Posted on Thu, Oct. 11, 2007

Insurance, taxes, roads tackled in political forum Lt. gov., MDOT candidates speak out

By MICHAEL NEWSOM
mmnewsom@sunherald.com

BILOXI --Candidates in two key elections talked Wednesday night about their views on transportation, insurance and the role of casinos in South Mississippi in a forum that was mostly polite.

The event held by the Coast Young Professionals brought out hopefuls for Southern District transportation commissioner and lieutenant governor to answer questions before a crowd at the Saenger Theater.

Democrat Jamie Franks and Republican Phil Bryant are competing for lieutenant governor, and both said they opposed the plan to put a Choctaw casino in Jackson County.

Franks supports lowering the grocery tax and raising the cigarette tax, but Bryant said he doesn't support raising any tax, and said he supports lowering the state income tax. Neither said they support raising the taxes casinos pay.

A state auditor before entering the race, Bryant, who chose to take the microphone from its holster and pace along the edge of the stage, said he supports drilling for oil and gas reserves, but he said he would let the people decide where the wells go.

"I don't mind oil wells," Bryant joked. "I wish I had one in my backyard."

Franks on the other hand said he supports the drilling, but it couldn't come within 12 miles south of the barrier islands. Franks also said he would not allow drilling in national forests.

The son of factory workers from Tupelo, now a state legislator, Franks said he would not give the next governor a "rubber stamp" as he perceives has been the case with Gov. Haley Barbour. Franks said that as lieutenant governor, he would stand up to the governor when he felt he was wrong.

"The rich have the lobbyists, and the poor have their advocates, but the working families have been left out," Franks said.

Both Franks and Bryant said they support plain language insurance policies, but Bryant, who said he was a business-minded conservative Republican, said officials must be careful in the decisions they make because many insurance companies are leaving the state.

Transportation commissioner hopeful and longtime Harrison County Supervisor Larry Benefield said there is a problem with the way the Mississippi Department of Transportation operates because officials there don't listen to local governments. He said he is the best man for the job because his experience as a local elected official will allow him to work well with local governments.

"There is one common problem, and that is that MDOT will not listen to the local people," Benefield said.

Benefield said he would make sure transportation work fits in well with its neighborhood.

Incumbent Southern District Transportation Commissioner Wayne Brown, who touted his extensive experience as an engineer, said transportation workers did a terrific job after Hurricane Katrina, as most roads were opened within a few hours of the storm.

"We have succeeded beyond my expectations," Brown said.

He also said that the opening of the Biloxi Bay bridge on U.S. 90 will come at the beginning of next month, which is more good news. But Benefield said he believed politics was the reason the Nov. 1 date was picked, as it is less than a week before elections.

Benefield said he's against a high-rise roadway to connect the State Port at Gulfport to Interstate 10. Brown said the issue would require much study.

Brown is often quick to point out that many federal traffic laws must be adhered to before the state can receive federal money, but Benefield said he often goes to other states and see things that Brown and other state transportation officials told the local governments that they could not have because of the federal regulations.

Brown, who said he had lost three nephews and two nieces to traffic accidents, said safety was his main concern.

Gulfport has moved to preserve the Legislature's intention to maintain Mississippi 605 as a scenic roadway by withdrawing permission for two huge billboards along the newly constructed road.

The intersection of Popp's Ferry and Cedar Lake roads in Biloxi is sizzling with development. And we salute the developers of The Shoppes at Nord du Lieu shopping center there for adding architectural features to enhance the character and visual appeal of their property.

Hull by hull, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources expects to have most of South Mississippi's waterways free of hazards to navigation by year's end.

And so it goes. Day after day, there is mounting evidence of our progress.

It is real. And it is quite a sight.

As you can see for yourself.

Look inside today's Sun Herald for the ultimate guide to the new Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport