Legislation that would have allowed special elections in Mississippi to remove municipal officials from office was defeated in a 60-53 bipartisan vote in the state House on Feb. 9. The bill was defeated after Democrat legislators said it was targeted at Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, who leads the 80% Black-populated city. Those opposing the bill said it would also wreak havoc in small towns where the threshold to unseat municipal officials wouldn't require many people. "I think we all know that this bill is about Jackson," said Democrat Rep. Bryant Clark of Pickens. Rep. Shanda Yates, an independent from Jackson who sponsored the bill, said in an earlier House debate that her constituents had asked whether there was a process for removing a city leader. Mississippi law only allows recall elections for county officials but not city officials. (The AP 02/09/23) Bill that could have unseated mayors fails in Mississippi (clarionledger.com)
FAUX PROPOSAL TO MOVE CAPITAL TO TUPELO
As the chamber engaged in heated debate over the future of Jackson's water system, Mississippi state Sen. Chad McMahan (F-Guntown) rose to propose an amendment that would bring unprecedented change to state politics - moving the capital to Tupelo, in his district. McMahan was clearly joking, but he went over the top in explaining the benefits: "It's a six-time All American City. We've got the water system, the police force and the road system," he blustered. Move the capital and give Mississippi a "new image." Some of McMahan's colleagues did not find the proposal amusing. Sen. David Parker (R-Olive Branch), who sponsored the underlying bill said he understood "the jest of this amendment," but it needs to be defeated. Sen. John Horhn (D-Jackson) successfully killed the amendment through a procedural complaint that it was unrelated to bill under discussion. (Clarion Ledger 02/09/23)
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