Jim Morris (Louisiana politician)
Encyclopedia
James Hollis Morris, known as Jim Morris (born May 3, 1954) is a businessman from Oil City
in northern Caddo Parish, Louisiana
, who is a Republican
member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
. His District 1 encompasses the northern portions of both Caddo and neighboring Bossier Parish. In 2007, Morris became only the second member of his party to hold his legislative seat, having won a special election to succeed the Democrat
Roy McArthur “Hoppy” Hopkins
of Oil City, who died in office. The previous Republican representative from District I is retired banker Bruce Lynn
of Gilliam
, who served from 1976-1988. Morris resides in Belcher
, but his district office is in Oil City.
Morris graduated in 1972 from Smackover High School in Smackover
in Union County near El Dorado
in southern Arkansas
. In 1976, he received a bachelor of science
degree in education
from Henderson State University
in Arkadelphia
, the seat of Clark County
,also in southern Arkansas. For his entire working career, Morris has been involved in the petroleum
and natural gas
business.
, but it was repealed during the tenure of his Democratic successor, Kathleen Blanco
. Therefore, helmets are required by all motorcyclists in Louisiana. Blanco’s successor, Republican Bobby Jindal
, endorsed Morris’ bill as a freedom-of-choice issue though Jindal said that he would personally wear a helmet if he boarded a motorcycle. The bill unanimously passed committee.
On June 3, 2009, the bill passed the full House, 64-33. Thereafter, the measure was shelved for the second consecutive year by the Senate Health Committee. Opponents said that safety considerations trump the freedom-of-choice. The bill had a provision that cyclists have health insurance
and a certain amount of liability insurance
before they could have been exempt from wearing helmets. Jimmy Faircloth, executive counsel to Governor Jindal, likened motorcycle riding to skydiving, hunting, mountain climbing, and all sports with a risk in participation. State senators unimpressed with the legislation equated the helmet requirement to the state’s strict seat belt law designed to protect people from avoidable injuries.
North Extension Feasibility and Funding Task Force. Officials in northwestern Louisiana for years have been seeking to expand I-49 from Shreveport northward through Arkansas
to Kansas City
, Missouri
. The issue is of particular importance to Morris’ House district.
Morris also supported Jindal’s opposition to accepting federal stimulus money in Louisiana. He likened the measure to a "tax increase on our businesses and one of the worst things we could do for our state's growing economy ... "
Morris and Brett Geymann
of Lake Charles
, his frequent legislative ally, are both members of the Commission on Streamling Government, chaired by Jack Donahue.
Morris serves on six House committees on (1) Appropriations, (2) Labor and Industrial Relations, (3) Natural Resources and Environment, (4) Executive Committee, (5) Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, and (6) Homeland Security. He is also a member of the Louisiana Rural Caucus.
s. In the campaign Morris procured the endorsement of Shreveport Times because of his experience on the Caddo Parish Commission. In the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 20, 2007, Morris again won with ease over two of the same opponents that he had faced in February. He polled 7,018 votes (64 percent) to 2,968 (27.1 percent) for the Democrat Richard "Richie" Hollier and 982 (9 percent) for fellow Republican Michael Page Boyter.
Prior to 2007, Morris served three terms on the Caddo Parish Commission, formerly known as the Police Jury. He initially was elected from commission District 1 on October 21, 1995. With 41.5 percent of the vote, Morris led two Democrats, incumbent John D. "Johnny" Reid of Vivian and Richard C. Latsos of Shreveport, in the nonpartisan blanket primary. In the general election
on November 18, 1995, he unseated Reid, 3,265 (61.5 percent) to 2,043 (38.5 percent).
In 1999, Morris, with 2,280 ballots (52.4 percent) defeated the Democrat Sybil B. Walker of Oil City, who polled 2,068 votes (47.6 percent). Morris was unopposed for the commission seat in 2003. In the 2007 general election, Douglas Dominick of Vivian was elected to a full term on the Caddo commission.
in north Caddo Parish, have two daughters, Krispen Morris and Kourtney
Avalon Morris. Mrs Morris is the tourist information representative and events coordinator at the Louisiana State Oil & Gas Museum in Oil City, a facility strongly supported by Morris’ predecessor in the House, Roy “Hoppy” Hopkins. The lawmaker is a member of the Belcher Baptist
Church. His father was a deputy sheriff in Arkansas and his mother worked in a factory. Two of his sisters spent years in educational pursuits; a younger sister, Karen, having served on the Smackover School Board.
Oil City, Louisiana
Oil City is a town in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,219 at the 2000 census. Oil City is located on Louisiana Highway 1 north of Caddo Lake...
in northern Caddo Parish, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, who is a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
. His District 1 encompasses the northern portions of both Caddo and neighboring Bossier Parish. In 2007, Morris became only the second member of his party to hold his legislative seat, having won a special election to succeed the Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Roy McArthur “Hoppy” Hopkins
Roy M. Hopkins
Roy McArthur Hopkins, known as Hoppy Hopkins , was a Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, having represented District 1 in northern Caddo Parish and two precincts in northern Bossier Parish from 1988 until his Thanksgiving Day death after a long illness of bone cancer...
of Oil City, who died in office. The previous Republican representative from District I is retired banker Bruce Lynn
Bruce Lynn
Bruce Newton Lynn, I, is a retired north Caddo Parish businessman and banker who was a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1976–1988. He is a native and resident of the village of Gilliam , where three generations of his family have operated the J.W...
of Gilliam
Gilliam, Louisiana
Gilliam is a village in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 178 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Shreveport–Bossier City Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, who served from 1976-1988. Morris resides in Belcher
Belcher, Louisiana
Belcher is a village in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 272 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Shreveport–Bossier City Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Belcher is located at ....
, but his district office is in Oil City.
Morris graduated in 1972 from Smackover High School in Smackover
Smackover, Arkansas
Smackover is a city in Union County, Arkansas. According to the 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city stands at 1,929.The name Smackover comes from an anglicization of the French "Sumac Couvert" which translates to "covered in sumac"...
in Union County near El Dorado
El Dorado, Arkansas
El Dorado , a multi-cultural arts center: South Arkansas Arts Center , an award-winning renovated downtown, and numerous sporting, shopping, and dining opportunities. El Dorado is the population, cultural, and business center of the 7,300 mi² regional area...
in southern Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
. In 1976, he received a bachelor of science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
from Henderson State University
Henderson State University
Henderson State University, founded in 1890 as Arkadelphia Methodist College, is a four-year public liberal arts university located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, United States. It is Arkansas's only member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges...
in Arkadelphia
Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Arkadelphia is a city in Clark County, Arkansas, United States. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 10,548. The city is the county seat of Clark County. The city is situated at the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains. Two universities, Henderson State...
, the seat of Clark County
Clark County, Arkansas
Clark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. As of 2010, the population was 22,995. The county seat is Arkadelphia.The Arkadelphia Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Clark County.-Geography:...
,also in southern Arkansas. For his entire working career, Morris has been involved in the petroleum
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
and natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
business.
Motorcycle helmet issue
In the 2009 legislative session, Morris, an avid motorcyclist, introduced House Bill 639 which would allow cyclists over the age of twenty-one the option of wearing helmets. A similar law had been approved and signed into law by former Republican Governor Mike FosterMurphy J. Foster, Jr.
Murphy James "Mike" Foster, Jr. served as 53rd Governor of Louisiana from January 1996 until January 2004. Foster's father was Murphy J. Foster, Jr., but Mike Foster uses "Jr." even though he is technically Murphy J. Foster, III. Foster is a businessman, landowner, and sportsman in St...
, but it was repealed during the tenure of his Democratic successor, Kathleen Blanco
Kathleen Blanco
Kathleen Babineaux Blanco was the 54th Governor of Louisiana, having served from January 2004 until January 2008. She was the first woman to be elected to the office of governor of Louisiana....
. Therefore, helmets are required by all motorcyclists in Louisiana. Blanco’s successor, Republican Bobby Jindal
Bobby Jindal
Piyush "Bobby" Jindal is the 55th and current Governor of Louisiana and formerly a member of the United States House of Representatives. He is a member of the Republican Party....
, endorsed Morris’ bill as a freedom-of-choice issue though Jindal said that he would personally wear a helmet if he boarded a motorcycle. The bill unanimously passed committee.
On June 3, 2009, the bill passed the full House, 64-33. Thereafter, the measure was shelved for the second consecutive year by the Senate Health Committee. Opponents said that safety considerations trump the freedom-of-choice. The bill had a provision that cyclists have health insurance
Health insurance
Health insurance is insurance against the risk of incurring medical expenses among individuals. By estimating the overall risk of health care expenses among a targeted group, an insurer can develop a routine finance structure, such as a monthly premium or payroll tax, to ensure that money is...
and a certain amount of liability insurance
Liability insurance
Liability insurance is a part of the general insurance system of risk financing to protect the purchaser from the risks of liabilities imposed by lawsuits and similar claims. It protects the insured in the event he or she is sued for claims that come within the coverage of the insurance policy...
before they could have been exempt from wearing helmets. Jimmy Faircloth, executive counsel to Governor Jindal, likened motorcycle riding to skydiving, hunting, mountain climbing, and all sports with a risk in participation. State senators unimpressed with the legislation equated the helmet requirement to the state’s strict seat belt law designed to protect people from avoidable injuries.
Other legislative matters
Earlier in the 2009 legislative session, Jindal named Morris to chair the Interstate 49Interstate 49
Interstate 49 is currently an intrastate Interstate Highway located entirely within the state of Louisiana in the southern United States. Its southern terminus is in Lafayette, Louisiana, at Interstate 10 while its northern terminus is in Shreveport, Louisiana, at Interstate 20.-Route...
North Extension Feasibility and Funding Task Force. Officials in northwestern Louisiana for years have been seeking to expand I-49 from Shreveport northward through Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
to Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. The issue is of particular importance to Morris’ House district.
Morris also supported Jindal’s opposition to accepting federal stimulus money in Louisiana. He likened the measure to a "tax increase on our businesses and one of the worst things we could do for our state's growing economy ... "
Morris and Brett Geymann
Brett Geymann
Brett Frank Geymann is a businessman from Lake Charles, Louisiana, who is a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 35 in Calcasieu and Beauregard parishes....
of Lake Charles
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Lake Charles is the fifth-largest incorporated city in the U.S. state of Louisiana, located on Lake Charles, Prien Lake, and the Calcasieu River. Located in Calcasieu Parish, a major cultural, industrial, and educational center in the southwest region of the state, and one of the most important in...
, his frequent legislative ally, are both members of the Commission on Streamling Government, chaired by Jack Donahue.
Morris serves on six House committees on (1) Appropriations, (2) Labor and Industrial Relations, (3) Natural Resources and Environment, (4) Executive Committee, (5) Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, and (6) Homeland Security. He is also a member of the Louisiana Rural Caucus.
Election history
On February 24, 2007, Morris won a large victory in the special election for the former Hopkins seat. He polled 3,245 votes (69.4 percent), compared to less than 30 percent for four opponents, two from each party. The district includes twenty-eight Caddo and three Bossier precinctPrecinct
A precinct is a space enclosed by the walls or other boundaries of a particular place or building, or by an arbitrary and imaginary line drawn around it. The term has several different uses...
s. In the campaign Morris procured the endorsement of Shreveport Times because of his experience on the Caddo Parish Commission. In the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 20, 2007, Morris again won with ease over two of the same opponents that he had faced in February. He polled 7,018 votes (64 percent) to 2,968 (27.1 percent) for the Democrat Richard "Richie" Hollier and 982 (9 percent) for fellow Republican Michael Page Boyter.
Prior to 2007, Morris served three terms on the Caddo Parish Commission, formerly known as the Police Jury. He initially was elected from commission District 1 on October 21, 1995. With 41.5 percent of the vote, Morris led two Democrats, incumbent John D. "Johnny" Reid of Vivian and Richard C. Latsos of Shreveport, in the nonpartisan blanket primary. In the general election
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
on November 18, 1995, he unseated Reid, 3,265 (61.5 percent) to 2,043 (38.5 percent).
In 1999, Morris, with 2,280 ballots (52.4 percent) defeated the Democrat Sybil B. Walker of Oil City, who polled 2,068 votes (47.6 percent). Morris was unopposed for the commission seat in 2003. In the 2007 general election, Douglas Dominick of Vivian was elected to a full term on the Caddo commission.
Personal life
Morris and his wife, Kellie, a native of VivianVivian, Louisiana
Vivian, is a town in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, United States and is home to the Red Bud Festival. The population was 4,031 at the 2000 census...
in north Caddo Parish, have two daughters, Krispen Morris and Kourtney
Avalon Morris. Mrs Morris is the tourist information representative and events coordinator at the Louisiana State Oil & Gas Museum in Oil City, a facility strongly supported by Morris’ predecessor in the House, Roy “Hoppy” Hopkins. The lawmaker is a member of the Belcher Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
Church. His father was a deputy sheriff in Arkansas and his mother worked in a factory. Two of his sisters spent years in educational pursuits; a younger sister, Karen, having served on the Smackover School Board.