Week 1 2020 Mississippi Legislative Update

2020 Legislative Update

Monday, January 13th, 2020 | Week 1

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New Vision

The first week of the legislative session brought a lot of new energy and excitement. When you see the swearing-in ceremonies, meet colleague family members, and hold a genuine conversation, it provides a new hope for Mississippi. I am optimistic we can take that same spirit into the 2020 session. My aim this year is to make sure that my fellow legislators better understand how House District 29 (Bolivar and Sunflower Counties) is impacted by the policies set forth in our varied body that represent 122 House Districts across the State of Mississippi.

Parchman

This past couple of weeks have brought a lot of unwanted attention to Mississippi about Parchman (Mississippi State Penitentiary). On Friday, I visited the facility in Sunflower County with 7 of my legislative colleagues. Recently, the Clarion Ledger ran an article showcasing PHOTOS that highlight some of the things I saw. However, it was not my first time seeing the facility. This was my 5th visit to the site since I took office 3 years ago. Therefore, I am acutely aware of the many challenges the world has seen over the past few days .

While we know there are groups that engaged in the negative activity, we didn't do all that we could as legislators to mitigate against what happened. For one, we don't pay corrections officers enough at the facility nor is it fully staffed. Mississippi, we can do much better than this. Because many of the folks that work at the facility are my constituents, I don't believe we should invest $2.1 million into a private prison for 90 days to temporarily house inmates without a long term plan. If we donI am concerned it may become a way of life for us in Mississippi.

Over the next few days, I'll share more thoughts about my visit. In the meantime, here are a few articles that provide an update to the past couple of weeks of horror at the facility.

5 Inmates Dead

Core Civic Deal

Escaped Inmates Subdued

Mississippi Delta Weekend Storm

To all that helped by bringing water, sharing resources, freezing a neighbor's food, or making extra space for a neighbor on your couch, I say THANK YOU. On Saturday, 90% of all Entergy customers in Bolivar County were without power. At the start of Sunday morning, Entergy's Bolivar and Sunflower County reported 400 power lines were down and stated there were 5 damaged substations. Here is an update of the communities that now have power as of January 13th.

Rosedale (partially)

Shelby (on)

Benoit (off)

Winstonville (on)

Pace (on)

Mound Bayou (partially)

Beulah (on)

Ruleville (off)

Drew (off)

Parchman (on)

Lamont (off)

Merigold (on)

Stringtown (off)

Merigold (on)

Gunnison (on)

Perthshire (on)

Symonds (on)

Cleveland (on)

Renova (on)

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Teacher Pay

Raise Omission

The House of Representatives took the first step to correct this Wednesday when the House appropriations committee passed House Bill 1 — the first bill considered by lawmakers in the House or Senate during the 2020 legislative session. The bill authorizes $18.4 million from the state’s general fund to ensure there is enough to pay for the raises of all 40,991 certified teachers and assistant teachers. The bill now moves on to the full House for consideration.

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Photos of the Week

Representative Bryant Clark and I on the first day at the Capitol.

This was the board in the House Chamber during the joint legislative session to swear in new statewide officials.

"A Chaplain, a Mississippi Deltan, and a JAG" is a nice title for this photo. I met these two gentleman at the National Guard Association of Mississippi Luncheon. I learned that the guard has a $600 million budget and Mississippi is responsible for only $8 million. To all who serve our country in any capacity, thanks for your service!!!

This Facebook post by a Bolivar County County constituent, Keveon, Taylor, spoke truth to the Parchman situation. I hope others can see his point. He is a first year law student at The University of Mississippi School of Law.

Newly elected Bolivar County Supervisor Jacorious Liner, Bolivar County Port Director Robert Maxwell, and I attended an event hosted by the Mississippi State Port Authority.

Lamar Jones of Vicksburg, MS is an amazing artist. I love the piece he did in the background of this photo. It is a painting depicting slaves picking cotton around a plantation home. We have come so far, but we still have a long way to go in Mississippi.

Relevant Articles

Jails for Revenue

Food stamp rolls have declined by 7M under

Trump even before reforms take effect

Farm Subsidies Favor South, Irking Other Regions

Urban America likely to gain clout after Census

Many Rural Students Still ‘Invisible’ to Lawmakers

Campaign to End Life Imprisonment Advances

Politics of Medicaid Expansion Have Changed

Rural America is Not an Economic Liability

Voting Rights Restoration Gives Felons a Voice in More States

Adoptees receive right to birth certificate

Privatizing State Parks Can Save Them

Cannabis Confusion Pushes States to Ban Smokable Hemp

Modern day debtors prison? Mississippi makes people work to pay off debt

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