"What I have a problem with is the lack of tolerance and the lack of understanding I see in this body," Johnson said. He eloquently talked about what he has seen among whites and blacks in the state Capitol halls. Robert Johnson III, D-Natchez, took a point of personal privilege, a rarely used procedure that allows a lawmaker to openly air a complaint before his colleagues. The nominees three middle class white men won confirmation despite spirited opposition from blacks. Kirk Fordice's appointments to the College Board. For example, take the debate in the Senate last week over Gov. Although blacks nearly doubled their numbers between 19, they are stumbling into some of the same roadblocks that Rep. Blacks felt they would now find the influence that had eluded them for decades in the white, male-dominated Legislature. Twenty-five years earlier, only one black stood in the well of the House chamber to take the oath of office. The mood was jubilant in January when 42 blacks took office. The strain is most evident among black lawmakers. Ed Blackmon's drive for an AIDS education program won approval in the At the halfway point in the 1993 Mississippi legislative session, the euphoria has worn off. Leslie King, D-Greenville, said, "There is a perception among white folks here that black folks only deserve a seat in the Legislature, not that they deserve participation." The black members have had some success this session. In the House, blacks also vented their anger for several days by forcing the clerk to read the entire texts of bills before they were passed, a process that took several hours. Alice Harden, D-Jackson, complained that the white leaders in the Senate ignored her proposals, including mandating classes on racial harmony in Mississippi's colleges. Must accept that blacks are in the Legislature to stay, their ideas are just as good as whites and the time will come when their votes are needed. But black leaders contend they won't get true power until they can pass bills. In the Senate, two examples are a term -limits bill and a proposal requiring the ap- pointment of all school superintendents. Blacks have joined with other groups, in- eluding conservative Democrats, to defeat bills. Even with united opposition, black mem-t, bers do not have enough numbers to measures like the welfare reform bill that." passed the Senate. Their dif- ferent constituencies are creating divisions many hoped wouldn't materialize. Blacks haven't been successful in closing their own ranks on legislation. The records of the state agency that fought desegregation will remain closed. Johnnie Walls, a freshman Democrat from Greenville, had urged the unsealing of the Sovereignty Commission records. It tar- geted programs in which blacks had an inter- est such as health care and education. I Blackmon, D-Canton, presented a budget proposal that he hoped appropriations leaders in both House and Senate would use in building the budget for next year. But with every success there seems to be -j several failures. School copies available at reduced rates. To subscribe, call 684-2713.īack copies for sale when available. Subscription rates: By carrier, $7.00 per month, $84 per year By mail, $7.50 per month, $90 per year.Įntered as second class matter in the post office at McComb, USPS 335-580. Box 910, Oliver Emmerich Drive, McComb, 39648. BEAN Advertising Manager DONALD CARLISLE Production Manager I r'n I py Gina i Holland The Associated Press Published daily, except Saturday, by J.O. DUNAGIN Editor-General Manager JACK RYAN Managing Editor FREDDIE DEER Circulation Manager JOHN O. Blackmon had said AIDS is particularly a problem in blact: i CHARLES M. 23,1993 2 Tension in the Legislature Enterprise-Journal Founded 1889 Oliver Emmerich, Editor-Publisher 1923-1978 Uniics an A tVio flnnroDriations committee nlane tn nrM fundine for it.
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