This fiscal year, the state of Mississippi will spend about 14.3 billion dollars. That's about $19,000 per family of four. The number you'll hear about most is $4 billion, but that's only what's known as the General Fund. There's another $4 billion that comes from gasoline taxes, fees, and other funds collected in the state. Then there's about $6 billion that will come from the federal government for state programs, not counting the billions spent on hurricane recovery and rebuilding. (more…)
As you consider the death penalty, it's important to make a distinction between the role of an individual and the role of government. If someone murdered your child, should you forgive them or should you fight to have them prosecuted? The answer is: both. The Bible commands us as individuals to forgive those who harm us. But as members of society, we're called to uphold standards and to protect others from harm to the extent we can. This is the first role of government, and government is given certain authority that individuals don't have.
For instance, when someone commits a crime, we as individuals do not have the authority to lock them up for a long period of time, or condemn them to death; in fact, it would be a crime for us to do so. But if we were members of a jury, we would not only have the authority but the responsibility to send them to prison - or to death, if that's what the law calls for. So, it's entirely consistent to forgive one who harms you and at the same time work to see that they are punished by the government.
If we want a just society, we must understand the distinctions in the roles we are called to fill.
Did you know that you are paying for the Spanish-American War? That's right, every month on your phone bill, you are paying a tax that was specifically created to pay for the war that began and ended in 1898. That year, Congress imposed a so-called "temporary" tax of one cent per telephone call to help pay for our expenses in the war. By 1990, that once cent per call had increased to three percent of your phone bill. (more…)
Unemployment benefit programs were created to help people who have lost jobs due to no fault of their own, and to help them for a short time until they could get other work. Many hard-working people still use it that way, but others see it as an entitlement program, where, for six months, they don't have to work. (more…)
The one topic that has hovered over the legislature this year is not helping south Mississippi recover from the hurricane, but how to increase the cigarette tax and reduce the sales tax on groceries. (more…)
In some ways, this year continues to be a strange one at the State Capitol. But in other ways, sadly, it's becoming all too predictable. Bills are being taken up in committees, and sometimes on the floor of the House or Senate without members being allowed enough time to read the bills, much less understand their ramifications. Some are being approved that are so outlandish that the best we can hope for is that the membership didn't know what they were voting for. (more…)
Last week, a Texas official told some state legislators about his performance reviews of Texas government. A performance review evaluates government agencies and programs, with the goal of saving money, increasing efficiency, and improving service. They often identify services that are better performed by the private sector. In Texas, billions of dollars have been saved over the past decade as a result of these reviews. (more…)
Annexation is a hot topic in some parts of the state - hot not only because it's current but because it often stirs the deepest emotions of the people who are involved. As many in our state know all too well, the people who live in areas proposed for annexation do not get the opportunity to vote on the matter. Even their elected representatives in county government are prevented from voting in their behalf. This is patently un-American.
Strange things have been happening at the Capitol this year. Party labels have been thrown out the window, and those with strong ideological leanings have been leaning the other way.