Dear friend,

You are going to hear a lot about the Mississippi Department of Employment Security and a Senate unemployment bill that the House killed today.

Know this: Everything would have been fine had Gov. Barbour accepted federal stimulus money to help the unemployed people of Mississippi during this national recession.

Gov. Barbour thought Democratic leaders in the House would fold, walk away and leave the unemployed to fend for themselves. But that’s not what’s happening. Democrats in the House are fighting for our unemployed.

Now that we’ve reached a boiling point, Gov. Barbour is in full spin mode. He’s released a statement saying the House leadership is to blame for what is going on. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Below, I’ve included a press release from Rep. Rufus Straughter, chairman of the House Labor Committee. Rep. Straughter lays out the facts quite well. Please read it and pass it along.

Then, do me a favor. Call Gov. Barbour and Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant. Tell them you’re tired of their putting politics before people. Tell them to work with the Democratic leadership to forge a true compromise that provides much needed unemployment benefits to our people.

Gov. Barbour: 601-359-3150
Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant: 601-359-3200

Democrats will not step down. This is a fight worth waging. We must protect our most vulnerable citizens, and that includes the hard-working men and women of Mississippi who have lost their jobs and still have families to feed.

Democratically yours,

Sam R. Hall
Executive Director

STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN STRAUGHTER

Chairman Rufus Straughter is calling on Governor Haley Barbour and House and Senate Republicans to support Mississippi’s working families instead of playing a dangerous game of national politics with benefits for workers.

The debate stems from House Republicans and the Governor’s refusal to compromise for the State of Mississippi and receive more than $56 million dollars in federal support while ensuring that the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (“MDES”) is reauthorized.

“I question Governor Barbour’s refusal to accept $56.1 million that would support small businesses and 40,000 Mississippi families who are struggling in this recession, especially when the Governor has already spent $832 million in recovery funding,” Chairman Straughter said.

MDES is responsible for administering the state’s Unemployment Insurance program and is required by state law to be reauthorized every two years. If the agency is not reauthorized, the U.S. Department of Labor will take over the collection of unemployment taxes for Mississippi businesses.

“It would be unfortunate if the Governor allows this important state agency to be taken over rather than accept critical resources during the worst recession since the great depression. This money will generate over $120 million in economic activity for our communities by helping Mississippi businesses save and create jobs,” Chairman Straughter said.

If MDES is taken over by the Department of Labor, taxes on businesses will increase to 6.2% per employee, resulting in a $413 million tax bill for Mississippi businesses.

“I am opposed to a tax increase and would like to see our families benefit from the State receiving the $56 million. In fact, these federal funds will not raise taxes on 90 percent of Mississippi businesses for at least four years.

“Unfortunately, House Republicans, with the Governor’s support, decided they would rather kill HB 1346 and risk the reauthorization of this agency than give $56.1 million worth of help to 40,000 Mississippi families,” Straughter said.

HB1346, introduced by Chairman Straughter, was both pro-business and pro-worker. It would have modernized Mississippi’s antiquated employment laws and reauthorized the state agency which administers employment benefits.

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Now that yesterday’s Congressional qualifying deadline is behind us, we have a clear picture of what 2010 is going to look like for Democrats.

First, let me say that I’m pleased with who we have running for Congress this year. We’ve got three good incumbents and a field of challengers vying for the Democratic nomination in the Third Congressional District.

If we want to be successful, we’re going to need your support! As you read about our candidates below, please consider contributing $10, $25, $100 or $250 to the Mississippi Democratic Party.

Our three incumbent Congressmen have no primary opponents, so we can now turn our focus to preparing for tough general election fights.

Two of our Congressional races are already garnering national attention. Congressman Travis Childers’ re-election bid is considered one of the top 10 races in the nation to watch. And longtime Congressman Gene Taylor has the first serious Republican challengers in many elections.

We don’t want to turn either of these seats over to Republicans. If we do that, our numbers in the House of Representatives could fall to dangerous levels when it comes to deciding whether or not we even see a vote on health care, much less get it passed.

Congressman Bennie Thompson is also facing Republican and Independent challengers. While we feel confident he will return to Washington, we will take nothing for granted. Having Bennie Thompson as chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee is a valuable asset to Mississippi. I don’t intend to see it lost.

Finally, we have three Democrats vying to face off against Congressman Gregg Harper. I know a lot of people will write this race off as hopeless, but I don’t. Gregg Harper has to prove that he’s done enough for his district to warrant a second term, and serious questions about his votes against jobs and federal funding for road projects in Mississippi will be asked. He needs to be held accountable. Besides, I’ve always liked a good underdog. So we’re going to support our eventual nominee the best we can.

We can’t wait to start getting ready for the November elections. We have to start now! That’s why I’m writing you. I need you to give what you can.

Please contribute $10, $25, $100 or $250 to the Mississippi Democratic Party so we can elect Democratic Congressmen to represent our needs in Washington.

Working together, we can win in November!

Democratically yours,

Jamie Franks
Chairman

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Dear Democrat,

Tuesday is an important day. It is the deadline for the Insurance Committee in the Mississippi Senate to pass the Policy Holders Bill of Rights.

The Policy Holders Bill of Rights is a list of commonsense regulations that protects homeowners from being mistreated by the insurance industry. The great thing about this bill is that it has bipartisan support. This bill passed the House of Representatives by a margin of 108-6.

The problem lies with a few Republican leaders in the Senate, in particular Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant and Insurance Committee Chairman Eugene “Buck” Clarke. Both Republicans have indicated that they do not support this bill.

If you look at what happened to insurance policy holders on the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina, you can see the need for this bill. And it’s not just about people who live in hurricane-prone areas. This bill of rights protects all policy-holders.

Here’s what you can do

Call Lt. Gov. Bryant and Chairman Clarke and ask them to put the bill on the Senate floor for a vote. That’s the fair thing to do.

Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant: (601) 359-3200
Chairman Eugene “Buck” Clarke: (601) 359-3172

Forward this email to friends and ask them to make calls as well. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Democratically yours,

Sam R. Hall
Executive Director

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Gov. Barbour has a lot of audacity. While our leaders in Congress are trying to pass health care reform, the governor is trying to scare the people of Mississippi saying expanding Medicaid and Medicare will cause our taxes to go up.

What the governor doesn’t tell you is that it’s his failed fiscal policies that have the state facing the highest unemployment and the most devastating budget cuts in decades.

Ensuring that our most vulnerable citizens have access to affordable health care should be a top priority of any state leader. If that means making tough decisions, then so be it. But we would not be facing the budget cuts that have ravaged our state or talking about any tax increases if Gov. Barbour had not failed to create jobs and improve our economy.

For the past four years, a bi-partisan group of legislators tried to raise the tobacco tax, but Gov. Barbour protected his former lobbying clients instead of doing what’s best for Mississippians.

Today, we’re spending tens of millions of tax dollars on debt services for Toyota, and we have not one job to show for it.

None of this is smart fiscal policy, and it obviously isn’t effective job creation policy either.

We need health care reform. I have confidence that our Congressional leaders will negotiate a bill that helps the American people. I don’t have the same faith in our top two state leaders to create jobs and put the needs of Mississippians ahead of their own selfish desires.

You can help. Call the governor and tell him to stop playing Washington politics, traveling the country so he can run for President and get back to work for the people of Mississippi. His phone number is (601) 359-3150, or call him toll free at (877) 405-0733.

You can also help us continue to fight against Gov. Barbour’s devastating fiscal policies. With your help, we can make sure that the voices of hard working Mississippians are not drowned out by the lobbyists and big business interests that seem to own Gov. Barbour and the Republican leadership in the Senate.

Please go online and donate today:

http://www.mississippidemocrats.org/contribute/

Democratically yours,

Jamie Franks

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Dear Democrats:

I just wanted to remind you about a reception for Attorney General Jim Hood, which will be held tonight at the Old Capitol Inn, located at 226 North State Street in downtown Jackson. The event will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Hosts for the event include:

• Lee Abraham
• Honorable Reuben Anderson
• Representative Earle Banks
• Representative Ed Blackmon
• Trey Bobinger
• Dorsey Carson
• Merrida Coxwell
• Royce Delaney
• Roger Doolittle
• Tony Gelderman
• Honorable William Guy
• William H. Liston
• John Maxey
• Speaker William H. “Billy” McCoy
• Honorable Mike Moore
• Honorable Ronnie Musgrove
• Brad Pigott
• Crymes Pittman
• Mona Pittman
• Richard Schwartz
• Honorable Ronnie Shows
• Worth Thomas
• Ed Williamson

Donations of $250 per person/couple are recommended for the event. If you have any further questions, please contact Wendi Hooks at friendsofjimhood@gmail.com.

If you cannot make the event but want to support the attorney general, you can do so at:

http://www.actblue.com/page/jimhoodfr

Democratically yours:

Sam R. Hall
Executive Director

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Dear Democrat:

President Obama hit a home run tonight with his speech on health care reform. He was detailed in his plan. He answered the untruths and the criticisms from his opponents. And he called for a civil tone in the debate over this important issue.

Most everyone — Democrats, Republicans and Independents — agree that we need health care reform. We agree that everyone should have access to affordable health care. We agree that pre-existing conditions should be covered. We agree that costs should be cut.

President Obama recognizes that both sides have good ideas, and that’s why his plan takes parts from everyone. Here’s some of the key points he made in his speech:

1. If you have coverage, nothing will change. You can keep your current coverage, and you will even benefit from new rules that prevent your insurance company from not covering pre-existing conditions or from dropping you because you become seriously ill.

2. If you cannot find an affordable policy in your state, you will be able to get coverage through a public option. This public option will not be paid for by taxpayer money. It will be self-sustaining.

3. The President will not sign a health care reform bill that adds one cent to the public debt. In fact, he is proposing a clause that says any savings that are promised but not realized must be offset by spending cuts.

4. Medicare will not be cut. In fact, saving measures in the President’s plan could lead to increased benefits and more money for prescription drug coverage.

5. We need civility in this debate. Health care reform is too important to be reduced to partisan political bickering. On this point, we should all agree.

If you missed the president’s speech, please visit our blog and read the play-by-play post that details what he said. You can find it here:

http://www.mississippidemocrats.org/blog/2009/live-blogging-the-presidents-speech/

After decades of trying to pass health care reform, now is the time to act. Tonight, the President outlined in clear terms a health care proposal filled with bipartisan ideas, cost-cutting measures and assurances for those who currently have coverage.

We hope that you will do your part to promote a civil debate over comprehensive health care reform. If that is achieved, so will health care reform itself.

Democratically yours,

Sam R. Hall
Executive Director

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Dear Democrat,

I’ve got two big pieces of news that I want to share with you.

First, I’d like to introduce you to Tyrone Hendrix. Tyrone is the new
Mississippi state director of Organizing for America, which is an
organization that grew from President Obama’s campaign. This organization is
dedicated to educating people on the President’s agenda and getting people
involved in making a difference for the future of our country. I’ve known
Tyrone for quite a while, and I believe he will enjoy great success in his
new position.

In fact, Tyrone is already doing good work. That’s the second piece of news.
OFA is hosting a Watch Party tonight for President Obama’s speech on
health care. This is a pivotal moment in the debate over health insurance
reform. OFA wants as many people as possible to come out, watch the speech
and share your thoughts on the President’s plan.

The Watch Party will start at 7 p.m. at 930 Blues Cafe, located at 930
State Street in Jackson. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome. For
more information, you can email Tryone at tyronehendrix@gmail.com.

Please come out, listen to the President and help us pass health insurance
reform. Together, we can bring about positive change for Mississippi and
America.

Democratically yours,

Sam R. Hall
Executive Director

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I wanted to share with you part of an email that I received earlier this week. It’s about the president’s commitment to reforming our health care system in America.

It seems that opponents of health care reform are doing everything they can to prevent a real discussion about the need for health care reform. These opponents of reform are spreading lies about the plans being debated in Congress, and they are using scare tactics in their descriptions of what the President wants to do by way of reforming our health care system.

In fact, what I wanted to share with you, is the President’s eight guarantees about the kind of health care reform he is seeking. President Obama said he won’t sign a health care reform bill that does not meet eight specific guarantees.

Under health insurance reform, everyone will benefit from these Health Insurance Guarantees that will provide more security and stability for Americans and their families:

1. No Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions. Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing coverage because of medical history.

2. No Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays. Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.

3. No Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care. Insurance companies must fully cover – without charge – regular checkups and tests that help prevent illness, including mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.

4. No Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill. Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or lessening coverage for people who become seriously ill.

5. No Gender Discrimination. Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging people more because of their gender.

6. No Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage. Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage people receive.

7. Extended Coverage for Young Adults. Children will be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.

8. Guaranteed Insurance Renewal. First, insurance companies will be required to renew a policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Second, insurance companies won’t be allowed to refuse renewal if someone becomes sick.

The President, Democratic leaders in Congress and champions of health insurance reform welcome a debate on the merits of any bill. President Obama has made painstakingly clear his position by offering those eight guarantees.

I hope you will share this email with friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members. Help us start a constructive debate about health insurance reform.

Too many people in Mississippi go everyday without adequate health care coverage. We have the opportunity to change that. I hope you will be a part of this historic opportunity.

Democratically yours,

Chairman Jamie Franks

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This is bush-league politics at it’s worse.

YallPolitics.com, a right-wing website that never misses a chance to take a cheap shot at Democrats, has now gone too far with their video about Congressman Travis Childers’ recent trip to Israel.

To say the video is offensive to the Jewish people is an understatement. In fact, the video lampoons the Jewish community just to score cheap political points against Congressman Childers.

We understand that after a lot of negative feedback, Alan Lange, who publishes YallPolitics, pulled the video. But just in case he decides to repost it, here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkOKGqxY87E&feature=player_embedded

So this is what the health care debate has devolved to among Republicans? Producing offensive videos that lampoon one of our nation’s strongest allies just to detract from the need for health care reform? Really?

This video is offensive to all of us who believe that the United State’s relationship with Israel is a special one. Congressman Childers traveled to Israel to learn about important national security issues. While he was there, he also toured a facility that employs roughly 100 people in Missisippi’s First District where he serves.

So this is what the right-wing has devolved to? Producing offensive, misleading, and hypocritical videos that lampoon one of our nation’s strongest allies just to detract from the real issues at hand? Really?

Two things need to happen:

1. Alan Lange, who publishes YallPolitics, should issue a public apology on his website for such an offensive video. Pulling the video is a good first step, but it is not enough.

2. Alan Nunnelee, who is challenging Congressman Childers, should publicly decry such crass, deplorable tactics. Any reasonable human being would do the same thing.

We are all for a real debate on the merits of health care, but this is ridiculous. A Jewish colleague of mine called this video “not only offensive, but deplorable”. I agree whole-heartedly.

Let’s rise above this kind of despicable display of political partisanship. And let us never lampoon an entire people, an entire nation, just to score points against an elected official.

Please pass this email along to your friend and tell them see to what lengths some people will go to defeat Congressman Childers while he’s working to promote national security and create jobs back home.

Democratically yours,

Jamie Franks

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Fellow Democratic Executive Committee Member:

This summer the Young Democrats of America is holding their national convention in Chicago. During this event delegates from each state receive election training, make valuable connections with other Young Democrats across the country, and elect officers to serve in the Young Democrats of America over the next 2 years.

The convention provides a great opportunity for young people to learn about the political process. More importantly, it gives people who are just starting to get involved in the election process valuable training tools to help win elections.

With that being said, YDMS President Parker Wiseman, YDMS Vice President Kate Jacobson, MDP party staff and I have been working together to form a delegation of 24 Young Democrats from Mississippi to attend the YDA Convention.

In order to do this we must assist in providing financial assistance for several young people across the state who have worked hard in this year’s municipal elections and last year’s national elections in Mississippi. These are young people who have shown that they are committed to being involved in the election process, and they are a resource to the Mississippi Democratic Party as we face mid-term elections in 2010 and statewide elections in 2011.

The plan as of today is to charter a bus to send the Mississippi Delegation to Chicago and help the delegates pay for food and hotel expenses. I am hoping that members of the party are willing to raise $1,500 to go to the delegation by giving donations of $25, $50 or $100 each. Our deadline is Friday, July 31, 2009.

For those who would like to donate online, please click one of the above links. You may also send a check to:

Mississippi Democratic Party
c/o YDMS Convention Fund
P.O. Box 1583
Jackson, MS 39215

If anyone has any questions or would like to find out more information about the YDA Convention, please contact me or call the party office at (601) 969-2913.

Thank you,
Scott Billingsley
YDMS Committee Chairman

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