Jackson Free Press

‘Sunshine Law' Pushes Costs Up

By the time the legislative session ended in early May, lawmakers had passed two controversial bills that are likely to result in expensive legal battles. One requires doctors performing abortions …

Abortion, Immigration Bills Die in Committee

Two of the most contentious bills of the current legislative session--an anti-abortion "heartbeat" bill and an anti-undocumented immigration measure--won't become law in Mississippi after all.

No More Regs, Except ...

During his 2011 campaign for governor, Phil Bryant promised that, if elected, his administration would closely scrutinize state regulations on small companies.

Lawmakers Laser in on Finances

Legislatively speaking, it was a bad week for Mississippi conservatives and the state's top Republican leadership, all of whom were ardent supporters of measures to toughen state immigration laws, limit …

Wedge Issues Bring Heated Debates

Democrats turned up the heat in debates over abortion, immigration and voter rights last week. Up against deadlines to get bills out of committee and through floor votes, the Mississippi …

Under Darkness, Immigration and Abortion Bills Pass

Lawmakers, reporters, young pages and even a delegation of Jackson County Republican Women burned the midnight oil for a second consecutive night at the Mississippi House yesterday.

Suppressed GOP, Frustrated Dems

Philip Gunn didn't fully realize what was in store for him when colleagues elected him as speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives. Gunn, a Clinton Republican, told attendees at …

Fight the Power

When something called the Child Rape Protection Act passes by a margin of 106 votes to 9, you'd think that discussion would be minimal. That wasn't the case last week …

Holland's Gulf of America Bill Sweeping the Nation

To understand his bill to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in state waters off the Mississippi coast, you have to understand that Holland is one …

Rep. John Lewis Rallies Dems

Sometimes, Democrats like to feast on red meat, too. At this year's Jefferson Jackson Hamer Dinner, held Friday at the Regency Hotel in Jackson, Georgia U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a …

2012 Legislative Session Ends

The mood in the Mississippi House chamber after Rep. Mark Formby made the motion to adjourn sine die was similar to the last day of school before summer vacation.

Immigration Bill's Fate Rests with Senate Dem

Here's Reeves' statement:

Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves' office just sent out a statement on the controversial anti-undocumented immigrant HB 488. In the release, Reeves states that he's heard the concerns about the bill's …

At Capitol, Jackson a Winner and Loser

You know that old expression about the calm before the storm? Such has been the mood at the state Capitol for the past couple weeks. The relatively tranquil period follows …

Welcome to the Terrordome

Just before the Senate convened on Monday, a young lawmaker tried to jam a fistful of blue and white pieces of paper into an already overstuffed bill box.

GOP Touts Biz Moves

What essentially became a pep rally for Mississippi's economic future last Thursday began with a parade.

Bring the Noise

Legislative Republicans are setting 'em and knockin' 'em down. After a clumsy first month when the House didn't even have committee assignments, bills are starting to soar through the committee …

Rebuilding His Party

Brandon Jones says the Mississippi Democratic Trust, a new political action committee he helped start in 2011 and now heads as executive director, grew from "humble recognition" of his party's …

The JFP Interview with Joey Fillingane

It's Valentine's Day, and everyone seems to be courting Sen. Joey Fillingane. Just two days before Mississippi's Feb. 16 legislation draft deadline, his secretary and gatekeeper has to run interference …

Bryant Makes 1st State of State (Full Text)

Governor Phil Bryant

Gov. Phil Bryant delivered his state-of-the-state address this evening at the Captiol. Supporters and admirers heralded the speech as the first in the Mississippi history to take place outdoors.

Bryant Signs Voter ID Bill

Despite Gov. Phil Bryant signing the voter-identification bill recently passed in the Legislature, the measure isn't law just yet. The federal government still has to OK the controversial measure before …