NEWSLETTER

LTGovBryant.com Goes Live
Lt. Governor Bryant recently launched his new official web page. This page will be the source for up-to-date information on the Lt. Governor and his initiatives.

eVideo Update

Lt. Governor Bryant's eVideo update from the Mississippi Tourism Association's luncheon in Jackson, MS.

Phil Bryant’s Two Week Review
The Senate body immediately adopted several measures for the new term, including rules to Web cast live Senate proceedings; Mississippi now joins 45 other states that provide that service. The Web casting is expected to begin in the next few weeks when equipment is installed. To find out more about the Web casting initiative please click here: www.bryanttransition.com/WebcastingInitiative.htm

The Senate elected Senator Billy Hewes of Gulfport as the President Pro-Tempore. Hewes was first elected to the Senate in 1992 and is now serving his fifth term. To learn more about Sen. Hewes, click here: http://www.ls.state.ms.us/senate/hewes.htm

- Kevin Upchurch was confirmed as Secretary of the Senate. Upchurch is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Senate. He has over twenty years of State service and most recently served as Deputy Director of the Department of Finance and Administration.

- Lt. Governor Bryant appointed Senators to committees. To find out more on the committee assignments, please click here: www.ltgovbryant.com/committees

- The House and the Senate agreed to shorten the legislative session from 125 days to 103, a move that could save taxpayers of Mississippi over $500,000.

- Lt. Governor Bryant announced that he has referred over 209 bills to committees and expects the committee discussion process to begin in the following days.

To learn more about what’s happening now and check out recent news headlines visit the website often.

Bryant’s Accountability Agenda

Lt. Governor Bryant’s priorities, first announced in June 2007, have gained Senate support.

Among the items under Senate committee review are:

- SB 2025-State Tax Structure Review - Appropriates $150,000 to the State Tax Commission for the purpose of contracting with an outside consultant to undertake a review of the state tax system.

- SB 2188-Sunshine Act - Requiring contracts for legal services to be submitted to the Personal Service Contract Review Board when the anticipated fee is in excess of $1million. Also, allows a state agency head to retain separate counsel if there is a conflict of interest between the Attorney General and the agency.

- SB 2173-Performance Review of State Agencies – Provides for a review of state government geared to streamlining and improving services, cutting costs, and anticipating future needs.

- SB 2004-Appointed Superintendents/Elected School Boards - Requires that appointed schools board members shall be elected and elected school superintendents shall be appointed. Legislation will grandfather current elected superintendents until vacancy occurs.

- SB 2196-Voter Photo ID - Requires voters appearing at polling places to present a valid type of identification containing a photograph (as identified in the legislation) and requires identification requirements of the Help America Vote Act to be met in regard to absentee ballots.

- SB 2037-Illegal Immigration - Legislation requires work performed on public works and other public contracts to be performed by legal citizens or legal aliens.

- SB 2201-Restriction for Physicians Performing Abortions - Requires physicians who perform abortions in Mississippi to be on staff at a hospital licensed in the State of Mississippi.