Newsletters & Press

Newsletter April 2003

Dear friend,

The 2003 legislative session ended on April 6. As predicted, it was dominated by budget issues. For the first time, we fully funded our public schools, universities and community colleges before we funded the rest of the budget. That took up 62% of available general funds. As a result, we spent most of the rest of the session trying to fund the remainder of state government. In the end, we used a combination of money from the "rainy day" fund and transfers from state special funds (designated cash balances throughout state government) to make up the shortfall in the state's general fund (the combination of sales and income taxes that funds most of state government). The result was not pretty, but it allowed us to operate the state without raising taxes, making substantial cuts in services or raiding the tobacco trust fund as many other states have done.

This year was the third in a row when we have had to use these "one time" funds to plug holes in the budget. The continuing national recession has devastated most states' economies, and Mississippi is no exception. The good news is that tax collections have stabilized for the past several months, and new economic development projects such as the Nissan plant should have a significant positive impact on our economy in the coming years. Nonetheless, next year will be a difficult one for the budget, and we will begin the year with substantial deficits looming on the horizon. Some editors and commentators have predicted a tax increase next year. I remain opposed to increasing taxes and believe that we should cut discretionary spending and live within our means.

From the House perspective, the other major focus of the session was the upcoming changing of the guard. House Speaker Tim Ford is retiring after 16 years, and Speaker Pro Tempore Robert Clark is leaving after 32 years. In all, fifteen House members are retiring. In addition, with legislative and statewide elections coming in November, it is likely that the makeup of both the House and the Senate will see substantial changes. Many members face opposition, and much of the discussion during the session centered on the November elections. The prospect of major changes hung over the session like a cloud, and a lot of the behind the scenes action was centered on politics rather than policy. That is not to say that the legislature didn't do its work. However, the many parliamentary maneuvers by some members were clearly aimed at creating a record on which to run.

The 2003 legislative session was the last in my first term of office. For that reason, I would like to give you a brief report on my activities for the past four years.

During my tenure, I have authored a number of bills that have been adopted. Among the most important are:

An act that mandates internal auditors for major state agencies and institutions and that should result in major cost savings in the future.

A new administrative procedures act that will make government more open and accountable. This act requires state agencies and institutions to seek public input into the rule-making process and authorizes the Secretary of State to set up a centralized database of agency rules and regulations.

A bill to require the state department of education to study the cost/benefit ratio of early childhood education and to accurately track and report public school drop out statistics. A recent series of articles in the Clarion-Ledger validated our concern about the high rates at which our children are dropping out of school.

An act to establish the Mississippi Coordinating Council for Remote Sensing, an important step in managing this valuable data resource. Remote sensing is a relatively new, but important, technology that enables public and private users to utilize three-dimensional geographic mapping for planning purposes. While the subject is technical, the end product will affect government and economic development for years to come. The project was supported by the Supervisors Association, the Governor’s office, the university system, NASA and every major state agency.

An act to require the Department of Finance and Administration to prepare an annual five-year capital improvements plan as a blue print for the state's spending on buildings and equipment. This bill should enable the legislature and the Governor’s office to bring better management to the issuance of state debt.

An act to require public schools to fly the U S flag at half-staff when it is flown at half-staff on other public buildings. The act also requires that students be told why the flag is being lowered.

An act to require the state auditor to audit school districts for compliance with state law in the distribution of classroom supply money to teachers.

An act to establish a master lease purchase program for community colleges, a tool that will result in major cost savings for our community college system. This innovative financing technique will allow community colleges to access the private capital markets at favorable interest rates when financing new equipment purchases.

An act to commission a study of the funding of the community college system. This study resulted in a major change in the way in which state funds are allocated among the various community colleges and was unanimously approved by the college presidents.

An act to provide state support for the Junior ROTC program in high schools across the state. This program has proven to be effective at instilling character and work ethic in young people in high school. It also teaches respect for the military, an important part of a child’s education during a time when our nation is at war.

I have also introduced (but not passed) legislation to freeze state spending, to give the Governor additional authority to reduce spending and a bill to reduce the amount of debt that the state can incur. In addition, for the last three years I have worked with the Attorney General, the Bureau of Narcotics and the Department of Public Safety to establish a task force to arrest and prosecute drug kingpins in our state. The drug bill died in a Senate subcommittee after passing the House on a unanimous vote for the second straight year. The spending bills were killed by the state agencies, which are always protective of their budgets.It often takes years to pass good legislation. The aforementioned internal audit bill took three years. The Administrative Procedures Act took four. The process is cumbersome, but persistence can pay off. I will continue to push these bills in the future.

During my tern, I have served on five legislative standing committees. In addition, I have served on a number of special committees, commissions and boards. These include a special committee to look at charter schools, a committee to study the problem of public school drop outs, the Governor's task force on computers in the classroom, a commission to design a plan for the management of remote sensing technology in our state and the Secretary of State's Business Law Advisory Group. I also served as legislative liaison to the Information Technology Systems Board and a member of the Southern Growth Policies Board. All of these activities have been interesting, challenging and worthwhile.

It has been a busy and enlightening four years. The democratic process is amazing. It's messy; it's frustrating; it's confusing. But it works most of the time. Every time things aren't going quite the way I would like them to and I become discouraged, something happens to restore my faith in the system.

A perfect example was the last conference committee of the 2003 session, the committee that resolved the issue of funding the state budget. The House and the Senate started miles apart, and both houses were far away from the Governor's position. We spent days conferring, exchanging ideas and proposals and "agreeing to disagree." On the House side, four other members and I worked to reach a compromise that was workable and palatable to all. Bit by bit, we came closer and closer, and, after hours and hours of meeting, on the night before the session ended, we were able to work out a solution that avoided major cuts or tax increases and one which the Governor praised as a reasonable compromise. The final plan included some of our ideas, some of the Senate's proposals and some of the Governor's requests.

For the past four years, I have done my best to represent the people of District 66 in an honorable manner. I have tried to keep you informed by means of newsletters before and after each legislative session. I have worked hard to promote efficiency, effectiveness and accountability in government

And now, I need your help. I am running for reelection.No Republican qualified in our district, but I have three opponents in the Democratic primary on August 5. Because there are four candidates in the race, it is likely that there will be a runoff on August 26. You cannot vote in the Democratic runoff election if you vote in the Republican primary on August 5. If you live in our district, I need your vote.

If you have not moved since 1999, you will vote in the same polling place. However, because the district lines have changed, many people who were in my district during the last election in 1999 will be in a different House district this year. Likewise, a number of people who are not in my present district will join my new district will be able to vote for me in August. In addition, as a result of some precincts being divided between two districts, some polling places will have more than one ballot. For that reason, you must be careful when you vote to be sure you receive the correct ballot.

Thank you for letting me represent you for the last four years. It has been a terrific honor. Thank you also for all of the kind notes, letters and emails I have received. And finally, a special thanks to my family and my business associates for all of their support. Without their help and understanding, I could not have given the time and effort that being a member of the legislature deserves.

Thanks again for your support. If I can help you in any way, please do not hesitate to call. I look forward to working for you in the future.

Yours,

Cecil