Roger Wicker News

The U.S. Department of Transportation is giving more than $11 million to Mississippi for airport improvements. via WAPT

“As long as we continue to take the lead, the Iraqis are never going to step up to the plate and fight for their country.”

By Rick Maze - Staff writer Posted : Tuesday Apr 8, 2008 16:14:21 EDT In a clear sign that the burden of figuring a way out of Iraq falls on the next U.S. president, the nation's leading Iraq strategists said ... via Air Force Times

John Boehner has spent months bitching about excessive pork spending by Pelosi and other Democrats in congress. via Plunderbund

“In many cases, the paperwork and application process required by the government prevented those who wished to rebuild from taking advantage of federal assistance”

The U.S. Senate approved an amendment to a bill Friday to extend the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005, giving new hope that lucrative tax incentives for developers building South Mississippi condos, apartments and businesses will last a few more years.

U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran successfully added an amendment to a housing bill, and it passed 74-5. The legislation gives tax breaks to those who are building apartments, condos and businesses in Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River and Stone Counties. The current deadline required builders to start construction before the end of this year. But under the new legislation, it wouldn't matter when the work begins, as long as it is complete by Dec. 31, 2010. Read more

Conservatives lead in earmarks. >> Congressional conservatives have waged a high-profile war on earmarks this year, only to be undermined by conservatives who enjoy their pet projects. via Think Progress

A hold on National Flood Insurance legislation continues as Mississippi and Louisiana senators push for an amendment that would add wind insurance to the program.

'Our strong position is that we are going to continue the hold until we get some relief there,' U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker told Gulfport Rotarians as their guest luncheon speaker Thursday.

An amendment Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Miss., sponsored in the House added wind insurance to the National Flood Insurance Program. However, the Senate Banking Committee did not include the wind amendment in its bill to reauthorize the flood program. Read more

Defendants in a federal corruption trial in a case tied to a failed Mississippi beef processing plant are asking for a delay. via Athens Banner-Herald

Voters in the 1st Congressional District return to the polls Tuesday in the second phase of an historic election to choose only the second new congressman from North Mississippi in the last 35 years. via Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

Former state Sen. Charlie Ross and Gregg Harper are juggling busy campaign schedules as they vie for the Republican nominaton in the Mississippi's 3rd Congressional District. via WLOX-TV Biloxi

“Did anyone ever communicate to you that your company would be provided work on the Mississippi Beef Project in return for contributions to Musgrove's campaign?”

The manager of Ronnie Musgrove's U.S. Senate campaign says it would be unfair for people to cast doubts on the former governor because of a new round of federal indictments against business executives in a ... via The Clarion-Ledger

Mississippi's governor and two members of the state's congressional delegation will be in town today to announce hurricane recovery projects.

Gov. Haley Barbour, U.S. Rep. Gene Taylor and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker are scheduled to hold a press conference at 10 a.m. at the Hancock County Governmental Complex, 3068 Longfellow Road. An advance notice from the governor's office said only that the three will announce 'recovery projects in Hancock County.'

Although unspecific, the announcement caused a stir at the county complex Wednesday. Local officials declined to confirm or deny what will be announced, but it is believed the governor and congressional delegates will disclose the release of millions in federal Community Development Block Grant dollars for the county. Read more

“We're up against a mighty force (lobbying efforts of the insurance industry).”

Mississippi's senators are commendably exercising their muscle to block reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program unless Hurricane Katrina-like wind protection is included. via The Clarion-Ledger

“Nowhere is this more true than in Hancock County. These funds will go a long way towards rebuilding basic infrastructure and helping Hancock County build back stronger than before.”

Hancock County will receive $200 million in federal funds for major recovery projects from Hurricane Katrina. via WLOX-TV Biloxi

“The private insurance market is more than capable of handling wind coverage”

Gulf Coast senators have joined to block reauthorization of the federal flood insurance program in an effort to add wind coverage to the legislation. via The Clarion-Ledger

Once again, there will be a Carson representing IN-07. In today's special election to replace the late-Rep. Julia Carson , her grandson/Indy City Councilor Andre Carson defeated state Rep. via Hotline On Call

Both CNN and the Associated Press are predicting that Senator Barack Obama has won Mississippi's democratic primary. via WLMT

Just as she has in every other Southern state, Hillary fared best in the most mountainous part of Mississippi. via Washington Examiner

A runoff will decide whether Prentiss County Chancery Clerk Travis Childers or state Rep. via WLOX-TV Biloxi

Voters are deciding Tuesday whether the grandson of the late U.S. Rep. Julia Carson will replace her in Congress. via HendersonvilleNews.com

Seven candidates will be on the ballot to represent north Mississippi's 1st Congressional District in an April 22 nonpartisan special election. via WAPT-TV Jackson