State
County Clean Up is a Positive Campaign Tactic
Picayune Item
http://www.picayuneitem.com/2015/04/county-cleanup-is-a-positive-campaign-tactic/
State high court orders trial in dispute over 2 Ocean Springs beach parcels
Sun Herald
JACKSON -- The state Supreme Court has overturned a ruling by a Jackson
County judge that denied the state's claim to two parcels of property on
East Beach in Ocean Springs.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/04/02/6156971_state-high-court-orders-trial.html?rh=1
American Midstream gas pipeline in Miss., La. to be replaced
AP
VIDALIA, LA. — Residents of eastern Louisiana and southwest Mississippi
will hear April 13 about plans to upgrade a major natural gas pipeline.
http://www.sunherald.com/2015/04/03/6157326/american-midstream-gas-pipeline.html
Net metering to be considered
Presley touts energy program to Rotarians
DeSoto Times
By BOB BAKKEN
Published: Thursday, April 2, 2015 3:37 PM CDT
The Mississippi Public Service Commission (PSC) is expected next week to
take up a proposal to allow public comment on a plan to approve "net
metering," or the ability to charge back to utilities solar power produced
but not used by homeowners.
http://www.desototimes.com/articles/2015/04/02/news/local/doc551da7f39b0d8185182444.txt
Redfish harvest in Gulf waters would resume under NOAA proposal
Todd Masson
The Times-Picayune
April 02, 2015 at 11:49 AM
It's quaint now to think of how popular blackened redfish was back in the
1980s. Legendary New Orleans chef Paul Prudhomme got a cast-iron pan
white-hot, covered a redfish fillet with butter and spices and introduced
the world to a happy marriage of taste and texture.
http://www.nola.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2015/04/redfish_harvest_in_gulf_waters.html
National park maintenance backlog in Miss. hits $335M
Clarion Ledger
WASHINGTON – A $355 million backlog of maintenance work at national
parks in Mississippi has slowed repairs at some historic sites and
put off restoration work on important monuments, park officials
said.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/04/02/national-park-maintenance-backlog-miss-hits/70839198/
Oil Spill
Steps Coalition set to remember 5th anniversary of BP oil spill
WLOX
April 20 marks the fifth anniversary of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of
Mexico. In the years since that disaster, the Steps Coalition has been busy
advocating for victims of the spill and raising public awareness about its
long term impact.
http://www.wlox.com/story/28708764/steps-coalition-set-to-remember-5th-anniversary-of-bp-oil-spill
Environmental Defense Fund To Monitor Restore Act Projects
WWNO
As the five-year anniversary approaches later this month of the BP oil
spill, the Environmental Defense Fund is gearing up for monitoring how
restoration money is used to repair damage.
http://wwno.org/post/environmental-defense-fund-monitor-restore-act-projects
Deepwater horizon oil spill: Jury to decide Alabama's Gulf-oil-spill claims
The Associated Press
April 02, 2015 at 11:00 AM
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange hailed a ruling
that said Alabama's Gulf oil-spill-damage claims under the federal Oil
Pollution Act can be heard by a jury.
http://www.gulflive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/04/deepwater_horizon_oil_spill_ju.html#incart_river
Councilman questions spending on 'poster child' of the BP oil spill
WVUE
GPS technology commonly used by boats fails to keep pace with Louisiana
land loss.
http://www.fox8live.com/story/28712083/councilman-questions-spending-on-poster-child-of-the-bp-oil-spill
National
Republican Senators Seek Detailed Answers on EPA Climate Change Science,
Modeling
Bloomberg
Four Republican senators are seeking additional information from the
Environmental Protection Agency on the science linking climate change to
drought, hurricanes and increased temperatures, including an analysis of
climate change modeling results.
http://www.bna.com/republican-senators-seek-n17179924903/
EPA restricts pesticide that could harm bees
The Hill
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is restricting new products and
uses of neonicotinoid pesticides that have been blamed for declines in bee
populations.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/237765-epa-restricts-pesticide-that-could-harm-bees
New regs for Friday
The Hill
Renewable fuel standard: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is
moving forward with changes to the cellulosic waiver credit under the
renewable fuel standard.
The rule will clarify how the EPA sets the price of the cellulosic waiver
credit.
The changes go into effect in 60 days.
http://thehill.com/regulation/237708-new-regs-for-friday-mattress-fires-disability-efficiency
Opinion
Worthey: Company has grip on Mississippi's CO2
Clarion Ledger
It has been argued that Mississippi's CO2 policy is the envy of the
energy nation. In the western United States, there are 12 enhanced
oil recovery operators; in Mississippi, there are two. The only
thing enviable about the situation is the control Denbury has over
the industry.
http://www.clarionledger.com/story/opinion/2015/04/02/worthey-company-grip-mississippis-co/70833934/
The mathematics of life-saving regulation
The Hill
The fate of 11,000 American lives each year may hinge on whether the
Supreme Court Justices understand that fractions can't be calculated
without knowing the denominator.
http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/energy-environment/237771-the-mathematics-of-life-saving-regulation
Press releases
Governor Phil Bryant Comments on 2015 Legislative Session
State Contract Reforms, Help for Special Needs Students and Second
Amendment Protections among Priorities
JACKSON—Lawmakers this session responded to Gov. Phil Bryant's call for
increased government accountability by sending him a measure to tighten
controls on state contracting procedures. The Legislature also heeded the
governor's State of the State Address and voted to send the Equal
Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Act to his desk. The
Mississippi Legislature has adjourned the 2015 regular legislative session.
House Bill 825 increases accountability of state contracting procedures. It
replaces some government employees on the Personal Services Contract Review
Board with objective outside appointees, lowers the threshold for contract
scrutiny from contracts valued at $100,000 or more to those valued at
$75,000 or more and implements tighter rules for the granting of sole
source contracts.
Senate Bill 2400 reigns in emergency contracting procedures for
commodities. State agencies cannot arbitrarily enter into an emergency
contract for commodities and must have prior approval from the Department
of Finance and Administration except in cases where threats to life and
property exist.
"I appreciate the Legislature for passing measures to strengthen
Mississippi's contracting procedures," Gov. Bryant said. "We are entrusted
with the responsibility of being careful stewards of tax dollars, and these
bills are a good start in tightening controls on state contracting
procedures and making government more accountable to taxpayers."
The Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Act (Senate Bill
2695) creates a pilot program to provide special needs students with
scholarships to pay for educational expenses. The measure will provide a
$6,500 scholarship to participating students, and the funds can be used for
expenses like educational therapies, tutoring and tuition at a private
school when the public school in which the student is enrolled is not
meeting his or her needs.
The graduation rate for students with special needs in Mississippi public
schools is 22.5 percent. Mississippi's combined graduation rate is 74.5
percent.
"Special needs students deserve the opportunity to succeed, and this bill
gives parents the power to provide additional resources to help their
children obtain the education and support they need," Gov. Bryant said. "We
have worked for two years to pass this bill, and I am very proud to finally
see it on my desk this year."
Conservative Budget that Prioritizes Education
With the close of the legislative session, Mississippi is set to adopt a
nearly $6.3 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, with the majority
of increased revenue collections being directed to K-12 public education.
The budget also includes increases for the state's public community and
junior colleges and for its public universities.
Second Amendment Rights and Public Safety
The 2015 legislative session yielded new protections of Mississippians'
right to keep and bear arms. Senate Bill 2394 clarifies that Mississippians
can carry a non-holstered pistol or revolver in a handbag, briefcase or
other enclosed case. Last year, Gov. Bryant signed a bill clarifying
Mississippian's constitutional right to openly carry a firearm. Senate Bill
2619 counts military training toward requirements for enhanced concealed
carry permits and protects Mississippi gun owners from federal
overregulation of ammunition.
"The right to keep and bear arms is one of the cornerstones of freedom,"
Gov. Bryant said. "As a life member of the NRA and vice-chair of the
Governor's Sportsmen's Caucus, I look forward to signing these important
measures into law."
Senate Bill 2500 authorizes a pay increase for on-the-road troopers in the
Mississippi Highway Patrol and agents at the Mississippi Bureau of
Narcotics.
"These are the front line defenders of public safety in Mississippi—the men
and women who put their lives on the line each day in service of others,"
Gov. Phil Bryant said. "We've worked for several years to clarify the pay
scale for these troopers, and am pleased we are able to take action this
year."
Health Care and Economic Development
Mississippi will invest $20 million to upgrade the Huntington Ingalls
shipyard in Pascagoula and $6 million in the expansion of Batson Children's
Hospital in Jackson. The shipyard, which is a premier manufacturer of the
world's most advanced warships and a major employer in the state, will use
the funds to make improvements aimed at securing more Navy shipbuilding
contracts.
"Mississippi is home to the greatest shipbuilders in the world, and we are
proud to invest in Ingalls and the jobs they support."
Batson Children's Hospital, Mississippi's only children's hospital, is
constructing a major expansion that will include new neonatal intensive
care beds, a dedicated children's heart center and upgraded surgical
suites. The expansion will provide more pediatric subspecialties and will
serve as an enhanced tool for the recruitment of additional physicians.
The hospital has requested a $30 million investment from the state over
three years. Private donors will raise $100 million for the project.
"I am an ardent supporter of Batson Children's Hospital and am very pleased
the state has made an initial investment in its expansion. I hope in the
upcoming years the Legislature will fully support this project. "
Additional measures to improve health care for Mississippians include:
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->A $1 million investment in
the prevention of infant mortality
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->A measure to recognize the
medical licenses of retired military physicians and physicians assistants
so they may practice in Mississippi on a volunteer basis (House Bill 215)
Additional Highlights
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->A $200 million investment in
transportation infrastructure, including bridges
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->A measure to increase
transparency at publicly owned hospitals (Senate Bill 2407)
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->A measure to waive
out-of-state college tuition for eligible military veterans and their
eligible dependents (Senate Bill 2127)
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->A measure that takes a stand
for the United States' ally Israel by restricting Mississippi's financial
involvement with any person or company that conducts significant
energy-related business with Iran (House Bill 1127)
"I was strongly in favor of providing tax relief to Mississippians this
session and supported elimination of the individual income tax and the
business franchise tax. Unfortunately, we were not able to reach a
consensus on these issues," Gov. Bryant said.
"Legislators were also unable to reach an agreement on using excess
unemployment funds for workforce training although this has been the
practice before whenever these resources were available due to reduced need
for unemployment payments. This was the number one priority for our state
chamber of commerce and should have been accomplished.
"All in all, we did accomplish a great deal for Mississippi, and I hope I
can continue working with this Legislature to pass conservative policies
for our state."
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