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2005 Major Events! Click here to view the current schedule.

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ChamberPlus, Inc. news, click here.

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Workforce Development news, click here.

Economic Development news, click here.

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Leadership Jackson news, click here.

Updated list of new members, click here.

New Photo Gallery Pictures, click here.

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Click here to view the 2005 Executive Committee & Board of Directors

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Memo from President Duane O'Neill

LEGISLATION BENEATH THE  RADAR SCREEN

This session of the Mississippi State Legislature had many frustrating moments.  The peak of the disappointment was the failure to pass the economic development package known as Momentum Mississippi.   Momentum Mississippi included many important tools for enhancing the economic prosperity of our State.  Among these tools lost with the failure to pass the legislation, were the incentives for expanding existing businesses in our State.  Hopefully, this entire initiative will resurface in the very near future.

However, it is also important to give credit where it is deserved.  One such place to celebrate is Senate Bill 2339.  This bill has significant implications on the area of major concern for our metro community—PUBLIC SAFETY.  Senator Charlie Ross authored this bill that focuses on judicial reform. It has passed both Houses and now awaits Governor Barbour’s signature.   .

While the bill is quite vast in the issues it addresses, our interest is in Section 18(2).  It is this language that makes it possible for the Chief Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court upon his own motion to appoint a special judge to serve on a temporary basis in a circuit or chancery court in the event of an emergency or overcrowded docket.  This special judge would assist the court in the disposition of cases for a period determined by the Chief Justice.

According to U.S. Attorney Dunn Lampton, the overcrowded docket in Hinds County is a major issue for our Judicial System.  Lampton sees this legislation as an important step towards moving the backlog of cases through the court system.  Additionally, the expediting of the court cases will also positively effect the overcrowding of the jail space. 

It was a bill that didn’t create much publicity, but should have major implications in addressing crime in our community.  Tell Senator Ross and the rest of the legislature “THANK YOU’.

Lewis Slater, Vice President, Governmental Relations

The 2005 Session (one major issue –budgets) -- but is over?

Early last fall, representatives from the MetroJackson Chamber and other metro area chambers met with metro area legislators to discuss potential issues for inclusion in the 2005 Metro Legislative Agenda. During that legislative planning session, legislators told us that the 2005 session would be primarily about money and budgets and for us not to come advocating any kind of general tax increase.

That prediction was certainly true. The session has been all about budgets and the predicted consequences of not being able to fund most agency requests from present revenue streams. There were no other big issues that got much attention. All of this activity took place in a political environment where Governor Haley Barbour has reaffirmed his position of “no new taxes” and says that our state’s problem is uncontrolled spending and not a shortage of revenue.

The House was willing to increase the tax on cigarettes but the Senate would not do so. How all of these budget consequences will play out in the next few weeks is uncertain. Will the aftermath prompt a special session to deal with revenues?

The 2005 Metro Legislative Agenda:

Our 2005 Metro Legislative Agenda included seven items plus one item that was added after the session started. Our items were: (1) protecting the tort reform gains of 2006, (2) authorizing toll roads, (3) Mississippi Optional Sales Tax, (4) Momentum Mississippi Economic Development Incentives, (5) incentives for restoration of historic structures and certain downtown structures, (6) funding mechanism for city and county storm water drainage districts, and (7) tourism promotion. Support for reducing the unemployment tax and using surplus funds in the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund for workforce training was later added.

Of these eight agenda items, we were successful on three: preserving tort reform, tourism promotion, and lowering the unemployment tax/allocating funds for workforce development. Click here for details on the results of the 2005 Metro Legislative agenda.

Other Bills of Interest to Business Community:

The cities of Pearl and Madison have Local and Private Bills on the Governor’s desk authorizing referendums on hospitality taxes. Pearl’s bill would authorize a tax (up to 2%) on restaurant sales in the western part of the city to help pay costs associated with bringing AA Braves baseball to Pearl. Madison’s bill would authorize a tax (up to 1%) on motel, hotel and restaurant sales to fund tourism promotional projects. Both bills require 60% of those voting to vote “for the proposal” before the city council can levy the tax.

A bill of significance to all is HB 1104, which deals with Medicaid. Unless this program is brought under control, it will continue to grow and make it very difficult to fund other programs at desired levels. This bill will amend the code sections on eligibility and services for Medicaid

Though the Momentum Mississippi economic development incentives did not pass, several bills enhancing economic development did pass.  Click here for details on HB 500, HB 1488, HB 1711, HB 1668, HB 1341, HB 1294, and SB 2478. One of the most important bills for business was SB 2480, which lowered the unemployment tax rate, established a minimum fund balance of $500,000,000 for the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, and authorized $20,000,000 a year for several years for workforce training for existing businesses.   

Another bill important to the metro area was the passage of SB 2339, which makes it easier to get a temporary judge appointed to help catch up on overloaded court dockets. This will be of help in reducing some the backlog of criminal cases pending in Hinds County.

Is It Over?

Legislative activity for 2005 may or may not be over. Time will tell.