First, we send our best wishes for a speedy recovery to former Chairman John Tyson. Look forward to seeing you soon, Mr. Chairman!

This month, we hosted a Democrats on Tap happy hour at Hal and Mal’s. Thanks to everyone who joined us for the lively debate!

The Rankin County Federation of Democratic Women held a meeting at the Pearl Library August 6. Their special guest was Sherika Harvey, Chairperson of the Mississippi Democratic Party’s Young Democrats Committee. We appreciate her coming by to update us on the exciting work taking place to energize and organize young people across the state.

The Federation’s next meeting will be Tuesday, September 3, at the Pearl Library beginning at 6:00 pm. All are encouraged to attend!

Be sure to join us for our next Breakfast with Democrats Saturday, September 7, at the Flowood Corner Bakery beginning at 8:30 am. Everyone is welcome!

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, October 16. US Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders will be in Jackson for an event with the Mississippi Democratic Party. Stay tuned for details.

This edition of “Senate Conservative Coalition Opposes:” takes a look at the effort of a state senator to ban a book from being used in classrooms across Mississippi.

Senator Angela Hill, a member of the tea party Senate Conservative Coalition, took to Facebook to blast the book The Bluest Eye as having material that may be objectionable to high school juniors.

“This book is indeed on the Common Core’s list of exemplar texts for the 11th grade. I would hardly call it ‘exemplar’!! I looked it up, printed it, just in case they remove it in the future off the Common Core Appendix B list of Exemplar Texts for ELA. There is much more objectionable material as people finally review it after it has been already adopted. WE CAN UNADOPT IT. Help me do it.”

Hill noted that the book was on a reading list proposed by Common Core education standards, standards that have been adopted by local education officials across the country. She went on to say that there is content in the book not suitable for the eyes of youngsters. On top of that, she goes as far as suggesting that this book not be allowed in schools. This backward mindset is reminiscent of cries for prohibiting books like The Catcher in the Rye in the 1960s.

According to Random House, this particular novel has been published since 1970. Educators and school administrators have had ample time to know what is in this book. It seems Senator Hill is missing a broader point about what books are designed to do. They are meant to challenge us to think critically about a litany of issues: the plot, the complexity of the characters, the environment in which those characters live, economics, and education.

In this instance, is Hill intentionally frightening parents into thinking that teachers are peddling smut to children? Does she really think educators and school board leaders, including ones that may sit with her at church, sit around and think “You know what would be funny? Seeing kids freak out when they read this book.” It may behoove the senator to read the book for herself to understand what the author is trying to convey before attempting to discredit it.

Hill and the Senate Conservative Coalition oppose Common Core standards for reasons that we will delve into in subsequent posts. No doubt, she and her tea party colleagues will continue their drumbeat of opposition in the months to come. Rest assured we will continue to monitor this debate.

Stay tuned for the next installment of “Senate Conservative Coalition Opposes:”

The Clarion-Ledger reports this morning that a number of senators are renewing a push to enact a statewide ban of texting while driving.

In a recent Senate Transportation Committee meeting, proponents of the legislation discussed why the bill was needed to help save lives and urged more discussion on how to limit distracted driving.

During the course of the meeting, Senator Josh Harkins had the following remarks:

“It’s not just texting. Where do you draw the line? A distracted driver is a distracted driver whether it’s someone on the phone, or eating, or looking at a magazine or reading a newspaper. You’d be surprised at what you see people doing.”

Harkins’s comments certainly don’t indicate how he would vote if a bill was before him. He seems to be taking a “why not ban everything or nothing” approach to what an individual can do in his or her personal vehicle.  Let’s take a quick look at his record to follow the trail of breadcrumbs to see what he may do.

During the 2012 Regular Session, his first year of service in the legislature, Harkins filed two bills that stand out. His first bill, S. 2881, would have required some minors who operate motor bikes to wear a helmet or pay a fine. The second bill, S. 3034, would allow the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department to use radar to enforce speeding laws. One could argue that these two bills would allow law enforcement to enhance its public safety capacity, thus increasing the scope of government. It should be noted that he did not file either of those bills during this year’s session.

What happened in the course of a year that has Harkins offering bills that would expand the role of government to questioning why such bills are needed? Does it have anything to do with him joining the Senate Conservative Coalition, a caucus of tea party-minded members?

Hopefully, Harkins will keep an open mind as the debate over texting and driving continues. After all, he has a record to defend and a lot of drivers along Lakeland Drive to keep in mind.

Senator Nancy Collins (R-Tupelo) issued a memo this week to state agencies encouraging them to proactively submit 2014 legislative proposals by October 1, 2013.

Any state agency, department, or group that wishes to propose legislation for the upcoming Session that would most likely be assigned or double referred to the Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency Committee need to submit the proposed legislation and other issues to me by October 1, 2013. I understand this may be difficult due to busy schedules, but the committee can do a much better job with legislation if there is adequate time to study your proposals and hold hearings if necessary.

Her reasoning seems pretty clear: don’t let what happened to me happen to you.

Collins, you may recall, authored legislation this year related to the state’s public retirement system, PERS. Within moments of the bill hitting the hopper, retirees, soon-to-be retirees, and current state employees across the state were up in arms over what Collins’s bill could do to undermine their retirement plan. If Collins plans to reintroduce her PERS bill again, is she planning a public hearing between October 1 and the start of the 2014 Regular Session?

A concern about her memo is what she is likely to do with legislation that is not presented to her by the deadline she has instituted. If, for example, a state agency has a situation develop during the holidays and needs to get a bill through the legislature, will Collins reject the bill and point to the deadline? What about non-state agencies wanting bills moved through her committee? Are they subject to this October 1 deadline? If not, why not?

With this memo, Collins is working to avoid repeating her mistake of dropping a legislative bombshell on the public. A popular refrain we heard from her political party in recent years is that Americans are tired of having bills “shoved down our throats.”

Today, Governor Bryant and the Mississippi Economic Council hosted a summit to update stakeholders on the governor’s Blueprint Mississippi plan to invigorate economic development through health care.

Guests in attendance ranged from Congressman Gregg Harper, Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, mayors, lobbyists, hospital administrators, a few more lobbyists, legislators, business leaders, another lobbyist, and a couple of monitors from the tea party. There is no need for concern; the governor did not come out in support of Obamacare.

One of the themes of the event was to put Mississippi on par with Texas when it comes to economic development. The term used was a “Texas-style attitude.” Yes, Rick Perry’s Texas. It could be said that Rick Perry can create a job faster than he can say “oops.” This is the same Texas that has seen so much rapid growth in recent years, that it is now in serious danger of running out of water for its economic development, food supply, and its citizens.

Bryant noted that the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has put Mississippi on its Top 10 states in which to do business. ALEC, it should be noted, is a tea party creation of the billionaire Koch Brothers. If you believe ALEC has the well-being of Mississippians in mind, think again.

The governor also pointed out that for every doctor that begins his or her practice, economic development will occur. Does that sound familiar? It should. Legislative Democrats made this same argument countless times over how expanding Medicaid would spur job creation in places that badly need an economic kick start.

There is no doubt that public- and private-sector investments in health care are taking place all across the state. Businesses are doing more to incentivize their employees to diet and exercise and hospitals are diversifying their operations to attract new patients. Look no further than the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Baptist Hospital in Jackson, and Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford to see that there are some positive steps being taken to build more capacity. It underscores the point that investment, whether it being in research and development, in a company’s employees, or capital, leads to growth.

One key issue that Bryant and other presenters did not discuss is access to all these wonderful services being offered within the developing health care zones across the state. Sure, pharmaceutical manufacturers are being built, hospitals are expanding, and life-saving HIV drugs are being developed right here in Mississippi. Yet, not one person I heard mentioned how those with or without health insurance can afford these services. It’s one thing to have services; it’s an entirely different thing to have individuals access and afford those services.

We still have over 500,000 Mississippians without health insurance coverage. Bryant is allowing the federal government to run our health insurance exchange, while he and the tea party-controlled legislature are not expanding Medicaid services. We all know that health care, in terms of its share of our economy, is growing, especially with the baby boomer generation retiring in larger numbers.

Mississippians still need to hear from this administration how it plans to encourage young people to get into the health care field, how these young people can afford to increase their skills, how patients can afford health insurance coverage, and how barriers to access can be removed. Much work still remains to be done.

On an unrelated note, I met a Republican during the event who encouraged me to switch parties. Clearly, this person did not get the memo. All I could do was laugh while another Republican chuckled and said “it’s a lost cause.” I applaud the effort, though.

Lt. Governor Tate Reeves attended a breakfast with Rankin County politicos this past Saturday and was invited to speak to the dozens of attendees, including the author of this article.

In his brief remarks, Reeves noted that Mississippi is in the “best fiscal shape we’ve been in since the mid-90s following the boom of the casino industry.”  Let that sink in for a moment; the mid-90s.

Many readers of this blog know that Reeves was Treasurer of the state of Mississippi from 2004-2012.  Isn’t it odd that he would not highlight his tenure as Treasurer as the years when we were in the best fiscal shape?

At last week’s Neshoba County Fair, current state Treasurer Lynn Fitch allegedly began gathering support for a challenge to Reeves in the 2015 Republican primary.  It is no secret that there is no love lost between these two ambitious Republicans.  It started early in 2012 when Reeves and Fitch had a back and forth on who’s to blame for the mismanagement of the MPACT program which resulted in an unfortunate enrollment freeze.  The most recent feud centered around Fitch being upset that Reeves killed her financial literacy bill in this year’s legislative session.  With eight years of experience as Treasurer behind him, why Reeves killed a financial literacy bill is a question only he can answer.

It is puzzling that when the Lt. Governor has an opportunity to show his strength on the fiscal status of our state that he overlooked his own record in office and referred to a period of time roughly eight years before his name first appeared on a ballot.

Greetings!  We hope the summer is treating you well.  While we’ve enjoyed vacations, cooking on the grill, and spending time with our loved ones, the excitement within your Mississippi Democratic Party continues to grow.

Thursday, August 1, will be our next Democrats on Tap happy hour.  We will meet at Hal and Mal’s in Jackson beginning at 5:30 pm.  Everyone is welcome!  Please bring your coworkers, family, and friends.  Our special guest will be Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Rickey Cole!  Please stop by and say hello!

Our Breakfast with Democrats at the Flowood Corner Bakery will meet Saturday, August 3, beginning at 8:30 am.

The Rankin County Federation of Democratic Women will meet at the Pearl Municipal Library Tuesday, August 6, beginning at 5:30 pm.  The Federation’s special guest is Sherika Harvey, state Democratic Party Chairperson for Young Democrats.  Sherika has done terrific work across the state establishing and engaging Young Democrats and College Democrats chapters.  Please come by and make her feel welcome.

Our Jefferson-Jackson-Hamer Dinner is taking place Friday, August 9, at the downtown Jackson Marriott Hotel.  The reception will begin at 5:30 pm and dinner beginning at 6:30 pm.  Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak will be our special guest.

If you have not purchased your ticket for the dinner, you may purchase it online by clicking HERE or mail a check to PO Box 1583, Jackson, MS 39215.  Checks must be made out to the Mississippi Democratic Party.

Tickets are $120 or $60 for Yellow Dog Club members.  If you have any questions, please call 601-969-2913 or email [email protected].

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.  Check out our website for news and event updates.

Support your Rankin County Democratic Party by investing $10, 20, or even $100 by clicking HERE!

The 2013 Jefferson-Jackson-Hamer dinner is upon us!  This is the Mississippi Democratic Party’s largest fundraising event of the year, and we want you at the table!

Our special guest speaker this year is Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak.  Mayor Rybak is a Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee whose focus is building Democratic grassroots on the municipal level.  Based on what Mississippi Democrats achieved in the June 4 elections, Mayor Rybak is very excited to visit us and hear our story.

Rankin County Democrats are planning to have several tables at the dinner, and here is how you can join us:

An individual ticket for the dinner costs $120; for a Yellow Dog Club member, your ticket is $60.  If you wish to join the Yellow Dog Club, you can join by clicking HERE.

You may purchase your ticket online by clicking HERE.  If you wish to write a check, it must be made out to the Mississippi Democratic Party.  Their mailing address is Post Office Box 1583, Jackson, MS 39215.

The dinner will be held Friday, August 9, at 5:30 pm, at the downtown Jackson Marriott.

If you would like to be seated with Rankin County Democrats, or if you have any questions, please email us at [email protected] or call 601-969-2913.

We hope to see you there!

Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.  Check out our website for news and event updates.

Support your Rankin County Democratic Party by investing $10, 20, or even $100 by clicking HERE!

June was an exciting, busy, and successful month for Mississippi Democrats.  You helped put points on the board and set our course on a positive upswing.

June 4 was Election Day in municipalities across the state.  The Republicans called in reinforcements from their tea party bosses and received endorsements from their statewide and Congressional leadership only to come up empty handed in every hotly-contested race from Tupelo, Oxford, Ocean Springs, Meridian, Philadelphia, and Starkville (just to name a few.)  You can read more about the election HERE.

Rankin County hosted the June 8 meeting of the Mississippi Democratic Party Executive Committee.  We were honored to have our state party’s leadership meet at the Brandon Municipal Library.  Rankin County is critical to the party’s long-term growth, and we are pleased our state party chairman Rickey Cole recognizes the hard work put in by Rankin County Democrats.

The Rankin County Federation of Democratic Women hosted a Sunday Tea last weekend with Carol Penick and Jamie Bardwell of the Women’s Fund as their featured guests.  Turnout was great, and the excitement was even greater.  Thank you to everyone who attended and for those who helped organize this wonderful event.

This past Thursday was a very busy day in many respects.

First, the Mississippi Legislature convened for a special session to determine the future of the state Medicaid program.  Our legislative Democrats wanted a full and open debate, as well as a vote, on expanding coverage for the nearly 300,000 Mississippians who are unable to afford health insurance coverage.  Unfortunately, the fix was in by the Republican leadership who had no interest debating in the first place.

Democrats offered an amendment to create a state-based insurance exchange endorsed by Republican Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney; Republicans defeated the amendment.  Democrats offered an amendment to establish a Medicaid/private health insurance partnership that was supported in a bipartisan manner in Arkansas; Republicans ruled the amendment out of order.  Democrats offered an amendment to allow for a one-year review of the Medicaid program to readdress expansion issues next year; Republicans defeated the amendment.  It is tragic and not unexpected that Republicans, in their disdain for the Affordable Care Act, continue to put their constituents’ health in needless jeopardy.  Republicans are now on the record, and Democrats will remind the voters of the Republicans’ actions in the weeks and years to come.  Please take a moment to read this article in the Daily Journal about the special session.

Second, the Rankin County Board of Supervisors held a hearing to determine the next steps for implementation of precinct redistricting across the county.  In order to reduce confusion, the board voted to send new voter registration cards to every voter in the county.  The Rankin County Circuit Clerk is still in the process of compiling data that will be used to determine the houses, streets, and neighborhoods that will be in each new district.  Stay tuned as details develop.

Third, after a busy day, Rankin County Democrats hosted a Democrats on Tap happy hour at Hal and Mal’s in Jackson.  We were able to hear about the special session from legislators and those who visited the Capitol to watch the proceedings.  Thanks to everyone who attended.  We look forward to seeing you at the next one!

Another major event that took place this month was the United States Supreme Court ruling that the Voting Rights Act is unenforceable in its current form.  Delbert Hosemann, our tea party Secretary of State, declared moments after the ruling that Voter ID is now in effect.  This ruling should be a wake-up call to every Democrat in the state.

With the Republicans in control of writing and enforcing election law in Mississippi, it is up to us to register and engage every voter.  If we are to counter the Republican monopoly, the time to act is now.  Hosemann’s office is in the process of writing the new regulations as we speak.  You can review the proposed rules HERE.  Stay tuned for updates on this very important issue.  You can print the state’s voter registration form HERE.

Be sure to join us for our monthly Breakfast with Democrats at the Flowood Corner Bakery.  It will begin Saturday, July 6, at 8:30 am.  Everyone is welcome!

The Rankin County Democratic Executive Committee is holding its quarterly meeting on Thursday, July 11, at Pearl City Hall.  It will begin at 6:00 pm.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.  Check out our website for news and event updates.

Help support and invest in your Mississippi Democratic Party by joining the Yellow Dog Democrat Club!  Click HERE to sign up today!

Rankin County Democrats are excited to announce a number of upcoming events to put on your calendars!

Yesterday, Governor Phil Bryant announced a special legislative session on Medicaid reauthorization.  The session begins Thursday, June 27, at 10:00 am.

Our legislative Democrats have stood firm in their position that the legislature should have a debate and a vote on a proposal for the Medicaid program that would allow the nearly 300,000 eligible persons to purchase a private insurance plan.  It should be noted that the tea party Republican leadership in the Governor’s mansion and the legislature have failed to produce a plan of their own.

Be sure to email or call your legislators to urge them to allow a vote on the Democratic plan.  You can call your representative and senator at 601-359-3770 and locate additional contact information HERE.

Also on Thursday, the Rankin County Board of Supervisors is holding a hearing on recently-approved precinct redistricting lines.  This will be the first step in a process of educating voters where they will now vote.  The hearing will be at the supervisors’ board room beginning at 1:00 pm.

After all the excitement taking place Thursday, come out and join us for our Democrats on Tap happy hour at Hal and Mal’s in Jackson beginning at 5:30 pm.  These are casual events and we encourage everyone to have a refreshment, relax, socialize, and make a new friend.  We will have Mississippi Democratic Trust Executive Director Brandon Jones on hand so please stop by and say hello!

Don’t forget to join us for our monthly breakfast at the Flowood Corner Bakery on Saturday, July 6, beginning at 8:30 am.  From the June 4 election results to the Medicaid special session, there will be much to discuss.

There is no question that Mississippi Democrats have the wind at our backs following this month’s municipal elections and the public’s disapproval of our state’s tea party Republican leadership.  Still, much remains to be done.

Your Mississippi Democratic Party works hard to ensure that our candidates have the resources necessary to compete and win on Election Day.  To that end, the Party depends on the generosity of individual donors like you to help maintain its operations.  For just $20 a month, you will make a wise investment in a Party built to last.

You can become part of the Yellow Dog Democrat Club by donating online HERE.

Thank you for supporting your Mississippi Democratic Party!

Be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.