Childers takes party line vote on S-CHIP

Childers goes with spenders over Barbour and GOP on S-CHIP

Gov. Haley Barbour at an afternoon news conference today spoke out against Congress’ plan to expand the State Children’s Insurance Program, saying that it’s unfair to poorer states like Mississippi.

“I urge our senators to vote against it unless its discrimination against the needy children of our state is corrected,” Barbour said.

Democratic Reps. Travis Childers of the 1st District, Bennie Thompson of the 2nd District and Gene Taylor of the 4th District voted for the reauthorization of the program. Third District Rep. Gregg Harper voted against it.

Childers, D-Booneville, held a news conference this morning at North Mississippi Pediatrics in Tupelo to discuss the issue.

“During these tough economic times, more and more hard working Americans are losing their jobs, and parents are struggling to provide heath care coverage for their children,” Childers said in a news release. “Too many of Mississippi’s children lack health insurance. Without the reauthorization of SCHIP, Mississippi would face significant funding shortfalls and would be forced to drop children from coverage.”

“Covering our children now means hard working taxpayers won’t have to foot the bill for more costly problems in the future,” he said.

But Barbour said no child in Mississippi has been turned away by the program before, despite inadequate funding from the federal government.

“If it were about health care for poor children, the bill would not shortchange the poor children of Mississippi by tens of millions of dollars,” Barbour said.

Barbour worries that the expansion of the program will create a system that gives funding to wealthier families in other states before the needs of poorer Mississippi families are met, he said.

“It is critical Mississippi’s poor children be provided for before children in New York and New Jersey, whose families make $65,000 or, in some cases, even $88,000 a year,” he said.

Pay Raise, Rahm Emanuel

Childers opposed to congressional pay raise this year - "I just think this is a bad moment for us to take a pay raise," said 1st District Rep. Travis Childers, a Democrat. "I'm not opposed to a pay raise. I'm just opposed to one this year."

Childers' friend in high places - Wiseman also noted freshman Democratic Rep. Travis Childers, “from what I understand, made a very close friend during his first few days in office — Rahm Emanuel,” now Obama’s chief of staff.

A flag, money, and jobs

Calhoun County Journal - Mayor J.R. Denton suggested guard rails as a possibility, but said he will contact the highway department tomorrow about the situation.
In other action, the board approved a proposal from the Park and Recreational Advisory Board to stagger the terms of its members as follows: Woody Jones 2012; Greg Lunceford 2010; Sam Phillips 2009; Chris Lee 2013; Mark Goodson 2011.
They voted to pay Mississippi Economic Council dues of $302.50. The council had asked for a voluntary raise of $30.25. Denton told the board that Assistant Police Chief Greg Pollan has been appointed North District Vice President of the Association of Mississippi Criminal Investigators. He said Congressman Travis Childers, who was unable to attend Calhoun City’s Open House for the newly renovated City Hall, sent apologies and a flag that was flown over the state capitol.

Commercial Appeal - Lewisburg Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded $31,540 by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to improve safety and fund operations, Rep. Travis Childers, D-Miss., has announced. "These funds are critical to ensuring the safety of North Mississippi families," Childers said. "FEMA's investment in our local communities will help provide our fire departments with the equipment and resources they need to keep North Mississippi safe."

Commercial Dispatch - U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development approved a $1,842,000 loan and $3,158,000 grant for Lowndes County Industrial Development Authority, Congressman Travis Childers, D-Miss., announced today. “The USDA’s grants are a significant and important commitment to the people of Lowndes County’s health and safety, as well as the community’s ability to support its local industries,” said Childers. “The funds will ensure that the (Lowndes County) industrial park is able to serve both current and future users.”

Commercial Dispatch - Fifty former employees of Outdoor Technologies may get new jobs at the same facility soon, with the announcement ProVia Door has purchased the plant. Congressman Travis Childers, D-Miss., Monday announced ProVia Door had purchased Heartland Building Products in Booneville, Infinite Building Products in Olive Branch and Outdoor Technologies in Macon. “I am extremely pleased that these three companies, which provide so many important jobs to the hard-working people of North Mississippi, are no longer facing closure,” Childers said in a press release. “Heartland, Infinite Building Products and Outdoor Technologies are important contributors to our region’s economy, and ProVia’s purchase has prevented a great loss to North Mississippi’s communities and families.” “ProVia’s announcement is the successful culmination of two months of hard work,” said Brian Wilson, president of the Noxubee County Economic Development Alliance. “They were by far the best-case scenario for us out of the many potential buyers for the facility. ... ProVia has a strong reputation for leadership in their industry for the last 30 years and we welcome them with open arms to Noxubee County.”