Legislative Update 34

October 12, 2008

Dear Friends,

This month, the House and Senate have continued to meet with a variety of organizations from all over the State. Since my last update, I have met with the American Council of Engineering Companies, the Port of Gulfport, the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents, and attended a demonstration of the new surgical robotics equipment at Singing River Hospital.

In addition to these meetings, the House Insurance Committee held its public hearing on the Coast and the Comprehensive Election Reform Review Panel began its work. As always, I would encourage you to take advantage of these public meetings when they come to our area. If you are not able to make it to a hearing but have a comment you would like to make to members of a committee, please let me know and I will see that it is directed to the proper committee chairman.

Insurance Committee Hearing

On September 30, the House Insurance Committee held a public hearing in Biloxi. The meeting was well attended and ran over three hours.

During the hearing, we heard presentations from Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney, representatives from Allstate and State Farm, and a group that has had some success developing a residential hurricane mitigation program in Florida. Because the meeting ran late, we did not hear from Carlene Alfonoso, a local realtor at Coldwell Banker Alfonoso Realty in Gulfport. Although, Ms. Alfonso did not have an opportunity to deliver her remarks, she did provide members of the committee and the news media with materials illustrating the challenges confronting the local real estate market.

In addition to the above presenters, the Committee heard from many Coastal residents who have experienced insurance problems since Hurricane Katrina. One of the individuals who spoke was Kevin Buckel of Long Beach who spoke in favor of the Insurance Policyholder’s Bill of Rights. Many of you will recall that during the 2008 Legislative Session, the House passed a version of the Bill of Rights that died in the Senate. Mr. Buckel urged Commissioner Chaney and members of the Committee to form a select committee to study the Bill of Rights and determine what changes could improve the bill. I was also happy to see several Jackson County homeowners and real estate agents who did a fine job of articulating issues they have encountered since Katrina.

The Hearing was highly informative and left members of the House with an increased awareness of the seriousness of our State’s insurance related issues. We were once again reminded that improving our insurance woes will take a multi-faceted approach that addresses insurance availability, insurance affordability, a strengthened Wind Pool system, and a solid mitigation program. I believe that the House Insurance Committee is prepared to take another look at the Policyholder’s Bill of Rights, consider increasing the State’s contribution to the Wind Pool program, and work with the Insurance Commissioner to attract new companies to the Coast and pave the way for a successful mitigation program.

Comprehensive Election Reform Review Panel

On October 7, the Comprehensive Election Reform Review Panel held its first public hearing at the Jeff Davis Campus in Gulfport. The Panel, created during the 2008 Legislative Session by Senate Bill 2910, was created to study Mississippi’s election laws, the practical application of the laws, and any possible reforms needed to improve the application of those laws. The Panel includes: Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, Chair; Larry Gardner, Adams County Elections Commissioner, Vice Chair; Reese Partridge, Special Assistant to the Attorney General, Alternate Vice Chair; Representative Tommy Reynolds; Representative Adrienne Wooten; Senator Terry Burton; Senator Tommy Dickerson; Senator Merle Flowers; Haley Salazar, Circuit Clerk of Lowndes County; and me.

The Panel held its second hearing last night in Natchez and will hold future hearings on October 13 in Booneville, October 15 in Flowood, and October 16 in Greenville. The topics for discussion include: Voter I.D., Early Voting, Voter Registration, Absentee Voting, Voting Patterns, Education, and Training of Election Officials. Much of the discussion at the first two hearings has centered on the issues of Voter I.D., Early Voting, and Absentee Voting.

As many of you know, I have formed a local committee to study voting issues in Mississippi. It is my hope that between our work here in Jackson County and the work of the Review Panel, we will be able to formulate legislation that addresses voter i.d., early voting, as well as absentee and affidavit voting. I encourage you to contact me with your thoughts and questions on these important issues.

Upcoming Conservation Hearing in Jackson County

The Conservation and Water Resources Committee has rescheduled its Jackson County Hearing for October 28. The tentative time and location for the hearing is 10:30 a.m. at the Jackson County Courthouse. When I know a precise time and courtroom, I will let you know.

The Conservation and Water Resources Committee has rescheduled its Jackson County Hearing for October 28. The tentative time and location for the hearing is 10:30 a.m. at the Jackson County Courthouse. When I know a precise time and courtroom, I will let you know.

The agenda will include pollution, the Richton Salt Dome, and activities affecting our local utility districts.

How to Contact Me

If you have any questions or concerns, I invite you to call me on my cell phone at 228-326-7649 or e-mail me at bjones@house.ms.gov. Please feel free to forward this report to folks in our district and let me know if I need to add someone to my list.

I will also be posting my updates and House related news on my campaign website at www.electbrandonjones.com.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Brandon