In just a few weeks representatives from Newton County will head to Jackson for the 2020 legislative session.
This past year brings some uncertainty into the mix with a new governor, lieutenant governor and many new representatives and senators.
Two of those new faces will be representing Newton County. Tyler McCaughn will take over as Senator for District 31, and Troy Smith will represent the southern part of the county in District 84. Accompanying them will be Rep. Randy Rushing, a veteran proponent of our county, who I’m sure will be willing to help his new colleagues navigate the quagmire of capitol politics.
With Tate Reeves taking up the mantle as governor and Delbert Hosemann taking Reeves’ spot, I really don’t know what to expect. The way Mississippi’s political offices are set up, Reeves might find it a bit more challenging to keep his Republican flock in line, especially on hot button issues like the gas tax.
Personally, I thought Hosemann was above average as secretary of state, though I was a bit disappointed he didn’t step down before the election. I would’ve been surprised if he’d done anything nefarious with the election results – which he didn’t, as far as I’ve heard – but it’s about image. I’d rather avoid a Georgia-like debacle if at all possible.
None of that tells me how he’ll do as Lieutenant Governor though. I hope he’ll work to quell some of fight-the-feds legislation we’ve seen the past few years. It’s expensive, and we need all the money we can get to use on issues here. We’ll have to wait and see.
There’s no doubt the first few months of 2020 are going to be interesting. Politics, if you can get past the made-for-tv catfighting, is fascinating. It’s give and take, compromise built on compromise, and if a logical, quick and fiscally responsible solution is offered, it’s either a flat-out lie or it’s illegal.
On Thursday, McCaughn, Smith and Rushing visited with the Newton County supervisors, a stop in a tour of the counties and municipalities they now represent. If that visit is any indication, they’ll have quite the shopping list to take with them to Jackson. They won’t be able to check all the boxes, but I don’t doubt they’ll work hard to get as many as they can.
Although I disagree with all three of them on certain social issues, I have qualms about their dedication to Newton County and its residents. I’m sure they will do what they can to send funding and opportunities our way. I hope they’re successful.
Thomas Howard is the managing editor of The Newton County Appeal. He can be reached at thoward@newtoncountyappeal.com
