The Delta Grassroots Caucus (DGC) is a broad coalition of grassroots leaders in the eight-state Delta region. DGC is also a founding partner of the Economic Equality Caucus,
which advocates for economic equality across the USA.

142 RSVPs & Growing: Please Register ASAP for May 2-3, 2013 Delta Conference

Posted on April 15, 2013 at 02:56 PM

We have 142 RSVPs and the early registration deadline for registering is this week, Friday, April 19, 2013. After that registrations go up to $150 each.

Confirmed Speakers Include: Gov. Mike Beebe, Sen. Mark Pryor, Sen. John Boozman, Mike Ross, Rep. Tom Cotton, Former US Rep. and gubernatorial candidate Asa Hutchinson, gubernatorial candidate Curtis Coleman, Former Lt. Gov. Bill Halter, DRA Chairman Chris Masingilll, and Grassroots Leaders from all eight Delta states.

The early registration deadline for the May 2-3 Delta conference is THIS week, April 19, Friday, close of business. We have 142 RSVPs and the number grows every day. Please register ASAP if you would like to be there.

You register by sending in the registration fees. Registration and other information are below in this newsletter.

ARTICLES IN THIS NEWSLETTER/POST:

  1. Update on May 2-3 Delta Conference at the Clinton Center

  2. Federal Value-Added Grants Program Statement from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Team

  3. Major Northeast Arkansas Steel Mill Project Moves Forward with Passage of Bonds

  4. Medicaid Expansion

  5. Energy Legislation Passes Arkansas Legislature

  6. Tentative Draft of May 2-3 Agenda (This will inevitably have last-minute changes-it is a rough draft.)

We have confirmations from Gov. Mike Beebe, US Sen. Mark Pryor, US Sen. John Boozman, US Rep. Tom Cotton, former US Rep. Mike Ross, former US Rep. Asa Hutchinson (a gubernatorial candidate), gubernatorial candidate Curtis Coleman, Former Lt. Gov. and gubernatorial candidate Bill Halter, DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Masingill, DRA Alternate Federal Co-Chairman Mike Marshall, and grassroots leaders from all eight states.

President Bill Clinton is invited. It is public knowledge that he will be in Little Rock on Friday, May 3, and he will be at a ceremony at the Little Rock Airport-named after Bill and Hillary Clinton-at 11:30 a.m. That event is expected to last about an hour. With his hectic schedule he always confirms late. We will keep you posted as to whether he will speak to our group that day.

Caucus Director Lee Powell unfortunately has bronchitis, so for more information either see the website at www.mdgc.us or call Martha Ellen Black at 573-683-0783 or Rep. Mark McElroy at 870-222-8217.

SCHEDULE OPENING SESSION: Thursday evening, May 2, 2013, 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Clinton School of Public Service. NOTE: THE OPENING SESSION IS AN IMPORTANT SUBSTANTIVE SESSION. WE WILL HAVE FOOD AND DRINKS BUT THIS IS A SUBSTANTIVE SESSION WITH SPEAKERS STARTING PROMPTLY AT 4:30 P.M.

CLINTON LIBRARY SESSION: Friday, May 3, 2013, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Great Hall of the Clinton Library.

GROUP HOTEL: To get the group hotel discount rate, please call the Comfort Inn & Suites at the Clinton Library in Little Rock at 501-687-7700 and say you are with the Delta Caucus. Most people will just stay for the night of May 2, because they will check out in the morning and store their luggage at the hotel and come back at the end of the day’s session at the Clinton Library to pick up the luggage.

YOU REGISTER BY SENDING IN THE REGISTRATION FEES TO THE ADDRESS LISTED BELOW.

If you can make it, Please make out the $125 check to “Delta Caucus” and mail to our office in the Washington, DC area:

If you can get a group of five or more we will give a group discount down to $75 each, but please note that you will have to organize the group of five or more.

Delta Caucus 5030 Purslane Place Waldorf, MD 20601

ARKANSAS LEGISLATURE PASSES BONDS NEEDED FOR OSCEOLA STEEL MILL

As the Delta Caucus has indicated in previous messages, there is a major steel mill project in Osceola, Arkansas that will create over 500 well-paying jobs and be a major economic stimulus for the regional economy. The Arkansas legislature has passed a major bonds issue needed for this project.

Congratulations to Gov. Mike Beebe and all the legislators who supported this project. We will continue to do everything we can to support this major job creation initiative.

This is good not just for Arkansas but for the region. Osceola is located in northeast Arkansas on the Mississippi River, so southeast Missouri and west Tennessee will also benefit from this project.

MEDICAID EXPANSION AUTHORIZATION PASSES IN ARKANSAS–KEY FUNDING VOTE COMING UP SOON

The innovative “private option” for Medicaid expansion in Arkansas has passed the authorization stage in the Arkansas legislature by a wide margin. The Arkansas private option is a good model that other Delta states may want to follow.

To appropriate the funds, a three-fourths vote will be required.

We encourage all our partners to urge your state legislators in Arkansas to support the private option for Medicaid expansion.

See the website at www.mdgc.us for the Delta Caucus detailed statement on Medicaid Expansion. Click on “Caucus Articles” and scroll down to the article on Medicaid expansion.

STATEMENT ON THE VALUE-ADDED PRODUCER GRANTS PROGRAM FROM THE NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE GRASSROOTS COALITION TEAM

Thanks to Jim Worstell, veteran Delta regional advocate, for passing along this message to us:

“Do you want more fresh, healthy food from local and regional farmers available to consumers? How about strengthened profitability and competitiveness for small and mid-sized farmers? Maybe even new jobs and economic development for rural communities.

Sounds good, right?

The Value-Added Producer Grants Program (VAPG) is a critical farm bill program that helps farmers, ranchers, and food entrepreneurs achieve those goals. VAPG helps folks develop and grow their businesses through support for improved marketing, processing, and infrastructure. VAPG turns ideas into real businesses - think flash-freezing fresh green beans for a local school to use at lunchtime, or turning tomatoes into salsa that is available year-round.

Unfortunately, VAPG funding is in jeopardy. During a budget-cutting frenzy Congress slashed VAPG last year, and it’s at risk again this year.

Right now, your legislators in Congress are making decisions about next year’s agriculture budget - including funding for VAPG - and they need to hear from you!

Your action today will protect crucial VAPG funding that directly helps farmers improve and expand their operations to add value and meet growing market demand. Can we count on you to make a call?

It takes just a moment - please call Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor’s office at (202) 224-2353, ask to speak with his agriculture appropriations aide, Lauren Cowles, and share a message like this one:

(Or, if you are from Mississippi, call Sen. Thad Cochran at 202-224-5045.)

“I am a constituent and a voter. (If you’re a farmer, let them know!) Please fund the Value Added Producer Grant Program at $30 million for Fiscal Year 2014. These dollars will directly help farmers in our community improve their operations, create new jobs, and meet local demand for their products.”

Thank you for all that you do,

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Grassroots Team”

PACE ENERGY LEGISLATION PASSES IN ARKANSAS–STATEMENT FROM THE ARKANSAS ENERGY 2013 TEAM

The good news is that yesterday Arkansas took a big step in the development of advanced energy by becoming the 29th state to allow PACE financing! The vote was 51-13, with 36 members not voting, which literally means that PACE passed by ONE vote!

With such a thin margin, we know that every effort to pass PACE enabling legislation for Arkansas mattered substantially - INCLUDING YOURS - so THANK YOU!

We especially recognize the leadership of Senator David Johnson, Representative Greg Leding and Representative Jonathan Barnett. The Arkansas Advanced Energy Association expertly led the stakeholder engagement process and effectively advocated for PACE to the finish. And most certainly our partner, the Citizens First Congress, with its deep understanding of Arkansas politics, the legislative process and organizing, was an integral champion in the fight for PACE.

Governor Beebe is expected to sign PACE into law! Again, thank you for taking action - by pushing this bill over the top- YOU made a difference.

Sincerely,

The Arkansas Energy 2013 Team

Delta Grassroots Caucus

Rough Draft of Agenda–Subject to Significant Changes

20th Anniversary of the Delta Regional Initiative

May 2-3, 2013, Clinton Presidential Center

OPENING SESSION, THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 2, 2013, 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service

Information tables on display throughout the conference:

Kay Goss’ biography of US Rep. Wilbur Mills, former chairman of the powerful US House of Representatives Ways and Means Community

Janis Kearney’s biography of Daisy Bates, famous civil rights leader in the 1957 Little Rock Central High desegregation crisis and throughout the history of the civil rights movement

The Harahan Bridge Project across the Mississippi River from Memphis, Tennessee to West Memphis, Arkansas; an example of Delta Heritage tourism

Information from Maria Baez de Hicks concerning the Hispanic Caucus of Arkansas and the Every Child Is Ours Foundation

Opening session hosted by James “Skip” Rutherford, Dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service

4: 30 p.m.–Introduction, Lee Powell, Executive Director, Delta Grassroots Caucus

4: 35.m. to 4:40 p.m.–Maria Baez de Hicks, Vice Chair of Hispanic Caucus; Key Member of the Every Child Is Ours Foundation (led by Jan Paschal)

4:40 p.m. to 4:47 p.m.–Janis Kearney, former White House aide, author of a recent book on the civil rights leader Daisy Bates

4:47 p.m. to 4:54 p.m.: Melissa Rice McGowan, Southeast Missouri Food Bank, Cape Girardeau, Missouri

5 p.m. to 5:25 p.m.–Curtis Coleman, candidate for Governor of Arkansas

5:25 to 5:50 p.m. –Asa Hutchinson, former US Representative from Arkansas, attorney, and candidate for Governor

5:50 TO 6:10 P.M.–US Representative Tom Cotton, Fourth District, Arkansas

6:10 TO 6:20 P.M.–Mayor Sheldon Day, Thomasville, Alabama

6:20 to 6:30 p.m.: Mike Marshall, Alternate Federal Co-Chairman of the Delta Regional Authority, Sikeston, Missouri

6:30 to 8 p.m.-ENERGY POLICY: RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY RETROFITS/ENERGY EFFICIENCY

  1. Ken Smith, Speaker and Moderator, US Assistant Secretary of the Interior in the Clinton administration, energy policy expert

  2. Martha Jane Murray, manager of Clinton Foundation Climate Change Initiative and Home Energy Affordability Loan program

  3. Loretta Daniel, Director, Regional Business and Innovation Center, Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky

  4. Sunny Morris, Mid-South Community College, West Memphis, Arkansas

  5. Gary McChesney, Chief Technology Officer of Future Fuels, Inc., Chairman of Arkansas Advanced Energy Initiative

  6. Matt Pelki, University of Arkansas Monticello energy expert

FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013 SESSION, 8 A.M. TO 3:30 P.M.

Great Hall of the Clinton Presidential Library

PLEASE NOTE: PRESIDENT WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON IS INVITED. HE WILL BE SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY AT THE LITTLE ROCK AIRPORT, NAMED FOR BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON AT 11:30 A.M. ON FRIDAY, MAY 3. IF HE IS ABLE TO SPEAK ON FRIDAY, MAY 3 TO THE DELTA EVENT, WE WILL ONLY HAVE VERY SHORT NOTICE AND WILL HAVE TO MAKE MAJOR RE-ARRANGEMENTS ON THE SCHEDULE.

OPENING PANEL: 8 20 A.M. TO 9:40 a.m.

PANEL HIGHLIGHTING BEST PRACTICES AND EXEMPLARY ROLE MODELS FOR THE DELTA: 8:20 to 9:40 a.m.

  1. Mildred Barnes Griggs, Seeds of Change project, east Arkansas

  2. Senchel Matthews, manager for Heifer International’s east Arkansas Delta project

  3. George Miles, Executive Director, Mid-South Delta Local Initiatives Support Corporation (Headquarters in Greeneville, Mississippi, with activities across the region)

  4. President Ivye Allen, Foundation for the Mid-South (Headquarters in Jackson, Mississippi, with activities across the region)

  5. Karama Neal, Southern Bancorp

  6. Bill Bynum, CEO, Hope Enterprise Corp., a regional foundation based in Jackson, Mississippi

9:40 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Brief Reflections on President Bill Clinton’s legacy for the Delta:

Bob Nash, president, Bob J. Nash & Associates, Little Rock, Arkansas; USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development in the Clinton administration; later White House Director of Presidential Personnel for President Clinton

Kay Goss, Associate Director of FEMA in the Clinton administration; President, World Disaster Management, author of biography of famed Congressman Wilbur Mills, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee

Lee Powell, Delta Caucus director, formerly one of four managers of Delta Regional Initiative during the Clinton administration, led by then US Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater, Chairman of the Delta Initiative for the administration;

10 a.m.–Senator Mark Pryor

10:20 a.m. to 10: 40 a.m.–Gov. Mike Beebe (Introduced by Butch Calhoun, Secretary of Agriculture for the State of Arkansas)

10:40 a.m. to 11 a.m.–Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chairman Chris Masingill

Bill Halter, candidate for Governor: 11: 20 to 11:40 a.m.

LUNCHEON: Noon to 1:20 P.M.

Presentation of Inspire Hope Institute Award Co-Winners:

Clifton Avant, senior executive at Entergy, Inc. for Arkansas, Louisiana and Missisisppi, veteran regional economic development leader, and Board Member Emeritus of the Delta Caucus

Rep. Mark McElroy, who represents Chicot, Desha and part of Ashley County;

Exemplary role model news announcements

US Senator John Boozman (Introduced by Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives Davy Carter)

Former US Representative Mike Ross

1:20 p.m. to 1:35 p.m.–Chris Neeley, Wal-Mart, Public Affairs Director, 1:20 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Big Picture Regional Economic Development panel: 1:30 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. (OR 2 P.M. TO 3:30 P.M.)

  1. Barrett Harrison, Executive Director, Blytheville-Gosnell Regional Airport Authority

  2. Heather Maxwell, executive director, Crossroads Coalition

  3. Herb Simmons, Greater Northern Louisiana Community Developent Commission, Jonesboro, Louisiana

  4. Albert Nylander, Director of the McLean Institute for Public Service and Community Engagement, the University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi

  5. Brad Cole, former mayor of Carbondale, Illinois, now a senior executive with Pepsi Mid-America, which does business across several Delta states

  6. Henry Golatt, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

CLOSING SPEAKERS ON ENERGY POLICY: 2:40 to 3:30 p.m.

Ines Polonius, Executive Director, alt.Consulting, Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Bill Kopsky, Arkansas Public Policy Panel

PLEASE NOTE: WE HAVE RESERVED THE GREAT HALL OF THE CLINTON LIBRARY INTO THE EARLY EVENING FROM 6 P.M. TO 7: P.M. OR SO, IN CASE THAT IS THE TIME PRESIDENT CLINTON CAN SPEAK. WE WILL HAVE TO STAY FLEXIBLE AND ACCOMMODATE HIS VERY HECTIC SCHEDULE.

SPONSORS

LEAD SPONSOR:

FED EX EXPRESS, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

MAJOR CO-SPONSORS

HEIFER INTERNATIONAL

HOUSING ASSISTANCE COUNCIL, WASHINGTON, DC

MISSISSIPPI COUNTY AR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION

CITY OF MCGEHEE AND MCGEHEE INDUSTRIAL FOUNDATION

CITY OF SIKESTON, MISSOURI

EAST CENTRAL ARKANSAS ENTERPRISE COMMUNITY

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI DELTA GRASSROTS PARTNERS

SPONSORS

REP. MARK MCELROY; BLYTHEVILLE-GOSNELL REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, BLYTHEVILLE, ARKANSAS; ADDITIONAL SPONSORS TO BE LISTED LATER