|
Ronnie Musgrove on Government Reform
2008 Senate challenger; previously Democratic MS Governor
|
Wicker mixed House & Senate funds & should return funds
Musgrove charged that Wicker violated campaign-finance law by combining funds from two separate 2008 election accounts and therefore exceeded the limit on individual contributions from some individuals under federal law. Musgrove said Wicker transferred
$550,000 from his 2008 House of Representatives election account to his Senate election fund. The accounts were called “Wicker for Senate” and “Friends of Roger Wicker.”Wicker’s staff contends they’ve responded to an FEC inquiry saying the money is
from a previous election cycle, and not from Wicker’s 2008 House bid, which had already begun when he was chosen to replace Trent Lott. But Musgrove’s staff contends Wicker “didn’t have adequate funding in his House account prior to the
2008 cycle to transfer the funds.”
Musgrove said in a news release, “This type of Washington politics needs to change. Rather than wait for the FEC to fine him, Wicker should return the illegal contributions.”
Source: 2008 MS Senate Debate reported in Gulf South Free Press
, Jul 17, 2008
National debt comes from special interest pork
For the first time in our nation’s history, the American dream has hit a ceiling. We don’t break through that ceiling on a foundation of quicksand. We break through with iron principles like fiscal responsibility and a pay-as-you-go federal government.And all the while, he’s voted for billions of dollars in special interest
pork--earmarks like the $400 million dollar Bridge to Nowhere in Alaska.
And Mr. Wicker, don’t tell us you had to vote for all of this nonsense in order to bring our share of pork home. Saying that “everyone else does it” isn’t good enough anymore.
We need someone who is willing to go against the partisan powers and just do what’s right. It’s not about whether an idea comes from a Republican or a Democrat, it’s all about what’s good for Mississippi.
Source: Candidacy Announcement Speech
, Jan 7, 2008
Reforms must respect state's rights to select electors.
Musgrove adopted the National Governors Association position paper:
The Issue
In the wake of the United States presidential election in Florida, the Congress and the administration has expressed interest in federal standards for elections. Recognizing that Articles I and II of the United States Constitution grants states, not Congress, the authority to determine the manner of selecting presidential electors and conducting elections generally, most legislative proposals do not mandate federal standards. Rather, current proposals direct federal agencies or commissions to study and make recommendations concerning the election system. Nonetheless, the possibility of legislation in the 107th Congress requiring states to implement federal election standards remains. If enacted without adequate funding by the federal government, such legislation could also result in an unfunded mandate to the states.
NGA’s Position
Articles I and II of the United States Constitution grant states the authority to determine the manner of selecting presidential electors and provide that states are responsible for establishing election procedures generally. However, in the wake of the 2000 presidential election, the nation’s Governors recognize the need for election reform. NGA will continue to monitor federal legislation addressing this issue, but has not taken a position in support of or opposition to election reform efforts.
Source: National Governors Association "Issues / Positions" 01-NGA11 on Aug 1, 2001
Page last updated: Nov 28, 2011