The Golden Triangle sits in a strategic political position these days, with locals filling the upper ranks of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Sen. Terry Brown, R-Columbus, was appointed by Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves in January as Senate president pro tempore, an arguably powerful position in Mississippi’s weak governor, strong lieutenant governor system.
His duties include presiding over the Senate in the lieutenant governor’s absence, heading the Rules Committee that governs all committees and serving as an ex officio member of several committees that deal with money and policy. He plans to focus on economic development and job creation.
“The pro tem is in a position that can make a lot of things happen,” Brown said shortly after his appointment. “I think it’s good for the Golden Triangle area that we’re going to be in on the leadership. … The state is always working and lobbying in Washington. … That gives us a seat at the table on all that. … It’s got a lot of authority.”
Things are busy but going well, he said Wednesday.
“We’re fixing to get into the crux of legislation now,” he said. “We’re handling all the housekeeping chores, getting committees organized, and we’re always working on economic development projects. There’s some stuff lurking out there, but nothing concrete at this time.”
Brown, 61, has served in the Senate since 2004 and in the House from 1988-2000.
Jeff Smith
Rep. Jeff Smith, R-Columbus, now heads the House Committee on Ways and Means after serving as a member for 12 years.
In financially flush times, the Appropriations Committee may take higher priority, but in troubled economic times, Ways and Means is where county officials want someone on their side, Smith said.
The committee handles a wide array of interests, including economic development, tax legislation, state buildings and revenue-raising activities like alcohol sales and gambling.
“More legislation comes through Ways and Means than any other committee,” Smith said. “… If (industries) want to locate in Mississippi, they have to come through us … economic development legislation starts and ends with the Ways and Means Committee.”
Because Ways and Means is in charge of state buildings, the eight state colleges, including Mississippi State University and Mississippi University for Women, are also likely to see benefits to Smith’s involvement.
“MUW has, in the past, has a little bit of a problem getting buildings and getting help with infrastructure on campus,” Smith said. “That should not be a problem anymore. They have their best chance in a hundred years to make sure their needs are all taken care of.”
Gary Chism
And rounding out the home team roster is Rep. Gary Chism, R-Columbus.
Chism said he’s not sure whether his positions as the House Insurance Committee chairman and a member of the House Rules Committee is particularly beneficial to Lowndes County, but he will handle all insurance legislation as well as help determine the order in which bills appear before the House.
The Insurance Committee regulates everything from property insurance to auto liability insurance, bail bondsmen and even the regulation of liquefied petroleum gas.
The primary function of the Rules Committee is to establish the House rules of operation and determine the order in which bills will be taken up.
“A bill we think is more popular to us, we’ll move up, and something we don’t think is so good, we’ll move it down,” he said of the Rules Committee.
Lowndes County Board of Supervisors President Harry Sanders, 67, said it’s the first time in history he can remember seeing so many local politicians in simultaneous positions of state power. Whenever the county has a problem, he believes the trio will be able to offer guidance.
“I think it’s very important to have local people there,” Sanders said. ” … Right now, we’re probably in a better situation than we’ve ever been.”
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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