Yall Politics

NRCC Launches the Next Round of Code Red Targeted Calls Against Travis Childers

2010-03-19T21:01:00Z

NRCC Launches the Next Round of Code Red Targeted Calls Against =ravis Childers
As Time Runs Out, Code Red Alerts Mississippi Families to the =ems’ Dangerous Gov’t Healthcare Takeover – And How to Stop =t

Washington- As part of its Project Code Red offensive, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has launched targeted phone calls =oday alerting Mississippi voters and taxpayers to the =emocrats’ dangerous job-killing government takeover of healthcare. The majority of =merican voters want the Democrats to scrap their partisan healthcare bill =nd start over with reforms that will lower costs, but Nancy Pelosi and =resident Obama are counting on Travis Childers' vote to force their reckless healthcare agenda through Congress as soon as this weekend. =o:p>
=/o:p>
“Whil= Americans continue to reject the Democrats’ government =akeover of healthcare, President Obama and Speaker Pelosi are leaning hard on =ravis Childers to ram this reckless bill through Congress at any =ost,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “Childers already has a =ecord of rubber-stamping Nancy Pelosi’s reckless agenda 81.7 percent of the time, but this time a vote for his party’s politically =oxic healthcare agenda could be the end of his political career. While time is =unning out to stop this dangerous healthcare agenda, Travis Childers needs a =ake-up call from the folks he is supposed to represent.” =o:p>

Targeted phone call script below:

“Hello, =’m calling from the NRCC with a code red action alert. Time is running out to stop the dangerous government takeover of healthcare that Nancy Pelosi and =arack Obama are pushing through Congress even though a majority of us =ppose it. Your congressman, Travis Childers might vote for this bill even =hough it will raise the cost of healthcare and cost us jobs. And this massive =ew spending bill will be paid for by cutting Medicare by 500 billion =ollars and raising taxes by 470 billion dollars. This vote could happen =his weekend – make sure your voice is heard! Congressman =hilders votes with Nancy Pelosi 81.7 percent of the time… Call him before =t’s too late at 202-225-3121 and tell him you want him to vote ‘NO’ =n a massive new healthcare spending bill and focus on bringing jobs back to =ississippi. Paid for by The National Republican Congressional Committee and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. =02-479-7000.”
&=bsp;

youTube - Wicker Discusses Looming House Vote on Democrats’ Health Care Bill

2010-03-19T20:57:00Z

Wicker Discusses Looming House Vote on Democrats' Health Care Bill

Sen. Wicker Discusses Looming Health Care Vote in the House

"Only about a third of Americans say that we should pass this bill as it
is"- Senator Wicker

WASHINGTON -Leading up to an expected weekend vote on the Senate health care
bill in the House of Representatives, Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today
released a video statement on the Democratic leaders' use of procedural
schemes to pass a government takeover of our nation's health care, despite
the clear opposition of the majority of Americans.

AP - Hood seeking reelection, not running for Gov.

2010-03-19T20:53:00Z

AP - Hood seeking reelection, not running for Gov.

Democrat Jim Hood said Friday he'll seek a third term as Mississippi attorney general in 2011, ending speculation that he might run for governor.
Hood, a former district attorney from northern Mississippi, was elected attorney general in 2003 and re-elected in 2007.
Hood, 47, said in a statement Friday that he is "fortunate to have a job that allows me to help those who need it the most. That is worth more to my soul than pay."
"My decision will allow me to continue our hunt for child pornographers and Internet predators; to protect our elderly citizens; and to shield our residents from corporate wrongdoers," Hood said.
The qualifying deadline for statewide candidates is March 1, 2011.
Steve Simpson, the commissioner of public safety, said last year that he might run for attorney general in 2011. He could not immediately be reached Friday for comment about Hood's decision.

Read more by The AP
3/19/10

Harper - Reconciliation makes a bad bill worse

2010-03-19T17:30:00Z

RECONCILIATION MAKES A BAD BILL WORSE

WASHINGTON, DC – After the release of the majority’s reconciliation bill, U.S. Representative Gregg Harper (R–Miss.) said the changes would not tone down the effects of a health care overhaul, but in fact make them worse.

“Democratic leaders in Congress say their bill will reduce the deficit,” said Congressman Gregg Harper. “That’s not true. This flawed legislation will raise taxes over a half-trillion dollars during one of the toughest economic downturns in American history.”

Preliminary analysis of the 153-page reconciliation bill confirms that the modifications will increase taxes by an additional $50 billion, bringing the overall tax boost to $569.2 billion. The reconciliation bill in combination with the Senate-passed measure do not reduce the deficit after excluding the more than $120 billion in revenue generated by the Social Security program and the CLASS Act long-term care entitlement. Since this revenue will eventually be used to pay out benefits to these two programs, the bill does not reduce the deficit in the near-term – or the long term.

The total Medicare cuts in the bill add up to $523 billion in order to fund new entitlements for other Americans. Businesses that cannot afford to provide health coverage for their workers would face a penalty of $2,000 per employee. This tax applies to part-time as well as full-time workers. Additionally, the bill includes an unprecedented extension of the Medicare tax to all non-wage income, raising the top marginal rate on small business owners by 20% and the top tax rate on investment income by 60%, discouraging job creation necessary for economic growth.

“Raising taxes, cutting Medicare and creating a new entitlement program is not health care reform,” added Congressman Harper. “I will continue to work towards meaningful reforms for our health care system that will give employers more variety in making health coverage affordable and available to their employees and their families.”

WLOX - Bill to strengthen stalking laws headed to Governor Barbour

2010-03-19T13:18:00Z

Bill to strengthen stalking laws headed to Governor Barbour

JACKSON, MS (WLOX) - A bill that will strengthen Mississippi's stalking laws is headed to the Governor's desk. If signed by Governor Haley Barbour, House Bill 1309 will revise and strengthen the definition of stalking and create more appropriate penalties.

Attorney General Jim Hood praised state lawmakers for supporting the bill, saying it will make prosecution easier.

"One of the biggest issues in our current stalking law is that it makes successful prosecution contingent upon being able to prove that the stalker intended to place his or her victim, not just in fear, but in fear of death or great bodily injury," said Attorney General Jim Hood.

WLOX
3/19/10

WLBT - Trickle down effect after latest budget cuts

2010-03-19T13:17:00Z

Trickle down effect after latest budget cuts

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - After Governor Haley Barbour announced the latest round of budget cuts on Wednesday, several state agencies prepped for furloughs.

The Mississippi Department of Human Services ordered a day of furloughs for Friday April 2nd.

Several other agencies met with the State Personnel Board to discuss furloughing options before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th.

The Department of Public Safety was granted 1 to 6 days of furloughs if needed. The State Tax Commission and the Department of Agriculture asked from 4 to 12 days. DHS was also granted a total of 8 furlough days.

In a statement released on Thursday, DHS Executive Director Don Thompson said:

"Because of the volatile nature of the current economic crisis in the State of Mississippi, executing a furlough plan has become necessary to manage the remaining general funds in our budget."

WLBT
3/19/10

Leader Call - Negotiations for final version of Nathan’s Law begin

2010-03-19T13:15:00Z

Negotiations for final version of Nathan’s Law begin

The Mississippi House and Senate held the first conference to negotiate a final version of the bill which sets penalties for passing stopped school buses without resolving their differences.

The Senate passed a version of the bill, known as Nathan’s Law, but the House passed another version that took out some key components of the bill.

“Our stance is that the bill should remain in its original form,” said State Sen. Chris McDaniel (R-Ellisville), who filed the bill in response to the 2009 death of 5-year-old Nathan Key who was hit by a car after he got of a bus near his home in Jones County. “We know from proven research that the things outlined in the bill work.”

Leader Call
3/19/10

Watchdog - Hood joins Republicans in fight against EPA regulations

2010-03-19T13:11:00Z

Watchdog - Hood joins Republicans in fight against EPA regulations

RICHMOND—A dozen Republican and Democrat attorneys-general have joined Ken Cuccinelli in his fight against the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulation of greenhouse gases.

“Attorney General Bruning of Nebraska is circulating a motion to intervene on our side of the case,” the Virginia Attorney General Cuccinelli told The Old Dominion Watchdog during an interview in his office on Friday. “And I think you will see bipartisan support for the effort.”

“When we are done, I hope we will have over ten on our side,” the Republican said.

On Thursday, Bruning released a statement announcing he and the attorneys general of 11 other states have filed motions to challenge the EPA’s December ruling that said carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from power plants, cars and factories “threaten the public health and welfare of the American people.”

“This finding is the first step toward expansive regulation of greenhouse gases that will adversely affect states and their economies,” Bruning said, in a written statement.

Last month, Cuccinnelli asked a federal appeals court in the District of Columbia to review the EPA’s ruling. Texas and Alabama also filed challenges on the same day.

Now, the federal court has grouped together the appeals from all 15 states, filed by 13 Republicans and two Democrats: Democrat James Caldwell of Louisiana and Jim Hood of Mississippi.
The motions come after coalition of 16 states and New York City in December asked a federal appeals court to allow it to intervene in a lawsuit attacking U.S. EPA’s stance.

Watchdog
3/19/10

MSGOP - Travis Childers should have known sooner that he was going to vote no

2010-03-19T13:09:00Z

MSGOP - Travis Childers should have known sooner that he was going to vote no

“National reporters wonder whether Travis Childers will vote for or against Obamacare. But Mississippians in the First Congressional District already have their answer. If Travis Childers were a conservative, he would have already announced his opposition. If Travis Childers represented the will of his district, he would have already said ‘no’ to Nancy Pelosi. Were Travis Childers a Republican, he would be fighting against Obamacare not being wishy-washy on how he will vote. Voters have their answer already about Travis Childers: he is no conservative and he doesn’t represent their principles.”
“Republicans have three candidates running to oppose Childers in November and there is no doubt in my mind that each, were they in his position now, would have announced weeks, months, a year ago that they opposed this socialized health care plan.”

“Even if Travis Childers gets Pelosi’s permission to vote against the bill, it will be too late for him politically, because he will have already proven he is more interested in National Democratic Party politics than the principles of his district. This is not a difficult decision and Mississippians shouldn’t have to wonder about Travis Childers. I can promise you, voters won’t have to wonder if they elect a Republican to represent them because they will know they have elected a true conservative and not a Pelosi minion.”

MSGOP
3/19/10

WLOX - Some outraged by Juco partnership with South Alabama

2010-03-19T13:05:00Z

Some outraged by MGCCC partnership with South Alabama

JACKSON COUNTY, MS (WLOX) - A controversy involving the University of Southern Mississippi, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and the University of South Alabama continues. The issue deals with a building on the community college's Jackson County campus.

For nearly 25 years, USM has been renting the building from MGCCC. Because of budget constraints, that's no longer the case. So the community college recently worked out a deal with South Alabama. And that has some folks very unhappy.

"I really don't appreciate high ranking state officials using another state agency trying to smear and ruin the reputation of a great institution," MGCCC President Dr. Willis Lott said.

Dr. Lott is talking about an unnamed state lawmaker who went to the state auditors office to ask about the agreement MGCCC made with the University of South Alabama. Lott said there's a misconception that USA is getting the building for free.

"It's really not a free year," Dr. Lott insisted. "Instead of getting our $66,000 in cash, they're going to put in over $100,000 worth of equipment."

WLOX
3/19/10

AP - Juco to ask Hood if Ala. college move OK

2010-03-19T13:04:00Z

Juco to ask AG if Ala. college move OK

GAUTIER, Miss. (AP) - A south Mississippi junior college will ask the attorney's general office for a formal opinion on whether an Alabama college can move a branch to its Gautier campus.

The University of South Alabama and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College announced a partnership earlier this week that would allow USA to offer classes on campus.

Since then, questions have been raised by some state officials - including Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant and State Auditor Stacey Pickering - about whether the move is appropriate and whether MGCCC is providing something free to USA.

MGCCC President Willis Lott said Thursday that Attorney General Jim Hood will be asked the same questions about the proposed USA satellite campus.

AP
3/19/10

National Federation of Independent Business applauds Childers

2010-03-18T22:08:01Z

Small Business Statement on Rep. Childers' Decision

to Vote NO on Healthcare Bill

JACKSON, March 18, 2009-Ron Aldridge, Mississippi state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, made the following statement today in response to U.S. Rep. Travis Childers' decision to vote NO on the healthcare bill now before the U.S. House:

"Rep. Childers has been an independent voice who understands that small businesses are vital to our economic recovery. His votes in this Congress have proven that he is a consistent supporter of Mississippi's small businesses, and his decision and announcement today to vote NO on the devastating healthcare bill before the U.S. House is another example of that commitment.

"We know how much pressure he has been under on this particular issue, so we commend Rep. Childers for doing the right thing and standing with small business on healthcare."

NFIB/Mississippi is the state's leading small business association .

>> Keep up with NFIB/Mississippi at http://www.NFIB.com/MS.

###

NFIB is the nation's leading small business association , with offices in Washington, D.C., and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small and independent business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB's powerful network of grassroots activists send their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America's free enterprise system. NFIB's mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses.

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U.S. Chamber Thanks Mississippi Rep. Childers for Opposing Health Care Bill

2010-03-18T21:09:00Z

U.S. Chamber Thanks Mississippi Rep. Childers for Opposing Health Care Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President of Government Affairs R. Bruce Josten issued the following statement thanking Congressman Travis Childers (MS-01) for opposing the current health care legislation which will increase taxes and risk employer-sponsored healthcare:

“We thank Congressman Childers for his opposition to the current health care legislation being rammed through the House of Representatives. Congressman Childers has stood up for the working families and small businesses in his district by saying ‘no’ to this health care bill that would raise their taxes and jeopardize employer-sponsored health coverage. We appreciate Congressman Childers standing with Mississippians, many of which are small businesses and members of the U.S. Chamber, and against a health care bill that would wipe out more jobs, raise costs and put employers and employee’s current health benefits at risk.

“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which represents hundreds of thousands of businesses large and small, has strongly advocated for health care reform and shares the goals of Congress and the Administration to reduce health care costs, while increasing access and quality. From the start of this debate, we have supported comprehensive insurance market reforms and new consumer protections to ensure every American has guaranteed affordable coverage. However, health care reform won't work without comprehensive provisions that will bring costs under control and make health care coverage more affordable. The current legislation before Congress does little to solve the problem of escalating costs for working families and small businesses and includes many provisions that are not consistent with those shared goals.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

http://www.uschamber.com # # # http://www.chamberpost.com

3/18/10

WLOX - Controversy over attempts to let Alabama school have a campus in Miss.

2010-03-18T20:56:00Z

MGCCC president: USA 'paying' rent through building improvements

JACKSON, MS (WLOX) - The State Auditor's Office is now backing down from its earlier assertion that Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College's deal with the University of South Alabama could violate state law, saying it did not have all the facts.

Both State Auditor Stacey Pickering and Lt. Governor Phil Bryant sent letters to the MGCCC Board objecting to the agreement to allow USA to offer classes at the community college's Gautier campus.

"People are very concerned with brining [sic] in another institution of higher learning from a neighboring state," said Lt. Governor Phil Bryant in a letter sent Tuesday.

Pickering's letter focuses on the terms of the deal which will allow USA to use space on the Gautier campus rent-free for one year. Citing state statute, Pickering writes "The rule in Mississippi is well settled. The donation of public property is absolutely prohibited."

Pickering advised MGCCC that the law requires it to receive "fair market value" from USA for use of the buildings "to avoid a prohibited donation."

WLOX
3/18/10

Nunnelee - Amputate the partisanship from health care debate

2010-03-18T20:51:00Z

Amputate the partisanship from health care debate

As a candidate for the 1st District of Mississippi, I am disappointed and frustrated with Washington insiders who are trying to impose a massive health care bill that the American people do not want. However, the Democrat leadership in Congress will once again attempt to ram through a health care bill on a partisan vote later this week.

The legislation is being forced through Congress by President Obama, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and outside liberal groups. They will attempt to pass the bill under a complicated legislative process that would actually shield House Members from taking an up-or-down vote. Every American will be affected by this bill and voters deserve to know how their elected officials stand by their voting record. If the Democratic leadership ever took advice, I would suggest that this procedural trickery should be quickly abandoned in order to allow for greater transparency.

At the same time, these out-of-touch politicians have ignored real opportunities to work along bipartisan lines and produce a consensus bill that would provide affordable and available health care. Simply put, the Democratic Washington elite have decided to place election-year politics over passing real health care reform policy.

Let’s take a look at the facts. The bill will cost the taxpayers over $1 trillion at a time of skyrocketing deficits and a record setting debt that our children and grandchildren will be forced to pay for generations. The financial toll on the Mississippi state budget will be more than $200 million, forcing significant tax increases on hardworking families. Seniors will lose valuable coverage with massive cuts to Medicare Advantage. Businesses and individuals will pay hefty fines if they do not provide health care for their employees. That means imposing job killing hikes at a time of record unemployment in this country. Most importantly, the costs of health care will go up if this bill is signed into law. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill essentially federalizes health care and raises family premiums by 10-13 percent. And states like Mississippi will bear a huge financial burden by being forced to pay more Medicaid costs through unfunded health care mandates.

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2010/03/18/amputate-the-partisanship-from-health-care-debate/#ixzz0iZGYw1SN
3/18/10