Jackson Free Press

The Pharr Side

David Pharr, a Jackson attorney, is the first tenant of the former Pix/Capri theater at 3023 N. State St. Pharr is a member of the Pix Development Corporation, which is redeveloping the long-shuttered movie house. The Pix/Capri also formerly housed the Rogue and Bebop Records.

After leaving a large law firm, Pharr said he wanted to start his own firm in Fondren. "I wanted to keep my overhead low, and I was already paying a mortgage on a building," Pharr said.

The move is likely only temporary, however. The developers hope to turn the Pix/Capri into a dinner theater. Pharr said the dinner theater could be similar to the Alamo Drafthouse model of restored historical structures converted into movie houses, but no concrete plans have been set.

Help for Soldiers

A law Gov. Phil Bryant signed into law yesterday would make it easier for military veterans and their spouses to get jobs in Mississippi. Senate Bill 2419 allows state boards of licensure to fast track the professional licenses of military spouses who relocate to Mississippi.

Educators, cosmetologists, accountants, engineers, real estate agents, doctors and other professionals would benefit from the law.

Earlier this year, Bryant said Mississippi soldiers often have a difficult time finding work when they return from war.

Compared to the national unemployment rate of 7.8 percent, post-9/11 veterans had a December unemployment rate of 10.8 percent, up from 10 percent in November 2012.

"It is imperative that we take time to honor the service and sacrifices made by our state's servicemen and servicewomen and their families. It is especially important for us to provide jobs for the state's veterans," Bryant said during a Capitol press conference in January.

Also, in signing a proclamation to make 2013 the year to hire Mississippi veterans, Bryant announced a Mississippi Department of Employment Security program to post jobs, screen applicants and refer veterans to employers at no cost.

Business Pros: Medicaid Would Help Economy

Business organizations continue to portend calamity if Mississippi declines to expand Medicaid.

This morning, Jackson Hewitt, a Parsippany, N.J.-based tax preparation service released findings of a survey that shows not expanding the federal-state health-insurance program for the poor could cost businesses up to $1.3 billion per year.

Mississippi is one of the few states that are still leaning against expanding Medicaid, which is allowable under the 2010 Affordable Care Act. Like most of those states, it is helmed by a Republican administration.

"In the 22 states that have opposed, are leaning against or remain undecided about expanding Medicaid, we predict employer-shared responsibility costs could total $876 million to $1.3 billion each year," said Brian Haile, Jackson Hewitt's first senior vice-president for health policy, in a release issued this morning.

Haile added: "As some states are still evaluating their participation, it is critical that any projections of the 'net' costs of Medicaid expansions also reflect the very real costs of the shared responsibility penalties to employers in any particular state."

On March 14, credit-rating agency New York City-based Moody's Investors Service said states would face budgetary and political pressure to cover lost hospital revenues when federal uncompensated-care payments disappear next year.

That sum could total $17 billion per year by 2019. Moody's said states that choose not to expand Medicaid may face large uninsured populations while federal payments to hospitals are declining.

Mississippi Export Report for 2012

The state's total export value for 2012 rose to a record high of $11.8 billion after a $1.8 billion increase in exports, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration. The value of Mississippi exports increased 8 percent from 2011. This growth allowed the state to rank among the top 29 states for export growth in 2012.

The strong exports growth of states like Mississippi helped contribute to a national record. According to the ITA, exports from the United States totaled $2.2 trillion and supported nearly 10 million American jobs in 2012.

Panama was Mississippi's largest export market in 2012, receiving $2.1 billion in merchandise exports from Mississippi companies. Canada was the second-largest market, receiving $1.9 billion in exports, followed by China with $864 million and Honduras with $390 million.

Petroleum and coal products represented Mississipi's largest exports in 2012, accounting for $4 billion of the state's total. Other top merchandise exports were chemicals, computer and electronic products, transportation equipment and paper.

"Mississippi competes on a global scale, and we aggressively are seeking to grow our international presence through trade," Gov. Phil Bryant said in a statement. "With more than 95 percent of the world's consumers living outside the United States, exporting opens new doors for companies looking to grow their businesses. I applaud the Mississippi firms that are exporting their products and services for their role in creating jobs and strengthening our state's economy, while also contributing to the national economy and our nation's record export figures."

Third Annual Manufacturing Summit

Mississippi State University's Franklin Furniture Institute and the American Home Furnishings Alliance are hosting the state's third annual manufacturing summit March 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on MSU's campus. Mississippi manufacturing leaders will assemble to assess the state's manufacturing sector and discuss ways to grow it.

MSU president Mark Keenum will open the event and Gov. Phil Bryant will deliver the keynote address.

The agenda includes ways to expand Mississippi manufacturing, which currently accounts for 12 percent of non-farm employment, according to state figures. Speakers will also discuss global manufacturing competitiveness, consumer buying attitudes and behavior, skilled labor shortages and industry regulations.

There will be two panel discussions: one on possible collaborations between manufacturers and federal agencies that can accelerate industry growth, and a second on the implications of the Affordable Care Act.

Speakers include representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Appalachian Regional Commission, Delta Regional Authority, MSU faculty experts and leaders of the state's manufacturing and furniture industries.

Registration is $99 for members of the American Home Furnishings Association and $139 for non-members. Registration is available online at www.ffi.msstate.edu.