More criticism for Republican state lawmakers

The Mississippi Homeowners Grant story continues to develop.
The Mississippi Press reports today, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2006, that Public Citizen – a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1971 by Ralph Nader – is chastising three Republican state lawmakers who are profiting from a state contract to finalize the grants.
Republican state Sen. Tommy Robertson of Moss Point and state Rep. Jim Beckett of Bruce formed a company and bid on as state contract to complete grants for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Robertson and Beckett hired Republican Rep. Jim Simpson Jr. of Gulfport to finalize grants in Harrison County.
Here’s what the story says:

A spokesman for Public Citizen on Monday called the issue “a classic ethics violation” and a “classic case of violation of conflict of interest.”

“It really is outrageous,” Craig Holman, Public Citizen’s campaign finance lobbyist, said in response to The Mississippi Press’ request for comment. “These lawmakers are cashing in on one of the worst disasters Mississippi has seen.”

The Mississippi Press is on a roll with this story – and the questions keep piling high.
Click here to read the full story.