Hewes elected to No. 2 spot in Senate

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Republican Billy Hewes III of Gulfport has been elected to the No. 2 leadership job in the Senate.

Senators unanimously elected Hewes as president pro tempore.

Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck swore in Hewes after the vote Tuesday, the opening day of the 2008 legislative session.

The 46-year-old Hewes has been in the Senate since 1992. He is in the insurance and real estate business.

The president pro tempore presides when the lieutenant governor is absent. Hewes also will become chairman of the Senate Rules Committee.

The new lieutenant governor, Republican Phil Bryant, will be sworn in Thursday. He supported Hewes for the leadership job.

McCoy wins 62-60 on first ballot

 JACKSON, Miss. (AP) -Rep. Billy McCoy has been re-elected speaker of the Mississippi House.

McCoy, a Democrat from Rienzi, beat back a challenge Tuesday from Rep. Jeff Smith, D-Columbus, to win a second term as speaker.

The vote of House members was 62 for McCoy and 60 for Smith. Sixty-two votes were needed for election in the 122-member House.

The speaker appoints House committee chairmen and committee members.

McCoy, a populist from northeast Mississippi, had clashed frequently with Governor Haley Barbour over the previous four years.

Smith was viewed as friendlier to the agenda of Barbour, a Republican who will be sworn in next week for a second term.

BREAKING NEWS – Speaker’s race unclear on House floor

JACKSON – The speaker’s race is still up for grabs at 1:30 p.m. in the Missisisippi House of Representatives on Tuesday.Rep. Ed Blackmon of Canton was elected temporary speaker on a third vote. Opposed by Rep. Robert Johnson of Natchez, Blackmon is an ally of current Speaker Billy McCoy of Rienzi, who is seeking re-election.

The first two ballots were tied at 61, then Rep. Linda Coleman of Mound Bayou changed her vote from Johnson to Blackmon.

Capitol observers aren’t sure if Coleman changed her vote to move the process along or whether that means McCoy will squeak by for re-election.

McCoy is opposed for speaker by Rep. Jeff Smith of Columbus.

They both are Democrats.

Tuesday is the opening day of the 2008 legislative session.

After Blackmon’s election, nominating speeches got under way for speaker.

ClarionLedger.com reporting: Senate adds 3 committees

Click here for more.

Legislature begins 2008 session

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The Mississippi Legislature has convened its 2008 session, kicking off a four-year term with several new members in the House and Senate.

The 105-year-old Capitol was packed Tuesday with relatives and friends who came to see lawmakers collectively take their oath of office.

While the Senate’s duties were largely ceremonial, the House quickly moved to a matter of business that could shape the entire term — the election of a speaker to lead the 122-member chamber.

Rep. Billy McCoy, a populist Democrat from the tiny northeast Mississippi town of Rienzi, sought a second term as speaker. He was challenged by Rep. Jeff Smith, a conservative Democrat from Columbus.

Smith would be friendlier to the agenda of Republican Haley Barbour, who will be sworn in next week for a second term.

Session opens today …

Rep. Jeff Smith, D-Columbus, confers with House Speaker Billy McCoy, D-Rienzi second from right, and Speaker Pro-Tem J.P. Compretta, D-Bay St. Louis, at the Capitol in Jackson, Miss., in this April 27, 2007 file photograph. All lawmakers eyes will be on the Speaker’s race following the swearing in of the Legislature. Smith hopes to unseat incumbent McCoy. The speaker appoints all committee chairmen. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) 

JACKSON – The Mississippi Legislature will convene for the 2008 session at noon today.

Most of the opening day will be spent putting a structure in place to govern for the next four-year term, including the hotly contested election for House speaker between incumbent Billy McCoy, D-Rienzi, and Jeff Smith, D-Columbus.

That election will occur soon after the Legislature opens.

In the Senate, Billy Hewes, R-Gulfport, is expected to be elected president pro tem, who presides when the lieutenant governor is absent. Plus, as part of its package of legislation to govern the chamber, the Senate will consider a proposal by Lt. Gov.-elect Phil Bryant to webcast the Senate proceedings.

The first session of a new four-year term, it is scheduled to last 125 days.

Here is Bobby Harrison’s column from today …
BOBBY HARRISON: McCoy knows about showdown votes

Welcome to a new Daily Journal blog …

Good morning! Welcome to a new Daily Journal blog about state government. We hope that you will find this blog an additional way to comment about and follow state government.

Bobby Harrison, the Daily Journal Capitol bureau chief, will have reports from Jackson and keep you updated on what is happening and what will happen next. We’ll be adding to the blog in the next few days with links to legislators and other state government Web sites. If you have a favorite link please send it to us. Also you will be able to comment below each blog and give your opinion on the issues of the day.

Thanks for joining us. It is a good time to start as the 2008 session begins.