Mississippi

Former MS Democratic Party Chair no longer seeking reinstatement. DNC denies appeal

Published

11 months ago

May 15, 2024

Former MS Democratic Party Chair no longer seeking reinstatement. DNC denies appeal

Irving says DNC made decision for him, declines to discuss Hinds Chancery Court case

The former chair of the Mississippi Democratic Party said this week he is no longer seeking reinstatement after an appeal submitted to the Democratic National Committee’s Credentials Committee was denied last month.

The committee threw out the appeal from former state party chair Tyree Irving to be reinstated after he was voted out of office in July 2023 for alleged “long standing and repeated actions of malfeasance and misfeasance.” His appeal was thrown out during the DNC’s April meeting.

The decision came less than two months before the state party holds an election to elect a new chair.

“The Credentials Committee voted unanimously (25-0) to recognize State Representative Cheikh Taylor as permanent chair,” The committee wrote in a press release issued last month. “Taylor was elected by a 2-1 vote by the State Executive Committee at a July 2023 meeting and has served as chair since then. In addition to filing the challenge with the national party, Irving also took the extraordinary measure of suing his own party in Hinds County Chancery Court in connection with his removal.”

The lawsuit referenced is still pending further action in the Hinds County Chancery Court.

That suit was filed in September 2023 and in it, Irving claims the state party violated its constitution several times in the course of ousting him, appointing Taylor and making several position changes within the party. He has also requested a restraining order on all party business until he is reinstated.

Irving had previously submitted a resignation letter to the party a few days before the vote was tallied during a special meeting.

That resignation letter came after Irving ridiculed MDP Executive Director Andre Wagner for trying to clarify an email Irving sent stating DNC funds were coming to MDP if it donated an equal amount to Gubernatorial candidate Brandon Presley. Gifting funds to a political entity to give one candidate funding is a crime.

More on Irving’s resignation The Mississippi Democratic Party chair announced he will resign. What happens next?

Details on Irving lawsuit: Former Mississippi Democratic Party chair sues to reinstate himself, saying his ouster was improper

Irving and several other plaintiffs claim that the party, as well as key executive committee and party members including Taylor and William Wheeler, are essentially acting as a rogue political group without legal ground to conduct business on the party’s behalf.

The party’s response in the case is that Irving claims are all categorically false, and that the party has acted in accordance with its own regulations. It also denounces his claim to be reinstated, and one defendant, Wheeler, even alleges Irving destroyed property at party headquarters in Jackson.

“Irving negligently and intentionally abused and caused damage to the property, including personal property inside of the building, out of spite and malice, all of which will be shown by the evidence at trial,” Wheeler stated.

The court has not yet set a trial date, according to a Hinds County Chancery Court employee.

Irving’s status with state Democratic Party

Irving, a former appellate judge who declined to comment on the ongoing case, told the Clarion Ledger Tuesday that with the decision from the DNC, he has no plans to run against Taylor.

“I devoted nearly three years of my post-retirement time to trying to lay the groundwork to transform the Mississippi Democratic Party into a real political force that would serve the interests of all ordinary Mississippians rather than the interests of self-appointed party bosses,” Irving said. “My term will officially end when the State Executive Committee elects new officers in the next month or two. I can think of no good reason why I should continue my efforts to bring about such a transformation by seeking another term.”

Irving added that he believes the DNC simply made a political move to support Taylor and ignore the facts of the July 2023 vote to oust him as party chair and the ongoing case.

“The Credentials Committee of the DNC made a political decision without consideration of the facts,” he said. “The DNC sends $15,000 monthly to support the Mississippi Democratic Party. Without that financial support, the Mississippi Democratic Party would not have any substantial operational footprint. Since it is clear that my vision for the Party did not align with the Party bosses of the Mississippi Democratic Party and the Credentials Committee of the DNC, there is no reason to believe that would change going forward.”

Taylor, a Democrat from Starkville, told the Clarion Ledger he is unaware of any other challengers to him, and he hopes he can continue the work of the party as the congressional elections come up in November.

“I am seeking chairmanship again and we’ve moved forward rapidly,” Taylor said. “I want a solid four years to really put my stamp on the vision and the mission along with the great council that I have moving the party forward.”

Read more on Primary races MS Primary results

Taylor added he believes the decision made by the DNC may help push the chancery court in favor of the party over Irving’s claims.

“What I think may happen is that the chancery court will probably look at the ruling of the committee, And will follow suit,” he said.

Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.

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Mississippi

Reeves signs legislation eliminating Mississippi’s individual income tax – The Vicksburg Post

Published

8 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Press Room

Reeves signs legislation eliminating Mississippi’s individual income tax

Published 6:02 pm Thursday, March 27, 2025

: Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves signs legislation eliminating the state’s individual income tax during a ceremony Thursday at the governor’s mansion. (Submitted photo)

JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves today signed legislation that eliminates the individual income tax in Mississippi. House Bill 1, or the “Build Up Mississippi Act,” empowers the state workforce by not taxing their hard-earned wages and gives Mississippi another competitive advantage when competing for new economic development projects and private capital investment, Reeves’ office said in a statement Thursday.

“I am proud to sign into law a complete elimination of the individual income tax in the state of Mississippi,” Reeves said. “Let me say that again: Mississippi will no longer tax the work, the earnings, or the ambition of its people. The legislation I’m signing today puts us in a rare class of elite, competitive states. There are only a handful of states in the country that do not tax income. Today, Mississippi joins their ranks – and in doing so, we plant our flag.”

House Bill 1 builds upon House Bill 531, which was the biggest tax cut in Mississippi history at that time. House Bill 531 was signed into law by Reeves in 2022 and returned half a billion dollars to taxpayers, a spokesperson said. The new legislation, House Bill 1, cuts the individual income tax rate to 3% by calendar year 2030, with future annual decreases until it ultimately falls to 0%. Additionally, the legislation signed by Reeves decreases the tax on grocery sales from 7% to 5%.

“This is more than a policy victory,” Reeves said. “This is a transformation. And it’s a transformation that I have believed in, fought for, and worked toward for many years. From my days as lieutenant governor to my first campaign for this office – and every legislative session since – I have made this my mission. Because I believe in a simple idea: that government should take less so that you can keep more. That our people should be rewarded for hard work, not punished. And that Mississippi has the potential to be a magnet for opportunity, for investment, for talent – and for families looking to build a better life.

“The work of your hands belongs to you. It is yours – to feed your family and invest in your home and your community. Because that’s what this is ultimately about. Not just numbers on a balance sheet, but lives. Generations from now, when our kids are raising families of their own in a stronger, more prosperous Mississippi, they will look back on this moment and say: this is when we took our shot. To the people of Mississippi: you are the real winners today.”

Reeves thanked legislators, including Speaker Jason White and Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann, for their efforts on this legislation and for being good partners in the process.

Reeves’ office said House Bill 1 is yet another major victory for the state of Mississippi during the Reeves administration, also citing “record levels of new private sector investment, the largest economic development projects in Mississippi history, and nation-leading education gains.”

Reeves signed House Bill 1 during a signing ceremony at the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion. The full signing can be viewed here.

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Mississippi

Michigan State basketball vs. Mississippi NCAA tournament tipoff: Matchup analysis and a prediction

Published

12 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Press Room

Michigan State basketball vs. Mississippi NCAA tournament tipoff: Matchup analysis and a prediction

• What: No. 2-seed Michigan State vs. 6-seed Mississippi, NCAA tournament South Regional semifinal

• When: 7:09 p.m. Friday

• Where: State Farm Arena, Atlanta

• TV/Radio: CBS/Spartan Sports Network radio, including WJIM 1240-AM and WMMQ 94.9-FM; SiriusXM Ch. 201

• Records/Rankings: MSU is 29-6 overall after winning its first two NCAA tournament games. The Spartans finished 17-3 in the Big Ten, winning the league outright. Mississippi is 24-11 overall after its two NCAA tournament wins. The Rebels finished 10-8 in SEC play.

• Betting line: MSU -3.5

• Coaches: Michigan State — Tom Izzo is 735-301 in his 30th season as a head coach, all with the Spartans. Mississippi — Chris Beard is 280-120 in his 13th season as a head coach, including 44-23 in his second season with the Rebels. Notably, he was the coach of the Texas Tech team that beat MSU in the 2019 Final Four.

• Series: This is only the second meeting between the two programs, with MSU winning the previous game, in the second round of the 1999 NCAA tournament.

Projected lineups

MSU

C (10) Szymon Zapala (7-0) 4.3

F (0) Jaxon Kohler (6-9) 7.8

G (3) Jaden Akins (6-4) 12.7

G (11) Jase Richardson (6-3) 11.9

PG (1) Jeremy Fears Jr. (6-2) 7.4

Mississippi

C (0) Malik Dia (6-9) 10.7

F (14) Dre Davis (6-6) 10.3

G (11) Matthew Murrell (6-4) 10.7

G (3) Sean Pedulla (6-1) 15.2

G (5) Jaylen Murray (5-11) 10.5

• MSU update: The Spartans enter the regional semifinals after two hard-fought NCAA tournament wins, over Bryant and then New Mexico. In neither game did MSU have control until the second half. This is MSU’s 16th Sweet 16 under Tom Izzo. Only Duke has more Sweet 16 appearances since Izzo made his first 27 years ago. MSU’s last Sweet 16 was two years ago in New York, where the Spartans lost to Kansas State in overtime. MSU is No. 5 nationally in defensive efficiency, per Kenpom, and No. 1 defending the 3-point line, allowing opponents to shoot just 27.8% from long range, and No. 8 in defensive rebounding percentage. The Spartans’ bugaboo is inconsistency with outside shooting, making just 31% of their own 3-point tries, which is 323rd nationally.

MORE: Couch: Jaden Akins met the moment Sunday in leading Michigan State to the Sweet 16

• Ole Miss update: The Rebels arrive in the Sweet 16 after impressive wins over North Carolina and No. 3-seed Iowa State. They also have wins this season over Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, BYU and Arkansas (twice) — all teams still alive in the NCAA tournament. This is Ole Miss’ first NCAA tournament since 2019 and its first Sweet 16 since 2001, which is as far as the Rebels have ever gone in an NCAA tournament. Like MSU, Ole Miss has a balanced lineup, even if not as deep. All five starters average in double figures, with four of them at around 10 points per game.

• Matchup analysis: The Rebels present some challenges for MSU — the way they switch everyone defensively, how their guards dig down to help their bigs, the way they sacrifice offensive rebounding to get back in transition, the ability of their 5 man, Malik Dia, get downhill on the drive and also hit 3-pointers. The Spartans should have a decent edge on the glass. Ole Miss ranks in the 300s in offensive rebounding percentage and isn’t that much better on the defensive end. The matchup with Dia is probably the most interesting for MSU. Is that Carson Cooper’s assignment? Can Jaxon Kohler defend him, given that Kohler’s offense could be an issue for Dia on the other end. Can the Spartans play a center on Ole Miss’ undersized 4 man, Dre Davis, and play two bigs or even try Coen Carr on Dia? Rebels’ guard Sean Pedulla is a fantastic player and a dangerous shooter. But MSU has faced guards like him and done OK. The other big question is whether MSU can generate enough offense if it’s stuck in the half-court against a defense that requires you to break guys down individually, and whether the Spartans are able to get out and run some, which would make life a lot easier. These are two teams built on toughness and connectedness, two teams that don’t deviate from their identities. It’s hard to forecast.

MORE: Couch: How Michigan State’s basketball team grew into becoming Big Ten champions

• Prediction: I think MSU’s A-game would beat Ole Miss’ A-game more often than not. But last weekend, the Rebels played closer to that level more often than MSU did. If Jase Richardson plays like the Jase Richardson we’ve seen regularly since the beginning of February and the Spartans can get at least one of their other guards to knock down some outside shots, I like MSU’s chances at figuring this out and moving on.

• Make it: MSU 70, Ole Miss 66

MORE: Couch: Inside Jase Richardson’s road from career-threatening surgery to MSU basketball revelation

Contact Graham Couch at gcouch@lsj.com. Follow him on X @Graham_Couch and BlueSky @GrahamCouch.

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Mississippi

Mississippi racecar driver, 16, chases NASCAR dreams

Published

21 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Press Room

Mississippi racecar driver, 16, chases NASCAR dreams

BURNSVILLE, Miss. (WLOX) – In the Magnolia State, a 16-year-old driver is chasing his dream of one day racing at Daytona or Talladega.

Austin Vaughn of Tishomingo County made his ARCA Menards East Series debut last weekend in Pensacola. ARCA is considered a developmental league for the NASCAR Cup Series. He finished 15th in the race.

Vaughn has made the move up after starting on the dirt tracks.

“It’s kind of surreal because it’s almost unheard of for anyone my age, especially from Mississippi, to be doing this,” he explained. “It’s a lot more challenging because you have to travel and spend a lot more money to get to asphalt tracks.”

Now, Vaughn looks for continued success while building up Mississippi’s racing reputation at the same time.

“I’d like to draw more attention to the racing scene in Mississippi and get young people to know that you can reach your goal no matter where you come from.”

Vaughn’s next stop is in Rockingham, North Carolina, for a race on April 19.

To follow his racing journey, visit his Facebook page.

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