Commercial Dispatch - Tax issues atop Mississippi Democrats' to-do lists if elected to Washington - Raising the Social Security tax ceiling, eliminating income tax paid on overtime and regional transportation are a few of the issues Mississippi Democrats seeking federal office want to introduce in Washington if they’re elected.
“How can you be the poorest state in the nation and have everybody have to have a car?” asked Erik Fleming, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate running against longtime Mississippi Republican Thad Cochran. “Now, I’m not saying that Starkville is going to get an L-Train,” the Chicago native told the meager crowd Monday night during the Oktibbeha County Party annual Beans and Greens fundraiser, as he touted efforts to work toward regional transportation systems that might link communities like Starkville, West Point and Columbus.
Joel Gill, the Democrat from Pickens who will face Gregg Harper, the Republican from Pearl, for the chance to serve in the 3rd Congressional District, to replace retiring U.S. House Rep. Chip Pickering, wants to raise the ceiling on Social Security so high income earners will pay more, helping to make the system more solvent. The wage ceiling for 2008 is set at about $102,000, which means income above this amount is not taxed for Social Security.
What Gill and other Democrats like Fleming and Ronnie Musgrove — who was scheduled to speak at the Beans and Greens event but was unable to attend and will face Roger Wicker for Trent Lott’s old U.S. Senate seat — are counting on is large numbers of Democrats turning out in the November election, particularly if Barack Obama becomes the Democratic nominee for president.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
Harper says thanks
WTOK - Harper Thanks Supporters - Two days after securing the Republican nomination, third district congressional candidate Gregg Harper formally thanked his supporters. The Pearl attorney held a news conference in Jackson Thursday morning. Harper defeated former state Sen. Charlie Ross in a runoff Tuesday. He's back on the campaign trail now, getting ready for the general election. Harper touted some of the issues he plans to tackle, if he wins the general election, including illegal immigration. "We have to secure our borders," said Harper. "And we have to enforce those existing laws on immigration that we don't know whether they'll work or not, because we haven't done a good job of taking care of those." Harper will take on Democrat Joel Gill in the general election Nov. 4.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Madison: Police investigate removal of political signs
Madison County Journal Online - Police investigate removal of political signs - The Charlie Ross campaign is denying allegations that its volunteers were authorized to remove area Gregg Harper signs over the weekend.
Madison Police Chief Gene Waldrop said his department interviewed several young people on Sunday who admitted that they removed the Harper signs while placing pro-Ross signs near the intersection of U.S. Highway 51 and Madison Avenue. According to Waldrop, there is no evidence or testimony that the people associated with Ross were specifically told by the Ross campaign to remove Harper signs. About 30 signs were found in the possession of the campaign workers on Sunday.
He added that Harper, although upset about the incident, declined to press charges or pursue the matter further after meeting with him on Monday morning. "I don't think they said they were being paid to take them (Harper signs) up. I think they said they were being paid to put out Charlie Ross signs," Waldrop said.
Stealing the signs would constitute a misdemeanor offense. Waldrop said it was not unusual for such allegations to surface during political campaigns.
Mark Lyon, the campaign director for Charlie Ross, said it never authorized or paid anyone to remove another candidate's signs and did not condone the action. Lyon said the campaign was unaware of the situation until Monday afternoon but wanted to focus on the issues. "Many Charlie Ross signs have been taken down since the first primary. However, we have not made any accusations against the Gregg Harper campaign organization, we attribute this to overzealous supporters," Lyon said in a prepared statement on Monday afternoon.
Gregg Harper's campaign director Michael Cravens said the issue was minor and did not merit a great deal of attention. "We just really hesitate to get involved in something like this, because it's so trivial in the whole scope of things," Cravens said on Monday afternoon. "We're going to be true to Gregg Harper's commitment to running a clean and positive campaign."
Waldrop said his department had worked in conjunction with the Ridgeland Police Department after the allegations surfaced in both Madison and Ridgeland. He said he received vehicle tag numbers belonging to the Ross campaign workers from local business owners who expressed concern about the Harper signs being taken down. "I think at this point, you may have a he-said or she-said situation," Waldrop said.
Madison Police Chief Gene Waldrop said his department interviewed several young people on Sunday who admitted that they removed the Harper signs while placing pro-Ross signs near the intersection of U.S. Highway 51 and Madison Avenue. According to Waldrop, there is no evidence or testimony that the people associated with Ross were specifically told by the Ross campaign to remove Harper signs. About 30 signs were found in the possession of the campaign workers on Sunday.
He added that Harper, although upset about the incident, declined to press charges or pursue the matter further after meeting with him on Monday morning. "I don't think they said they were being paid to take them (Harper signs) up. I think they said they were being paid to put out Charlie Ross signs," Waldrop said.
Stealing the signs would constitute a misdemeanor offense. Waldrop said it was not unusual for such allegations to surface during political campaigns.
Mark Lyon, the campaign director for Charlie Ross, said it never authorized or paid anyone to remove another candidate's signs and did not condone the action. Lyon said the campaign was unaware of the situation until Monday afternoon but wanted to focus on the issues. "Many Charlie Ross signs have been taken down since the first primary. However, we have not made any accusations against the Gregg Harper campaign organization, we attribute this to overzealous supporters," Lyon said in a prepared statement on Monday afternoon.
Gregg Harper's campaign director Michael Cravens said the issue was minor and did not merit a great deal of attention. "We just really hesitate to get involved in something like this, because it's so trivial in the whole scope of things," Cravens said on Monday afternoon. "We're going to be true to Gregg Harper's commitment to running a clean and positive campaign."
Waldrop said his department had worked in conjunction with the Ridgeland Police Department after the allegations surfaced in both Madison and Ridgeland. He said he received vehicle tag numbers belonging to the Ross campaign workers from local business owners who expressed concern about the Harper signs being taken down. "I think at this point, you may have a he-said or she-said situation," Waldrop said.
Hatcher Endorses Ross
HatTip: Y'all Politics
"During my campaign through the whole district I never met a Charlie Ross supporter who worked to exclude me or discouraged my efforts as a candidate. In every instance Charlie, his family, campaign staff and supporters always made the "newcomer" feel welcome. I am pleased with their honorable campaign. Please join me and vote for Charlie Ross on Tuesday, April 1st." - Greg Hatcher, Former MS-03 Republican Candidate, 4/1/8
"During my campaign through the whole district I never met a Charlie Ross supporter who worked to exclude me or discouraged my efforts as a candidate. In every instance Charlie, his family, campaign staff and supporters always made the "newcomer" feel welcome. I am pleased with their honorable campaign. Please join me and vote for Charlie Ross on Tuesday, April 1st." - Greg Hatcher, Former MS-03 Republican Candidate, 4/1/8
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