Travis Childers announces $1.1mln grant for railroad spur

DeSoto Appeal - Grant to build railroad spur will roll jobs into Horn Lake

A $1.1 million economic development grant will be used to build a railroad spur line that will service the expansion of Newly Weds Foods in Horn Lake.

The project will create 20 jobs and help save 300 other jobs throughout DeSoto County, officials said.

U.S. Rep. Travis Childers, D-Miss., announced Wednesday that the grant from the Economic Development Administration will pay for the rail spur and infrastructure improvements to handle the expansion of the Horn Lake plant.

"These funds will create and save an estimated 320 jobs throughout DeSoto County by improving critical infrastructure and expanding business," Childers said in a press release.

"During today's tough times, this is a prime example of the kind of project that will spur growth and put North Mississippians back to work."

Gene Taylor on Nancy Pelosi

The Hill - Dem campaign anxiety: Vulnerables say they lack cover from Pelosi

Between a tough vote on a climate change bill that many don’t expect to become law and a leftward push on healthcare legislation, Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) critics within her caucus say she’s left the so-called “majority makers” exposed.

“She keeps trying to push an unpopular package,” said Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.), a centrist Blue Dog Democrat, referring to healthcare. “I think it’s fair to say they were better at it before.”

Charlie Mitchell on Bennie Thompson's SECURE PAC

Charlie Mitchell - Thompson’s PAC busily spreading cash

What’s political about domestic security?

Most of us would say nothing.

But wait. The U.S. Congress has a voice in this. And there’s money involved. And where there’s money, there’s politics.

The House elevated the Committee on Homeland Security to permanent status on the last day of January 2005. The chairman is Rep. Bennie C. Thompson, D-Miss.

What would be a top priority for a new committee?

For Thompson it was forming a political action committee to accept cash and to try to use the cash to elect Democrats. The Federal Election Commission got notice that “Secure PAC” was born in May 2005, with Rep. Thompson as its affiliate and his wife, London, as treasurer. Secure PAC’s headquarters is a post office box in Bolton.

Early in 2010, Thompson will file for re-election. He will raise money for his campaign. In fact, his latest report says he has $1.6 million on hand. That’s more money, by the way, than most of the towns in his mostly Mississippi Delta district spend in a year.

Secure PAC is not Thompson’s campaign fund. It’s a separate account for which Thompson can accept donations and, in turn, give away the money any way he pleases.

Leadership PAC money helps party leaders keep lower-ranking members in line. It can also be used to purchase the souls of incoming House and Senate members. Thompson and the others are buying favor with money that’s not even theirs. It’s as close to being Santa Claus as a mortal can get.

During the last two-year election cycle, Secure PAC raised about $250,000 and gave it to Democratic candidates. Rep. William Jennings “Freezer” Jefferson, D-La., now convicted of 11 bribery-related charges, got $14,000, making him the largest single donee.

So far this year -- and voting is 14 months away — Secure PAC has raised $50,063 and spent $66,814, leaving a cash balance of $114,250. The spending included $15,000 for a study (most likely a mailing list of potential donors) paid to a Washington consulting firm, $3,500 for a fundraising party for the PAC in Washington and about $3,000 to Office Depot on Robinson Road in Jackson for furniture and supplies. The balance of this year’s spending to date consisted of $5,000 donations to Democratic House candidates from Connecticut, Ohio, Arizona, New Mexico, New York, California and Nevada and a $10,000 donation to a Senate candidate from Florida. PACs can also hire family and friends for services.

How does any of this spending help Secure PAC help make America more secure? Well, it doesn’t.

Donors to the Secure PAC, by the way, generally mirror donors to Thompson’s own campaign fund. This gives credence to the accusation that PACs are a way around statutory limits because a donor can, in essence, double up by giving a check for the maximum to the campaign and another check for the maximum to the candidate’s PAC. Thompson’s big donors are unions, trial lawyer groups and casino companies. Of the $500,000 he’s raised this year, less than $50,000 came from individuals and businesses in Mississippi.

Bennie Thompson forum on Thursday

Delta Democrat Times - Congressman to hold forum Thursday

Bennie Thompson will host a forum titled “Renew, Reinvest, Recover: Doing business with the Department of Homeland Security” at the Washington County Convention Center on Thursday.

The forum begins at 1 p.m. in room 140 of the center and will conclude at 2:50 p.m. It is the fifth in a series of discussions offered by Rep. Thompson, and is part of the Congressional Black Caucus’ Annual Legislative Conference.

Ephren Taylor, CEO of City Capital Corporation will be the moderator.

Panelists include Clarence Abernathy, small business specialist for the CBP; Demetria Carter, small business specialist, FEMA; Robert Boone of the TSA; Bonnie Echols, acquisition lead, GSA; Wesley Stith, Clark Construction; Ralph Thomas III, Baker, Thomas & Tolle, LLP; Ted Fells, CEO of Nucore Vision, LLP and Karen Bailey of Resource King International, LLP.

Insurance, Judicial Nomination, and Valley State President

The Mississippi Press - Still waiting for insurance revolution

After Hurricane Katrina, I made an off-the-cuff prediction. I figured when the rest of the country found out what we know about home insurance here on the coast, there would be a revolution.

It didn't happen. The fact is, the rest of the country didn't find out or at least they didn't listen. They still think they are covered.

That means it's left to our congressman Gene Taylor to wage his lone wolf campaign for insurance reform. And unfortunately, he's not getting very far.

Greenwood Commonwealth - Oliver hailed for making history

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., set the tone for the almost three-hour program by congratulating Oliver on becoming the first African-American woman to become president of a Mississippi university.

He likened Oliver’s arrival to the Itta Bena campus to President Barack Obama’s election in 2008.

“Just like change came to this country in No-vember of last year, change has come to the Valley,” he said. “Change, not only in the fact that we have a new leader, but the new leader is different from all of the other leaders that we’ve had. I really don’t have say it to you; all you have to do is look for yourself.”

Clarion Ledger - Appellate judge cutting workload

Federal Judge Rhesa Barksdale of Jackson has semi-retired, leaving a vacancy on the active roster of the 17-member 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Normally, U.S. senators make recommendations to the president for a federal judicial appointment.

But with a Democratic president and Mississippi having two Republican U.S. senators, the state's congressional Democrats probably will be asked for input on potential candidates, too.

Thompson's chief of staff, Lanier Avant, has said the trio of Democratic House members- Reps. Travis Childers, Bennie Thompson and Gene Taylor, will become an "echo chamber as well as a springboard" for nominees.

Tegerdine to challenge Gene Taylor

Laurel Leader Call - Tegerdine plans to run against Taylor

Some 14 months before the 2010 elections, Petal businessman Joe Tegerdine is already hot on the campaign trail. Tegerdine, who is challenging for Gene Taylor’s 4th District U.S. Congress seat next fall, spoke to the Jones County Republican Women Wednesday at Western Sizzlin.

Tegerdine said he was inspired to run after attending a town hall meeting in April that was hosted by Taylor.

“We don’t have the luxury of apathy,” he said. “We need someone with more than name recognition, a pretty face and nice hair. We need someone who will go up there and fight. That’s representation that I feel you deserve and I want.”

Tegerdine, who admitted to being “almost 35,” said he believes he has a better chance than predecessors in defeating Taylor because is working hard to unite the conservative vote.

“Environmentally, the atmosphere is also a lot different than in past elections,” he said. “We don’t need the coast to get elected, but everyone from Clark County to the coast is excited. The Republican party will return if its leaders sit squarely on the conservative platform.”

Childers: County has "kicked the can" for too many years

Commercial Appeal - Childers welcomes Delta Grassroots Conference

U.S. Rep. Travis Childers, D-Miss., was the last in a series of Delta congressmen to talk local issues with the representatives of the Delta Grassroots Caucus Tuesday night.

But he started off by making an admission: "I am so proud to be in Washington, D.C., in a room full of people who talk like I talk," he said as the crowd roared with laughter. "I talk from one end of this city to the other and most of 'em don't understand a word I say."

He said he'll work to address the disparity in Medicare reimbursement rates between rural and urban settings and is working to increase the enrollment in the state's only medical school.

"For the life of me, I cannot understand why doctors get paid more in Miami, Fla., than they get paid in Tupelo, Miss.," he said.

On health care reform, he said the country has "kicked the can" for too many years. "No one's going to come in on a white horse and save us, except ourselves," he said.

Gregg Harper on Journalist Shield Law

Washington Post - Senate Weighs New Shield Law

Five senior Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee in their criticism of the measure questioned the amount of lobbying done by media companies to get the bill passed.

"We hear a lot from the media about the evils of lobbying and how Congress is captive to special interests, but media outlets, in a very self-serving way, are lobbying House Members to support H.R. 985 [the House shield law] or face the consequences," wrote GOP Reps. Lamar Smith (Texas), the ranking minority member; F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. (Wis.); Darrell E. Issa (Calif.); Steve King (Iowa) and Gregg Harper (Miss.). They called it "unseemly, and possibly unethical, to make phone calls and write editorials in support of this bill when the motive is so clearly one of self-interest."

The five Republicans said, "There is no way to quantify or report the value of a journalist's 'in-kind' contribution."

Delegation's Votes on Joe Wilson

Resolution of Disapproval of Joe Wilson

Travis Childers (D) - yea
Bennie Thompson (D) - yea
Gregg Harper (R) - nay
Gene Taylor (D) - nay

DNC thanks Travis Childers for stimulus vote

DNC campaign commercial thanking Travis Childers for voting for the stimulus.



(Hat Tip Y'all Politics)

The Hill - DNC to run spots on stimulus

As the Obama administration trumpets success from February's economic stimulus plan, its political arm is helping potentially vulnerable members of Congress who backed the bill.

Organizing for America, the offshoot of President Barack Obama's campaign that now resides within the Democratic National Committee, will run advertisements in four districts thanking Democrats for backing the stimulus package.

The ads will run beginning Friday on local cable channels aimed at constituents of Reps. Ben Chandler (D-Ky.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Travis Childers (D-Miss.) and Zack Space (D-Ohio). Heinrich, Childers and Space all have prominent Republican candidates running against them. The ads aimed at Heinrich and Space focus on healthcare reform.

Though the advertisements will be small — a Democratic National Committee spokesman called the ad buys "significant for the markets," but local cable advertising, especially in Mississippi, Kentucky and rural Ohio, is very cheap — the new advertisements mark the next step in both parties' efforts to brand the stimulus package as a winning issue for their side.

"Times are tough, but Congressman Ben Chandler is fighting for us. He supported the jobs and Economic Recovery Act which rescued our economy from the brink of disaster and provided the largest middle-class tax cut in American history," says the advertisement running in Kentucky. "The Recovery Act is providing millions in funding for projects right here in Kentucky, creating and preserving jobs here instead of shipping more American jobs overseas."

The government said 570,000 Americans filed for jobless benefits in the week ending Aug. 29, higher than the 564,000 economists forecasted. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate remains at 9.4 percent.

Childers: NRCC Challenge, Health Contributions

Y'all Politics - NRCC dares Rep. Travis Childers to oppose Nancy Pelosi for Speaker

Respond Mississippi - Democrats Criticize Health Contributions...to people like Travis Childers?

Thompson on Swine Flu; Taylor on Afghanistan

AP - Homeland Security, Miss. leaders discuss swine flu

U.S. House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson says Mississippi's health and emergency leaders appear prepared to handle the swine flu.

Thompson and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute met privately Tuesday with health, education and emergency management officials to discuss the H1N1 flu virus.

"We came to hear what the issues were and learn what the challenges were in getting prepared," Lute said a news conference after the meeting. "What we heard was a great deal of awareness about the flu. That's a real strength as the flu season approaches."

When asked if Mississippi appeared to have its swine flu efforts under control, Thompson replied: "At this point, yes."

Mississippi has 586 confirmed swine flu cases and two deaths as of Tuesday. Hundreds of other suspected cases have been reported on school and college campuses.

Thompson said the swine flu vaccine is expected to be available by mid-October. He said one of the concerns raised in Tuesday's meeting was the cost of getting a swine flu shot.

"One of the things we're making quite clear is that it will be free," said Thompson.

He said in some cases a $10 administrative fee may be charged.

Hattiesburg American - Taylor: Sooner troops withdrawn the better

American troops in Afghanistan might feel some relief in the words of Rep. Gene Taylor touting "the sooner, the better" for troop withdrawal from the war-torn country.

"It's a part of the world where corruption is the norm," he said. "You're not going to change the way they are. The best you can hope for is some kind of Magna Carta agreement of shared powers."

"We're going to have to kill the guys that are determined to kill us and don't want to see any semblance of an Afghan nation, and then cut a deal with the rest of them," Taylor said.

Gregg Harper at Editorial Boards

The Meridian Star:

It has been a little bit of a whirlwind. Obviously there have been a whole bunch of issues. But the overriding topic right now is health care reform.

And there's another piece of legislation that's just as bad, which is the cap and trade, basically the national energy tax. That's out there. There are still issues on what's going to happen with card check. And there's that the President in effect said that if you don't see a path for people that are in the country illegally to get citizenship then you're a demagogue.

Underneath all this, I think, is the spending. It's a major part of what we see when we come home in the district or we get e-mails or phone calls, the big concern seems to be how can we spend at the level we're doing, how can you do deficit spending at this level. Bush's deficit was $400 billion his last year. Well this year, it's projected to hit $1.8 trillion. Almost 4 and a half times what it was the last year of Bush's term. So that to me is something. You know that when the Republicans were in control and we had the deficit spending even with the war situation going on the Democrats complained about it. Now the Democrats are doing it and the Republicans are complaining about it. I would really prefer that the Republicans and Democrats both complain about it and you realize that we cannot do the level that we're doing at this point.

Laurel Leader Call:

I believe we already have good health care in this country. Do we trust the government to come in, take it over and make it better? Will they help reduce costs, increase coverage and not lead to rationed health care?

Mississippi just had three special sessions to handle a $90 million deficit. What do you think will happen with $297 million? Unfunded mandates always trickle down, even to local communities.

The top spending in the country is Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security, national defense and then interest on the national debt.

We were told that if we didn’t pass the stimulus, unemployment would hit 8 percent. Of course, now it’s on its way to 10 percent. It created 33 new federal government programs and the National Health Care Officer. It’s not done anything to help us at this point. The only jobs it’s created are federal employees, and that’s not doing anybody any good.

Greggg Harper on Energy

Gregg Harper recently spoke to the Meridian Star Editorial Board on energy issues. He supports expanded nuclear, clean coal, but says while we need an all of the above approach, wind and solar won't alone be a solution for Mississippi.

The energy issue would be the number one issue. We have a failed energy policy. If you look back, when gas hit $4 a gallon a year ago this past June, it hurt a lot of small businesses. When I talk to manufacturers and ask when their business started to drop off they say it was about a year ago. Well, that was a couple of months after the prices hit $4 a gallon. It really shook the confidence of folks — seniors, people on fixed incomes, people who are poor, any small business. It had a profound impact.

And it kind of fluctuates. What is it, about $2.50 a gallon right now? And nobody knows why, nobody can get their arms around that. And we're dealing with a President whose stated goal is to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Well, we're all conservationists. We all want clean air and clean water. We don't want to pollute. We want what's right. But from a government policy standpoint, we need our policy to be to make America energy independent as a country. So you have a number of tax incentives and benefits that go to help domestic oil production of independent drillers in this country that will expire in the not too distant future. And if that happens, we're going to further suppress domestic production, which we need, and make us more dependent on foreign oil.

We're not doing anything to expand safe nuclear. We're talking about clean energy, nothing's cleaner than that. So what's the concern of nuclear power? Waste. What do you do with the waste? Well, the plan was to send it to Yucca Mountain. Energy companies have been paying for that to happen for years and years. And now senator Harry Reid got him a nice high speed rail to run from Las Vegas to Los Angeles but they're shutting down Yucca Mountain other than to keep the licensing. So, we're back to the drawing board. Where are you going to put it?

Wind and solar may work in some places. They don't work in Mississippi. We should have an all-of-the-above energy approach. Whatever will work to make us independent. But in the meantime don't put us in a situation where we're at an economic disadvantage competing with emerging markets, China and India and other countries that are going to use cheap fuel. By doing this, if it happens, we will push the pollution to other parts of the world.

Clean Coal technology, what they're trying to do in Kemper County, is a great thing. And we need to figure out a way that we can do it in the best manner possible. And we fully support what they're doing in Kemper County. It's a great thing for that county and for East Mississippi and for the energy needs in this country.

We cannot continue funding some of our enemies in the Middle East, for instance, with the foreign oil. Let's go get the natural gas, whatever we can get, whether it's offshore, whether it's in some federally protected lands or in Alaska, we can do it in an environmentally safe manner, and we need to go get that.