Robin Hood Goes Into Effect

In 2007, Senate Bill 2403 was enacted into law by the Mississippi state legislature authorizing for ad valorem tax revenues from the Gulf LNG Plant under construction in Bayou Cassotte and any additions or improvements to the existing Chevron Refinery to be allocated among the four school districts in Jackson County.  The problem with this is that these locations lie exclusively within the boundaries of the Pascagoula School District as recognized by the state of Mississippi. 

As you might imagine, I have been keeping a close eye on this matter.  All taxpayers in the Pascagoula School District will be adversely impacted by this new law.  It is imperative that we continue the fight to protect our tax dollars for the future of education in Pascagoula Schools, rather legally or politically. 

Numbers are starting to come in as to the financial impact this Robin Hood law will have on the Pascagoula School District.  The proponents of this law have said that Pascagoula Schools will retain their current area of assessment and the law only affects the improvements and additions at Chevron and the development at LNG.  I and others contend that is not the case.  As Chevron upgrades and improves the current area, these values will be added into the "improved" pot and taken from the Pascagoula Schools current assessment area, essentially through depreciation and reallocation. Here are the numbers:

2008                2009                2010 (projected)

Current Area 1           $233 million    $269 million      $234 million

Current Area 2           $63 million      $52 million        $45 million

Improved Area                                                          $66 million

            What you see here is a jump in value due to improvements, etc. between 2008 and 2009 in Current Area 1.  Between 2009 and projected 2010, that same area is reduced by $35 million, which I'm told is being spoke of as "economic obsolescence."  According to Wikipedia, "obsolescence is the state of being which occurs when an object, service or practice is no longer wanted even though it may still be in good working order.  Obsolescence frequently occurs because a replacement has become available that is superior in one or more aspects." (Just thought I'd throw that in there for you.)  Current Area 2 shows a continual decline across the board. 

The Improved Area represents approximately $13 million from LNG and $53 million from Chevron improvements.  This Improved Area will be split by the new law.  If you will notice, the decrease of value in Current Areas 1 and 2 between 2009 and 2010 totals approximately $42 million, mighty close to the $53 millions in the Improved Area for Chevron. 

So what does this mean in terms of taxation and funding for the Pascagoula School District?  The loss of assessed value in Current Areas 1 and 2 represents a loss of approximately $1.6 million to the Pascagoula School District.  The Improved Area represents an approximate tax value of $3.6 million which will now be split among the four county school districts, of which Pascagoula will receive about $928,000.  Essentially, due to the Robin Hood law, the Pascagoula School District is losing a total of $4.3 million in funding projected for 2010. 

We, the Pascagoula citizens, can thank some overzealous local politicians for such a Robin Hood law cherry picking one area in one school district.  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.

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.  This is why I asked my colleagues on the Pascagoula City Council to adopt a resolution calling for a partitioning of ad valorem tax revenues from any and all new industries to be located in Jackson County; if it's good for the goose, it's good for the gander as the saying goes.  Thankfully, the City of Gautier will be taking up the resolution as well at its upcoming City Council meeting.  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. 

As we have seen in Washington D.C. and now locally through this new law, Robin Hood may be a classic children's story but it makes for terrible public policy.

Frank Corder

Pascagoula City Councilman

Past Time for Answers

Hurricane season is in full swing and it is on the minds of many citizens in South Mississippi and along the Gulf Coast just exactly what the plan of action is in the unfortunate happenstance a tropical storm or hurricane does enter the Gulf of Mexico and should it make landfall while there is oil on the surface of the Gulf.  The potential for oil to be pushed ashore by storm surge or even to be rained down is extremely worrisome. With the now impending threat of Tropical Storm Bonnie, our worries will be tested and our worst fears could come to life. 

Having experienced the fury of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the subsequent difficulty of many in South Mississippi and Louisiana in handling their insurance claims, this scenario must be at the forefront of the minds of FEMA, state emergency managers, BP, the state Insurance Commissioners, NFIP administrators and of course, the insurance industry. 

Informing the public now of the plan should such a worst case scenario occur along with providing some assurance that their investments are safe, insured, and protected should be acted upon immediately.  If oil is blown onto vehicles and homes inland or storm surge pushes oil ashore and onto private property, who is the responsible party and who should that property owner contact?  What agency will coordinate the response?  Is there a mechanism in place to support such claims?  These and many other questions must find a listening, concerned ear.  It is past time for answers; hurricane season started June 1^st, it's now mid-July.  Any delays and confusion regarding insurance, recovery, and local, state, and federal assistance and coordination will further exacerbate the damages.

The Obama administration has already added insult to injury during the oil spill by imposing an offshore drilling moratorium.  The federal government has use the oil spill as a political football and has allowed this unfortunate accidental disaster in the Gulf to shape our nation's future energy policy in terms of off shore drilling and thus essentially taken food off the tables of so many along the Gulf Coast causing an additional tragedy while harming our country's ability to ever achieve true energy independence.

The Gulf Coast should not have to deal with another slap in the face.  We have shown our resilience and fortitude time and time again, especially over the last five years.  Now is the time to respond to our concerns and worries along the Gulf Coast, not after another disaster.  The White House and Gulf Coast state leaders should step up and lead now.  Thankfully at this time Tropical Storm Bonnie is not projected to reach hurricane strength but I would encourage a concerted effort of informing the public now at this opportunity of what the plan and coverage avenues are should oil come ashore as a result of tropical activity.  Ease all of our minds on the Gulf Coast; we deserve it.

Frank Corder

Pascagoula City Councilman

Happening Around the City

City Update July 2010

Protecting Children and Families

                At the July 20^th City Council meeting my colleagues and I unanimously passed an ordinance banning the sale and distribution of synthetic marijuana, a product known as Spice.  This product is unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not for human consumption, as it clearly states on the package.  Spice is rolled in the same form as a cigarette or marijuana and is being bought by and marketed to children below the age of 18 (this is evidenced in the Betty Boop-esque cartoon character shown on the front of the package).  Spice has already played a role in our community in a very visible way; those charged with the break-in and damage at our new Senior Citizen Center admitted to have used this product prior to their illegal activities. 

                I want to thank Jackson County District Attorney Tony Lawrence, his staff, the Sheriff's Department and the Narcotics Task Force for helping us research this matter.  Thanks to a combination of efforts from those in the law enforcement community and public officials this product will no longer be sold or distributed in our City and County.  I expect the state legislature to tackle this topic in the upcoming session which starts in January 2011.

Gusher in the Gulf

                I am cautiously optimistic as to the recent news of the cap on the gusher in the Gulf.  For the sake of the Gulf Coast, our economy, our environment and many families I pray that the cap holds and the relief wells do the trick in finally stopping this disaster.  I had the opportunity to fly over the Gulf in recent weeks to see for myself just exactly what we are facing.  The vast amount of crude surrounding the well site hurts your heart.  The sooner the gusher is plugged the better.  The effects of this disaster may be felt for years but we on the Gulf Coast are a resilient people and we will once again come back stronger and more determined.  That's just who we are.

I do not believe that an extended moratorium on offshore drilling in the Gulf region would be beneficial to the City of Pascagoula, Jackson County or the State of Mississippi.  Many of our citizens in Pascagoula work on oil rigs in the Gulf and local businesses support, repair, and construct these rigs.  To allow this unfortunate accidental disaster to shape our nation's future energy policy in terms of offshore drilling and thus essentially taking the food off the tables of so many in our city, county and state would be an additional tragedy, adding insult to injury.

Projects and Construction

                If you've driven around the City then you've probably noticed the numerous projects under construction, road work and other efforts underway to improve and grow our City.  Below is only a short list of what all is happening:

·         Downtown parking garage and Riverfront development

·         Chipley water/sewer and roads

·         Round Island Lighthouse moved ashore

·         Pascagoula Street and Ingalls Avenue work coming soon

·         Beautification and streetscape work throughout downtown

·         New Pascagoula beach

·         Beach Park concession stand and restrooms

·         County's new service complex downtown

·         Riverfront Cottage Village

·         Numerous street and drainage work throughout the City

·         New Senior Citizen Center

·         and more.

Please be patient as we work to improve Pascagoula for the future.  A little temporary inconvenience today will pay tremendous dividends for us tomorrow.

Property Clean-up

                The City is working diligently to continue our efforts to clean-up blighted and derelict properties around the City.  These properties include lots that are overgrown, houses that may be falling in, and the like.  Please help us keep the City clean by taking care of your property and help us identify troubled properties by letting us know what you're seeing around you.  When we all work together we can make a positive difference in Pascagoula.

First Lady Coming to Town

                First Lady Michelle Obama will be in Pascagoula this Friday morning (July 23^rd) to visit with officials on the ongoing oil spill efforts and to christen another great ship built by the people right here at Pascagoula's Northrop Grumman shipyard.  Mrs. Obama will break the bottle on the Coast Guard Cutter to be known as the Stratton.  No matter your political ideology or party affiliation it is good to have the First Lady of the United States visit our community and to see for herself the diligent efforts of the hardworking people right here in Pascagoula, Mississippi.

2011 State and County Elections Coming

                The 2011 Mississippi county and state elections are around the corner.  The rumor mill is starting to turn as people are positioning themselves for a variety of positions from the Governor on down to County Supervisors.  As 2011 approaches you will start to see many names tossed around and fundraising invitations will arrive in many mailboxes.  2011 will be a big year for our state with these elections - the possibility of a changing legislature especially in the state House, a new governor, and possibly four ballot initiatives (personhood, eminent domain, healthcare, and vote ID).  I encourage you to stay tuned and stay aware as we quickly approach 2011.

Contact Me

                I know this hasn't addressed all of your concerns or questions but I wanted to provide a short, informative update of what's happening around the City.   If you have specific questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at frank @frankcorder.com or call me at (228) 623.1236. 

                An active, informed citizenry makes for good local government so please contact me anytime and join with us as we continue to make Pascagoula a truly great place to live, work, worship, and play.