Jackson Free Press

Febuary 1, 2006

When I saw the fax on my desk, inviting me to a 2006 Breakfast with the Legislature with the Mississippi Hospitality & Rest-aurant Association, all the memories came flooding back. As kitchen manager of my local Irish pub, I had really developed reverence for the relationship between a chef and his patrons. It was my privilege to provide a predictable, friendly experience beyond the daily grind for my customers.

Now, as an outreach coordinator at my local food cooperative, I get to be involved with a variety of projects undertaken by interesting people, but none is quite like preparing a meal. Luckily for my nostalgic side, there is a cafe in our organization, which is why we are members of the restaurant association. This breakfast seemed an opportunity to reminisce, see what the industry was up to, meet a few of our legislators, and perhaps get a sense of the process and how we could get involved.

I arrived at the Capitol early and drove all the way around the block before realizing that every spot available in the lot and on the curb were reserved for people with business in the Capitol. Schools should start their field trips by traipsing along the parking spaces to get a sense of the enormous number of people involved each day. I passed through the back entrance, through an unmanned security station and into the rotunda. I really had no idea where to go, but soon my eyes settled upon a rather impressive breakfast spread, complete with hot grits and fresh fruit. I saw a case of nametags and went to find my own.

I was plodding along silently, when a board member approached and immediately put me at ease, pointing out the various attendees by name and title. He handed me some sheets marked "MHRA 2006 Legislative Program" and "MHRA Workers' Comp Trust 2006 Legislative Program" and left me in conversation with other board members. We discussed jobs, food, local concerts and the arts—and then I asked when the event began.

He told me our purpose was to stand around in the rotunda and try to catch legislators on their way somewhere else. Then we were to pass them the sheet of MHRA-approved legislation, shake their hand and let them know we had a presence.

I then glanced at the sheet, the whole reason for our presence there, and was horrified at what I found. There was a variety of anti-consumer and anti-employee legislation. I guess the idealist in me expected the MHRA to be fighting for their patrons and state by dealing with quality-of-food issues, perhaps by encouraging commerce between restaurateurs and local livestock and agricultural farmers. They could be seeking better ways to protect the health of their employees instead of attempting to undermine workers' comp laws. Restaurant owners are our neighbors and friends, yet here were their representatives attempting to tweak laws to prevent accountability to those they work and live with.

Why would a friend want to remove the review of workers' comp cases from circuit court because of that court's alleged track record of being favorable to employees? Why would anyone be opposed to a negligent business being held responsible for paying a victim's attorney fees? Aren't they aware that this applies only to those found acting in the wrong? Why would any human being try to set limits on awards to "1/2 of 1% of the net worth of carrier" even when the business purposefully entered into a contract with no intention of fulfilling their end of the bargain? There's a reason why this is called a "bad faith penalty." It seems the MHRA wants to make negligence more affordable.

The MHRA 2006 Legislative Program opposes any legislation that will increase taxes or fees, which reminds me of the association's stand against the Convention Center tax, while citizens and local restraunteurs of Jackson where vocally supporting it. The MHRA claims to be "committed to taking a leadership role in resolving the problems associated with the obesity epidemic in the state," but it is "strongly opposed (to) any legislation that will mandate nutritional disclosures on any or all menu items." The only thing I could agree with them on was a bill they had advertised on a placard calling for the Department of Health to "resolve the issue of illegal caterers."

What struck me most is that a majority of the attendees I spoke with were friendly Mississippians. I want to believe that they are all good people, albeit with skewed priorities. Playing games with the courts and slashing protection for workers makes no sense for restaurants or the people who work in them. The MHRA needs to build trust and integrity by reaching out to the restaurant community with real ideas for improvement.

It didn't exactly surprise me that national fast-food chains and food distributors were present to represent our state's fine restaurateurs with this mean-spirited legislation. I wasn't really surprised that so many MHRA board members had little understanding of that legislation, such that they couldn't answer my straightforward questions. What sticks out in my mind is that all of this transpired under that grand rotunda, in a building dedicated to the people's business.

To the MHRA, it's a hall for business, plain and simple, and the people must fend for themselves.

Previous Comments

ID

71374

Comment

how interesting. great column!

Author

casey

Date

2006-02-05T14:54:51-06:00