Mississippians for Economic Progress violate state law

Mississippians for Economic Progress- the bagman for big insurance and the Republican Party - has once again called for “transparency” in state government when, in fact, the group was fined just last month for violating state lobbying laws.

In addition, the group continues to hide the names of contributors to its current ill-conceived attack campaign. As evidence of MFEP’s shadow operation, the group has to be ordered by the state Ethics Commission on Sept. 14, 2007, to file state lobbysit reports after they failed to file for two straight years, in violation of Mississippi lobbying laws. MFEP was fined $500 for the violations.

MFEP Chairman Lex Taylor and Treasurer Ron Aldridge initially filed sworn affidavits claiming they had never been paid “to influence or attempt to influence legislative or executive action , through oral or written communication,” according to the documents. In fact, such action is nearly all that MFEP does as an organization.

The group, described as “hidden helpers” for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other questionable organizations by Forbes magazine (Gannett News Service, 3/14/04), is currently running television attack ads reportedly funded by State Farm Insurance Co. and other allies of attorney general challenger Al Hopkins.

In perhaps one of the most hypocritical statements of the 2007 campaign season, MFEP Chairman Taylor said, “Where transparency and accountability are the foundations of good government, proper oversight and public disclosure best serve the public interest.” (Hattiesburg American, 10/12/07)

Said Johnathan Compretta, campaign manager for Attorney General Jim Hood: “MFEP and their ilk have not an inch of room to speak on this subject while they continue to hide the names of contributors to their organization and violate lobbying laws intended to shine light on their activities. The people of Mississippi can stomach alot, but not hypocrisy.”

MFEP’s mission is simple: By any means possible, unethical or worse, strive to protect the interests of corporate wrong-doers, such as State Farm, and line their pockets with money made off the backs of ordinary Mississippians.

The Hood campaign challenged MFEP to disclose the names of every one of its contributors so that Mississippi voters can decide for themselves for whom to cast their ballots.

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