Update: Parker bill on Auditor powers tabled, dies on calendar
Photo: An image screenshot from the Senate Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency Committee meeting Thursday morning, a committee chaired by state Sen. Dr. David Parker (R-Olive Branch)
Feb. 6, 2025-The bill authored by state Sen. Dr. David Parker (R-Olive Branch) addressing powers of the state Auditor’s office and needed notifications was tabled and died on the Senate floor Wednesday.
The bill, Senate Bill 2847, brought a vocal response from state Auditor Shad White when it was proposed and passed out of Parker’s Senate Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency Committee, of which he is the chairman, last week.
On the Senate floor Wednesday, Parker said Senate Bill 2847 would do two things. It would require more audits by removing the discretionary language currently in the law and it would mandate that the Auditor bring suit in collaboration with the Attorney General’s office, ensuring additional oversight and accountability.
However, White quickly came out and attacked the bill, asserting it was introduced on behalf of Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann to gut the Auditor’s office of much of its power. He pointed to the millions of dollars he had saved or brought back to the state through his actions. Parker has vigorously denied the charge saying, “Some have called this the ‘Auditor’s Corruption Bill,’ and others have tied it to the Lt. Governor. But to be clear, the origins of this bill lie in concerns that arose from a specific situation involving a local case—one that revealed issues I believe we must address.”
Parker, in his presentation to the committee last month said his bill was crafted after White came to DeSoto County to indict former Horn Lake alderman Charlie Roberts on unemployment fraud charges.
The charges were made and Roberts was arrested, however he was released when his attorney Tony Farese produced documents showing that Roberts had repaid the unemployment compensation he had received.
Roberts had mistakenly not listed his work as an alderman as employment at the time. While he was released , the disposition of his case is still not settled.
On the Senate floor, Parker told his fellow Senators he was ready to bring his bill forward that morning.
“I was fully prepared to bring this bill to the floor for questions today,” Parker said. “However, over the weekend, I received an interesting correspondence. I was warned that discussing this case could be considered jury tampering and that I should keep my opinions to myself. I have spoken to our attorneys and this is not the case. It is our duty as legislators to bring attention to wrongdoing or miscarriage of justice via legislation.”
Parker went on to say, “However, let me be clear: I take this warning seriously. I do not wish to be arrested or have my own mug shot taken simply for proposing legislation aimed at ensuring fairness and due process. This bill is not about personal attacks or political agendas. It’s about making sure our system is fair, balanced, and transparent for all Mississippians—and that we don’t rush to judgment in ways that can damage lives.”
