Flaggs Now Opposed To Consolidation
State Rep. George Flaggs (D-Vicksburg) made headlines this fall when he admitted that the state can not afford to continue funding 152 school districts and eight state universities under the current economic conditions. This drove the hot-button issue of consolidation back into the conversation, and gave supporters reason to believe 2010 might be a year of action.
And there was good reason for that. Flaggs, a Democrat, is also a leading member of the Black Caucus. If the LBC was supportive of the move, consolidation may be possible- and even likely.
Soon after Flaggs statements, Haley Barbour released his budget proposal which outlined both K-12 consolidation (without specifics) and reducing the number of universities from eight to five. Today, however, Flaggs is backtracking and the LBC is firmly against any consolidation moves.
In one of Flaggs’ latest appearances he now says, “I’m not in favor of merging or closing any university- including the W. I’m in favor of funding them and restructuring their programs.” A far cry from earlier comments.
Flaggs said initial consolidation plans included merging Delta State with Ole Miss and Jackson State with Mississippi Valley State (along with MUW/ MSU). Barbour proposed merging Alcorn and Valley with Jackson State. He seemed to indicate that the original plans may have been acceptable, although that could have been cover for some of the criticism he has received from his majority-black district.
Have any of you seen the following in a rest room. “Fools names like fools faces, always seen in public places.”
You can find these selfcentered politicians on talk radio, in the newspapers, always ready to speak at public functions(if a free meal is included) and always state what the public opinion favors, until the final resolution; then the true politician comes out and they backtrack on everything they had previously said.
Statesmen,no. Selfcentered greedy thieves,yes.