Jackson Free Press

DON'T SAY 'TORT REFORM': It's kind of fun to watch lawmakers try NOT to talk about a favorite topic: tort reform. Although legislating against "lawsuit abuse," especially with industry-friendly damage caps, is believed in these parts to be the cure to cancer, as well as a guaranteed treatment for unemployment, the erosion of the family and even young people's bubbling hormones, the new no-nonsense House Speaker Billy McCoy (D-Rienzi) seems determined to hear more than one side of the story this term.

He has charged the Select Committee on Accessible and Affordable Medical Malpractice Insurance with talking about anything but tort reform in their quest to figure out how to lower the onerous rates for doctors in the state. This is causing consternation and mass confusion, with avowed tort-reformers on the committee sneaking in every mention of the vaunted damage caps that they can, and opponents then countering. At a Feb. 4 meeting, the most common refrain might have been, "shhhhh!!!." Funny thing, though, the committee seems to be bringing in doctors to complain about the rates being too high, when about everyone in sight is willing to stipulate that fact. The question, as McCoy seems to realize, is: What can be done? How can the insurance industry help fix the problem? And, what if tort reform isn't the only answer? THE RACE THAT NEVER ENDS: As we go to press, the conclusion of the Senate District 29 re-vote is still undecided, after the state Legislature decided to throw out the certified victory of Democrat (and attorney) Dewayne Thomas over Republican (and tort reformer) Richard White for voting irregularities in one precinct. Minutes ago, a bomb threat called into Siwell Middle School caused a temporary halt in voting, causing another delay in resolving this election. Thomas has certainly had a rough few months after losing his son in a car accident, then losing his victory due to problems in one precinct, and then being forced to run against an industry-funded opponent in the re-election, which likely is drawing minimum turn-out. … A WIRED STATE: Even as lawmakers may not fund school districts enough to pay for books and teachers, an economic-development plan before the Legislature includes 17 recommendations on how to develop "individuals, ideas and infrastructure." "Put simply, we must strive for a society that empowers every Mississippian to be able to feel as comfortable with a computers they are with a phone," said University of Mississippi Chancellor Robert Hines in the report. Yes, but let's not skip the part about books. … ON THE MAP: The full House unanimously approved HB 16 to rename the 301 Lamar St. State Office Building in honor of retired House Speaker Pro Tempore Robert Clark, the first African American in the Legislature since Reconstruction, who retired after last year. Last month he was honored at his alma mater Jackson State University. … PLEASE, HOOPY: The House Appropriations Committee approved HB 805 to prohibit state agencies from hiring or promoting any personnel or making equipment purchases until the end of the current fiscal year, June 30, as result of budget problems and in hopes of not having to lay off any state workers. Now, agencies must get about any expenditure directly approved by J.K. "Hoopy" Stringer, Barbour's newly appointed fiscal officer. … RUNAWAY JURORS: The Patriotism Act, winding its way around the Capitol, would make it tougher for people to get out of jury duty, but would give them more flexibility in when they perform that duty. A bill introduced in the Senate would allow people selected for jury duty to postpone their service once, with a six-month period in which to reschedule. A second request for postponement could be approved in case of an emergency. Prospective jurors who fail to get postponements approved or fail to show for duty could be fined $500, jailed for three days or sentenced to community service. … LEAVING KIDS ALONE: Mississippi needs more quality child care facilities, a report commissioned by the Legislature is warning. At least 90,000 children under the age of 5 with working parents stay with relatives or in unlicensed centers, often because of a shortage of licensed facilities. The Stennis Institute of Government at Mississippi State University captured the data from each county, and will post it online soon, along with information about licensed centers. Watch the JFP Web site for a link. … DAMNED DEADBEATS: The Mississippi Department of Human Services does not regularly suspend the licenses of parents who are behind on child support payments, does not have enough staff in some counties to collect support, and sometimes fails to take advantage of opportunities to get federal incentive monies, a recent report by the Legislature's Joint Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review said. DHS head Don Taylor said he had read the report and that some of the criticisms were valid. Agency staff is reviewing the report, he said, and would be open to suggestions from the PEER Committee on how to do things more effectively. … CATCH 'EM EARLY: Rep. Cecil Brown, D-Jackson, will introduce a bill this session that would make early childhood education programs mandatory across the state in four years. Pilot programs would be mandatory in two years. … NOW THE FUN STUFF: There's something in the air. Social groups are popping up around the city and metro, determined to bring people together and get them out of their cribs nights and weekends. We told you last issue about the young "Creative Wave" group (they're changing the name to The Collective) that came together online through Friendster and then decided to meet at Flashbacks video to put their energy behind making Jackson a cooler city for themselves. Thanks to some grassroots publicity, the organizers—Casey Parks, Jessica Mizell, Jen Barker and Dave Carner—were thrilled to have a standing-room only crowd at their second meet on Sunday, Feb. 7. They spoke to the crowd—filmmakers, musicians, artists, students—standing on tops of chairs about upcoming plans for a Living Better Electrically show at Hal & Mal's in March. They will meet Sunday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. back at Flashbacks to do a mixed CD exchange, and will then start gathering there every other Sunday starting Feb. 22. Show up and get involved. E-mail [e-mail missing] to get on the list. … RETURN OF THE YUPS: Not to be outdone, a group of five single women have put together a group called Y.U.P.S. of Metro Jackson. Yes, it's mighty Reagan Era-sounding, and the group is sponsored by, among others, the Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce, so we're not exactly talking pierced punk rockers here. The group is planning social outings, and is quickly growing beyond the original six. On Feb. 5, they held a happy hour in the University Club downtown. For more info on the burgeoning group, visit their very cool blog at http://www.tatenations.com/mishmash … ONLY LOSERS STAY HOME: Speaking of signs of urban life, don't miss Hearts Against AIDS on Valentine's night at Hal & Mal's ($30), the Mississippi Museum of Art's Art Ball and sale on Saturday, Feb. 21 ($100, black tie), and an upcoming JFP southern-fried karaoke lounge sometime in late February. Watch the Lounge List for details on that, as well as the JFP Music Showcase and an upcoming series of Martini Lounges around the area. (Call us if you want to host one.) And don't miss the Governor's Award winner for Artistic Excellence, James "Super Chikan" Johnson performing at 930 Blues Café on Feb. 20 and 21.
— Staff reports