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Mississippi Fat Cats are Getting Fatter

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Mississippi Fat Cats are Getting Fatter

Mississippi might be one of the poorest states in America, but we manage to produce plenty of overpaid officials – and these ‘Fat Cats’ are getting fatter. 

The Mississippi Fat Cat report is a list of the fifty highest-paid public officials, which we publish every year.  Our report reveals some shocking truths about public sector pay.

Did you know, for example, that the school superintendent of Tupelo (7,005 students) is paid more than the governor of Texas (population 28 million)? Or that the D-rated McComb school superintendent makes more than the governor of Florida?

Mississippi’s 50 highest-paid public officials make (I hesitate to use the word ‘earn’) more than the 50 governors of the US states.

Worse, the Fat Cats are getting fatter. Our report reveals that top public sector salaries in our state are rising faster than the salaries of the average Mississippi government employee, and a lot faster than the salaries of ordinary workers in the public sector.

From gas to groceries, the cost of living is rising fast.  Since the salaries of many Mississippians are not increasing as quickly, many are likely to see a decline in their household income.  I don’t imagine this is quite such a problem for those public officials who have been awarded above-inflation pay raises.

Of course, higher salaries for Fat Cats means fewer nurses, teachers and police. Our report calculates that the combined salaries of Mississippi’s 50 Fat Cats could pay for an additional 194 nurses, 232 state troopers or 228 teachers. 

The aim of our report is not to criticize every highly paid public official.  Some are paid to do demanding jobs requiring specialist medical and legal skills that generate a lot of public good.  Top performing school district superintendents may be worth every dollar. But there seem to be an awful lot of highly-paid public officials that preside over some pretty awful public service outcomes. 

Our report show that there is little correlation between what top bureaucrats are paid, and their performance.  Many of the worst-performing school superintendents seem to enjoy inflated salaries.

Every time there is a public debate in Mississippi about how to improve public services, it rapidly becomes a conversation about how many more federal dollars we need to throw at the problem and how much more public money we should spend.  Our report suggests that this is the wrong approach. 

With a $1.4 billion surplus in the state budget, there is plenty of money to pay a lot of mediocre officials a lot.  The problem seems to be that the money isn’t always spent in the best interests of the public.

 Our report lists some practical steps that our lawmakers need to take in order to ensure that there is proper accountability when top public sector salaries are being set. Our lawmakers need to act in the 2023 session to ensure public money is spent more wisely.

Douglas Carswell is the President & CEO of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy. A copy of the Mississippi Fat Cat report 2022 can be downloaded from our website mspolicy.org/publications/the-2022-mississippi-fat-cat-report/. 

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Jackson water system fails, city will be with no or little water indefinitely

Mississippi Today
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Jackson water system fails, city will be with no or little water indefinitely

The drinking water system in Jackson — Mississippi’s largest city home to more than 160,000 residents — is failing, and officials cannot say when reliable water service will be restored.

At a press conference Monday night, Gov. Tate Reeves announced he would sign an emergency declaration for the capital city’s water system and create an “incident command center” to distribute water to the city’s residents beginning Tuesday morning.

The announcement comes after the Pearl River flooding caused some businesses and schools to close Monday and prompting some leaders to call for the state to take action.

Jackson Public Schools, one of the largest school districts in the state, announced Monday night that it would switch to virtual learning due to water shortages.

Officials cautioned Jackson residents to boil their water and not consume it, or even use it to brush their teeth.

This story will be updated.

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Civil rights attorney calls for investigation, charges for former Lexington police chief

Mississippi Today
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Civil rights attorney calls for investigation, charges for former Lexington police chief

LEXINGTON – The firing of former police chief Sam Dobbins wasn’t enough, and he should be held accountable for crimes he has admitted to and those that happened under his watch, a civil rights attorney and community organizers said. 

Civil rights Attorney Malik Shabazz announced Monday outside the Lexington Police Department that Washington, D.C.- based legal group Black Lawyers for Justice plans to review the police department and how it operated under Dobbins. 

“The department will be investigated on the principles of what has come out of the mouth of the chief of this department,” he said. “We will make sure that everything is investigated even if nobody comes forward or if everybody is intimidated. The United States of America is watching this.”

Dobbins was fired in July after an audio recording surfaced of him using a racial slur and homophobic language, bragging about killing 13 people as a member of the police force and shooting one person 119 times. 

Despite his firing, Shabazz said his office has received reports that Dobbins has been seen at the police department and fear he may be destroying evidence and intimidating witnesses. 

Priscilla Sterling of the Emmett Till Justice for Families Foundation is Till’s cousin. She said after 67 years, justice has not been served for his death. Several weeks ago, a grand jury declined to indict the last living accomplice, Carolyn Bryant Donham, after the discovery of new evidence. 

Sterling connected the impact political interest and white supremacy had on Till’s case with circumstances that led to Dobbins becoming police chief in Lexington and how he has not been held accountable for his actions. 

“We can no longer let that happen. We can no longer allow this to happen,” Sterling said. “We’ve seen what happened with Emmett.”

Black Lawyers for Justice will host a tribunal at 5 p.m. Monday where residents are invited to testify about any illegal action taken by Dobbins while he was police chief and member of the police department. 

The tribunal will take place at the restaurant LaRue’s Room located at 2201 Depot Road.

People can testify and give statements about a number of actions by Dobbins or the Lexington Police Department, including unlawful killings and shootings, use of excessive force, false arrests, racial profiling, systyematic policy and training and more, Shabazz said. 

Other organizations co-sponsoring the hearing include Emmett Till Justice for Families Foundation, Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, Mississippi Local Organizing Committee, Black Liberation Movement and the New Black Panther Party. 

Another goal of the hearing is to collect evidence to expand the legal action against Dobbins. Shabazz said that can come in the form of cilvil action like compensatory damages awarded to people victimized by Dobbins, or criminal action, like charges of murder.

The Lexington Police Department has violated the constitutional rights of Black residents through behavior including retaliation for speaking out against police, false arrests, baseless vehicle searches and unreasonable police force, a federal lawsuit against Dobbins, the department and city alleges. 

Civil rights organization JULIAN is asking the court to issue a temporary restraining order against the police department to prevent mistreatment of residents. 

The plaintiffs are five Black men who have experienced abuse by the Lexington police. Over 200 Black residents formally or informally complained about treatment by the police in the past year, according to the lawsuit. 

The organization is also calling for a federal investigation of systemic racism in the Lexington Police Department and municipal government. 

Shabazz said JULIAN’s lawsuit is strong, but it doesn’t cover every allegation against Dobbins. 

“This is going to take some serious action to uproot what has gone on in this town,” he said. “I think this is the start. This is the start of a very long battle.”

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Flooding exacerbates Jackson’s water crisis, raises talk of state action

Mississippi Today
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Flooding exacerbates Jackson’s water crisis, raises talk of state action

Pearl River flooding is exacerbating Jackson’s drinking water crisis, causing some businesses and schools to close Monday and prompting some leaders to call for the state to take action over the capital city’s troubled system.

On social media, state Sen, David Blount, D-Jackson, called for Gov. Tate Reeves to convene a special session to help repair the water system.

“Every day for the past few weeks I have been talking to state, county, city, and business leaders about the Jackson water system failure. We are in a crisis and we need to take action now. The status quo is not acceptable,” Blount said.

“Today I have asked Gov. Tate Reeves to call a special session of the Legislature to deal with the crisis.”

In a lengthy social media post, Blount said it was time for the state to use a portion of its more than $2.5 billion in surplus funds to help fix the beleaguered water system.

Blount said, “It is important to remember that in the recent past the state has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to benefit regional utility authorities on the Gulf Coast and in DeSoto County. The state also sent money to Rankin County to build a new sewer plant. The state, with unprecedented money in the bank, must step up and invest in Jackson and save a system that serves almost one-10th of all Mississippians. We must aside political and partisan differences and act now.’

But the Jackson Democrat also pointed out that the system must be better run on a local level, pointing out the city is losing millions of dollars annually because many Jackson residents never receive bills for their water usage.

“If every treatment plant and pipe were fixed today, we’d be back in this situation soon without fixing the billing,” he said.

Some restaurants and other businesses in the Fondren area closed Monday as water pressure dropped to a trickle, and state agencies downtown were warned of a possible “system-wide water outage.” Several schools in the Jackson Public School District were forced to switch to virtual learning due to ongoing low water pressure and the threat of flooding.

Jackson’s antiquated, poorly maintained water and sewerage system has seen recurring failures — including loss of water for much of the city for a month after winter storms in 2021. Federal authorities have issued warnings the system is at risk of failure and of harmful contaminant levels. The city has been under a boil water notice for more than a month.

In a press conference on Monday to announce the Pearl River crested lower than expected and likely won’t bring widespread flooding of homes and businesses, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba announced the city had to reduce pressure for the entire city water system because of infiltration of floodwater. He said low-pressure issues could persist for a few days.

But in a message to state agencies downtown, the state Department of Finance and Administration warned the situation may be even more dire, and “there may be a system-wide water outage for the City of Jackson for the next several days.”

“We have spoken to the Governor’s office regarding the possible outage,” the message to state agencies said. “Please use your discretion for the health and safety of your agency.”

The long-running city water crisis has prompted talk of a state intervention — perhaps even a takeover — of the system. But the estimated $1 billion price tag for a fix is daunting.

“I’m on the verge of saying that the state has got to step in and take over,” House Speaker Philip Gunn said on Supertalk radio last week. “But the size of the problem is so great that I’m not even sure the state can meet the needs. It’s going to require federal help.”

Efforts by Mississippi Today to garner comments on Monday from Reeves, Gunn and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann about the Jackson water issues were unsuccessful Monday.

While officials took solace in the less-than-expected Pearl River flooding Monday, Lumumba announced that the city had to reduce water pressure for the entire system because of an adjusted treatment procedure.

“Because of the river water that’s coming into the plant, we have to change the way we treat the water,” Lumumba said during a press conference Monday. “Because of the chemical composition of the water coming in, they have to figure out how they can tend with that additional water coming in.

“That has led to the reduction of water being put out into the system which consequently reduces the tank levels and affects system-wide the water pressure in the homes of our residents.”

Lumumba’s comments on the latest Jackson water system woes came at the end of the press conference Monday after the Pearl River crested at just under 35 and a half feet that morning, under the original projection of 36 feet. The flood waters had only reached inside of one home, the mayor said.

The flooding came as a result of heavy rains last month, resulting in the wettest August on record for central Mississippi.

The post Flooding exacerbates Jackson’s water crisis, raises talk of state action appeared first on Mississippi Today.

Why Mississippi’s 3.6% unemployment rate isn’t the full picture of what businesses are facing

Mississippi Today
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Why Mississippi’s 3.6% unemployment rate isn’t the full picture of what businesses are facing

PASCAGOULA — When Ingalls Shipbuilding announced plans this summer to hire more than 2,000 workers, they put perks up front: day-one benefits, 12 paid holidays, competitive pay. 

And don’t forget the on-site Chick-Fil-A. The company says it has invested nearly $1 billion in its local facility. 

“Attracting skilled workers is a top priority for Ingalls,” said spokesperson Kimberly Aguillard. “We are committed to finding and training the talent we need to build quality ships for our customers.” 

Mississippi businesses are learning they have to pull out all the stops if they want to attract and retain workers. Economic uncertainty is looming overhead, inflation has pushed up costs and businesses from restaurants to shipbuilders and business services are struggling to fill all their needed positions.

“Workforce is the single biggest issue we face in the state of Mississippi as a whole,” said Ashley Edwards, the president of the Gulf Coast Business Council. “That is certainly echoed in business leaders across the Coast. They are very concerned about, and very focused on, workforce questions and workforce challenges.”

Mississippi gained back the bulk of jobs it lost during the pandemic but those gains stalled out over the last few months. The state is still about 2,000 jobs short of where it was before the pandemic began, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Mississippi employment market has remained relatively flat over the last six months, without any major losses or gains. 

“Our economy has definitely slowed down along with the U.S.,” said state economist Corey Miller, referring to Mississippi. “But I don’t think we’re in a recession at present, but it’s still 50/50 if we will be in one within the next 12 months.” 

That uncertainty has businesses on edge as they struggle to hire new workers. Miller said for every one person hired in a job, there’s still 1.5 openings – a statistic he said is true in both Mississippi and nationwide. 

The state’s unemployment rate – now about 3.6% – has fallen to historic lows, but that’s not a full picture of what Mississippi businesses are facing. Economists say they still don’t have a great understanding of why people haven’t come back to the labor force entirely. 

“The labor force is still smaller than it was before the pandemic,” Miller said. “Some of those people who are no longer unemployed are not in the labor force and that’s a phenomenon we have seen across the country.”

Mississippi’s labor participation rate – the percentage of Mississippians working or looking for work – is about 55%, according to BLS data. That’s about where it was before the pandemic began. But it’s much lower than the national average of about 62%. 

“We want to dig into that more,” said Ryan Miller, the director of workforce development office Accelerate Mississippi. “Job rates are getting back to pre-COVID levels and yet we see labor participation rate, on the surface, could be better. We want to understand why and how we can move the needle.” 

Accelerate Mississippi plans to commission a study to better understand the gaps between unemployment and the labor participation rate.

Ryan Miller – no relation to the state economist – said another thing his office is tackling is the barriers that may be keeping people from entering the traditional workforce, such as child care. 

“What are the factors in the lives of Mississippains that are keeping them from engaging in the workforce?” he posed. “For specific population sectors, one of them being single mothers, they would probably love to participate in training (for a better job) but they can’t get the childcare and don’t have the latitude to participate.” 

Accelerate Mississippi is looking into how new programming could help, like creating non-traditional child care options for when workers are in training classes for in-demand skilled work. 

Experts largely agree the issue is more complex than the people simply don’t want to work anymore.

“There are probably folks who would rather not work,” said Miller, whose focus is getting more Missisippians in good-paying jobs to raise the state’s average wages. “But I think there are more Mississippians who if given the opportunity to the pathway to … have an opportunity to grow a skill, a chance for advancement, they’d take that.” 

Jobs in accommodations and food services are slowly building back to pre-pandemic numbers, but restaurants are not only dealing with the inability to find workers but increased costs from inflation. The Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association says 55% of operators surveyed reported their businesses are understaffed and they do not not have enough employees to support demand. 

The same survey found 79% of Mississippi restaurants say they’re less profitable now than they were in 2019. 

The shortages have pushed up some pay for workers. But when looking at wages Mississippi-wide, the state economist predicts most gains will be a wash due to inflation. 

Edwards, with the Gulf Coast Business Council, said business leaders are focusing their attention on recruitment efforts. Those needs will only be amplified as more baby boomers exit the workforce, Edwards said. 

The pandemic spurred what many call “the Great Resignation,” where time off from work made many realize they wanted to start new careers, find a better work-life balance, or retire.

“Businesses are still coming to terms with the shift,” Edwards said.

The post Why Mississippi’s 3.6% unemployment rate isn’t the full picture of what businesses are facing appeared first on Mississippi Today.

7 Reasons Why Elements at Riverbend Should be Your Next Vacation Rental

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7 Reasons Why Elements at Riverbend Should be Your Next Vacation Rental

Brandi Perry

Brandi is the author of five published novels and several magazines. Currently, she is a full-time writer for Eat Drink Mississippi Magazine and a public school teacher, telling history facts and stories to 7th and 8th graders in American History and Mississippi History. In her free time, she loves traveling, reading, and attending sporting events.

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Gov. Reeves declares state of emergency as Pearl expected to crest Monday

Mississippi Today
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Gov. Reeves declares state of emergency as Pearl expected to crest Monday

Gov. Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency Saturday as Mississippi officials received a new projection of flooding from the Pearl River. The National Weather Service now expects the river to crest by early Monday morning.

“If this happens, there will be dozens of streets in downtown Jackson that will flood,” Reeves said, adding that businesses near Town Creek as well as homes and streets in Northeast Jackson that may also flood if the Pearl reaches the projected 36 feet peak.

With the river forecast changing in the last 24 hours Reeves emphasized that projections are subject to evolve over the next few days.

Officials said that Jackson residents who were affected by the floods in 2020 should anticipate similar impacts.

As of Saturday morning, the NWS projects the Pearl to crest by 6 A.M. Monday morning, meaning that residents whose homes may be flooded should prepare to evacuate by Sunday evening, Reeves said.

To see their flood risk, Jackson residents can use the city’s interactive map at this link, or refer to a list of streets that may be affected on the city’s website by clicking here.

Reeves and Mississippi Emergency Management Agency officials also reminded residents that if they anticipate flooding in their homes to take pictures of their property before and after the flooding to document any damages. Doing so helps meet the guidelines for Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individual Assistance Program, which Jackson residents didn’t receive after the 2020 flood.

As far as other areas along the Pearl that could see flooding, Reeves said the river could peak in Monticello around Thursday, Columbia around Friday, and Pearl River County the following Tuesday. Those projections could change depending on how quickly the Ross Barnett Reservoir management is able to release water back into the river, the governor added.

MEMA director Stephen McCraney said that the following areas around Mississippi have declared local emergencies: Wilkerson, Rankin, Hinds, Leake, Newton, Clarke, and the City of Jackson. Among those areas, 45 homes, 13 businesses, and 55 roads have flooded so far, McCraney said.

Officials also expect that Lawrence and Copiah counties could see moderate flooding next week as high water levels make their way down the Pearl.

The American Red Cross has one shelter open in Jackson so far, at 3000 Saint Charles St., located at the Jackson Police Department Academy.

The post Gov. Reeves declares state of emergency as Pearl expected to crest Monday appeared first on Mississippi Today.

Governor Reeves Issues State of Emergency Ahead of Flooding

MSEMA
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Governor Reeves Issues State of Emergency Ahead of Flooding

JACKSON, Miss. – Governor Tate Reeves has issued a State of Emergency in anticipation of flooding from the Pearl River. At the time of this release, the flooding is expected to crest at 36 feet on Monday, August 29th. “My administration, including MEMA, is monitoring this situation closely, and actively working to respond as quickly as possible to ongoing developments with the flooding,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “Recognizing the critical nature of this situation, and in consideration of the health and safety of local residents, I have proclaimed a State of Emergency in the areas that have been affected by or may be affected by the severe thunderstorms and flooding.” The state’s response efforts are already underway. MEMA has deployed 126,000 sandbags in preparation for this flooding. Mississippians can get more information on how to get sandbags by contacting their county or city. Additionally, search and rescue teams are on standby and are prepared to respond at the request of local emergency managers. MEMA also has drones in the air to assess water levels along the Pearl River. This will ensure that the state consistently has the most accurate and up to date information on the flood areas and water movement. If an individual is in need of shelter, they can go to the Jackson Police Training Academy at 3000 Saint Charles Street in the city of Jackson. It is open and being run by the American Red Cross. Click here to access additional information regarding the flood. Click here to access the National Weather Services’ interactive map and assess your flood risk. Governor Reeves made the announcement today at a press conference at MEMA headquarters. The full press conference can be viewed here.

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Alleged Pervert Arrested for Aggravated Stalking, Sexual Battery and Lustful touching of a child.

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Alleged Pervert Arrested for Aggravated Stalking, Sexual Battery and Lustful touching of a child.

Tuesday, August 23. 2022, Justin Michael Ritchie, was arrested for allegedly exposing himself to at least one minor child inside the Dollar General store in Brooklyn, Mississippi. Ritchie was promptly arrested and taken into custody by the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office. It is believed the alleged events were documented on the store’s security system.

After the arrest, Forrest County as the investigation continued, Ritchie was charged with four other felonies, which include three counts of lustful touching of a minor and one count of sexual battery of a minor. Richie’s bond was set at $325,000.

It is unclear at this time how many alleged victims there are, or whether or not the subsequent charges involved another child at the store.

 

 

Preliminary Damage Report August Flooding Update #1

MSEMA
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Preliminary Damage Report August Flooding Update #1
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PEARL, Miss. (MEMA) – Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is working with local Emergency Managers to access and validate the damage caused by the ongoing Flash Flooding that began on August 22, 2022.

Mississippi experienced record rainfall, some areas received 14 inches of rain within a 72-hour timeframe endangering lives and property. Currently, one injury (Wilkinson County) has been reported to the state due to the severe weather.

At this time, the counties listed have reported damage to MEMA:

Adams

Claiborne

Forrest           

Hinds

Humphreys

Leake

Madison

Newton

Neshoba

Rankin

Simpson

Smith

Warren

Wilkinson

Yazoo

At this time, those counties are reporting 42 homes; 9 businesses; 5 farms; and 43 public roads with damage. These numbers will change during the damage assessment process.

This flooding event is not over. As rain continues to fall, rivers are rising. The Pearl River at Jackson is a major concern, projected to crest at 36 feet on Tuesday, August 30th.

In preparation for this flooding event, MEMA has sent out 214,000 sandbags to requesting counties.

To see if your community is at risk residents can use this interactive map from the National Weather Service by clicking here.

Residents that could be impacted by the impending flood need to prepare their families, home, and other property. Your priority should be the physical safety of you, your loved ones, and your pets.

Before the Flood

  • Take photos and videos of all major household items and valuables. Retain these documents in a safe place because they are important when filing insurance claims.
    • Take photos of the serial numbers for large appliances, such as washers, dryers, and refrigerators.
  • Save copies of birth certificates, passports, medical records, and insurance papers in a safe, dry place. Keep original documents in a watertight safety deposit box.
  • Elevate and anchor your critical utilities, including electrical panels, propane tanks, sockets, wiring, appliances, and heating systems.
  • Make sure that you clear any debris from gutters and downspouts to avoid an accumulation of water.
  • When flooding is predicted or imminent, move furniture and valuables to a safe place, such as an attic or the highest floor of your home.

During the Flood

  • Stay informed. Listen to your local officials and keep up to date with the latest news and forecast for your area
  • Heed any evacuation orders from local officials
  • Monitor the road conditions by using the Mississippi Department of Transportation website or app.

After the Flood

  • Take photos and videos of the damage, including structural and personal property damage on the inside and outside of your home, before discarding items. Remember to take photos of the insides of closets and cabinets. Your adjuster will need evidence of the damage to prepare your claim.
  • If possible, provide receipts to your adjuster to document damaged property for your flood claim.
  • Keep samples of carpeting, wallpaper, furniture upholstery, window treatments, and other items for your adjuster. The type and quality of the material may impact the amount of your claim.
  • If the building’s electrical, water, or HVAC systems are damaged you should initiate repairs. Consult your insurance adjuster or insurance company before you sign any cleaning, remediation, or maintenance agreement.
  • Report damage to your local officials and MEMA by using the “Self-Report Tool” on MSEMA.org.

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