Dec 6, 2013
Chris McDaniel:
Require photo ID to vote
Chris McDaniel voted Yea on Passage of HB 921: Requiring Photo Identification to Vote (Bill Passed Senate 34-14).- Requires voters to present a valid form of photo identification to an election manager or registrar prior to voting
- Authorizes a
person who does not have a valid form of identification or has a religious objection to being photographed to cast an affidavit ballot
- Requires any voter that submits an affidavit ballot to submit a valid form of photo identification to the registrar,
or affirm their religious convictions to the registrar, within 5 days of casting the affidavit ballot in order for the individual's vote to be counted
- Prohibits any state agency from charging a fee for a voter identification card, and specifies that
any costs associated with voter identification cards shall be paid for out of the General Fund
- Specifies that a voter identification card is valid as long as the cardholder remains at his or her same place of residency.
Source: VoteSmart summary of Mississippi State Senate voting records
Apr 10, 2012
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021