As the buzz in Mississippi currently centers around the pending House of Representatives vote to elect either Ronnie Musgrove or Mike Parker as our next Governor in January, plenty of other power plays are at work in our State Capital.
  With some key members of the Legislature lost to the ballot box or retirement and a new Lt. Governor-Elect making committee appointments in the Senate, there will be a lot of new fresh leadership faces. Having talked to some people around the state after the election, the following is a bit of facts, speculation, and rumors about who will be guiding the direction of our state for the next four years.
  One of the major factors that will get some level of consideration by Ford and Tuck is the wailing of legislators from the Gulf Coast about their lack of representation at the top of the leadership chain in both the Senate and the House. They will have to be sensitive to this --- and especially the statewide elected Lt. Governor.
  In the House of Representatives, several key members will not be returning. Ted Foster of Pontotoc, vice chairman of Appropriations under Charlie Capps, is gone. Jimmy Green of Itta Bena, chairman of County Affairs, has retired, as has Ed Perry of Oxford, who served as chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Charlie Williams of Senatobia, who served as chairman of Ways and Means, and Terry Brown of Columbus, who served as chairman of Public Building, Grounds, and Lands, both stepped down by virtue of them running (unsuccessfully) for statewide office.
  For the important Ways and Means post, buzz is centering around either Steve Holland of Plantersville (currently Ag Chairman) or Billy McCoy of Rienzi (currently Education Chairman). Both have tenure and the ability to manage the floor. Bobby Moody of Louisville, who is chairman of the Public Health and Welfare Committee, reportedly could have had the post if he wanted it, but sources say he is going to turn it down to stay where he is, unless, of course, his close friend Speaker Ford needs him.
  The Black Caucus is also pushing hard to have one of its members replace Ed Perry at Judiciary, among other positions. And with the Coast in semi-revolt over their lack of leadership positions, Jim Simpson, Jr., of Gulfport, who serves currently as vice-chairman of the Judiciary Committee, will probably receive a key assignment, and probably a chairmanship.
In the Senate, Dick Hall of Madison (former Senate Appropriations Chairman) is gone due to his election as Transportation Commissioner. Grey Ferris of Vicksburg, Education Chairman, will vacate his seat after his failed Lt. Governor bid and Clyde Woodfield of Gulfport, chairman of the Business and Financial Institutions Chairman, was defeated.
  Unlike the House, there is a generally more partisan persuasion, since the person doing the committee appointments (Lt. Governor) must be elected statewide. Some veteran lawmakers like Hob Bryan of Amory, chairman of Finance, will most likely lose their posts because they supported the losing candidate, but nonetheless will be a forceful voice in the Senate. Also, Bill Minor of Holly Springs, chairman of Finance, also reportedly supported Tuck's opponent, but she might overlook this because of Minor's brilliant floor management and consensus-building skills.
  Lawmakers who stand to benefit from a long friendship and support of Amy Tuck include; Billy Thames of Mize, Tommy Gollott of Biloxi, Travis Little of Corinth, Alice Harden of Jackson, and David Jordan of Greenwood. Reportedly, both Gollott and Little would like to be President Pro-Tempore. Instead of allowing this to become a battle of hard feelings among friends, the Lt. Governor-elect might choose to offer Little the powerful chairmanship of Finance, thus avoiding a problem. Jack Gordon of Okolona is making a hard run for the Appropriations post, although Billy Thames, the rural, crusty veteran who has been Ag Chairman, probably has the inside track. Alice Harden is rumored to be the frontrunner for Education. (Unlike the past when powerful interest groups have had substantial influence with a recently elected Lt. Governor, this writer has discovered a peculiar phenomenon about Tuck: the customary "insiders" for statewide Democratic officeholders don't necessarily have the pull with her. After all, the teacher's union endorsed her Republican opponent, the trial lawyers supported her Democratic opponent in the primary, and reportedly so did the powerful Congressman from the 2nd District, Bennie Thompson.)
  In addition, remember the Gulf Coast's complaint and the fact that we have not mentioned but one name in either chamber from that region.
  Regardless of how the Governor's vote comes out, you can be assured that the politics inside the State Capital will not grind to a halt anytime soon.  The truth is that while all eyes are focused on the contested Governor's race, which hasn't ended yet, this is the subtle but steady hum of political machinery churning away in the Mississippi legislative branch of government --- which, forever, is where the action really matters the most.
  As we end the year and  prepare for a new governor, we thought it fitting to feature outgoing governor, Kirk Fordice, on our cover.  Fordice's business approach to running state government has been very effective and at no time in Mississippi history have we seen such economic prosperity.
  Also, in this issue we have included a special section on Workforce Training. Workforce Training programs  are vitally important to our region of the state in helping our existing industry with expansions as well as playing their part in the luring of new ones. Simply put, the Delta must have a trained workforce in order for us to compete with the rest of the country and we are making much progress in this area.
  Beginning in the January issue, we will add several new departments and sections in the paper. We think you'll be very happy with these changes.
  As always, we appreciate your comments and suggestions.