Candidates in Tuesday’s elections have differing opinions on how Initiative 42 — a measure that, if approved, would require the state to fund “an adequate and efficient system of free public schools” — has affected the races.
Initiative 42 would allow citizens to sue if education funding falls short. Its proponents say its passage would ensure that the Legislature funds schools in accordance with the measures set out in the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP).
MAEP, which was designed to give schools enough money to meet midlevel academic standards, has been fully funded only twice since being put into law in 1997.
Opponents of Initiative 42 say it would place too much power in the hands of the judiciary at the expense of the Legislature. An alternative proposal, Initiative 42-A, would not allow citizen lawsuits and would keep the decision-making with the lawmakers.
Donny Ryals, an independent candidate for the state Senate’s District 14 seat, said he’s deliberately avoided making Initiative 42 a major issue in his campaign because he’s worried that many voters will make their decisions based solely on a candidate’s stance on that issue.
Ryals said “there’s no doubt” that Initiative 42 has turned many races into single-issue elections.
“This has been the most contentious initiative I’ve ever come across,” said Ryals, who served a term in the Mississippi House of Representatives as a Democrat from 2000 until 2004.
He predicted that the initiative will boost voter turnout on both the right and the left in what would otherwise be a slow election year with entrenched incumbents in all statewide races.
Georgio Proctor, seeking the District 14 seat as a Democrat, said he doesn’t think the initiative will have an impact on his race.
“Lots of folks tell me they’ll be voting for me but against 42,” he said. “I therefore don’t think that 42-related turnout will significantly influence the outcome of this particular race.”
Proctor said that he intends to vote for Initiative 42 on election day but shares the concerns about accountability held by those who plan to vote against it.
Attempts to reach Ryals’ and Proctor’s Republican opponent, incumbent Lydia Chassaniol, were unsuccessful.
Karl Oliver, Republican candidate for House District 46, said the initiative “hasn’t got anything to do” with his campaign. “I’m running my own race,” he said.
Although public school funding is managed by the Legislature, some candidates for county positions have decided to weigh in on it.
District 2 Supervisor Robert Moore said he has made it a point to ask all candidates for county office where they stand on the issue.
“When people are running for office, you need to know where they stand on more than just the office they’re running for,” Moore said. “We (supervisors) are supposed to have the welfare of the entire county at heart.”
Moore, a Democrat, is strongly in favor of Initiative 42, saying it will improve education in the Greenwood and Leflore County public school districts. “We know that education is the key to economic success,” he said.
He said he doesn’t think the initiative will influence voter turnout in Leflore County.
“I don’t see Initiative 42 generating enough interest and enthusiasm around this area,” said Moore. “But I know that the people who go out to the polls are going to be very much aware of it.”
Sam Abraham, running as a Republican to replace retiring District 1 Supervisor Phil Wolfe, disagrees, saying he thinks it will bring out voters on both sides of the issue.
Abraham, who now serves as chancery clerk, said he doesn’t think party affiliation will determine how people vote on the initiative.
He said he has his own feelings on the initiative but doesn’t think supervisors should make the issue a mainstay of their platforms. He said he prefers to leave issues of educational policy up to elected or appointed district officials.
“I think that they, along with the superintendent, know a whole lot more about that than the Board of Supervisors does,” said Abraham.
“You’ve got to be careful with what you put in a constitutional amendment,” said Abraham, adding that he thinks the initiative has not been explained clearly.
•Contact Nick Rogers at 581-7235 or nrogers@gwcommonwealth.com.
