This week Legislators will go into yet another special session.This one has been called by Gov. Haley Barbour to address hiseconomic development program – Momentum Mississippi.

Having failed to get the legislation passed during the regularsession that ended in April and then again during therecently-ended special session called to pass the state’s budget,the governor is determined that Momentum Mississippi becomeslaw.

Legislators and the public have plenty of reason to be cautiousabout the economic development package following the failure of the$55 million beef processing plant in Oakland. Lessons should belearned from the mistakes made in the debacle and a cautious eyeshould be cast on programs that give state money to privateentities.

Momentum Mississippi, however, is no-seat-of-the-pantsprogram.

Its roots come from a plan called Blueprint Mississippi createdby the Mississippi Economic Council through a yearlong processinvolving hundreds of business leaders from across the state. Inthe interest of fairness, I should note that I participated inseveral of those meetings while the plan was created.

There are those who question the practice of giving economicincentives to business and industry.

The belief is that business should finance itself withouttaxpayer dollars. Back in the 50s, Mississippi lead the nation withits BAWI program (Balance Agriculture With Industry). BAWI becamethe model for economic development across the nation, with thestate benefiting from the industrial jobs created.

The governor says the state is out of economic developmentincentive money and says there are at-risk 84 projects that wouldcreate $1.9 billion in private investment and create 10,000 newjobs. Without Momentum Mississippi, he says these projects andtheir jobs will go to other states.

Agree or disagree with economic development incentives, thebottom line is that all other states offer incentives to attractindustry.

We started the incentive idea with BAWI. Now if Mississippi isto remain in the game, it must be able to rise up to thecompetition.

Momentum Mississippi is a program that the Legislature needs toaddress and pass.

Unfortunately, as usual, politics has crept into the plan. Asmall group of Legislators whose motives should be questioned triedto derail the plan by tacking on 35 pet projects totaling about$100 million during the last special session.

This area was not left out of the pork play as $20,000 wassuggested for sidewalks in Bogue Chitto and $25,000 for anamphitheater in Brookhaven. Another $20,000 was suggested forrestoration of a wooden water tower in Roxie as well as a $20,000bike path at Percy Quinn State Park in Pike County.

While such projects sound great for us local residents, one hasto wonder if it is wise state fiscal policy to sell bonds for suchlocal projects.

While an amphitheater would be nice here in Brookhaven, as wouldsidewalks in Bogue Chitto, why should taxpayers in Quitman Countyhave to fund it? Likewise, do we here in Lincoln County really wantto fund their and every other counties local sidewalk projects,too?

Momentum Mississippi is a package that will create jobs andbuild the state’s economy. The Legislature needs to pass thepackage clean without the pork and quit playing politics withtaxpayer money.

Write to Bill Jacobs at P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven MS 39602,or send e-mail to bjacobs@dailyleader.com.