A federal appeals court has concluded a lengthy legal battle over the governance of Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport. The court's decision will likely pave the way for a new board primarily controlled by state-appointed members, marking a shift in authority away from city-appointed officials. The dispute began in 2016 when Jackson residents challenged a law signed by then-Gov. Phil Bryant, a Republican, to establish this revamped board, arguing it was an attempt by white suburban Republicans to wrest control from the majority-Black city's Democratic leaders.
The litigation saw members of the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority join as plaintiffs, with numerous appeals prolonging the process. On Tuesday, a three-judge appeals panel instructed a district judge to dismiss the lawsuit, asserting the city-appointed board members did not demonstrate they would suffer from the altered governance. Appeals Court Judge Edith H. Jones remarked on the prolonged legal proceedings by stating, "Groundhog Day has come to an end."
Until now, the city retained control of the airport board amid the legal contention, having the ability to appoint its five-member board. The 2016 law, however, envisions a nine-member board where five positions are filled by state officials: two by the governor, and one each by the lieutenant governor, the Mississippi National Guard adjutant general, and the Mississippi Development Authority director. The Jackson mayor and City Council would each appoint one member, with suburban Madison and Rankin counties' supervisors also appointing one member each. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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