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Volume 5, Number 11 September 23, 2015
Ballot Initiative 42:
It’s not about children – it’s about POWER.
See sample ballot below:
As discussed in the previous Election Watch, Mississippi voters will be asked to make a critical decision on the November ballot – fundamentally change the balance of power in our state by handing decision-making over to a judge or keep it in the hands of our elected representatives. Initiative 42 seeks to amend the Mississippi Constitution to take education policy decisions away from the State Legislature and give them to a single judge in Hinds County. The results of this passing would not only remove parents from the education policy debate, but also cripple our state in terms of financial stability and economic development.
Contrary to what the proponents of the initiative claim, Initiative 42 says nothing about funding. It says nothing about the “Mississippi Adequate Education Program.” It says nothing about a “phase-in” for full funding. The actual Constitutional amendment proposed by the initiative would make the following changes to Section 201 of the Mississippi Constitution (proposed additions are underlined, deletions are shown as strike-through):
What could this mean for Mississippi Manufacturers?
Eliminating the opportunity for tax relief on businesses. While MMA has worked tirelessly to lower the cost of doing business by reducing YOUR taxes, this constitutional change would stop our momentum. If Initiative 42 becomes the law of the land, the Legislature would be unable to consider tax cuts and incentives that would provide financial relief to Mississippi businesses and help to make Mississippi competitive with other states.
Likelihood of tax and fee increases. If a judge mandates that a greater share of the state’s general fund go toward education funding, the legislature will have no choice but to raise taxes and fees. This could include increasing income and sales taxes, establishing permitting fees at MDEQ, unemployment insurance premium increases, and other increases in the cost of doing business in Mississippi. New taxes and fees will be the only way the Legislature can make up for budgetary shortfalls.
Comprehensive solutions to our state’s transportation needs. According to the MS Department of Transportation, Mississippi has more than half a billion dollar in critical infrastructure needs. However, proponents of Initiative 42 have already publicly advocated that legislators should divert a portion of growth in state-generated funds -including gas tax revenues – to pay for education. Roads and bridges in need of repair would continue to deteriorate.
Putting the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality at risk. If a judge has the sole authority to determine education funding and policy, then the Legislature will have no choice but to comply with the judge’s dictate on education spending. This puts funding for other agencies – including the Department of Environmental Quality – at risk. A 7.8% cut for this agency would cause layoffs, threatening the agency’s ability to manage federal programs, resulting in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency taking over regulatory programs.
MMA is not alone in its opposition to changing our state’s Constitution in this manner. Below is a partial list of groups and associations that have taken a position against Initiative 42:
Mississippi Manufacturers Association
Mississippi Restaurant & Hospitality Association
Mississippi Tourism Association
Mississippi Independent Insurers Association
Mississippi Association of Realtors
Mississippi Bankers Association
Mississippi Farm Bureau
Mississippi Poultry Association
Home Builders Association of Mississippi
Mississippi Association of Builders & Contractors
Mississippi Road Builders
MSGOP – the State Party adopted a unanimous resolution against 42 reflecting the opposition of party leaders like Gov. Phil Bryant, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, and Speaker Philip Gunn.
For more information on the dangers of Initiative 42,
please visit www.42truth.com.
Vote AGAINST Changing the Mississippi Constitution!
This was presented by Andy Gipson, Republican Representative for District 77
thanks Andy for explain, as usual another bill that’s not clean