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Week 13: Zombies, Exonerees
The Zombie Tax A bill increasing the cigarette tax rose from the dead Monday, as legislators in both the Mississippi House and Senate voted to suspend the deadline for a …
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Regular Legislative Session Ends with Unresolved Issues
The Mississippi Legislature's 2009 session ended temporarily today. With the 2010 budget yet to be resolved, lawmakers are planning a second session beginning in May or June.
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The 2009 JFP Interview with Frank Melton, Part V: To the DEA?
In this long excerpt of JFP editor Donna Ladd's interview with Frank Melton in February, he talks about why he's running for re-election, dying with dignity, the City Council, his …
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No Agreement on Funding Medicaid
Lawmakers were unable to agree yesterday on a bill proposing a tax on hospital beds to help fund Medicaid, reports WXVT15, missing their Monday night deadline.
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Bill Funds Cybercrime Unit
Yesterday, legislators sent Senate Bill 2978 to Gov. Haley Barbour for his signature, which will increase by $1 fines for certain misdemeanors and felonies by $1 to help fund the …
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Legislators Will Reconvene After Break
Mississippi's state constitution calls for an annual legislative session of 90 days. For 2009, 90 days after the Jan. 6 session start is Sunday, April 5. If by some miracle, …
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You Can Help Revive the Cigarette Tax
Communities for a Clean Bill of Health says that Mississippians can be instrumental in reviving the cigarette tax increase for this session.
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Tornados Result in One Death
Eugene Dixon Jr., 36, of D'Iberville drowned around 2:30 a.m. when flood waters swamped his vehicle. Police discovered his body hundreds of yards from the vehicle, reports the Sun Herald.
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Domestic Violence Bills Signed
Gov. Haley Barbour signed two bills addressing issues of domestic violence into law this session, both of which drafted by Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood.
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Governor Signs Tanning Bill
Yesterday, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour signed a bill into law that restricts the use of tanning beds by those under the age of 18.
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Barbour Declares State of Emergency
[verbatim from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency]
Governor Haley Barbour declared a State of Emergency today for the severe weather system that affected parts of the state late Wednesday afternoon and today, and for the threat of …
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Cigarette Tax Goes Up in Smoke
The deadline has passed for the Mississippi House and Senate to come to an agreement on a cigarette tax hike for this session. Legislators had until 8 p.m. yesterday to …
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Week 12: Cigarettes and Overrides
Legislators continued to negotiate a compromise on a proposed cigarette-tax increase Monday, as a Mar. 25 deadline loomed.
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Bill Banning Red-Light Cameras Signed into Law
Among the bills signed into law by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour on Friday is House Bill 1568, which bans the use of cameras to catch motorists running red lights.
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Barbour Will Veto Eminent Domain Bill
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour will exercise his veto power today regarding eminent domain, reports WAPT.
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Cigarette Tax Hike Still in Limbo
Mississippi legislators reconvene next week to continue haggling over whether to send a bill to increase taxes on cigarettes to the governor, and how high the tax should be, reports …
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Bill Delays Paroled Killer's Release
Douglas Hodgkin, convicted murderer of pregnant Ole Miss student Jean Elizabeth Gillies, will remain behind barsat least temporarilyas a result of a bill signed into law by Gov. Haley Barbour …
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Senate Committee to Kill Override Attempt
A resolution passed by the House last month in an attempt to override Gov. Haley Barbour's rejection of $56 million in federal stimulus dollars will likely never get out of …
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Legislature Sends Back-to-School Tax Break to Barbour
House Bill 348 headed to Gov. Haley Barbour's office yesterday for his signature.
