MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATIVE CONSERVATIVE COALITION

MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

CONTACT:     Andy Gipson (601) 519-1880

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

MLCC ANNOUNCES INSTALLATION OF NEW OFFICERS

(JACKSON, Mississippi) – The membership of the Mississippi Legislative Conservative Coalition (“MLCC”) has announced the installation of new officers, effective on the first day of the regular legislative session in January, 2012.  The newly-elected MLCC officers will serve during the 2012 and 2013 Legislative Sessions, and will provide leadership to implement the MLCC’s conservative agenda in the House of Representatives.

The new officers are:

Rep. John Moore, President (R – Brandon)

Rep. Bubba Carpenter, Vice President (R – Burnsville)

Rep. Andy Gipson, Treasurer (R – Braxton)

Rep. Becky Currie, Secretary (R – Brookhaven)

In addition, the MLCC elected the following Board members to serve through 2013:

Rep. Bobby Howell (R – Kilmichael)

Rep. Jerry Turner (R – Baldwyn)

Rep. Rita Martinson (R- Madison)

Rep. Scott Bounds (R – Philadelphia)

Rep. Sidney Bondurant (R – Grenada)

Rep. Brian Aldridge (R – Tupelo) (ex officio)

Rep. Brian Aldridge, who served as immediate past President stated:  “I consider it an honor to have served as President of MLCC during 2010 and 2011, during which we truly made a difference.  The MLCC has elected strong new leadership who will continue implementing our vision of conservative principles in the Mississippi House.”

Rep. John Moore, President, was a charter member of the MLCC when formed in 1996 as a bipartisan organization to stand for conservative principles in the House of Representatives.  Rep. Moore stated “I am honored and humbled to be re-elected to this post, and I am committed to taking a stand on fiscal and social conservative issues during 2012 and 2013.”  Moore previously served as President of MLCC from 2002 to 2003.

The MLCC is a bipartisan organization comprised of like-minded conservative members of the Mississippi House of Representatives.  Although membership in the MLCC varies from year to year, as of the end of 2011 Legislative Session, the organization boasted fifty-five (55) members — 53 Republicans and 2 Democrats.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

MLCC ANNOUNCES INSTALLATION OF NEW OFFICERS

(JACKSON, Mississippi) – The membership of the Mississippi Legislative Conservative Coalition (“MLCC”) has announced the installation of new officers, effective on the first day of the regular legislative session in January, 2012. The newly-elected MLCC officers will serve during the 2012 and 2013 Legislative Sessions, and will provide leadership to implement the MLCC’s conservative agenda in the House of Representatives.

The new officers are:

Rep. John Moore, President (R – Brandon)
Rep. Bubba Carpenter, Vice President (R – Burnsville)
Rep. Andy Gipson, Treasurer (R – Braxton)
Rep. Becky Currie, Secretary (R – Brookhaven)

In addition, the MLCC elected the following Board members to serve through 2013:

Rep. Bobby Howell (R – Kilmichael)
Rep. Jerry Turner (R – Baldwyn)
Rep. Rita Martinson (R- Madison)
Rep. Scott Bounds (R – Philadelphia)
Rep. Sidney Bondurant (R – Grenada)
Rep. Brian Aldridge (R – Tupelo) (ex officio)

Rep. Brian Aldridge, who served as immediate past President stated: “I consider it an honor to have served as President of MLCC during 2010 and 2011, during which we truly made a difference. The MLCC has elected strong new leadership who will continue implementing our vision of conservative principles in the Mississippi House.”

Rep. John Moore, President, was a charter member of the MLCC when formed in 1996 as a bipartisan organization to stand for conservative principles in the House of Representatives. Rep. Moore stated “I am honored and humbled to be re-elected to this post, and I am committed to taking a stand on fiscal and social conservative issues during 2012 and 2013.” Moore previously served as President of MLCC from 2002 to 2003.

The MLCC is a bipartisan organization comprised of like-minded conservative members of the Mississippi House of Representatives. Although membership in the MLCC varies from year to year, as of the end of 2011 Legislative Session, the organization boasted fifty-five (55) members — 53 Republicans and 2 Democrats.

The Coalition will support only those appropriations measures which are brought forth at a time when the Legislature is fully advised of the amount of State funds available to be spent and which authorize spending only within the known funding limits.  The Coalition supports completing this budgeting process within the 90-day Legislative Session.

In addition, the Coalition voted to support in concept two separate “good government” proposals expected to be introduced during the Session.  The first is a proposal to generally require at least 72 hours be given to members of the Legislature to review all bills and conference reports brought to the floor prior to a vote on such bills or conference reports.  The people have the right to expect their elected representatives to know exactly what is contained in legislation before them and to formulate a reasoned opinion prior to a vote.

The second is a proposal to adopt the Mississippi Performance Review Act.  Taxpayers expect and deserve their elected officials to be good stewards of their money not only during a crisis, but day in and day out.  The Mississippi Performance Review Act would create an independent public-private commission that is tasked with reviewing all state agencies and then making recommendations to the legislature for consideration.  Cost savings are always important as well as the efficiency and effectiveness of operations and delivery of services.

Coalition President Brian Aldridge is pleased to announce that Senator Alan Nunnelee (R – Tupelo) is scheduled to speak during the annual Retreat Dinner. 

Among other topics to be considered by the Coalition during the Retreat are the overall plan of action for the 2010 Legislative Session, charter schools, and the need for a conservative response to the current economy and budget situation.

Photos from the 2008 Annual Retreat are included in the September 30th post.

This morning, after much debate, the House passed a bill by a vote of 72 to 41 which added three new positions to the PSC staff.  In the Senate, this bill was amended to remove the new positions, but to provide additional funding (some $280,000) to fund three existing but un-filled positions.   Another provision of the bill is that the PEER Committee will conduct research into best practices for public utilities regulators and report back to the Legislature with recommendations, if any. 

All three Public Service Commisssioners agreed with the Senate amendments to both the PSC and Public Utilities Staff bills, and the House concurred in the amendment.  Thus, the Special Session that began this morning was concluded by 3:45 p.m. this afternoon, and the House of Representatives adjourned Sine Die.

As a sidelight, one interesting development today:   a bill was presented in the House to take $8.2 Million from the Health Care Trust Fund to pay matching dollars for mental health crisis centers around the State.  This issue had not been included in the Governor’s call for a Special Session.  However, on point of order made by Rep. Jim Ellington, the Speaker made a ruling from the Speaker’s stand that the bill was properly before the House.  Ultimately the bill passed the House with 65 votes; however, there were 57 members who did not cast a vote as they felt the bill was not properly before the House.  In the Senate, the bill was not taken up as it was not included in the Governor’s call.

There is significant opposition to adding new positions in a year in which many households, businesses, and public agencies have experienced cuts.  It is hoped that the budget can be approved in a matter of a few hours, but the unknown factor is whether the push will continue for the new PSC staff positions.

This new site includes a full membership with contact information and other details for each member of the Mississippi Conservative Legislative Coalition; the latest copy of our approved By-laws; links to various media and governmental websites; and a very easy way to contact us using our Contact Us page.

We believe this new website will be easier to use, more efficient and will encourage members and the public to come back often to see what our agenda is and how we are affecting public policy. If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, feel free to let us know!

Rep. Brian Aldridge
President,
Mississippi Legislative Conservative Coalition

The stated purposes of the Mississippi Legislative Conservative Coalition, as set forth in its Bylaws, are “to influence the adoption of conservative legislation in the Mississippi Legislature, and to promote on a bipartisan basis conservative principles of limited government, free enterprise, individual liberties, and strong traditional families, at all times consistent with the progress of our state and with the well-being of our fellow Mississippians.”