Contact: Sammy McDavid
A series of public hearings on the proposed legislative term-limit amendment will be held Oct. 11-21 at five locations around the state.
The John C. Stennis Institute of Government at Mississippi State University has been named by Secretary of State Eric Clark's office to moderate and help coordinate the hearings on proposed Initiative Measure 9, which reads: "Should state legislators be limited to two consecutive terms in each legislative body?"
If passed and added to the state constitution, the amendment would prohibit elected members from serving more than two consecutive four-year terms in the Mississippi House of Representatives and two consecutive four-year terms in the Senate.
The hearings will be take place 7-9 p.m. in each of the state's five congressional districts. Program locations include:
--Oct. 11, Raymond, Hinds Community College's Eagle Ridge Conference Center;
--Oct. 12, Starkville, MSU's Simrall Hall auditorium;
--Oct. 13, Itta Bena, Mississippi Valley State University's Aaron Student Center Annex;
--Oct. 20, Long Beach, University of Southern Mississippi/Gulf Park Campus's Hardy Hall Auditorium; and
--Oct. 21, Tupelo, Itawamba Community College/Tupelo's Technical Building.
"We encourage members of the public to attend and discuss this issue," said David Blount, director of communication in the secretary of state's office.
Blount said the Stennis Institute was selected for the role of hearings moderator on the basis of its knowledge and experience in dealing with initiative-and-referendum issues.
"Because of expertise in both governmental and political processes gained over more than two decades of work, we felt it would be the best organization to help our office develop and provide a neutral medium for these particular hearings," he added.
Stennis research analyst Don E. Slabach and administrative assistant Judy Fulgham are coordinating the programs. Institute director Marty Wiseman will serve as moderator and MSU political scientist Charles Menifield will open each session with a brief presentation on the history, issues and impact of term limits.
To help interested citizens be better prepared to contribute to the hearing process, the secretary of state's office has produced a pamphlet that includes the full initiative proposal, as well as general arguments for and against the issue. Copies may be obtained at no cost by telephoning (601) 359-6342 or e-mailing administrator@sos.state.ms.us.