Opinion
Legislature should override pro-tobacco Barbour
As the vice president for the American Cancer Society in Mississippi, I would like to express our deep disappointment in last week’s action by our governor, Haley Barbour.
Yet again, his veto has thwarted the Legislature’s attempt to save lives by increasing the cigarette tax. Obviously, no amount of public pressure, negative media or legislative consensus will keep Gov. Barbour from faithfully protecting the interests of the tobacco industry.
Research has proven that young people are the most susceptible group to price increases, and the proposed price hike would prevent more than 50,000 kids from ever starting a smoking habit. This administration has had ample opportunities during the last three years to support a tobacco tax but has flatly refused to do so regardless of the health benefits to our state.
It is clear that Gov. Barbour is not concerned with the facts about public health or the sentiment of his constituents. We urge the Legislature to overturn this veto and do the right thing for Mississippi.
Robert Morris
Mississippi Vice President
American Cancer Society
Jackson
- Opinion
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Super Saints
Hell has frozen over. Pigs are flying, and when the sun rose over Bourbon Street this morning, it came up out of the west. An entire city called in sick because the party is still going on. The Saints are in the Superbowl.
I have been a Saints fan all of my life. I have been a Saints season ticket holder for years. Many years. I’ve stuck by them through thick and thin, through one-win seasons, through last minute fumbles and interceptions, through ill-advised trades, and through amazingly poor draft decisions. All the while I’ve kept the hope alive while watching a professional football franchise display every conceivable way a game can be lost. I never wore a bag, but I have hung in there for years, many years. That is, except this year. -
State tax hike waits at the end of the standoff
While the state budget standoff continues, the fact remains that regardless who "wins" the current argument it's clear that special funds or "one-time money" and existing revenues sources won't be sufficient to carry Mississippi through the next three years of fiscal woes.
House Speaker Billy McCoy and the Democratic leadership of the House, Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant and the Republican leadership in the Senate and Gov. Haley Barbour are all on the record as seeing any new tax revenue as a political non-starter this session.
Given that fact, the options left to state government are pretty slim. Cutting spending is already on the table as Barbour has whacked some $437 million from the original 2010 fiscal year budget. - Sumrall's situation is a shame
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East Central Mississippi belongs on the Civil War map
Re-enactors will be fighting the war between the states all over again during the Civil War Sesquicentennial 2011-2015.
- East Central Mississippi belongs on the Civil War map
- Sumrall's situation is a shame
- MEC's Blake Wilson to ‘shake and bake’ at annual press roast
- Who speaks to dying town dilemmas?
- While we weren't watching
- A few words for Mayor Barry
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Super Saints
