Playing Robin Hood

The definitions of fairness and equality have been skewed and twisted so as to fit comfortably within the confines of what is expedient and profitable.  I speak of course of those who have effectively played the role of a distorted Robin Hood in terms of Pascagoula School District's right to its ad valorem taxes as it relates to the Chevron Pascagoula Refinery.  After much discussion and wrangling over this issue, I for one am not content to simply let this issue die and thus accept a certain percentage being mandated as going to our Pascagoula School District.  If the taxation district was drawn legally, then Pascagoula Schools are entitled to 100% of the ad valorem taxes derived from this area, not 50% or 29%.  I do support an appeal of the recent court decision and look forward to allowing the Mississippi Supreme Court hear this case of first impression.

            Some may say that this whole discussion is politically motivated and to that I would concur emphatically; it is.  Why else would the original bill have been submitted and handled the way it was?  Why else would every other elected official outside of those specifically representing the Pascagoula area be so in favor of this effort?  They know as you and I do that the majority of who elects them will benefit, with no thought of what is right and wrong in terms of the established taxation districts.  They are solely looking out for their elected positions and thus effectively holding the Pascagoula School District hostage.  And as an elected official myself, while I understand the zeal to represent your constituency and make the voters in your area proud, I cannot for the life of me bring myself to the place where I could justify robbing another entity's tax base to make up for the deficiencies in my own. 

A large part of the argument being made is that the Pascagoula School District is a "rich" school district as opposed to the other school districts in the county being "poor."  In addition, the argument is being made that the workers at Chevron do not only live in Pascagoula, but throughout our county.  I trust just reading that you see the inherent fallacy of those words.  When did being rich become wrong?  When did robbing the rich become right?  People chose to live in a certain area for various reasons, often largely based on the area schools.  This is a personal choice.  And while I understand and sympathize with those school districts that may not have as much, I cannot support this distorted form of playing Robin Hood, of robbing the rich and giving to the poor.  If you're not happy with your school or school district, you have the right to move and support another district. 

If this is the political game we are now to play, then let's play on equal footing.  The next economic development project that locates within the county, whether it be in Ocean Springs, Moss Point or the rural area let's split those ad valorem tax dollars as well.  Moss Point's development surrounding the former International Paper site is a prime starting place.  Heck, why stop at the large industrial projects?  Ocean Springs has a tremendous retail and restaurant climate; let's split those ad valorem tax dollars too.  And while we're at it, let's tap into the developments going up in Grand Bay and Mobile.  After all, many of the workers that work at Chevron live in Alabama.  You tell me where this vicious cycle stops?  Opening Pandora's Box is not the answer.  Our constitution and laws have been written and tried for just this very reason.  The state legislature in their infinite wisdom did not adequately consider the potential effects this law and now taxation districts within the state of Mississippi take a backseat to who lobbies the best and the loudest. 

I could bore you with a litany of issues regarding the constitutionality and the conflicts between statutes of this original bill.  I could ramble for hours about the injustice and sheer audacity of the elected officials and entities supporting this thievery.  I will refrain from doing either, except to say that I trust level heads will prevail (perhaps at the Supreme Court level) concerning this issue and people will see that while your school district may be in poor condition, it is not the fault of the Pascagoula School District or the City of Pascagoula.  And while your school district may need to renovate the 1959 décor in the restrooms or add new computers and more teachers, and granted those are all worthwhile efforts, it should not come at the robbery of the Pascagoula School District's ad valorem tax base.  All of our county school districts should be supported by their own tax base.  If they cannot support themselves, perhaps they should consider consolidation.  Otherwise, Pandora's Box can be opened and everyone loses.  What a poorly thought precedent this was indeed. 

This is why I have asked my colleagues on the Pascagoual City Council to adopt the resolution below.  If this law is indeed constitutional and we now must operate under its direction, then Pascagoula Schools should be allowed to benefit from similar considerations as propagated in this Robin Hood law. 

Frank Corder

Pascagoula City Councilman Ward 4

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RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, pursuant to Senate Bill 2403 which was enacted into Law by the Mississippi Legislature in 2007, certain ad valorem tax revenues from the Gulf LNG Plant currently under construction in Bayou Cassotte and any additions to the existing Chevron Refinery are to be allocated among the four school districts in Jackson County, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the Chevron Refinery and the Gulf LNG Plant lie exclusively within the Pascagoula School District; and

WHEREAS, the City of Pascagoula has joined with the Pascagoula School District in certain litigation now pending in the Chancery Court of Jackson County, Mississippi, to have the aforesaid legislation declared unconstitutional; and

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Pascagoula has heretofore voiced its support of this litigation and is united in its belief that the legislation as embodied in Senate Bill 2403 is in fact unconstitutional; and

WHEREAS, a ruling adverse to the interests of the Pascagoula School District and the City was entered by the Chancery Court of Jackson County, Mississippi, on May 5, 2010, which will result in an appeal being taken to the Mississippi Supreme Court; and

WHEREAS, it is anticipated that new industry will be coming to Jackson County during the time that this litigation is pending and that in all likelihood, such new industry will be located in school districts other than the Pascagoula School District; and

WHEREAS, the City Council is of the opinion that legislation should be introduced to provide for a distribution of ad valorem tax revenues from these new industries in similar fashion as that set forth in Senate Bill 2403 and until such time as such distributions are declared to be unconstitutional by our Supreme Court:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Pascagoula is on record in support of legislation to effect a partitioning of ad valorem tax revenues from any and all new industries to be located in Jackson County, Mississippi, among the four school districts in the County in accordance with the parameters set forth in Senate Bill 2403 as enacted by the Mississippi Legislature in the year 2007.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be sent to each member of our local legislative delegation encouraging them to introduce legislation in the House of Representatives and in the Senate to effect the intent of this Resolution.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this resolution be sent to the Governor of the State of Mississippi, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the State of Mississippi.