Pearl River County, Miss. (Picayune Item) – Pearl River County Emergency Services Director Danny Manley updated local politicians and Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann on the county’s flood damage Wednesday at the Poplarville courthouse.

Manley said the county needs help rebuilding roads and to provide individual assistance and help with temporary housing. There is a lack of temporary housing available in Poplarville, Manley said. Gregory Michel, Executive Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, said the temporary housing program can be extended to Pearl River County.

Currently, 30 people have reported flood damage to their homes in the north end of the county, and around 120 county residents are affected by that damage, Manley said. He expects the number of reports to almost double, Manley said. County Administrator Adrain Lumpkin voiced concern about the closure of Interstate 59, and pointed out that it is the second time I59 has been closed due to flooding in six years.

Hosemann said based on the presentation, he believes the county will qualify for public assistance from the federal government, which goes toward fixing bridges and roads. The state does not want too much time to lapse before applying for federal funds, Hosemann said.

“So many people have limited savings for catastrophic events. Many people may not have insurance of any kind,” Hosemann said.

The Board of Supervisors and Hosemann planned to examine areas that received flood damage to determine if the county qualifies for federal assistance.

District I Supervisor Donald Hart said the group of local leaders would show Hosemann some of the many residences in his district that were flooded.

“Hopefully we’ll get federal assistance. Most of them didn’t have flood insurance,” Hart said.

Hosemann said people have to be smart when reconstructing flood damaged homes and avoid rebuilding in locations where they have already been flooded out.

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Jackson, Miss. (Y’all Politics) – Twenty-four counties have requested and received approval to spend funds from the $4.5 million in federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) money allocated by the federal government for upgrades to voting machines and other elections improvements. In total, more than $1.15 million has been requested and approved.

Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, in connection with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, the federal oversight agency, announced the availability of the new HAVA funds in April 2018. The State match for the $4.5 million grant was 5 percent, or $224,117, which was met through existing Secretary of State’s Office funds.

The State used part of the funds to continue efforts to update the Statewide Elections Management System’s (SEMS) software and hardware. Approximately $4 million was divided among counties based on voting age population.

“We asked counties to think about their voting machines and facility needs at precincts, as well as their cybersecurity needs, to include ensuring every polling place is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act,” Hosemann said.

HAVA funds allocated to counties must be spent by December 31, 2020. After this date, money will be made available to counties on a first-come, first-serve basis. The federal government requires the money be exhausted by March 22, 2023.

Local election officials — who run elections in Mississippi — have the authority to decide how best to employ money received. They submit expenditures to the Secretary of State’s Office, which is reimbursing counties for approved expenses. Expenditures are limited to items and activities which will improve elections, including the purchase of new voting machines or voting equipment, training for post-election procedures, cybersecurity audits, enhancement of a county’s network, and disability access at precincts.

For more information about the incoming HAVA funds or the upcoming August 6 Primary Election, visit www.yallvote.sos.ms.gov.

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Copiah County, Miss. (Copiah County Courier) – Undersheriff Derrick Cubit has received recognition from the Secretary of State’s office for his “service in protecting the citizens of Copiah County and the State of Mississippi.”

Secretary Delbert Hosemann continued, “Your unyielding passion and dedication to your career is a great service to our State. I appreciate the risk you take for us each and every day.

“The Secretary of State’s Office is currently featuring you in our Behind the Badge spotlight on our website at www.sos.ms.gov.”

A certificate was also presented in honor of his “dedication and service to the community and State of Mississippi.”

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Jackson, Miss. (Clarion Ledger) – Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves has raised another $1 million this year in his push to win the governor’s race, new campaign finance reports show.

The Republican has about $6.7 million in his campaign accounts, leaving his Republican and Democratic rivals far behind in terms of fundraising.

Yet it appears Reeves’ most formidable Republican opponent, Bill Waller Jr., has raised enough to stay competitive ahead of the August primary. He launched his campaign two months ago and has since brought in $580,000.

And Attorney General Jim Hood, a Democrat, also continues to bring in hefty donations, reporting more than $750,000 since the start of the year. Hood has close to $1.2 million in cash to spend, according to the reports filed with the state Friday afternoon.

Waller, a former Mississippi Supreme Court chief justice, faces Reeves and state Rep. Robert Foster in the Republican primary. In a Wednesday fundraising announcement, his campaign said it received about 700 donations and “exceeded its fundraising goal so far.”

Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller gestures during a debate between himself and Rep. Robert Foster, R-Hernando, unseen, during a Mississippi Republican gubernatorial debate in Starkville, Miss., Tuesday, April 2, 2019. Republican Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, also a candidate, did not take part in the debate.

Reeves, meanwhile, has accumulated a campaign war chest that’s more than three times larger than the one Republican Gov. Phil Bryant had on hand at the same juncture, prior to winning election in 2011.

“We’re gearing up to defeat the Democrats trying to turn Mississippi blue, and this overwhelming fundraising effort gives us the tools we need to get it done,” Reeves spokesman Parker Briden said in a statement.

The Republican gubernatorial candidates began spending significant money in recent weeks, each launching digital or television ads.

Here are fundraising details from other statewide candidates whose reports were posted Friday:

Robert Foster, governor. Foster, a Republican state representative from Hernando, reported raising close to $73,000, and spending about $66,000 since January. He said on Twitter earlier this week that he wouldn’t “have millions in the bank come Friday when campaign finance reports are released. In fact, I don’t want it, because there are huge strings attached to money like that.”

Robert Shuler Smith, governor. The Hinds County district attorney and Democrat reported bringing in $11,000 since entering the gubernatorial race two months ago. Most of the cash came as a transfer from his DA campaign account. He reported spending nearly as much as he brought in, primarily on staff expenses and meals. He has just $387 in cash on hand ahead of his August primary contest against Hood.

Velesha Williams, governor. The Democrat, a former Jackson State University employee who is new to politics, brought in almost $12,000 since January, much of it loans from herself. She spent nearly $13,000 on various campaign expenses and reported $137 leftover in her account.

Delbert Hosemann, lieutenant governor. The current Republican secretary of state raised more than $366,000 and spent about $266,000 in the first four months of the year. Hosemann has now built up a $2.7 million campaign war chest after previous fundraising hauls. He received more than 330 donations so far this year. “We continue to be encouraged by the support Mississippians have conveyed for our candidacy,” Hosemann said in a statement. He faces a little-known candidate, Shane Quick of Lake Cormorant, in August’s Republican primary.

Jay Hughes, lieutenant governor. The Democrat, a state representative from Oxford, brought in almost $392,000 — the majority loans from himself — and spent about $644,000 so far this year. He reported $162,000 left to spend. A previous filing, in January, did not include itemized expenses for his credit card charges, but Hughes later provided the credit card statements, and the latest filing included details of his campaign’s more recent individual charges. Hughes doesn’t have a primary opponent.

Mark Baker, attorney general. The conservative state representative reported bringing in about $75,000 so far this year and spending about $10,000 more than that in the same period, leaving him with about $368,000 in cash on hand after previous fundraising.

Lynn Fitch, attorney general. The Republican state treasurer reported bringing in $259,000 and spending more than $107,000 since January in her bid for attorney general. She has more than $400,000 remaining in her campaign account after previous fundraising.

Jennifer Riley Collins, attorney general. The lone Democrat in the race and the current executive director of the Mississippi ACLU reported raising $29,000 since January, and spending about $11,000 of that.

Andy Taggart, attorney general. The Republican reported raising $308,000 since he announced his candidacy two months ago, and spent about $85,000 of that, much of it on transportation. Taggart served as chief of staff for the late Gov. Kirk Fordice.

Sam Britton, secretary of state. The Republican Public Service commissioner for the southern district reported bringing in $524,000 since the start of the year — $500,000 of that via two loans to his own campaign. He spent $130,000, on consulting, a website and other media-related expenses.

Johnny DuPree, secretary of state. The Democrat and former longtime mayor of Hattiesburg gathered $20,000 since the start of the year — including a $15,000 loan — and has spent more than $16,000 of it on online ads and campaign materials. DuPree was the Democratic nominee for governor in 2011, the first African American major party nominee for governor of Mississippi since Reconstruction. He faces a little-known opponent, Maryra Hodges Hunt, of Cruger, in the primary.

Michael Watson, secretary of state. The conservative state senator raised close to $200,000 since the beginning of the year, spending about $42,000. He still has significant money to spend after previous fundraising efforts.

Buck Clarke, treasurer. The Senate Appropriations Committee chairman has raised nearly $67,000, and reported spending just shy of $21,000, since January. A Republican from Hollandale, Clarke has $204,562 in cash on hand. No Democratic challengers are in the race, though Clarke will face a primary opponent.

David McRae, treasurer. The Republican brought in $609,000, mostly in the past month, though about $500,000 of that was thanks to loans to himself. He spent about $246,000 of that so far.

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Eagle Lake, Miss. (WJTV) – Sec. of State Delbert Hosemann toured the flood damaged areas of the Eagle Lake Community in Warren County.

Residential areas there are still underwater, as of Saturday.

Hosmann met with the neighbors who are affected by the widespread damage.

The majority of people there say they want to add pumps to help avoid future floods.

One man says they’ve waited long enough for the issue to be addressed.

“There’s mixed emotions about doing it and now we’re waiting,” Paul Banchetti said.

“I think we’ve waited 40 years. It sounds like the waiting period is over. We need the pumps.”

A plan to add the pumps was considered back in 2008, but was vetoed by the EPA.

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Warren County, Miss. (WLBT) – Flood weary Eagle Lake residents voice their concerns with Delbert Hosemann. The Secretary of State of Mississippi got a first hand look at what they community is going through.

Hosemann prepared for this meeting with pen, paper and an open ear.

Folks at Eagle Lake sharing stories of how flooding has impacted their homes, roads and livelihoods.

Small stores and shops have closed because of the decline of traffic in the area now.

Also being affected is 16th section land. It is land used by trustee school districts to raise public education funds.

“So there’s 5000 acres I think in Sharkey, about 5000 acres in Issaquena, and another 2000 in batre land that’s on the other side of the levee that we’ve identified right away. We’re still looking further north now to see if there are other damages. Every penny that we raise off those, either for hunting, duck hunting, deer hunting or whatever, or for cutting timber goes to the school districts. Part of the education is paid for by the 16th section,” said Hoseman.

Ann Dahl, and Eagle Lake residents say Muddy Bayou overflowed at 96 and a half feet, and they now have a half hour detour they deal with because of a flooded road.

“All of these numbers, 96, 95, and you think about it would have never gotten any higher than 92. Even Eagle Lake would have been completely saved had those pumps been in place,” said Dahl.

Ann Dahl, a resident has been doing her research on the flooding. She has a home by the water. She says having pumps in the county would have alleviated the flooding issue.

Secretary Hosemann told residents to keep contacting their representatives and other public officials.

He says he’s spoken with the governor about pumps and flooding.

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Greenville, Miss. (WABG) – Current Secretary of State and Lieutenant Governor candidate, Delbert Hosemann made a stop in the Delta this afternoon.

Delbert Hosemann visited Greenville this afternoon to speak at the Greenville Rotary Club Meeting and also stopped at city hall to talk with Senator Derrick Simmons and Mayor Errick Simmons.

Hosemann has been serving as Secretary of State since 2008 and in January announced his running for Lieutenant Governor.

Hosemann sat down with The Delta News to discuss a few of his agenda items as he campaigns around the state.

“You know I hold that baby and I think, where’s he going to work? Who’s he going to work for, who’s going to work with him? So as I go around, I’m looking for an educated workforce. I’m looking to build up Mississippi so he’ll have the same opportunities I had growing up. The same opportunities to go out and fish and see the world and all that other stuff. And have a meaningful job when he’s getting ready to go to work. So I think that’s the most motivating thing for me and the way to do that I think is economic empowerment. I think we go with an educated workforce” says Hosemann as he describes he hope for his grandson, Howard.

Hosemann will be running against Republican candidate Shane Quick and Democrat Jay Hughes.

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Jackson, Miss. (Northside Sun) – After reading your recent article on land bank bills filed in the 2019 legislative session, I wanted to write and offer your readers my perspective.

Following discussions with Mayor Chokwe Lumumba and his staff, I authored the first ever bill (Senate Bill No. 2856) to allow local governments to create land banks to deal with blighted property. I want to thank Mayor Lumumba and Jackson officials for their commitment and research in this effort. Land banks have been successful in other cities and can work here. Improving on our current law, land banks can acquire property, assemble larger tracts for buyers, speed up the resolution of title problems, and receive significant federal funding for clean up.

As chairman of the Senate Public Property Committee, I called a hearing where we heard from experts and private citizens who have worked on this issue for years. We garnered the support of the Mississippi Home Corporation (which has millions in federal funds waiting to be spent for this purpose) and the Mississippi Municipal League. After my bill did not pass out of another committee, we continued our efforts with more meetings and amendments to other bills, as well supporting a local bill sponsored by Rep. Bill Denny. Ultimately, however, we were unsuccessful in passing a bill through the process this year.

Blighted property is a serious problem in Jackson and in other parts of the state. Some of us have been working on this issue for years. I worked at the Secretary of State’s Office (for Dick Molpus and Eric Clark) for 13 years prior to being elected to the State Senate. The office receives land abandoned for non-payment of taxes, many of which are blighted. Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann has made the program better. Together, we worked to pass my legislation to allow for online sales and auctions of tax-forfeited property. The new process has been a success.

– State Senator David Blount

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