Mississippi

February 7, 2007 -- “I want to thank members of the Mississippi Senate for passing a strong voter ID bill to help ensure fair and honest elections in Mississippi. The Senate’s action is a strong statement that a comprehensive voter ID law is necessary to combat fraud in our electoral process, and I encourage the Mississippi House to take up and pass the bill very soon.”

Source: Mississippi Governor's Office

February 7, 2007 -- (JACKSON, Mississippi) – Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour today endorsed unified efforts to help minority, small and women-owned businesses gain access to higher levels of bonding and financing so they can successfully compete for larger contracts and create more jobs.

“Small businesses create most of the jobs in Mississippi and in America, so it makes good sense to do everything we can to keep them healthy and productive,” Governor Barbour told a conference for entrepreneurs and contractors sponsored by the Mississippi Development Authority, the National Black Chamber of Commerce and the Surety and Fidelity Association of America.    » read more »

February 2, 2007 -- (Jackson, Mississippi) - Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and Secretary of State Eric Clark signed papers today to transfer 73 tax-forfeited parcels of land from the State of Mississippi to Jackson State University. Dr. Ronald Mason, Jr., President of Jackson State University was on site to accept the new property.

“This is one more way the State is continuing its commitment to develop Mississippi’s only urban university,” Governor Barbour said. “In turn, JSU plans to revitalize the campus and improve the community.”

“As the agency that deals with tax forfeited lands, I am delighted that the Secretary of State’s Office has been able to work with Jackson State over the past six months to make this transfer a reality,” said Secretary Clark. “By doing so, I believe that the State has substantially contributed to the progress envisioned by Dr. Mason which will lead to a brighter future for JSU and our Capital City.”    » read more »

February 1, 2007 -- (MERIDIAN, Mississippi) - Two significant new front line missions will bolster the Mississippi National Guard’s nationally-acclaimed 186th Air Refueling Wing, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour said here today.

“Since the inception of this Air Guard unit in 1939, the people of Meridian, Lauderdale County and the surrounding areas have demonstrated a strong, patriotic commitment and taken great pride in the unit’s major contributions to national defense,” Governor Barbour said. “That support has been especially evident during the last three base realignment and closure cycles and very helpful as Mississippi made a strong case for a new flying mission in Meridian.”

State Adjutant General Harold Cross, who joined Governor Barbour at a news conference, said Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, has designated Mississippi to receive a new Joint Cargo Aircraft mission as well as an Air Force War Fighting Headquarters detachment. Governor Barbour has assigned both missions to the 186th Air Refueling Wing in Meridian.    » read more »

Long Beach Housing Authority to receive nearly $96,000 during "Roofing Blitz"

January 30, 2007 -- LONG BEACH, Miss. - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will give $27,320,120 in funding to help five Mississippi housing authorities to continue repairing thousands of public housing units damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

"We want Mississippi public housing residents to know we will continue to assist in rebuilding their lives in the wake of Katrina," said HUD Assistant Secretary Orlando Cabrera, who made the announcement today at the Long Beach Housing Authority. "HUD, through our field offices, is working with public housing agencies along the coast in meeting community needs to rebuild, recover and provide safe, decent and affordable housing."

Cabrera joined representatives from Fannie Mae, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) at the Long Beach Housing Authority's "Roofing Blitz," where volunteers from all over the U.S. are spending this week replacing roofs on 22 of the Long Beach Housing Authority's (LBHA) 75 public housing units.    » read more »

January 30, 2007 -- Jackson, MS -- Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood today announced the arrest of a Simpson County preacher for crimes against a vulnerable adult. Investigators of the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, arrested Gene Ware Amason, (DOB 04/28/47) of Magee, on three(3) counts of Embezzlement, totaling $91,258.67, perpetrated on a vulnerable adult.

The arrest warrants were issued by Judge Jerry Baldwin in the Justice Court of Smith County, Mississippi. Amason was arrested on Friday, January 26, 2007 in Magee, at the church where he serves as Pastor. He was turned over to the Smith County Sheriff’s office where he was released on a $60,000 bond. His next scheduled court appearance has been set for April 13, 2007.

Source: Mississippi Attorney General's Office

January 30, 2007 -- (Jackson, Mississippi) – Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour announced today that a $224,415 grant to the Jackson County Utility Authority and a $102,700 grant to the Pearl River County Utility Authority have been approved by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. The funds will be used for planning and design costs of a Wastewater Treatment Facility in Hurley and for Water Supply and Storage Facilities near the City of Poplarville. Total funds of up to $3.9 million will be available for construction of the Hurley project and $2 million for the Poplarville project upon approval of the initial planning and design phase.

“Tens of thousands of our citizens were without basic services when water and sewer systems in the Gulf Coast region were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina," Governor Barbour said. "These systems must be improved, and we must also provide infrastructure for new development, which will occur as people move further inland. I am pleased we are able to begin with this crucial first step."

These projects are part of the Gulf Region Water and Wastewater Plan that produced recommendations for the use of $630 million in disaster recovery funds to develop and enhance water and wastewater water infrastructure.    » read more »

January 30, 2007 -- (Jackson, Mississippi) – Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour has named Bryan McDonald to serve as director of the Governor’s Office of Recovery and Renewal, which is coordinating the state's efforts to recover from Hurricane Katrina.

“The worst natural disaster in American history left Mississippi with a huge chore. Bryan has the experience, knowledge and ability to help us recover and rebuild, and I know he is the right man for the job at the right time,” Governor Barbour said. “I am very pleased Bryan has accepted this important assignment and confident he will continue to serve the citizens of Mississippi well.”    » read more »

January 29, 2007 -- BILOXI, Miss. -- Four projects in Mississippi totaling over $29 million have been approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The largest of the four public assistance grants, $18,399,744 to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), pays for some of the help Mississippi received from Florida in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency requested and received emergency management personnel, equipment and materials from other states in order to save lives, protect public health and safety and prevent further damage to improved public and private property.

This $18 million grant along with $15 million previously granted represents funding for the labor, equipment and material expenses for 18 mission assignments to Florida which provided over $15 million for water, over $13 million for ice and over $1 million in baby supplies (formula, food and diapers) along with the costs associated with transporting and storing these items. FEMA previously granted an additional $15.5 million to MEMA to fund 51 other mission assignments. FEMA has provided 100 percent funding for a total of $48,849,131 to MEMA to reimburse states that came to Mississippi’s aid.    » read more »

January 19, 2007 -- (Jackson, Mississippi) — Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour announced today he has received notification that FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security will extend the Katrina temporary housing program by six months through the end of August 2007.

“I am grateful the Bush Administration has granted this necessary extension of the temporary housing program. Even though the number of Mississippians relying on this program is reduced each month as housing is rebuilt, it is clear thousands of our citizens will be without permanent housing six months from now. I am confident the Bush Administration will continue to work with state and local officials to address the need for temporary housing which will exist after this six-month extension,” Barbour stated.    » read more »

January 15, 2007 -- Governor Haley Barbour -- House Chamber, New Capitol -- Madam Lt. Governor, Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen of the Legislature, distinguished guests and fellow Mississippians: For the fourth time I’m honored to report to you on the State of our State.

I treat tonight as very special, for tonight is the eighth, and at least for now, the last time Lt. Governor Amy Tuck will be on this podium for a governor’s State of the State address. And Governor Tuck, I consider it my privilege to recognize and salute you for your dedicated and effective service to the people of Mississippi.

As you know, the Lt. Governor lost her dear mother a few weeks ago. Amy, you have been in Marsha and my thoughts and prayers . . . and so have the families of your colleagues, Senator Bunky Huggins, Senator Billy Harvey and Rep. Mae Whittington . . .and even this weekend we lost one of the true gentlemen of this Legislature, Representative Leonard Morris. Please lift up Belinda and their daughters in your prayers. Now I ask you to join me in a moment of silent prayer in memory of these fine public servants.    » read more »

January 11, 2007 -- (JACKSON, Mississippi) – Flanked by legislators, prosecutors and law enforcement officers, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour today endorsed two bills designed to toughen penalties against felons having guns or using them in commission of a crime.

Senate Bill 2470 increases the statutory maximum penalty to up to 10 years for previously convicted felons found in possession of a firearm. The current statutory maximum sentence is up to three years. The Senate sponsor of the bill is Sen. Ed Morgan, R-Hattiesburg, and the House sponsor is Rep. Jeff Smith, D-Columbus, chairman of the House Judiciary B Committee.

Senate Bill 2459 increases statutory penalty to 10 years for previously convicted felon who uses a firearm during the commission of any felony. The 10 year sentence must be consecutive to the underlying felony and can not be reduced or suspended Current statutory sentence for either convicted felon or first offender is five years. The Senate sponsor is Sen. Perry Lee, R-Mendenhall, and the House sponsor is Chairman Smith.    » read more »

January 5, 2007 -- Pearl – Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour declared a State of Emergency today for the severe weather system that affected parts of the state late Thursday and early today.

“I directed the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency to move quickly to assess the damage from this powerful storm system and to offer every possible assistance to local governments as they respond. My declaration of a state of emergency was a necessary first step in the process,” Governor Haley Barbour said.

“The State of Emergency will allow state resources to be used throughout the affected areas to assist local governments as they respond to this disaster,” said MEMA Director Mike Womack.    » read more »

December 20, 2006 -- (Gulfport, Mississippi) – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s approval of two new components of Mississippi’s comprehensive Hurricane Katrina recovery program means additional assistance for potentially thousands of coastal homeowners, businesses and local governments.

In a news conference today at Gulfport City Hall, HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson was joined by Governor Haley Barbour and U.S. Senator Thad Cochran in announcing approval of Phase II of the Homeowner Assistance Program and an economic development component designed to help local governments rebuild infrastructure and downtowns damaged by the hurricane.    » read more »

Mississippi Governor Barbour Unveils First Marker Of Mississippi Blues Trail

December 12, 2006 -- (Holly Ridge, Mississippi) - Governor Haley Barbour yesterday unveiled the first marker of the Mississippi Blues Trail, which was dedicated to blues legend Charley Patton. The ceremony was one of three held yesterday to unveil the first three interpretive markers that are part of the first development phase of the Mississippi Blues Trail.

“This marker is the first of a long line to come,” Governor Barbour said. “The blues are a powerful part of Mississippi’s heritage and America’s musical history; the creation of the Mississippi Blues Trail is an appropriate way to capture this distinct part of our history and culture and also will undoubtedly serve as an economic development tool. People from around the country-indeed from around the world-will come to Mississippi to learn about and experience not only authentic Mississippi blues music but also the blues culture for years to come.”    » read more »