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By Brandon Overby
The race for the Governor’s Mansion in the Magnolia State is rapidly heating up. With two months left until the November election, both campaigns have drawn clear battle lines in one of the nation’s most hotly contested races. With election season in full swing, this year’s gubernatorial battle pits incumbent Governor Tate Reeves against Northern Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley. In a ruby-red state like Mississippi, one would expect the Republicans to clean the floor in this year’s election; however, with an unpopular incumbent whose campaign is racked with scandals, Democrats are optimistic about their chances this fall. Recently, Commissioner Presley and his campaign agreed to an interview with Magee News Reporter Braden Overby. Magee News would like to thank Mr. Presley for taking the time to answer questions about his plans for our great state!
Overby’s 1st Question- “What was the main motivating factor to jump into the race, and as the race stands today, what is your main message to voters in the Magnolia state?”
Presley’s Answer- “Well two things, one is the corruption that’s running wild in Mississippi where Brett Favre can get five million dollars for a volleyball court,\
and this biggest public corruption scandal in the state’s history- folks are being carted off to jail- folks are having to pay money back. It made me sick at my stomach. Secondly, was the crisis that we have in healthcare that we have in Mississippi. As hospitals shut down and we’re losing healthcare jobs, I want to expand Medicaid to save our hospitals and to give working people, folks that work for a living, a chance at healthcare.”
Overby’s 2nd Question- “Currently, the Center for American Progress finds 11 states have a paid family leave program. Recently, our neighbor Louisiana added itself to the list when Gov. Edwards signed their version of the plan into law. Under Louisiana’s plan, a modest contribution of 50 cents- equally shared between the employer and the employee for every 100 dollars in wages- has provided 1.7 million Louisiana workers with paid family leave. Would you support a similar proposal such as the state of Louisiana? Why or why not?”
Presley’s Answer- “Yeah, I believe that paid family leave is important when you’ve got a loved one on their deathbed, or you have got someone having a child- I think that it is important. I would be open to what the state of Louisiana did. I would be open to see if that can be made better or how it could be tailored in Mississippi. But I definitely would be open to looking at a reasonable proposal concerning paid family leave.”
Overby’s 3rd Question- “Recently, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota signed into law a bill that would benefit school children across the state. His universal, free lunch program provides tax-payer-funded meals to all Minnesota students regardless of income. Considering that Mississippi has one of the highest rates of food insecurity in the nation, could you see yourself supporting a universal, free lunch program? If not, what specifically could you do to address the lack of food access across the state?”
Presley’s Answer- “Look, I would sit down with the state legislature related to food access- both in schools, but we also have food deserts in Mississippi, where there’s not a grocery store for miles. So we have got to not only look at how we can increase access for children in school. We know that a hungry child is a child that cannot learn. I have long supported expanding the free lunch program. I think it’s something that could be achieved, and I think there’s bipartisan support for that, first and foremost. Secondly, we need to deal with the food desert problem in Mississippi.”
Overby’s 4th Question- “The 1960 Mississippi State Constitution designates Mississippi as a “Right-to-Work” state. The National Bureau of Economic Research found that, on average, “Right-to-Work” states make 7.5% less than union states. Would you support Mississippi remaining a “Right-to-Work” state, and do you support workers and their ability to collectively bargain?”
Presley’s Answer- “Well, I don’t think Mississippi is gonna change from being a “Right-to-Work” state. I don’t think practically that’s going to happen, but I will say that I support workers’ ability to organize. I believe in their right to form a union, join a union, and work in an environment that pays them fairly and also protects their interest. So, I support workers’ right to join a union, to form a union, and to collectively bargain for their wages and benefits.”
Overby’s 5th Question- “Currently, there are four major power companies in Mississippi. As Public Service Commissioner, you fought to regulate the same power companies your momma couldn’t afford to pay. This November, in the state of Maine, voters will vote on a state-wide referendum to create a state-level public power company that allows the state to control the cost of energy. Could you see yourself supporting that, or would you allow that on a potential referendum?”
Presley’s Answer- “Well, if the people of Mississippi wanted to put in on a referendum, I believe they ought to have the right to vote on any issue that they put on a referendum. But that proposal is not gonna happen in Mississippi. We have some low energy costs, and that’s because of the hard work we’ve done on the Public Service Commission to keep rates low. But I definitely believe that we’ve got to work on keeping rates low in Mississippi. But, if the voters want to vote on any issue, I believe, unlike Tate Reeves, that they ought to have the right to vote on it.”
Overby’s 6th Question- “The National Conference of Legislatures finds that six states have requested state pharmaceutical importation plans from Canada. Americans pay twice the cost of prescription drugs as Canadians and our European allies. Seeing proposals like this, could you see Mississippi joining in this effort to import more drugs from Canada and the Canadian market?”
Presley’s Answer- “I am for any plan that will lower drug costs for Mississippians and make the most sense for taxpayers whether it be through the Medicaid program or other Medicaid programs. So, I would be open to any plan that would help lower drug costs in Mississippi.”
Overby’s 7th Question- “Ronald Regan said, “I believe the best social program is a job.” Far too often though, Mississippians are unable to find good-paying jobs to support their families. The effective minimum wage, signed into law by President Bush in 2009, set the state and nation’s minimum wage at $7.25 per hour. According to Business Insider, if the minimum wage had kept up with inflation, it would be over $14 per hour. When I speak to Governor Reeves, he is open to a minimum wage increase, and Lt. Governor Hosemann is as well. What would you see yourself supporting, and what wage would you like to see the minimum wage set at?”
Presley’s Answer- “Look, I support an increase in the minimum wage; I think we have got to do that, and I would work with the legislature to set that appropriate figure. But, right now, I think wages are too low, and I would definitely be open to an increase in the minimum wage.”
Overby’s 8th Question- “Mississippi Today found that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Agreement (BIA) passed with the support of Senator Roger Wicker awards Mississippi with 4.4 billion in infrastructure funds. In the 2020 Society of Civil Engineers report, Mississippi received a D+ on its state’s infrastructure, which indicates a poor performance. The same report also found that 27% of roads in the state are in poor condition. As Governor, how will you improve the state’s infrastructure and create jobs for hardworking Mississippians? Where do you see the funds passed in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Agreement going?”
Presley’s Answer- “I think they need to be funds directly used for infrastructure improvements and also be leveraged with local funds, where appropriate, for as much infrastructure build-out as we can have. I think it has to be roads, bridges, broadband expansion, water, and sewer. Those are the top issues for me for using those funds.”
Overby’s 9th Question- “Farming is the backbone of this state and represents the livelihoods of countless community members across the Magnolia State. Across the nation today, there is a growing movement to sign bills into law that have been dubbed “The Right-to-Repair.” Recently, Governor DeSantis in Florida added itself to the list when it signed its own version of the bill into law. These bills would reform laws to require manufacturers of electronic equipment to provide access to necessary items such as manuals, spare parts, diagnostics, and special tools so people can repair their devices. Would you support a law like this measure? Why or why not?”
Presley’s Answer- “I’ve always supported the people’s right to fix their own cars, bale their own hay, and produce their own energy.”
Overby’s 10th Question- “Recently, officials in Cooks County, home to Chicago, utilized COVID-19 relief dollars to pay off the medical debt of 77,000 residents. Currently, according to the Urban Institute, 1 in 5 Mississippians face debt in collections. If you’re elected as Governor, would you support a similar proposal like the one in Cooks County? And if not, what would you do to assuage the concern many Mississippians have about their medical debt?
Presley’s Answer- “Well, you know I would be open to any proposal that would pass the legislature to give relief where the funds can be appropriately spent and appropriately looked at. But, that would have to include a lot of scrutiny to ensure that these funds are not wasted. I’m very concerned that there’s so much fraud. The state’s auditor office has found so much misspending in the unemployment fund in Mississippi, so I’m open to looking at ideas, but I want to make sure that all the proper safeguards are there to protect taxpayers.”
Overby’s 11th Question- “Throughout the United States, a growing movement has risen. Throughout states, Governors have signed bills to allow workers the ability to sectorally bargain. Sectoral bargaining allows workers throughout an industry to negotiate for better wages and benefits. Minnesota approved a bill to allow nursing home workers to sectorally bargain, and California did the same with fast food workers. Would this be a proposal you would support if you’re elected in the Magnolia state?”
Presley’s Answer- “Look, I don’t think the Mississippi state legislature is going to pass any bill akin to that, but I still, as a principle, support workers’ rights to organize and join a union.”
MageeNews.com is an online news source serving Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi
Great questions! Relevant issues with background information.