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Initiative 42 Campaign Files Lawsuit to Get Full Text on Ballot
By adreherJonathan Compretta and Michael Rejebian, co-campaign managers for 42 For Better Schools, filed an 11-page lawsuit today asking a judge to order that the Initiative 42 ballot measure's full text be printed on the Nov. 3 ballot. Currently the ballot states the initiative title, the section of the Constitution being amended and the Legislative Budget Office Fiscal Analysis.
After a denied records request and the Legislative Budget Office analysis changing (since the March version) on the sample ballot released last week, 42 For Better Schools is hoping to bring clarity to the November election ballot by putting the full text of their proposed change to Mississippi's Constitution in writing.
The plaintiffs cite Section 273 of the Mississippi Constitution as the basis for their legal action. In this section, the Constitution states that:
"The sponsor of an initiative shall identify in the text of the initiative the amount and source of revenue required to implement the initiative. If the initiative requires a reduction in any source of government revenue, or a reallocation of funding from currently funded programs, the sponsor shall identify in the text of the initiative the program or programs whose funding must be reduced or eliminated to implement the initiative. Compliance with this requirement shall not be a violation of the subject matter requirements of this section of the Constitution. "
42 For Better Schools argue that the approved ballot does not contain the original initiative language proposing a multi-year phase-in to fully fund K-12 schools, which have been fully funded only twice since the 1997 passage of the MAEP, the funding formula. Initiative 42 proponents have previously stated that their intention is not that the Legislature fully fund public education immediately, and they understand that if excess funds are used, it might take almost seven years to fully fund MAEP. The House Appropriations Committee still met to discuss budget cuts, however, and have maintained that if the initiative passes, they will have to cut almost every state agency's budget.
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Suspect ID'd in Delta State and Gautier Shootings, Remains At-Large
A professor was killed in his office at Delta State University in Mississippi, and investigators are searching for another school employee in connection with the killing, officials said Monday.
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Person of the Day
Noel Quave
On Thursday, Sept. 3, the Mississippi Museum of Art announced that Mississippi School for the Arts student Noel Quave had been selected to be a part of the "Art.Write.Now.DC" exhibition.
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Business
'More Than a Gym': Deville YMCA Patrons Upset Over Lease Loss
David Reeves, president and CEO of the Metropolitan YMCAs of Mississippi, told concerned Deville Y members that the loss of its lease was a simple "business decision" for the building's …
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David Reeves, president and CEO of the Metropolitan YMCAs of Mississippi, told concerned Deville Y …
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Jackson Pothole Report: Sept. 14, 2015
By Maya MillerThis is a verbatim statement from Jackson City Hall:
City of Jackson crews are patching potholes across the city.
• Crews repairing potholes on areas Oak Forest Drive & Haynes Street, Woody Drive, Monroe Street, Glenrose Drive, FDR Drive, Mayes Street, Meadow Road.
• Crews repairing utility cuts on Hanging Moss Road, Saratoga Drive, Farnsworth Street, Hialeah Drive and Briarfield Drive.
• Crews backfilling/repairing driveway on Meadowridge Drive and Village Drive.
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Professor Dead After Shooting at College in Mississippi
A professor was killed in his office at Delta State University in Mississippi, an official said Monday, and the campus remained on lockdown after reports of a shooter on the …
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Analysis: Wright Wants Higher Bar Third-Grade Reading Test
State Superintendent of Education Carey Wright wants to move the goalposts on third-grade literacy, requiring students to score significantly higher to advance to fourth grade.
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Kentucky Clerk Won't Interfere with Gay Marriage Licenses
Clerk Kim Davis returned to work Monday for the first time since being jailed for disobeying a federal judge and said she was faced with a "seemingly impossible choice" between …
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White House Rolling Out Red Carpet for Pope Francis
When Pope Francis arrives on his first-ever visit to the United States, he will be welcomed in a way that few world leaders have: with President Barack Obama waiting at …
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Deadly Northern California Wildfire Incinerates Homes
An explosive wildfire burned largely unchecked Monday after incinerating homes, apartment blocks and hundreds of other buildings as it raced through rural communities in Northern California's Lake County.
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Former B.B. King Aide Accuses 3 Daughters of Defamation
A former personal aide to B.B. King is suing three of the late blues legend's daughters in Las Vegas over allegations that King was poisoned before he died in May.
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City: Water 'Slightly Brown' But Deemed Safe to Drink
By R.L. NaveStatement from Jackson's Department of Public Works:
Due to unforeseen, external conditions impacting raw water intake at the O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Plant, the water in the distribution system has a slightly brown appearance. The Department of Public Works’ lab resources have reviewed the water quality and with further consultation from the Mississippi Department of Health, the water from the plant has been deemed safe for consumption.
Crews are in the process of flushing the lines to improve the aesthetic of the water and will continue the mitigation process through the weekend. The water is clearing up and full improvement is expected by early next week.
http://jacksonfreepress.com/users/photos/2015/sep/11/22938/
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Justice
Hinds Student Cleared of 'Sagging' Violation, Still Faces Charges
Despite being cleared of violating school policy and avoiding disciplinary penalties, a Hinds Community College student still faces criminal charges stemming from a Sept. 1 incident.
