Peeking In:
The House Apportionment and Elections Committee
After glancing through the Mississippi House of Representatives committees, I thought I would offer up for your deliberation a few bills currently under consideration in the House Apportionment and Elections Committee. I have long considered this committee one of the most vital groups in state government given its subject matter. Elections are the very fabric of our Republic and this committee indeed serves a crucial function.
The bills below may never come out of committee and see the light of day on the House floor but they are definitely good conversation starters around the water cooler.
State Superintendent of Public Education
Should we elect the State Superintendent of Public Education? If Rep. John Moore (R-District 60) has his way, we just may have that opportunity.
House Bill (HB) 491 provides for the election of the State Superintendent starting with the 2011 elections. Under the bill, the State Superintendent would serve a four year term and follow the same electoral guidelines as the other eight state wide elected offices. The compensation for the State Superintendent, as defined by this HB 491, would be equal to 90% of the salary of the Commissioner of Higher Education, which is currently the pay structure for the appointed position. This equates to over $300,000 annually or $200,000 more than what the Governor is presently paid. The bill would require the State Superintendent to hold at least a master's degree in any field and a minimum of five years experience in educational administration.
Click here to read HB 491.
Political Party Switching
In the past few months, we have seen quite a few Democrats switch parties (i.e. Simpson County, etc.). It would seem plausible that such activity provoked Rep. Bob Evans (D-District 91) to file House Bill (HB) 1457. And just for the record, District 91 does include Copiah, Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, and yes, Simpson counties.
HB 1457 would prohibit an elected official from changing political party affiliation during their term in office. Should a party switch be made, the bill states that a change of party affiliation would be considered a resignation from that elected office and the vacancy should be filled in a manner as provided by law for that office.
Sour grapes? Click here to read HB 1457.
Mississippi's Version of the Fairness Doctrine Creeping In
According to the Heritage Foundation, legislation known as the "fairness doctrine," entitled the "Fairness in Broadcasting Act," required broadcasters to "afford reasonable opportunity for the discussion of conflicting views of public importance." The fairness doctrine was overturned by the FCC in 1987. The FCC discarded the rule because, contrary to its purpose, it failed to encourage the discussion of more controversial issues. There were also concerns that it was in violation of First Amendment free speech principles. Mississippi House Bill (HB) 144 authored by Rep. John Mayo (D-District 25) comes uncomfortably close to revisiting this failed, flawed federal legislation.
HB 144 would require certain broadcasting stations (Supertalk MS, have you read this yet?) that receive public funds to afford equal opportunity in use of their stations to all candidates for office and would require stations to allow equal opportunity and time for rebuttals to positions taken by its on-air announcers or commentators during a certain period of time before an election.
I guess some people will try and skin a cat more than one way. Click here to read HB 144.
Judges and Party Affiliation
Many around Mississippi, and even more so across the country, are sick and tired of liberal, activist judges. While justice is supposed to be blind, often judges impose their hidden political ideologies into their rulings. Wouldn't it be easier if we already knew their political bent before they got in office?
Rep. John Moore (R-District 60) has filed House Bill (HB) 494 that would repeal the Nonpartisan Judicial Election Act, meaning that judges would be forced to identify their political party affiliation when qualifying to run for office. Guess that's one way to uncover the truth.
Click here to read HB 494. Also, click here to read my prior blog post on why "Party Matters."
These are just a few of the more interesting and thought provoking bills currently sitting in the House Apportionment and Elections Committee. James Buchanan, our 15th President, once said, "I love the noise of democracy." It's high time we all made some noise to ensure the future of our Republic. I would encourage you all to take the time to browse through the bills being considered during this legislative session. Get involved in your local and state government. Read and study for yourself. Then, let your voice be heard.
Frank Corder,
Pascagoula City Councilman
