HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM
The Clarion Ledger reported this week that the House and Senate honored former astronaut Fred Haise, who was the lunar module pilot on the Apollo 13 flight. The Biloxi native was recognized for his career and leadership on Wednesday. At 81 years old, Haise addressed both the House and Senate and received standing ovations from both. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the Apollo 13 flight. Haise himself joked that for almost twenty years he “was the only astronaut in Mississippi.” As Haise’s movie self (played by Bill Paxton) said, “They say we’re right on the money.” It appears that the American government would say the exact same thing.
BILLS, BILLS, BILLS
On Tuesday, the Senate voted to pass House Bill 1629 as a plan to cut business taxes and income taxes by $555 million over 15 years. The bill passed by a vote of 40-11 and it is now going to the House to seek further approval. If the bill passes it will cut income taxes by over $300 million along with doing away with Mississippi’s $242 million corporate franchise tax, according to WTVA. Supporters of the bill say that with rising revenue, the state should reduce taxes. However, those on the other side of the argument say that it is more important to advance state services. House leaders have also proposed phasing out the $1.7 billion that the state collects from personal income taxes depending on revenues.
D-E-V J-A-I-S-W-A-L
These letters spell the name of Mississippi’s reigning spelling bee champion. Winston Academy student Dev Jaiswal competed against twenty-six students in the state championship. The 8th grader won in the 29th round of the spelling bee with the winning word “Eleatic”, which means “of or relating to a school of Greek philosophers and marked by belief in the unity of being”. WLOX News reported that Jaiswal will now move on to compete from May 24-29 in the 88th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Jaiswal is no stranger to the national competition. In fact, this is his second time representing Mississippi. In the words of Ron Burgundy, “Don’t act like you’re not impressed.”
DUMBER AND DUMBER
On Monday, state troopers arrested a candidate for Mississippi’s lieutenant governor. Candidate Jelani Barr was stopped for speeding. He was then arrested for disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and non-compliance. Barr’s girlfriend took a video on her phone of the troopers handcuffing Barr. The incident happened in Holmes County. WATP reported that Barr claimed the trooper didn’t tell him why he was pulled over so he refused to leave his vehicle. After Barr finally decided to get out of his car troopers handcuffed him on the ground. Barr tweeted after the incident: “Law-enforcement just keep getting dumber and dumber. They are going to make me a real celebrity off their stupidity.” Bold choice of 140 characters, Mr. Barr.
