Quentin Whitwell

I know I’m gonna get hate mail for this, but this is absolutely absurd.

This is really big news in college athletics and the SEC.

If the UK joined the US as the 51st state. We would be the poorest state in the entire union. Mississippi which is portrayed at swamp dwelling hillbillies in majority of international media is above us. I don’t think people grasp how far we’ve fallen in real terms when it comes to GDP per capita. We’ve seen no growth for almost an entire generations. We’ve seen our productivity decrease and our tax increases. The average person on the UK, on £50,000 is less well off than your average Mississippi swamp dweller.

As we say in Mississippi, “Bless Your Heart.” Or as you say in the UK, “As-Salamu Alaykum.”

I am going to tell you something that will not surprise you - I am a strong supporter of President Trump and his America First agenda. I have been working closely with the Trump Administration on their Rural Health funding initiatives because it so so important to rural Mississippi… including a White House dinner seated next to Secretary Kennedy and a Governor’s meeting with CMS Director Dr. Oz. Also, our staff and the team at HHS and CMS have been in regular contact to ensure that we meet the Trump administration’s goals on this federal money. Now I’m going to tell you something that probably WILL surprise you - I personally like State Senator Hob Bryan. I served with him for years and he is a smart, very capable legislator. He is also a liberal Democrat. And I think he would be the first to tell you that he is not a fan of my legislative goals, of conservative policy in general or President Trump. I have received hundreds of bills to my desk so far this Session and I have only vetoed 4 - 3 of which went through the Public Health Committee that Democrat Senator Bryan chairs. We simply do not agree on political philosophy or policy goals or the Trump administration. It is what it is! So when SB2477, authored by Democrat Senator Bryan, reached my desk, my team worked with the Administration to vet it. And in correspondence to me, Dr. Oz stated, “The program has a firm obligation deadline of October 30, 2026…and any legislation that seeks to impede or restrict the procurement process will put Mississippi at serious risk of obligating its funding on time.” In short, while no doubt well intentioned, Senate Bill 2477 will significantly slow down the awarding of RHTP federal funds by imposing redundant and unnecessary requirements on subgrants thereby putting $205.9 million in already-approved funding at immediate risk of clawback. In addition, Senate Bill 2477 risks the State losing a minimum of $800 million in potential funding in Years 2 – 5 of the grant cycle. Thus, the risk of loss which could exceed $1 billion in much-needed funding to improve rural healthcare is too great, and I am compelled to veto Senate Bill 2477 at this time. Please see the entire veto message below:

in the midst of your battles understand the PEACE of GOD will protect you