Gov. Reeves inaccurately credits Hob Bryan as author of bill on federal funds in Mississippi dispute

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves misattributed the authorship of a bill related to federal funds to State Sen. Hob Bryan, a Democrat from Amory, according to legislative records and sources familiar with the process.

Reeves stated on social media that Bryan’s authorship of Senate Bill 2477 raised red flags, leading to the governor’s veto. However, a review of the legislative process shows Bryan did not write the bill. Instead, the language was replaced by Senate Public Health Chairman Sam Creekmore, a Republican from New Albany, before the bill advanced to the House.

Creekmore’s language became the basis of the bill, which was approved by the House and sent back to the Senate. Bryan recommended that senators accept the House’s version, which they did before sending it to Reeves for his signature. The legislation aimed to increase transparency in the spending of nearly $1 billion in federal funds Mississippi is set to receive.

The core issue for Reeves is not Bryan’s authorship but the bill’s impact on executive control over federal funds. The measure would limit the governor’s control and give more oversight to the Legislature—a longstanding and contentious debate in Mississippi politics.

This debate echoes a similar dispute in 2020, when Reeves and legislative leaders clashed over control of $1.25 billion in COVID-19 relief funds. Legislative leaders, including Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and House Speaker Philip Gunn, argued for legislative control, prompting Reeves to express opposition and question their motives.

Gunn and Hosemann defended legislative authority and indicated they would override any vetoes from Reeves. As the legislative session approaches, it remains uncertain whether they will attempt to overturn Reeves’ veto of the bill allowing the Legislature more say in federal fund spending. The outcome hinges on whether enough lawmakers support overriding the veto, which requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers.

Bryan emphasized the importance of transparency, stating that the current system offers little insight into how federal funds are spent. The bill’s passage would not grant full control but would improve oversight, he said. The Legislature’s next move will determine whether lawmakers can push back against the governor’s position.

Source: Original Article