2019 MS Governor's race: on Government Reform

Robert Foster: Power corrupts all men; long-time candidates owe many favors

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?"

Jim Hood: Apply "Open Records Act" to state legislative email

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."

Tate Reeves: Emails with PERS revealed by public records request

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."

Robert Foster: Enact sunset legislation; roll back rules and regulations

Jim Hood: Let retired teachers keep pensions AND serve in legislature

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."