STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR HALEY BARBOUR ON THE CONTINUING DECLINE IN STATE REVENUE COLLECTIONS

Jackson, Mississippi – October reports show Fiscal Year 2010 state revenue continues to lag behind both budget projections and year-to-year comparisons, Governor Haley Barbour said today.

Revenues for the first four months of Fiscal Year 2010 dropped 7.5 percent, or $111.7 million below estimates. Revenue for the month of October was 6.74 percent, or $28.5 million below actual collections in October 2008.

“It’s clear we’re continuing to feel the effects of the national recession, and as we deal with these shortfalls and plan for the next fiscal year, it’s equally clear this cannot be business as usual,” Governor Barbour said. “There’s nothing on the horizon that would indicate state revenues are going to recover anytime soon, and that means state government needs to do the same things families all around Mississippi are doing – set priorities and reduce spending.

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October 28, 2009

STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR HALEY BARBOUR

“The Special Session planned for Friday, October 30, has been postponed due to a technical issue unrelated to the proposed agreement between the company and the State.

“The company needs additional time to complete its preparations for executing the project, and we expect to call the Legislature in for a brief Special Session as soon as these preparations are complete.

“It is this Administration’s policy not to present projects to the Legislature until all details are finalized, even if the unresolved point is not between the company and the state.”

Monday, October 26, 2009

GOVERNORS BARBOUR, RILEY AND JINDAL ANNOUNCE LAUNCH OF THE AEROSPACE ALLIANCE

501(c)(6) Will Establish Region as a World-Class
Aerospace, Space and Aviation Corridor
First Objective: Help Secure KC-45 Tanker Contract for Region

BAY MINETTE, ALA – Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, Alabama Governor Bob Riley and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal today announced the launch of The Aerospace Alliance, a 501(c)(6) private/public organization that will establish the Gulf Coast and surrounding region as a world-class aerospace, space and aviation corridor. The announcement was made before hundreds of supporters at an event in Bay Minette, Alabama.

“This alliance will go far in promoting our region for what it is – one of the largest aerospace corridors in the world and a great place for companies in this sector to do business,” said Governor Barbour, who addressed the event via video uplink. “The Gulf Coast states share geographic proximity, a long tradition of aerospace and aviation activities and a skilled and experienced workforce, and by joining together, we will be well-positioned to take advantage of opportunities to grow this sector in our region.”

The members of The Aerospace Alliance include business leaders, economic development professionals and government officials. By promoting their common assets and the region’s long-standing tradition of excellence in the aerospace industry, participating states and organizations will seize opportunities to grow the sector, attracting more jobs and suppliers to the region. Members will advocate for policies, programs and specific aerospace projects on the local, state and national level.

The Gulf Coast region is already home to some of the world’s most advanced aerospace installations, a number of key NASA facilities and numerous military installations critical to the Department of Defense flight missions and training. The region is centrally located to markets across the United States and offers access to global markets via numerous air and deep water ports.

The first priority of The Aerospace Alliance is to help secure the KC-45 aerial tanker program for the region. If the KC-45 aircraft is selected, the tankers will be assembled in Mobile, Alabama, bringing 48,000 direct and indirect jobs to the region, and thousands of direct and indirect jobs to the region. With the tanker program, the region would be one of the largest in the world to build large-body aircraft, along with France and the Pacific Northwest. The Aerospace Alliance will identify, educate, organize and activate allies to aggressively communicate why the KC-45 is the best solution for the warfighter, for the Gulf Coast and surrounding region, and ultimately for the United States.

While the KC-45 is the first priority for The Aerospace Alliance, it is not the only one. Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida are currently home to manufacturers of helicopters, missile defense systems, composite aircraft structures, engine components and many R&D firms. The Aerospace Alliance will collaborate to working towards growing these aerospace, aviation, space and defense industries in the region.

Governor Riley said, “Last year taught us something: while we all know about our long tradition of aerospace excellence and the quality and skill sets of our workforce, obviously some parts of the country (Kansas and Washington State), might not be aware. We are going to educate them, and you are going to help us. We will work together to promote our region’s many assets. We will work together to advocate for policies, programs and specific aerospace projects on the local, state and national level. The programs we attract will in turn attract suppliers, bringing even more jobs and development. Our first initiative is to win the KC-45 tanker, our first lesson is Geography -- Mobile, Alabama and the Gulf Coast States are part of the U.S. and our jobs are American.”

Mitch Waldman, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Vice President applauded their efforts, saying, “We already know that the Gulf Coast is a center of excellence in defense, aviation and aerospace. We look forward to working with Governors and leaders of Aerospace Alliance states, and the many members and supporters of The Alliance, to spread the word to the rest of the world.”

Participants emphasized the need for jobs in the region’s economy, badly damaged by both Hurricane Katrina and the recession. Unemployment rates are high throughout the entire Southeast, and both Alabama and Florida have unemployment over 10 percent.

October 23, 2009

Governor Haley Barbour Officially Proclaims 1st Mississippi Week for the Animals
November 7-15, 2009!

(Jackson, MS) Animal World USA is pleased to announce that Governor Haley Barbour has officially proclaimed November 7-15, 2009 as 1st Mississippi Week for the Animals. The special week is designed to highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of Mississippi. This statewide event will celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as recognize the schools, libraries, businesses, organizations and citizens who support them. The MS Week for the Animals is bringing together educators, advocates, animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, community leaders and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The fun-filled week will feature awesome pet adoption festivals and events, pet therapy in hospitals, school/art displays and activities, educational activities, bird watching/ tours, kid’s art days, library story-telling and R.E.A.D. dog activities, blessings of the animals at shelters and parks, book signings, special Animal World USA magazine to celebrate the week, free & low cost spay and neuter opportunities & vaccinations, meet and greet events, special animal seminars, pet therapy in school classrooms, salute to working/search & rescue K-9’s, hockey game drive to help animals, pet food donation information and locations, festivals and so much more! All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and compassionate people of Mississippi who love them. It is a unique opportunity to change the history for the animals by collectively coming together.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this amazing week through a wide variety of animal-related events and activities. Special events are being scheduled and can be viewed on the website calendar, and more are being added regularly. If you would like to learn more, become involved, list an event, please call 877-454-0807 and/or visit the official website at http://www.mississippianimals.org/

You may also learn much more about the AWUSA Weeks campaign and see how other states have celebrated them at http://www.weeksfortheanimals.org/ and http://www.animalworldusa.org/

October 22, 2009

GOVERNOR BARBOUR: $1.5 MILLION IN KATRINA FUNDING SLATED TO REBUILD LONG BEACH SCHOOL

Jackson, Mississippi – Governor Haley Barbour and the Mississippi Development Authority Disaster Recovery Division MDA/DRD today announced a $1.5 million grant for completion of Long Beach’s Harper McCaughan Elementary School.

“This is yet another project funded through our state’s $5.4 billion Katrina Recovery Package, composed of flexible Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds,” Governor Haley Barbour said.
“The goals of Mississippi’s recovery remain three fold: providing housing, incenting jobs and rebuilding and improving our public facilities and infrastructure. Certainly completion of McCaughan Elementary School is a major step toward rebuilding a vital public facility that’ll help hasten recovery in Long Beach.”

Specifically, the funding will be sourced from MDA/DRD’s $500 million Community Revitalization Program, one of 17 recovery programs which constitute the $5.4 billion package.

“Governor Barbour’s vision of not merely rebuilding, but rebuilding better than ever is certainly reflected in this project,” Jon Mabry MDA/DRD Chief Operations Officer said. “When finished, McCaughan Elementary will be a more storm resistant, modern facility that’ll be much better than it was before. This is a perfect example of how flexible CDBG funds can be used to address specific, locally defined and locally driven needs.”

October 21, 2009

GOVERNOR BARBOUR DECLARES OCTOBER AS RETT SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH

Jackson, Mississippi – Governor Haley Barbour declared October as Rett Syndrome Awareness Month to bring attention to the nervous system disorder that leads to developmental reversals, especially in expressive language and hand use.

“While there is no known cure for Rett Syndrome, there has been steady progress in medical research about the condition,” Governor Barbour said.

The condition is often mistaken for autism, cerebral palsy or a non-specific development delay. An infant with Rett syndrome usually has normal development for the first six to 18 months.

A copy of the proclamation and photos accompany this release. The names of the people with Governor Barbour follow:

Photo 1: Petal residents Mary Claire Lee, a nine-year-old with Rett Syndrome, her parents Benjamin and Jodie Lee, her brother Josh Lee; and her grandmothers Jane Weathersby Earnest of Brandon and Petal resident Diane Lee, Mississippi’s Rett Syndrome representative.

Photo 2: Brandon residents Edie Hagg, a 13-year-old with Rett Syndrome, and her parents Mark and Ashley Hagg; Mitch and Erin Bleske of Riley; and Jackie Washington, the parent representative from Family to Family Health and Information Center.

October 1, 2009

STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR BARBOUR

“As we now know, September tax collections fell short of estimates by more than $44.9 million, or 10.16 percent; for the first three months of Fiscal Year 2010, total collections are $83.2 million, or 7.68 percent, below estimates.

“By comparison, total collections for July to September 2009 are $128 million less than collections for July to September 2008. This amounts to an approximately 12 percent decline from last year. And, this number includes $23 million more in tobacco tax revenue year to date in FY 2010.

“These dismal facts reinforce what I said earlier. It is likely that more spending cuts will be necessary in this fiscal year to ensure a balanced state budget. The fact that state law will not permit me to cut any agency more than 5 percent until every agency is cut at least 5 percent may present some additional challenges.”