Meeting because the state faces a fiscal year start of Wednesday without authority to spend money, the Mississippi legislature special session began yesterday at 2:00 PM, and the legislators acted first to keep car tag prices down. In the Clarion Ledger’s summary of the special session and budget issues, one legislator takes an opportunity to explain his priorities:
“This is more important to me than Medicaid because everybody who has a car tag participates in the political process,” said state Sen. Jack Gordon, D-Okolona.
The Daily Journal has a less-than-confidence-inspiring quote, and then reports that things almost came unglued in the Senate
“I think the House has expedited the process and has moved as efficiently as one can expect,” said Speaker Billy McCoy, D-Renzi.
But the process bogged down in the Senate. There almost was a revolt because Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant and his leadership team placed several bills building that pot of money for the general fund in one huge bill and bypassed the committees where those issues would have normally gone.
“I kind of feel we are being strong-armed to put all this together and not allow us to look at the total package,” said Sen. Kelvin Butler, D-Magnolia. Sen. Terry Brown, R-Columbus, agreed and made a motion that would have basically killed the bill. But Bryant’s leadership team was able to prevail by a 27-20 vote.
The Daily Journal answered one question I had– whether this budget train-wreck has occurred before:
News archives show that on July 1, 1968, Mississippi started the 1969 fiscal year with no budget and the regular session extended until that August.
“everybody who has a car tag participates in the political process”
Whereas people on Medicaid do *not* participate in the political process?
Oh, wait, yes of course he’s right.
Many of them are children.
Anderson: And many adult Medicaid recipients don’t have cars. And, as always, there’s a racial thread in this tapestry: many (most?) Medicaid patients are black. This is still Mississippi.
I have a big problem with this special session. Why can’t they just do their jobs? What is this session costing tax payers? I think both parties are at fault here. We have very poor leadership in the House, Senate and Gov’s office. They can’t agree to disagree. Just total gridlock and nothing of substance ever gets done.