How Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death may affect the U.S. Senate race in Mississippi. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Mike Espy, like most Democratic Senate candidates across the nation, has significantly benefitted from campaign contributions following the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and as a Senate fight looms over filling the court seat she left vacant.

But whether that fight will help Espy win a Senate election here in Mississippi remains to be seen.

The death of Ginsburg and soon after the release of a poll showing Espy within one percentage point of incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith have focused attention on a Mississippi race that to a large extent had been overlooked by the national and state media. It should be stressed that the poll, by the Tyson Group, was conducted in late August before the death of Ginsburg.

But during about a four day period after Ginsburg’s death, Espy received more than $1 million in campaign donations — a record amount for his campaign and enough to ensure he is at least financially competitive with Hyde-Smith ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

The fundraising was fueled by Democrats and others who believe that President Donald Trump should not get to nominate a new justice before voters decide days later whether he will serve another four years as president, and that a Republican Senate should not confirm a replacement for Ginsburg until January when a new Senate term begins.

The death of Ginsburg, the best-known member of the Supreme Court, has evoked passion by Democrats on the issue of filling federal court vacancies. Passion on that issue had been primarily on the side of Republicans in past elections.

While an argument could be made that this passion could benefit Democrats in Senate races in many parts of the country, it is not so clear what the impact will be in Mississippi.

“This is an important issue for both parties,” said Nathan Shrader, chair of the Department of Government and Politics at Millsaps College. “I think in Mississippi this could benefit Cindy Hyde-Smith. It is another opportunity for her to say a vote for her is a vote for Donald Trump.”

Based on polling, it would appear Mississippians would support a Trump nominee who would help overturn Supreme Court rulings that have made abortion legal throughout the nation.

But many Mississippians might not be so enamored with a Trump nominee, who in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic could help to overturn the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, better known as “Obamacare,” that provides health care coverage to about 100,000 people in the state and provides protection for pre-existing conditions to about 600,000 Mississippians.

Theoretically, a new justice appointed by Trump could be serving on Nov. 10, when his administration argues before the Supreme Court the ACA should be overturned. It is safe to assume that new nominee would side with Trump on overturning the health care law. Hyde-Smith also supports overturning the ACA. Both Trump and Hyde-Smith have said they support protecting people with pre-existing conditions, but they have not yet provided a plan that health care groups say would guarantee insurance companies provide coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. In addition, they have yet to offer a comprehensive and workable plan to provide coverage to the tens of thousands Mississippians who have health care coverage through the ACA.

Espy already has said he wants to make this election about health care.

“This is the No. 1 issue for the Espy campaign,” Espy said. “It is the No. 1 issue in Mississippi.”

Granted, the health care argument as it relates to the Supreme Court is more nuanced than the abortion argument. But Espy now has the money to broadly make that argument.

On the issue of abortion, a 2014 poll by the Pew Research Center found that 59% of Mississippians support making abortion illegal in most/all instances, while 36% favor making it legal in most/all instances. A more recent April 2019 poll conducted by Mississippi-based Chism Strategies for Millsaps College found that 43% of the respondents said the issue of abortion should be left up to the woman and her health care provider.

Mississippians also feel strongly about health care. Another Chism/Millsaps Poll released in January found 70% of Mississippians were concerned about being able to afford health care. A case could be made that the demise of the ACA could further worry many Mississippians who are concerned about health care affordability. Both sides can make arguments on how a new Trump appointee would be good or bad for Mississippians.

The biggest factor in the November election for the U.S. Senate seat in Mississippi could boil down to whether voters are more concerned about abortion or about health care more broadly.

The post How might the Ginsburg death affect the Senate race in Mississippi? appeared first on Mississippi Today.

‘Just enough of the right stuff’: Why Mississippi’s COVID-19 numbers are flattening

By Erica Hensley | Sept. 25, 2020

After a steep summer climb in coronavirus cases, Mississippi’s average daily numbers are at the lowest point in three months.

How fast the virus spreads in an area is a function of many things, but they all revolve around behavior and math. Virus transmission boils down to a numbers game — when fewer people have and spread the virus, transmission thins out, helping to flatten the curve over time. The idea of flattening the curve has never been about stopping spread, but reducing that spread over time so health systems are not overwhelmed. Spread is inevitable — it’s limiting and containing transmission that drives infectious disease mitigation strategies.

State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs said Wednesday that statewide efforts to reduce spread since the late July peak are paying off, but new challenges will arise.

“We’re very pleased that we’ve seen this fall trend go so well thus far, knock on wood. The coronavirus I think is a little bit finicky and if you do just enough of the right stuff you can get that R-naught (reproduction) value less than one. And if you get it less than one, then you’re constantly driving it down — it’s just a matter of how fast you’re driving it down,” Dobbs said, adding the “combination of masks, a little bit better social distancing” and strict school policies have slowed the overall spread, though case clusters persist.

“We hope that everybody just keeps up the good work because I think we can continue to keep it down and get through the fall if we just maintain masking and distancing, especially as we go into the holidays, there will be those new challenges,” he said.

A pivotal piece to understanding transmission is the R-naught value that Dobbs referenced, often referred to as just R or the reproduction rate. Three months ago, when Mississippi was entering its summer case surge, the state’s R value was one of the highest in the nation. Now, it’s one of the lowest.

The reproduction rate is just one measure of how the virus is spreading, similar to doubling time. It measures the average number of people infected by each initial infection, representing how much the disease is spreading. If the value is under one, spread is more limited and easier to contain. Above one signifies more uncontrolled spread, meaning infected people are each spreading to more people.

Mississippi’s R hit its lowest point ever exactly two weeks after Gov. Tate Reeves ordered a statewide mask mandate. On August 19 the state’s R dipped to .88 — meaning on average, each person with COVID-19 spread it to less than one person. It has since crept up slightly, but still hovers below one.

Though the state’s number of daily new cases has trended down since late-July, Mississippi still has the third most total cases per capita as of Thursday, at 3,202 per 100,000 people — only behind Louisiana and Florida. The state also has the seventh most total COVID-19 deaths per capita, at 97 per 100,000 people, and the nation’s highest recent death rate, at four per capita over the past week.

R has long been used by infectious disease experts, who say, like all COVID-19 metrics, it’s imperfect, often misunderstood and shouldn’t be used as a guiding star because it misses granular detail, like outbreaks and local spread. If cases are spreading drastically in one area due to a cluster, but tapering off in others where regulations are perhaps more strictly adhered to, the R average could cancel each of those out and paint an imprecise picture. Overall though, it helps gauge how much the virus is spreading across a state.

Importantly, according to those who track and model disease spread, R measures how widespread the virus is, not how fast it’s spreading. Too, R doesn’t calculate why or how infection spreads, such as if people are just more contagious, like a cluster of severe cases, or if their behavior is more risky, like socializing in crowded, indoor areas. That’s where contact tracing comes in.

R is only a piece of the puzzle, and needs to be dovetailed with other disease-tracking pieces to be effective, researchers say. Robust contact tracing, diagnostic and surveillance testing — to catch both active and asymptomatic infections, and spread mitigation efforts, like masks and social distancing, all need to work together to inform policy.

Researchers say R shouldn’t be used as a real-time policy-making tool, but more a lagging indicator — essentially, it can help officials look back at trends to see what worked.

Mississippi has been under a statewide mask mandate since early August, with the current order expiring September 30. Additional mandated restrictions to reduce spread include: Limiting arenas to 25% capacity and prohibiting tailgating, and 75% capacity for retail, restaurants and bars, and bars must close at 11 p.m..

Dobbs says schools’ strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines have helped mitigate spread, and in turn kept new cases and the R value down. But outbreaks persist and threaten to reverse downward trends where folks continue to gather without masking and distancing, he said.

To date, schools have seen 2,400 cases total, with 382 new cases over the last week. Though statewide trends have improved, younger age groups still comprise a disproportionate share of all cases.

Dobbs says most schools have policies in place that are limiting spread once it is brought in. He praised universities for planning for and curbing the virus, though they have seen recent spikes and have varying approaches to containing spread.

“It’s social stuff that’s killing us as far as when we were having outbreaks. It’s parties, and it’s even small gatherings of people getting together,” he said. “If we look at schools settings, where we’re seeing most of our outbreaks and transmission, it’s not really going to be in these controlled structured settings within the classrooms, it seems mostly to be in athletics or extracurriculars where we know there’s going to be more chaotic movement and less control as far as where kids are and (are not) wearing the masks.”

Visit our data page for more Mississippi COVID-19 trends and school trends here.

The post ‘Just enough of the right stuff’: Why Mississippi’s COVID-19 numbers are flattening appeared first on Mississippi Today.

Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today

Lawmakers at the Capitol during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite unprecedented growth in revenue collections during the first two months of the current fiscal year, House Speaker Philip Gunn warned Thursday that legislative leaders should spend cautiously as they begin the lengthy process of developing a budget for the next one, which begins July 1.

Gunn made his remarks during a hearing of the Legislative Budget Committee where Corey Miller, an economic analyst for the state Institutions of Higher Learning, told the panel the state economy had been buoyed by funds Mississippians received from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

“We attribute much of this performance to the federal transfers from the CARES Act, which included additional unemployment benefits, the Paycheck Protection Program, and the $1,200 taxpayer stimulus checks,” Miller told legislative leaders.

Gunn said, based on estimates he had seen, $6 billion in federal funds were pumped into the state to provide enhanced unemployment benefits, grants to small businesses through the PPP and direct payments of $1,200 to most Mississippi adults.

Based in large part on the CARES funds, state revenue collections during the first two months of the fiscal year increased almost 35%, or roughly $258 million. Still, Gunn said there is a likelihood state tax collections will slow considerably in the coming months, leaving legislators with tough choices to make in funding education, health care, law enforcement and other aspects of state government.

Earlier in the summer, the Legislature passed a budget for the current fiscal that was $84.5 million, or 1.3% less than what was appropriated the previous year. In that budget most agencies absorbed small cuts and many were hoping with the strong revenue collections this year they could recoup some of those losses.

Miller said the state lost 122,400 jobs in March and April as the COVID-19 pandemic exploded — 10.5% of the workforce. The drop in the national workforce was 14.5%, he said. The state has recouped 71% of those jobs, compared to 48% on the national level.

“The COVID-19 recession has hit service sectors the hardest, and service sectors make up a smaller share of Mississippi’s economy compared to the U.S. economy, both in terms of output and employment,” Miller said.

The size of Mississippi’s economy reduced 20.9% during the second quarter, compared 31.7% on the national level. While the economy has rebounded, Miller said both nationally and in the state the expectation is that there will be substantial contractions for the economy for the calendar year. Growth is expected to occur in 2021, though, and the state is projected to rebound to its current trend of lagging behind the national economy.

Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann asked how much the state was harmed by having one of the nation’s lowest work force participation rates, which references the number of people eligible to work compared to those actually working or pursuing work. Miller said the state’s work force participation rate was 55 percent before COVID-19 hit and most likely had dropped some.

“Our economy is not as productive as it would be if we had more people employed,” Miller said.

The budget committee also heard the budget requests of multiple agencies Thursday, including:

CORRECTIONS

The troubled Mississippi Department of Corrections is requesting an increase in its budget of nearly $33 million, to $365 million, for the coming year, to hire more officers and make other improvements in efforts to stave off action by the federal government that could force far more spending, new MDOC Commissioner Burl Cain told lawmakers.

“This department has been neglected so much by the people who ran it before that we are having to play catch-up,” Cain said.

Cain said he is also focusing on rehabilitation and re-entry programs, but wants to go beyond just education and skills training for inmates, and provide religious programs as he did when he led the Louisiana prisons system.

“If you don’t so something about the heart — teach morality — then you’ve just created a smarter criminal,” Cain said. “It takes religion. That’s where you find morality quicker than anything else. I don’t care what religion it is.”

PUBLIC SAFETY

The Department of Public Safety is asking for a budget of $97 million, a $5.7 million from the current year.

New Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell said the department has been making improvements to its embattled driver’s licenses services that will reduce long waits and lines. He said the agency also continues planning for a new headquarters campus in Rankin County, and hopes to start construction on the $70 million facility in 2021 and complete it in 2024. Tindell said he hopes to train and hire more Mississippi Highway Patrol troopers and more Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agents to combat the opioid problem, which he said has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

MEDICAID

The federal-state health program that serves 760,000 Mississippians is asking for $898 million in state funds for the coming year, a decrease of $496,000 from the current year, Medicaid Director Drew Snyder told lawmakers. He said the agency might even carry forward a balance.

But Snyder said the future is uncertain with the COVID-19 pandemic and “the Medicaid budget is always fluid and at this point it’s even more so.”

Snyder said states have been seeing “enhanced federal match” money and that early in the pandemic there was a dramatic decrease in utilization by Medicaid recipients when people were sheltering in place. The federal share of Medicaid spending during the pandemic, Snyder said, increased from nearly 77% to 83%, reducing the state’s share of costs.

K-12 PUBLIC EDUCATION

The Mississippi Department of Education is asking lawmakers for a budget of $2.86 billion for the coming year, an $311 million increase from the current year.

The bulk of the requested increase —$283 million — would be to fully fund the Mississippi Adequate Education Program — a formula set in law by the Legislature to fund schools which lawmakers have fully funded only twice over 30 years.

Superintendent of Education Carey Wright told lawmakers the system is dealing with challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic including maintaining statewide distance learning and handling a massive project to buy 390,000 computers and tablet devices for students and teachers.

“This is giving us a time to think differently about it and be innovative,” Wright said. “But you’re never going to replace a teacher.”

The post Legislators anticipate revenue slowdown as they begin budgeting process appeared first on Mississippi Today.

Visit our 2020 Voter Guide to learn more about the November 3 general election.

Medical marijuana will be on the November ballot, but it’ll be confusing.

Mississippi voters will be asked on Tuesday, Nov. 3, whether they want to legalize medical marijuana in the state.

But voting on the issue will be complicated thanks to a legislative addition to an otherwise simple question on the ballot.

Mississippi voters statewide will decide between three choices:

* Approve Initiative 65, for which more than 228,000 Mississippians signed a petition, which opponents say is too permissive and written to help the marijuana industry, not patients.

* Approve Initiative 65A, put forth by the Legislature, which would allow lawmakers to regulate a medical marijuana program, but which opponents say is a rope-a-dope by lawmakers to thwart medical marijuana usage and dilute the vote for Initiative 65.

* Vote against both. But voters who do this can still vote for one of the two initiatives, should one pass.

Read all of our coverage of the medical marijuana ballot measure.

Here’s what your choices will look like on the third page of the November ballot:

The post Here’s how to vote for or against medical marijuana on the 2020 ballot appeared first on Mississippi Today.

We asked the Mississippi Supreme Court candidates in contested races why they are running, what they hope to accomplish and if they believe criminal justice reform is needed. Here’s what they said:

Visit our 2020 Voter Guide to learn more about the November 3 general election.

State Supreme Court, District 1, Place 1

Two judges are squaring off for a seat on Mississippi’s high court for District 1, Place 1: incumbent Supreme Court Justice Kenny Griffis and state Court of Appeals Judge Latrice Westbrooks.

Griffis, of Ridgeland, was appointed to the Supreme Court by then-Gov. Phil Bryant to fill out the term Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. who left the bench at the end of January 2019.

Griffis is a former longtime Court of Appeals judge from 2003 until his appointment to the Supreme Court and was serving as chief judge of the appellate court at the time of his appointment. He is running as a “constitutional conservative” and has been endorsed by the state Republican Party, although Supreme Court races are nonpartisan. Westbrooks has the support of numerous Democratic state leaders and groups.

Westbrooks, of Lexington, was elected to the Court of Appeals in 2016. She previously served as an assistant district attorney for Harrison, Hancock and Stone counties – the first African American woman to serve there as assistant DA – and has been an attorney for 25 years.

Westbrooks served as prosecutor for the city of Durant and as city attorney for Isola. She served as a public defender in Holmes County for nearly 10 years and has served as legal counsel for the Jackson Police Department and as a municipal judge for the city of Lexington.

Westbrooks, if elected, would be the first African American woman on the Mississippi Supreme Court.

The district covers the counties of Bolivar, Claiborne, Copiah, Hinds, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Jefferson, Kemper, Lauderdale, Leake, Madison, Neshoba, Newton, Noxubee, Rankin, Scott, Sharkey, Sunflower, Warren, Washington, and Yazoo.

Why are you running?

Justice Kenny Griffis

As a Constitutional Conservative, I will uphold the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Mississippi, and I will protect your God given rights declared in the Bill of Rights. I am committed to decide cases based on what the law is, not what I may think it ought to be, or who I would like to win. I believe in equal justice, and open and accessible courts. I will work tirelessly to assure fair and proper results in our courts. My promise is to ensure integrity, honor, dignity and respect in our courts.

Judge Latrice Westbrooks

This is our moment. Our moment to continue the progress our state has made—most notably removing the confederate flag. This is our moment to build on that change and build a Mississippi that we can all be proud to call home.

We as Mississippians must continue to move the needle in the right direction in establishing justice that upholds social progress. I firmly believe justice in a case is not achieved by a judge being neutral between right and wrong, but a judge must diligently investigate and research to identify the right decision and uphold it. That is why I’m running for Supreme Court Justice.

What experience and education qualifies you for this position?

Justice Kenny Griffis

I have had the honor and privilege to serve the people of Mississippi as a Justice on the Supreme Court for 2 years. I served on the Court of Appeals for over 16 years and concluded as its Chief Judge. I graduated in law and accounting and was a CPA. I have been a leader of the judiciary and legal associations. I regularly teach at both of Mississippi’s law schools. As an attorney, I represented thousands of Mississippi families, individuals and businesses that gave me a broad spectrum of legal experience and the ability to consider both sides.

Judge Latrice Westbrooks

I have served as an Appellate Judge on the Mississippi Court of Appeals since 2017, and before that, a Municipal Court Judge for the City of Lexington. I represented working people in both criminal and civil matters all over our State. My overall experience in the courtroom is unparalleled in this race.

I was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and received my law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy Law School. Upon graduation, I moved to Mississippi and set a historical precedent by becoming the first African American woman Assistant District Attorney in the Second Circuit Court District for the State of Mississippi. I am a member of the Mississippi Bar, Magnolia Bar Association, National Bar Association, the National Conference of Black Lawyers, the Capital Area Bar Association, and the Metro Jackson Black Women Lawyers Association. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a life member of the NAACP.

What do you hope to accomplish?

Justice Kenny Griffis

I want to ensure justice for all in Mississippi courts. I will continue to work hard to make sure Mississippi law is clear, understandable, predictable and applied consistently. Every person must be held accountable under the law. I will demand lawyers and judges are accountable and follow the highest standards of ethics. I am committed to monitor judges and court dockets. Mississippi should improve transparency with live-streamed court proceedings. I want to reduce the heavy burden of procedural rules that are the reason lawyers are so expensive and so many people cannot afford a lawyer.

Judge Latrice Westbrooks

When I became an attorney nearly 25 years ago, my only hope was that I would be able to fight for the underserved and oppressed. When I became a judge, I knew the citizens of this state depended on me to deliver fair and thoughtful justice on the bench. I’m running for the position of Mississippi Supreme Court justice, District 1, with both of these things at the forefront of my mind. I believe the state Supreme Court is the “court of last resort” and I want to be a voice for the people while conveying the law without respect to person or position.

Do you believe criminal justice reform is needed? If so, what reforms would you support?

Justice Kenny Griffis

The criminal justice system must focus on public safety, personal accountability and rehabilitation. Mississippi criminal justice reform must start with more law enforcement officers, better pay, better training, more personal accountability and the respect they deserve. We must consider the expansion of intervention courts, which combines personal accountability with rehabilitation. Veteran’s courts, mental health courts and reentry courts must be a focus. We must consider the effective use of technology to keep the public safe and lower incarceration costs.

Judge Latrice Westbrooks

I served as a prosecutor for the city of Durant and as city attorney for the town of Isola. For almost 10 years, I served as a public defender in Holmes County. I’m the only person in this race who understands and has been at the nexus of criminal justice reform. As an attorney in private practice, my pro bono practice included volunteering to help many citizens expunge their criminal records throughout Mississippi in cooperation with state and local officials, the Magnolia Bar Association, One Voice, the Mississippi NAACP, and the Mississippi Center for Justice. I’ve devoted my life’s work to reform our criminal justice system. I firmly believe justice in a case is not achieved by a judge being neutral between right and wrong, but a judge must diligently investigate and research to identify the right decision and uphold it.

Supreme Court, District 3, Place 3

Incumbent Supreme Court Justice Josiah Coleman faces a challenge from Chancery Court Judge Percy Lynchard Jr. for the District 3, Place 3 seat on the high court.

Coleman, of Fentress, was elected to the Supreme Court in 2012 and began his term in January 2013. He previously practiced law in Tupelo and Oxford and had served as a law clerk for U.S. Magistrate S. Allan Alexander in Oxford. Coleman’s grandfather, the late former Gov. J.P. Coleman, also served briefly on the Mississippi Supreme Court and on the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Coleman’s father, Thomas, was an original member of the state Court of Appeals.

Lynchard, of Hernando, is serving his seventh term as chancery judge for the district that includes DeSoto, Grenada, Montgomery, Panola, Tate and Yalobusha counties. He is currently senior chancellor for the district, an previously served as DeSoto county prosecutor and as a municipal judge for Hernando. He ran unsuccessfully for the state Supreme Court 20 years ago.

The District 3 seat for which Coleman and Lynchard are vying covers Alcorn, Attala, Benton, Calhoun, Carroll, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Clay, Coahoma, DeSoto, Grenada, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Leflore, Lowndes, Mashall, Monroe, Montgomery, Oktibbeha, Panola, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, Tunica, Union, Webster, Winston and Yalobusha counties.

Why are you running?

Justice Josiah Coleman

It has been an honor to serve Mississippi as a member of its Supreme Court for the past eight years. I am running for re-election because I know from the standpoint of a practicing attorney, judge, and citizen of the state that the Court’s decisions affect the daily lives and chances for prosperity and success of Mississippians. A fair Court is critical to the preservation of the rule of law, which in turn is critical for freedom and prosperity.

Judge Percy L. Lynchard

Justice, MS Supreme Court, District 3 (Northern)

What experience and education qualifies you for this position?

Justice Josiah Coleman

I have had the honor of holding the position, and therefore playing a role in deciding cases as a member of Mississippi’s highest court, for eight years. Accordingly, I have worked on every type of case that comes before the Court including death penalty and other criminal appeals, workers’ compensation cases, tax cases, civil litigation appeals, city annexations, and family law matters. By way of education, I hold my bachelor’s and primary law degree from Ole Miss. I have also earned a Masters of Law in Judicial Studies from Duke Law School.

Judge Percy L. Lynchard

I practiced law for 14 years in general practice, including banking law, family law, real estate and personal injury law. I served for 10 years as Municipal Judge for the City of Hernando, 4 years as DeSoto County Prosecuting Attorney and City Prosecutor for the City of Hernando, and most importantly, 26 years as Chancellor for the 3rd Chancery District. I hold a BSE in Social Sciences from Delta State University and a Juris Doctor from Ole Miss Law School. I am also a graduate of the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada.

What do you hope to accomplish?

Justice Josiah Coleman

To continue doing what I have been doing during my first term–provide a reasoned and fair voice on the Court, and to remain committed to the fundamental constitutional principles that define our system of government.

Judge Percy L. Lynchard

I will bring many, many years (26 as a Chancery Judge) of experience in Chancery matters to the Court, something that is extremely lacking on the Court currently. If elected, I will bring an emphasis on such areas and cases.

Do you believe criminal justice reform is needed? If so, what reforms would you support?

Justice Josiah Coleman

As a jurist committed to the separation of powers between the three branches of government and in light of the real possibility that the Court will be called upon to interpret or even determine the constitutionality of any statutes passed to reform the criminal justice system, I do not have any comment.

Judge Percy L. Lynchard

I don’t think it can ever be said that any area such as the criminal process or corrections is perfect, therefore we should always be open to any reforms, suggestions or methods that may be available. I would be open to considering any proposals that may come forward. Such programs such as juvenile and adult drug courts have proven very useful and effective. Accordingly, I would be open to considering any similar programs.

The post Why are the Mississippi Supreme Court candidates running? Here’s what they said appeared first on Mississippi Today.

We asked U.S. Senate candidates where they stand on issues such as COVID-19 response, public education, national debt and more. Read what Democrat Mike Espy and Libertarian Jimmy Edwards said in their own words below.

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith’s campaign staff ignored 13 calls, texts or emails from Mississippi Today in an 18-day period to submit responses for this questionnaire. Hyde-Smith, in the single public event she attended during that time, also ignored a Mississippi Today reporter who asked her questions about her campaign in person.

Visit our 2020 Voter Guide to learn more about the November 3 general election.

What role should Congress play in coronavirus response?

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith’s campaign staff ignored 13 calls, texts or emails from Mississippi Today in an 18-day period to submit responses for this questionnaire. Hyde-Smith, in the single public event she attended during that time, also ignored a Mississippi Today reporter who asked her questions about her campaign in person.

Mike Espy

Congress, along with the President, should be leading a cohesive, coherent, and coordinated national approach to addressing the pandemic and the economic crisis so we do not have this ad hoc approach that has left our states and local governments to fend for themselves.

Instead of minimizing the pandemic and denying during the critical early stages, our Congressional leaders should have come together as a body, sat down with our world-renowned medical experts and come up with a comprehensive approach to shut down parts of the United States.

Jimmy Edwards

They should encourage local cities and counties to determine the level of protection their residents should take. Each state, city, and county/parish has different levels of coronavirus cases, This is where decisions need to be made.

Should safeguards be put in place to limit national debt?

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith’s campaign staff ignored 13 calls, texts or emails from Mississippi Today in an 18-day period to submit responses for this questionnaire. Hyde-Smith, in the single public event she attended during that time, also ignored a Mississippi Today reporter who asked her questions about her campaign in person.

Mike Espy

As a long-time deficit and debt hawk and former member of the U.S. House’s Budget Committee, I believe we must reduce the national debt. But gimmick safeguards would bring fiscal collapse to our country’s economy, especially during downturns like we are in now.

It will be my utmost priority in Congress to reduce our debt through careful, targeted cuts. By giving tax breaks to the drivers of our economy — the middle class and small businesses — instead of the wealthy, we can reap the benefits of a booming economy and reduce our debt.

Jimmy Edwards

The best way to limit the national debt is to reduce spending as much as possible and to find innovative ways to raise additional revenue.

Should a president have broad power to declare war or send troops to battle without congressional approval?

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith’s campaign staff ignored 13 calls, texts or emails from Mississippi Today in an 18-day period to submit responses for this questionnaire. Hyde-Smith, in the single public event she attended during that time, also ignored a Mississippi Today reporter who asked her questions about her campaign in person.

Mike Espy

No. As outlined in the Constitution, the President should have to seek approval in order to declare war. I do support the President maintaining authority to keep our country safe and execute tailored missions, such as those against the War on Terror.

My support for the brave men and women who have sacrificed everything for their country is non-negotiable. I am dedicated to Mississippi’s nearly 200,000 veterans and 12,000 active-duty service members and will speak out against any attempt to denigrate their service and their families’ commitment to this country.

Jimmy Edwards

The three branches of government need to apply the War Powers Act as originally written. Furthermore, endless undeclared wars/military actions need to stop immediately. Therefore, my answer is no.

What are your healthcare priorities?

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith’s campaign staff ignored 13 calls, texts or emails from Mississippi Today in an 18-day period to submit responses for this questionnaire. Hyde-Smith, in the single public event she attended during that time, also ignored a Mississippi Today reporter who asked her questions about her campaign in person.

Mike Espy

I know how important affordable health care is for all Mississippians, because it’s part of my family’s legacy. In 1924, my grandfather, Thomas J. Huddleston, started the first Black-owned hospital in Mississippi at the height of Jim Crow. Like my grandfather, my number one priority will be guaranteeing all Mississippians access to quality and affordable health care. Too many Mississippians are getting crushed by the rising cost of premiums, copays, and prescription drugs.

I am committed to building upon the Affordable Care Act in order to lower health care costs for all Mississippians, including expanding Medicaid in Mississippi — a policy we are already paying for in other states as taxpayers. It’s high time Mississippi had the same benefits for their rural hospitals and lower costs that other Medicaid expansion states like Oklahoma and Missouri do.

Jimmy Edwards

Completely repeal Obamacare, allow states to control healthcare exchanges, provide Medicaid to those who need it worst, allow options for those eligible for Medicare B to find more economical plans, encourage new graduates of professional medical degrees to serve in the Reserves/National Guard while providing healthcare to those in communities who need it the most.

What are your public education priorities?

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith’s campaign staff ignored 13 calls, texts or emails from Mississippi Today in an 18-day period to submit responses for this questionnaire. Hyde-Smith, in the single public event she attended during that time, also ignored a Mississippi Today reporter who asked her questions about her campaign in person.

Mike Espy

Every child in Mississippi deserves access to a quality education that will allow them to reach their full potential — no matter the school they attend, the color of their skin, or how much money their parents make.

I was fortunate enough to attend a local parochial school in Yazoo City until I integrated the all-white Yazoo City High School. I support all schools in our state. Public dollars should go toward our public schools. For years, our public schools have been underfunded by billions.

Decisions about education are best left to our educators, teachers, parents and school administrators and I will fight to get them the support and funding they need, including increasing teacher pay, adequately funding training programs and expanding federal loan forgiveness programs for teachers.

As Senator, I will work with any president and any legislator to deliver results for Mississippi’s schools — and I will demand answers for policies that hurt our teachers and families.

Jimmy Edwards

Phase out the Department of Education within 10 years of taking office, designate funding in that period for career education and remedial instruction in language arts & mathematics, tax credits for families who choose non-public education for their children in grades K-12, allow exemptions for Selective Service registration for high-achieving high school graduates.

What is your take on the current debate over funding of police?

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith’s campaign staff ignored 13 calls, texts or emails from Mississippi Today in an 18-day period to submit responses for this questionnaire. Hyde-Smith, in the single public event she attended during that time, also ignored a Mississippi Today reporter who asked her questions about her campaign in person.

Mike Espy

I do not support “defunding” the police. But I have proposed a number of clear steps to reform policing so our law enforcement officers can better serve our communities.

First, we need to hire more officers of color, especially Black men and women. We can attract more applicants by offering competitive salaries and opportunities for continuing education.

Second, applicants and new hires should be subject to stringent background checks on past conduct and previous performance. That’s why we must create a national registry of police misconduct and disciplinary actions. State and local police departments should also be required to report use-of-force incidents to the Department of Justice.

Third, we must mandate bias and de-escalation training. I also want our police officers to receive training from our mental health counselors, social workers, child protection officers, and addiction specialists. On a daily basis, officers are confronted with situations involving these afflictions. I want our departments to work hand-in-hand with these experts so they can better understand these situations in order to better serve our communities. We must create a new prevailing standard of conduct in which the unacceptable standard of “reasonable force” is replaced with “necessary force.” And fourth, chokeholds and other restraint positions should be abolished.

Finally, all officers should be required to wear body cameras at all times while on duty.

Jimmy Edwards

If cities are allowed to defund their police departments, this will set a dangerous precedent for law enforcement at the county/parish and state levels. The “well armed militia” mentioned in the 2nd Amendment needs to be applied to civilian law enforcement as well as our armed forces.

Do you believe criminal justice reform is needed? If so, what reforms would you support?

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith’s campaign staff ignored 13 calls, texts or emails from Mississippi Today in an 18-day period to submit responses for this questionnaire. Hyde-Smith, in the single public event she attended during that time, also ignored a Mississippi Today reporter who asked her questions about her campaign in person.

Mike Espy

In the last decade, improvements in technology, and better understanding of the impact of sentencing, the criminal justice system and the causes of crime, have forced us to reevaluate policies put into place in the 20th century. I think the FIRST STEP Act was an essential and much-needed bill.

In Mississippi, we have an incarceration problem. There are far too many people, most of whom are Black men, in prison for non-violent crimes and technical violations. It’s a drain on the families of the incarcerated, on our economy, and on our state budget.

Most incarcerated Americans are held in state and local jails. As your U.S. Senator, I would work on a “second step act” to address criminal justice issues at the state and local level and allocate federal funds for new programs to help reduce recidivism. By increasing the funding for and availability of addiction and psychological treatment in prisons, education and job training programs for individuals on the inside and when they are recently released, affordable housing, and private-public partnerships for reentry programs, we can help both incarcerated individuals and their families deal with the financial burden of incarceration and become contributing members of our economy.

Jimmy Edwards

Any reform needs to be carried out at the state, county/parish, and city levels. This is a 10th Amendment issue that needs to be handled at these levels.

The Mississippi Legislature recently voted to remove the state flag with its confederate emblem as opposed to putting that decision before voters. Do you agree or disagree with this and why?

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith’s campaign staff ignored 13 calls, texts or emails from Mississippi Today in an 18-day period to submit responses for this questionnaire. Hyde-Smith, in the single public event she attended during that time, also ignored a Mississippi Today reporter who asked her questions about her campaign in person.

Mike Espy

Agree. At 66 years old, I never thought I would see the flag come down it in my lifetime.

The confederate battle emblem flag was hurting our state’s economy. With the retirement of the old flag, Mississippi is finally ready to turn the page on that part of our state’s history and start the next decade as one of prosperity and promise.

Jimmy Edwards

This is an area where our Governor has acted unilaterally without consulting with his legislative branch. Whether you want to consider this action, as well as other decisions he has made in recent months, as an “Executive Order” or not, he has acted without considering legislation passed almost 20 years ago.

As a Mississippian, do you think the old state flag should be placed on the ballot for a vote of the people?

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith’s campaign staff ignored 13 calls, texts or emails from Mississippi Today in an 18-day period to submit responses for this questionnaire. Hyde-Smith, in the single public event she attended during that time, also ignored a Mississippi Today reporter who asked her questions about her campaign in person.

Mike Espy

No. I believe it was the right decision for the legislature to choose to take down the flag. As a former Congressman and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, I know that sometimes leaders have to make tough decisions. The legislature made the right decision to take down the flag and put a new flag up for a vote. With this new flag, we can all move forward together.

Jimmy Edwards

Yes.

What do you think of the removal of confederate monuments across the South and nation?

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith’s campaign staff ignored 13 calls, texts or emails from Mississippi Today in an 18-day period to submit responses for this questionnaire. Hyde-Smith, in the single public event she attended during that time, also ignored a Mississippi Today reporter who asked her questions about her campaign in person.

Mike Espy

I believe monuments erected in favor of confederate leaders and generals should no longer be displayed on official property. I do support putting these monuments in museums with context to educate the public on the history of the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the South.

I do not believe that we should be glorifying a time when one human being was allowed to own another human being or the war that was fought for that very system.

Jimmy Edwards

These actions have been a knee-jerk reaction based on groups that will not forgive earlier generations of Americans for events which happened hundreds of years ago.

Please express your thoughts on any issues we didn’t mention.

Cindy Hyde-Smith

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith’s campaign staff ignored 13 calls, texts or emails from Mississippi Today in an 18-day period to submit responses for this questionnaire. Hyde-Smith, in the single public event she attended during that time, also ignored a Mississippi Today reporter who asked her questions about her campaign in person.

Mike Espy

As we enter the third decade of the 21st century, Mississippi is at a pivotal moment. We often come last in rankings and make do with less. Mississippi is home to the most generous and hospitable people I know. I am tired of our leaders not standing up for our state.

No matter your race, your gender, your age or your political views, you can always call on me as your U.S. Senator. I will be an independent voice for the health, safety, and economic security of Mississippi’s families. Together, we can move Mississippi forward.

Jimmy Edwards

I want to reform Social Security by not penalizing beneficiaries who want to claim benefits before full retirement age and continue gainful employment, allowing those who have not claimed benefits to set up to 50% of their current contributions to a private retirement plan, and raising the full retirement age to 70 for those born in 1990 or later. I want to repeal the income tax in favor of a value-added tax based on mean percentages of federal tax deductions on a state-by-state basis. I wish to enact term limits for House and Senate members while reducing the number of House members from 435 to 399. I am for encouraging registered voters to utilize Article 5 of the Constitution to bring about change unable to be brought by those on Capitol Hill. I support streamlining our military forces abroad by ending infinite occupations of other nations and using forwarding operating bases in Alaska, Hawaii, Germany, and South Korea. Finally I will urge consolidation of the Departments of Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs into the Department of Defense.

The post Where do the Mississippi U.S. Senate candidates stand on the issues? appeared first on Mississippi Today.

Visit our 2020 Voter Guide to learn more about the November 3 general election.

Jimmy Edwards of Grenada is running for the United States Senate seat this year.

Edwards, the Libertarian candidate, is challenging Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democrat Mike Espy.

Edwards, 56, says he is an independent contractor and is a former teacher and customer service agent.

This is his first bid for elected office.

 

We asked all of the U.S. Senate candidates to share their stances on several issues. Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith chose not to respond. You can view Democrat Mike Espy’s answers here.

Here’s what Libertarian Jimmy Edwards said:

What role should Congress play in coronavirus response?

Jimmy Edwards: They should encourage local cities and counties to determine the level of protection their residents should take. Each state, city, and county/parish has different levels of coronavirus cases, This is where decisions need to be made.

Should safeguards be put in place to limit national debt?

Jimmy Edwards: The best way to limit the national debt is to reduce spending as much as possible and to find innovative ways to raise additional revenue.

Should a president have broad power to declare war or send troops to battle without congressional approval?

Jimmy Edwards: The three branches of government need to apply the War Powers Act as originally written. Furthermore, endless undeclared wars/military actions need to stop immediately. Therefore, my answer is no.

What are your healthcare priorities?

Jimmy Edwards: Completely repeal Obamacare, allow states to control healthcare exchanges, provide Medicaid to those who need it worst, allow options for those eligible for Medicare B to find more economical plans, encourage new graduates of professional medical degrees to serve in the Reserves/National Guard while providing healthcare to those in communities who need it the most.

What are your public education priorities?

Jimmy Edwards: Phase out the Department of Education within 10 years of taking office, designate funding in that period for career education and remedial instruction in language arts & mathematics, tax credits for families who choose non-public education for their children in grades K-12, allow exemptions for Selective Service registration for high-achieving high school graduates.

What is your take on the current debate over funding of police?

Jimmy Edwards: If cities are allowed to defund their police departments, this will set a dangerous precedent for law enforcement at the county/parish and state levels. The “well armed militia” mentioned in the 2nd Amendment needs to be applied to civilian law enforcement as well as our armed forces.

Do you believe criminal justice reform is needed? If so, what reforms would you support?

Jimmy Edwards: Any reform needs to be carried out at the state, county/parish, and city levels. This is a 10th Amendment issue that needs to be handled at these levels.

The Mississippi Legislature recently voted to remove the state flag with its confederate emblem as opposed to putting that decision before voters. Do you agree or disagree with this and why?

Jimmy Edwards: This is an area where our Governor has acted unilaterally without consulting with his legislative branch. Whether you want to consider this action, as well as other decisions he has made in recent months, as an “Executive Order” or not, he has acted without considering legislation passed almost 20 years ago.

As a Mississippian, do you think the old state flag should be placed on the ballot for a vote of the people?

Jimmy Edwards: Yes.

What do you think of the removal of confederate monuments across the South and nation?

Jimmy Edwards: These actions have been a knee-jerk reaction based on groups that will not forgive earlier generations of Americans for events which happened hundreds of years ago.

Please express your thoughts on any issues we didn’t mention.

Jimmy Edwards: I want to reform Social Security by not penalizing beneficiaries who want to claim benefits before full retirement age and continue gainful employment, allowing those who have not claimed benefits to set up to 50% of their current contributions to a private retirement plan, and raising the full retirement age to 70 for those born in 1990 or later. I want to repeal the income tax in favor of a value-added tax based on mean percentages of federal tax deductions on a state-by-state basis. I wish to enact term limits for House and Senate members while reducing the number of House members from 435 to 399. I am for encouraging registered voters to utilize Article 5 of the Constitution to bring about change unable to be brought by those on Capitol Hill. I support streamlining our military forces abroad by ending infinite occupations of other nations and using forwarding operating bases in Alaska, Hawaii, Germany, and South Korea. Finally I will urge consolidation of the Departments of Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs into the Department of Defense.

The post Jimmy Edwards Bio appeared first on Mississippi Today.