Eaves Issues Statement On Non-Debate

You may recall us being the first to report that the Mississippi Press Association had changed the format from "debate" to "forum" to protect Barbour.

Or you may recall the MPA's oh-so-witty reply to our breaking news that they had changed the format from "debate" to protect Barbour.

The Eaves Campaign has issued a statement (via press release) on the matter. Here are some excerpts:

“I was looking forward to giving the people of this state a chance to really compare where Haley Barbour and I stand on the issues that affect the lives of all Mississippians,” said Eaves. “The only way to do that is through a real debate, and while some people call this race a David vs. Goliath fight, the so-called Goliath keeps running away scared!”

During a normal debate format, Eaves would have had the opportunity to rebut misleading information provided by Barbour. However, because of the change in format that apparently came at the request of the governor, there was no debate.

“Gov. Barbour wants to paint a rosy picture about Mississippi’s economy, but the truth is we have the second highest unemployment rate in the country,” continued Eaves. “Under Barbour’s administration, unemployment has gone up, and we have a higher unemployment rate than Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Furthermore, everyone knows that good jobs start with a good education, and in the last four years college tuition has gone up 25 percent.”

A debate would have allowed for Eaves to confront Barbour with the tough questions. Instead reporters at the MPA event treated him with kid gloves failing to even ask him about his niece Rosemary Barbour being investigated by the FBI and having her offices raided the day before the forum.

State College Board Raises Mississippi Tuition

Mississippi's public colleges have again balanced their budgets on students by while increasing salaries and positions for faculty. Adding more and more cost to a public education is no doubt robbing many of an education they are capable of mentally, but unable to afford.

An example of the ridiculous raises originally requested is the University of Southern Mississippi's President Shelby Thames asking for a 12% tuition hike. 12 percent!

The College Board voted for a 7% percent increase, but that still adds up to about $300 per year which is the same as some college students make in two weeks. It really adds to the burden.

The College Board alone cannot be blamed though. The total dollars the state puts toward higher education per student has dropped from a high of $6,321 in 2000 to $5,103 in fiscal year 2005. That makes for a hole of $1,218 that must be filled.

It is time for this state to realize that education is not it first priority, but a bare necessity and find the resources necessary to deliver the goods without leaving its potential students out to dry.