A: One of the main problems with the flag is that it's the vision that businesses and other states have of Mississippi because of that flag [At events where] there were flags from all 50 states and people in the stands were outraged, saying, 'Why is there a Confederate flag?" They didn't recognize that as the Mississippi state flag. They just recognized it as a Confederate flag. The flag that we have now was never made the official flag until a few years ago. It was always flown as if it was the state flag, even though it was not. So if you look at it in that way, the governor could just say I'm going to fly a flag that isn't official.
Q: Would you use your authority as governor to do that?
A: I would certainly contemplate it.
A: I've heard a lot of rhetoric from the Republicans that the gay-marriage ruling was federal overreach. It's not federal overreach for the U.S. Supreme Court to interpret the U.S. Constitution, and it's not the first time the U.S. Supreme Court has addressed the issue of marriage. Basically, what they've said is what is private to an individual is up to that individual, so I don't really see it as federal overreach at all. I don't see it as unprecedented as far as the court speaking to marriage. What the Supreme Court said in this decision was that the state should allow gay marriage, but that the religious leaders have a right not to perform the ceremony if it violates their religion. If the Mississippi Legislature passed a law that said religious leaders don't have to do this, it would be an unnecessary law, but it would be in line with the Constitution.
A: I'm not against tax credits. I'm against the abuse of tax credits. I am also in favor of some tax credits for small businesses. When there was a bail-out after the Great Recession, small businesses weren't bailed out. Thousands of small businesses in Mississippi weathered through and made it without being bailed out like the big insurance companies, and the big banks, were bailed out. Some banks refused the bailout money, but a lot of banks took it. So I think there should be a program for small businesses on the tax credits, and I think tax credits should be wisely used. They should be revoked if there's any abuse of the money.
Q: What about the use of special sessions for large economic development projects?
A: It's certainly a tool that's at the governor's disposal, but I think a special session should be something that's rare because it's extra money for the taxpayers.
A: If the education system was fully funded, we could hire thousands of assistant teachers that could help students that have problems reading--or in whatever area--ahead of time of them being tested rather than to hire teaching assistants after the failure by the students. Thousands of textbooks could be bought with that money. There are schools systems in Mississippi where there aren't enough textbooks for the room. It's total failure in leadership.
Q: Democrats have been very critical of the governor and Republican leadership on the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, but shouldn't there be some flexibility for, say, times of economic downturn?
A: No; they have had that flexibility since 1997, and they've only fully funded twice. There wasn't an economic downturn in every one of those years. They're not going to do it unless there is a constitutional provision that requires them to do it. I don't think it should be left to them.
A: I do support the development of energy as part of Mississippi's economic picture. There are other factors playing on the production of oil such as the low cost of oil right now. Some companies are taking a wait-and-see attitude or can't afford, at the rate oil is selling, to produce. Energy is definitely part of the economic picture in Mississippi, and I think that has to be explored. At the same time, you've got to balance it with environmental concerns when it comes to fracking and things like that.
A: The purpose of the settlement was not for schools--it was for the environment, for rehabilitation of oyster beds, for the fishing industry on the Coast that has suffered so much. That seems like a reallocation of the purpose of the whole settlement. So at first glance, it seems like not such a good idea. Now, the governor was out beating his chest about what a great settlement this was, and this is the same guy when he visited the Coast during the oil spill said, 'I don't smell anything but lawnmowers running.' This is the same governor who took other BP money and instead of giving it to fishermen to make up for lost income like they did in Louisiana, built a softball field. That's ridiculous. I think the settlement money should be used for what the settlement was for--rehabilitating marine life and making up for lost income to the seafood industry.
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.
A: Yes, I'm in favor of that.
Q: If the Legislature doesn't expand Medicaid, would you use your power as governor to expand the program?
A: As governor, I would do everything that I could as executive officer to effect Medicaid expansion. I believe some actions would be necessary by the Legislature. I'm not convinced that the Legislature would reject it; I think it could be worked out. If we had accepted the Medicaid expansion money, that would have created 139,000 jobs. Rural hospitals are economic drivers in their communities. It's really hurt Mississippi jobs and economy to reject that money. That should be first priority. Other states that have Republican governors have accepted those monies. The governor remains steadfast in his refusal.
"We should be celebrating the Supreme Court's ruling on the Affordable Care Act, but Phil Bryant has resorted to calling names and attacking the President, the Supreme Court & Congress instead of being a leader for Mississippians. Phil Bryant's refusal to accept Medicaid dollars is an injustice for people in our state.
"It is wrong to deny working Mississippians access to health care, which would keep Mississippi families healthier and more financially secure. It would also grow our economy, creating thousands of new jobs and keeping hospitals across the state from closing. But Governor Bryant is letting our money go to other states.
"There are Mississippians dying because they do not have access to health care, and all Phil Bryant is doing is calling names. This is yet another example of Phil Bryant's failed leadership."
She commends Gov. Nikki Haley for calling for the removal of the Confederate Battle flag on the S.C. State House grounds. "We should change the flag. If the emblem is offensive to any of our Christian brothers and sisters, and it's divisive, then it needs to be changed," said Slater.
The group, undaunted by heat, held signs that said "Fund our pension 100 percent" and "It's time for criminal charges." Slater said she could relate to the loss of a promised pension plan. She said her husband worked for General Motors Co. for 28 years and when he left after a layoff, his pension was reduced by more than 75%. "You do your planning, you live life and follow the rules," she said. "Then you get up one day and your pension's not there. It's not your fault."
"We've been working hard," said one picketing retiree to Slater, "and we needed a little bit of hope. You gave it to us."
"Just her being here speaks volumes," another retiree said. "Any exposure we can get is nice."
|
The above quotations are from State of Mississippi Politicians: Archives.
Click here for other excerpts from State of Mississippi Politicians: Archives. Click here for other excerpts by Vicki Slater. Click here for a profile of Vicki Slater.
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
| Click for details -- or send donations to: 1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140 E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org (We rely on your support!) |