"Upon the subject of education, not presuming to dictate any plan or system respecting it, I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in." --Abraham Lincoln, March 9, 1832 First Political Announcement

Dear Friend,

Thanks for visiting tobybarker.com. I hope you find the site informative and insightful on legislative issues the Mississippi House and Senate will take up in 2008.

There are three things I hope this website will accomplish. And, while I know that everything I say may one day twist itself and rise again in nice, glossy mailers and 30-second sound bites (lesson learned from the 2007 campaign), I feel compelled to provide an honest, straight-forward look at the issues facing the Mississippi legislature, regardless of how those words may or may not be used. This is the essence of democracy, and transparency is imperative for there to be a real conversation on Mississippi's issues.

First of all, I hope to provide accurate reports on legislation most important to Hattiesburg, South Mississippi and the entire state.

Secondly, I hope to give my constituents an easily accessible forum to contact me with their questions, comments and needs. My first responsibility is to the people of District 102- not to special interests, a political party, or talk radio.

Finally, I hope to bring a common and human perspective to a legislative process that sometimes intimidates people with formal décor and ceaseless partisan rhetoric. Contrary to what elected officials might want you to believe, I will never be 100% sure on every legislative issue. I'll attempt to share the different points of view on tough issues; and hopefully, I'll be transparent enough to convey my thoughts, logic and even struggles on difficult votes.

But I'll need your help. Your feedback, ideas and opinions are important to me, and I hope you'll email or call me regularly. If you're in Jackson during a legislative session, I hope you'll stop in and visit.

Thanks again for the honor of serving you in the Mississippi House of Representatives. Let me know if I can ever be of assistance to you or your family.

All the best,

Toby Barker

Toby Barker State Representative - House District 102