Opinion ID: 1962078
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: whether the trial court failed to dismiss the action based upon sovereign immunity.

Text: Miss. Code Ann. § 11-46-9(1) states that: A governmental entity and its employees acting within the course and scope of their employment or duties shall not be liable for any claim: ... (d) based upon the exercise or performance or the failure to exercise or perform a discretionary function or duty on the part of a governmental entity or employees thereof, whether or not the discretion be abused. However, this Court in Fordice v. Thomas, 649 So.2d at 839-40, stated that sovereign immunity only applied to tort claims, and should not be construed to immunize governmental authorities and agencies from suits other than for money damages. Consequently, the Governor's claim that sovereign immunity bars this action against him must fail. Likewise, this suit is not for money damages, but to mandate the performance of an action. Thus, the only remedy that McGowan has is a writ of mandamus. Unfortunately for McGowan, and as already noted, there is no mandatory duty required of the Governor in this instance. Accordingly, there is no merit to this issue.