Legislative Update 24

July 06, 2008

Dear Friends,

This year’s Independence Day Celebration in Pascagoula was particularly meaningful as fireworks were fired from the Pascagoula Beach Pier for the first time since Hurricane Katrina. I think John Adams would be pleased to know that in 2008, his dream that our independence from England would be “celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival” is alive and well. Despite the issues we face in the United States, there can be little argument that we live in a great country.

If you’re looking for some interesting ways to remember our founding, consider reading Joseph J. Ellis’s new book, American Creation and watching HBO’s miniseries, John Adams, now available on DVD. Ellis’s book is accessible and recounts some of the triumphs and tragedies that attended America’s earliest days. The miniseries is a fine adaptation of another great book by David McCullough.

Special Session Update

This week, both the House and Senate passed Senate Bill 2007, a measure sponsored by Senator Tommy Moffatt that would give utility authorities created under the Mississippi Gulf Region Utility Act the ability to immediately possess rights-of-way for water, sewer and drainage purposes. Under existing law, counties, cities, the Mississippi Department of Transportation and the Mississippi Wayport Authority have this ability.

While I initially had reservations about the bill, I came to be a proponent of SB 2007 after researching the issue and discussing proposed Jackson County projects with the Jackson County Utility Authority. I ultimately voted for the bill for two basic reasons. First, the law provides safeguards for property owners. Under the bill, acquisitions for rights-of way cannot displace a property owner from his dwelling place or place of business. Also, property owners are paid appraised value for these rights-of-way. Second, expedited work on water and wastewater projects in Jackson County will ensure that the county receives up to $180,447,500.00 in federal funding. Under the existing plan, funding is allocated as follows in our district: $6,150,000 for Pascagoula projects, $4,600,000 for Gautier projects, and $4,300,000 for Ocean Springs projects.

Before the bill passed in the House, Representative Frank Hamilton proposed an amendment which took his district (located in north Jackson County) out of the bill. This means that those residents of Hurley and surrounding areas, who were the most vocal opponents of the bill, will not be affected by the changes. It is important to note, however, that the Jackson County Utility Authority has imminent domain authority and can begin work on county projects under this authority.

Both chambers also approved House Bill 21, a bill which would allow alcohol sales on Farish Street in Jackson. The Farish Street revitalization project has been underway for more than a decade and last week lawmakers were told that the inability of businesses to sell alcohol is the latest reason for project delays.

Existing law bars the sale of alcohol within 100 feet of a school or church. Because the Mississippi College School of Law is within 100 feet of Farish Street, the city requested an exception.

I think that it is sound public policy to disallow alcohol sales in areas near schools and churches. If the legislature is going to grant exceptions to this law I believe it is imperative that the school or church that will be affected have a voice in the matter. For this reason, I asked Representative Angela Cockerham, who was presenting the bill, if members of the Ways and Means Committee had discussed this issue with administrators at Mississippi College. She said that she was unaware of any such conversations. Shortly after asking this question, I was told by Representative Phillip Gunn who represents Mississippi College that the school was firmly opposed to the bill. For these reasons, I voted against the bill which passed the House by a vote of 60 to 57.

While the legislature was able to pass the above legislation, there is still no agreement on Medicaid. The Special Session will resume on August 4.

Voter I.D. Committee

I want to thank those of you who have expressed an interest in serving on a committee to research Voter I.D. legislation. The purpose of this committee is to research other states’ Voter I.D. laws and take part in discussions with the local folks who run our elections. This week I will be developing a calendar for committee meetings and contacting committee members. If you have not done so already, let me know if this committee interests you.

How to Contact Me

If you have any questions or concerns, I invite you to call me on my cell phone at 228-326-7649 or e-mail me at bjones@house.ms.gov. Please feel free to forward this report to folks in our district and let me know if I need to add someone to my list.

I will also be posting my updates and House related news on my campaign website at www.electbrandonjones.com.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Brandon