Jackson resident Dorothy Mannie described her experience of obtaining bottled water that the Mississippi National Guard distributed at Cardozo Middle School in Jackson, Miss., on Friday, Sept. 2, as a pleasant one. The capital city continues to reel from the consequences of the operational disruption that occurred at the O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Center on Monday, with many residents searching for means of acquiring clean water for home use.

“The experience was wonderful,” Mannie told the Mississippi Free Press as she sat in her vehicle after receiving the bottled water. “I just drove in, they loaded up for me the way I wanted it—I asked them to put it in the truck, and they put it in there for me—and I thanked them.”

“They said, ‘Thank you, ma’am; you have a blessed day’—that’s courtesy and manners,” she added. “They’ve got good manners,; they are really respectful, and that’s a good thing. Ain’t nobody got no attitude.”

After declaring a state of emergency on Tuesday, Aug. 30, Gov. Tate Reeves announced Thursday that six places in Jackson and one in Byram would give out potable and non-potable water: the State Fairgrounds (1200 Mississippi St.), the Metrocenter Mall (3645 Highway 80 W.), Smith Wills Stadium (1200 Lakeland Drive), Thomas Cardozo Middle School (3180 McDowell Road Extension), Northwest Jackson Middle School (7020 Highway 49 N.), Hinds Community College (3925 Sunset Drive), all in Jackson, as well as Davis Road Park (2515 Davis Rd.Road, Byram).

“These sites will offer bottled water, bulk non-potable water and hand sanitizer.; Tthey will be open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. each day until further notice,” Reeves said at a press conference on Thursday. “We have been working in coordination with the City and their distribution plans, primarily at fire stations, over the last 48 hours.”

The governor

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Like many of you, I consider myself a daughter of the South. I am proud to say Mississippi is my life-long home. Mississippi educated me from preschool through my doctoral studies, and Mississippi taught me that community matters. From a young age, deep love was sown in my heart for our people, our culture, our music, our literary heritage and all the talent that exists here in our home state. 

This is why when the W.K. Kellogg Foundation invited me to be a part of its generational commitment to Mississippi, I said “of course.” What better way to show my love than to continue working in service of our children, families and communities?

What I want for my children is what you want for your children: to see them getting into good schools or apprenticeships, excelling in their careers or running successful businesses, raising children of their own, helping their neighbors, and leaving their corner of the world a better place. 

Ultimately, we all imagine a future where our children have grown into happy, healthy adults. 

Yet, in this moment of crisis, for our children in Jackson, being happy and healthy requires having clean water. Our little ones won’t get to realize the brilliant future we see in our mind’s eye if the water running from their faucets causes them to become ill or doesn’t run at all. We must work swiftly and decisively to find the collective will to fix this failing infrastructure.

Children Are Relying On Us

All children and families deserve clean water; it’s a basic human right. They need it to safely eat, brush their teeth and bathe. They need it to energize them while they study, practice their newfound skills, and run, play and discover the world around them. 

We’re already seeing the early consequences

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The FBI has interviewed retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre regarding the Mississippi welfare scandal that saw over $77 million in Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Funds doled out to fund pet projects and sports celebrities—including Favre himself. NBC News reported Thursday night that Favre’s attorney confirmed the FBI’s involvement.

Between 2017 and 2018, a nonprofit whose operators have since pleaded guilty on multiple charges paid Favre $1.1 million for promotional spots and motivational speeches that Mississippi State Auditor Shad White says he never gave. 

“Favre hasn’t been accused of a crime or charged, and he declined an interview,” NBC News’ Ken Dilanian, Laura Strickler and Didi Martinez reported. “His lawyer, Bud Holmes, said (Favre) did nothing wrong and never understood he was paid with money intended to help poor children. “Holmes acknowledged that the FBI had questioned Favre in the case, a fact that hasn’t previously been reported.”

After receiving multiple demands from the Office of the State Auditor in late 2021, Favre repaid the full $1.1 million, but White says he still owes $228,000 in interest. Favre lives near Hattiesburg, Miss., and has denied any wrongdoing in the case. No officials have accused him of any crimes.

The depth of the FBI’s involvement in the case remains unclear. Since 2020, state and federal prosecutors have indicted multiple people in the TANF fraud scandal, including former Mississippi Department of Human ServicesJohn Davis, the, and even his nephew Austin Smith. 

The nonprofit operators for the Mississippi Community Education Center and Family Resource Center, Nancy New and Zach New, described in plea agreements how they worked with Davis. They described funneling welfare funds from MDHS, through their nonprofits and into the pockets or causes of celebrities like Favre, retired pro wrestler Ted DiBiase and former football player Marcus DuPree.

‘Gross Misuse of

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As we prepare for Labor Day weekend and celebrate the achievements of the American worker, it’s important to remember both the contributions and ingenuity of the American worker, but also look at areas where the state makes it more difficult for men and women to contribute to society. This is particularly important at a time of widespread labor shortages.

One of the biggest roadblocks in Mississippi, and every state in the union, is occupational regulations that require a government-issued license before you can work.

Mississippi requires licenses for 66 of the 102 professions that do not require a traditional 4-year college degree. From 1993 to 2012, Mississippi added licensing requirements for 49 professions, which was 18 above the national average. This ranks Mississippi as the 15th most widely licensed state.

Around 19 percent of workers in the state are required to obtain a license in order to work. The average licensed worker in Mississippi in these 66 professions pay an average of $130 in fees, spend 160 days in education, and take two exams, which is better than the average state.

Occupational licensing laws present significant costs for Mississippi residents. Because of the barriers to entry created by licensing requirements, economists have estimated that licensing reduces the number of jobs in Mississippi by 12,942. This helps contribute to Mississippi’s second-lowest labor force participation rate in the country.

Because of the reduced supply of workers offering their services, wage cost increases of 12 percent associated with licensing are passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices. Because licensing reduces the supply of workers and increases prices for the services that consumers receive, it results in less of the services being consumed.

Economists refer to the cost of the lost transactions that do not occur as deadweight loss. They estimate that the total deadweight loss from licensing laws in the state of Mississippi is $37 million.

Unfortunately, the total economic cost of licensing is even greater. Not only do some customers forego the more expensive services, licensing also causes a misallocation of resources between industries. For instance, people spend more

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JACKSON, Miss.- Governor Tate Reeves today announced that the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with the Mississippi National Guard, Mississippi State Department of Health, Mississippi Forestry Commission, Mississippi Department of Public Safety, and Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture, Andy Gipson, in conjunction with Hinds County and the City of Jackson are opening water distribution supersites throughout the area impacted by the water crisis.

“Getting these water distribution sites up and running quickly was a top priority,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “Local, state, and federal officials are working together in tandem to ensure that everyone in Jackson has the supplies they need to weather this crisis. As the state works to repair Jackson’s water system, we’ll ensure these sites are well stocked and able to meet the needs of the people.”

“Within 48 hours of the Emergency Measures Declaration, seven state distribution sites will offer bottled water, bulk non-potable water, and hand sanitizer to those impacted by the recent water crisis,” says MEMA Executive Director Stephen McCraney. “Water is a basic human need, and life safety remains our priority,” adds McCraney.

These sites will open at noon on Thursday, September 1, 2022, until 6:30 p.m.

Each POD will be open for water pick-up daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. until further notice.

The seven points-of-distribution (POD) sites are:
State Fairgrounds
1207 Mississippi Street
Jackson, MS

Metro Center Mall
3645 Highway 80
Jackson, MS

Smith Wills Stadium
1200 Lakeland Dr
Jackson, MS

Thomas Cardozo Middle School
3180 McDowell RD Ext
Jackson, MS

Northwest Jackson Middle School
7020 Highway 49
Jackson, MS

Affected residents are asked to bring sealable containers to collect non-potable water for sanitation needs such as washing clothes, flushing toilets, personal hygiene, etc.

The Mississippi National Guard has deployed approximately 600 MSNG service members to work these distribution sites. Maj. General Janson D. Boyles, The Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard, says, “The Mississippi National Guard is dedicated to providing expedient support to our neighbors, family, and friends impacted by the ongoing water crisis. In coordination with the Governor’s Office, our interagency partners, and civil authorities, we are allocating personnel and vital resources to ensure the critical needs of our citizens are met. We are here to serve.”

One of the seven points of distribution sites is the Mississippi State Fairgrounds, operated by Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. Gipson says, “We are proud to be able to assist the people of Jackson during this time of crisis, and we appreciate the efforts of Gov. Reeves, MEMA, the National Guard, and so many other agencies who are all pulling the same direction to help get water to those in need. For decades, the Mississippi State Fairgrounds has served as an emergency response center. We are ready to continue our efforts as we support the State’s emergency response team.”

The state of Mississippi is working diligently to resolve the water issues and provide safe drinking water for the citizens of Jackson.

___________________________________________________
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency’s Call Center is OPEN for residents affected by the Jackson Water Crisis. This call center will be a place for residents to turn to get information on resources available. The Call Center will be open for business starting today, September 1, 2022.

The call center number is: 1-833-591-6362

Hours of Operation: Sunday-Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m

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