Week 4 - 2020 Mississippi Legislative Update

2020 Legislative Update

Monday, February 3rd, 2020 | Week 4

*** CLICK RED to Access Links

4th Week of Mississippi Legislative Session

This was the fourth week of the 2020 Legislative Session. Because it is early in the session, the committees are just starting to meet as bills are still being drafted, so the floor action has been light. Bills must be passed out of committees before they are considered by the entire House. As a result of this, only one bill was voted on this week.

Senate Bill 2149 is an appropriation bill that would divert an additional $400,000 to the Department of Finance and Administration in preparation of the 2020 U.S. Census. These funds will be used to promote and educate Mississippians about the importance of being counted by the census. The bill passed with a vote of 114-5.

Senate Bill 2001 , a teacher pay raise bill, passed unanimously in the Senate Education Committee this morning. It will now go to the full Senate for a vote. According to the Mississippi Parents Campaign , the bill gives certified teachers with three or more years' experience a $1,000 pay increase. Teachers with two years of experience and less will get a slightly larger pay bump of $1,110 to bring them to an even $37,000 starting salary. Assistant teachers will receive a $1,000 pay increase. All increases are effective July 1, 2020 .”

House Concurrent Resolution 12 passed but not without some floor debate. It is a concurrent resolution adopting joint rules of the Senate and House of Representatives or the 2020-2024 term of the Mississippi Legislature. Primarily, the bill will establish deadlines and other procedural matters for the session. The measure passed 86 to 27 and will now be sent to the Senate Rules Committee.

Governor's State of the State Address

In this photo, I am sitting outside the Mississippi State Capitol on a chilly Monday evening. Governor Tate Reeves delivered his first State of the State address on Monday to a joint session of the Mississippi Legislature. He spoke of his plans for education, health care and workforce development. I am hopeful we can make sure that the decisions made will positively impact the Mississippi Delta.

Elizabeth Swindle is the Student Government Association President at Delta State University . Also, she is advocating a bill that will help families who want to review birth certificates for adopted children to cost less. Her desire comes from her family's personal experience .

Argument for Regional Jails

In 1995, the Mississippi legislature authorized the creation of county-owned regional correctional facilities which are now allow to house up to 300 medium-security state inmates and to build a new County Jail as part of the same facility (47-5-931). County Regional Jails are required statutorily and by contract with Department of Corrections to be accredited by the American Correctional Association and to provide rehabilitation programs that are at least equal to those provided by the State. All 15 of our regional jails have been accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA) and are currently providing all rehabilitation programs required by the Department of Corrections.

CLICK HERE to read their ideas and suggestions to support solutions to the Mississippi Department of Corrections issues.

Parchman Update

Last week, I went on a tour of Parchman with 13 fellow legislators. To say the least, my colleagues and I agree that we need to continue the fight to improve the facility. We can’t have people living in these conditions and merely look away. I am glad Governor Tate Reeves took the first step to improvement by temporarily closing Unit 29. If we can't find the funds to rehab the facility, it should be permanently closed. It is truly a disgrace for us to allow people to live in such inhumane and uncivil conditions. However, we have a chance to correct our wrongs in both a meaningful and thoughtful manner. I hope we embrace the opportunity.

As I understand, none of the 60 employees who work the two shifts at Unit 29 will be fired or dismissed. All employees at Unit 29 will be repurposed to another department. Parchman Superintendent Marshal Turner confirmed this with me during my visit. To my constituents in Bolivar and Sunflower Counties, if at anytime during the transition you need to speak with me, please text me at 662-522-1400. I'll call you back at my convenience.

Mississippi Alpha Network

Black History Month officially kicked off on Saturday, February 1st. Though I will celebrate this month, Black History Month is every month for me. Black people, never be ashamed of who you are. We are a beautiful and proud people with a rich past and a bright future. Remember, our story does not start with slavery. There are some who'd like us to believe that, but learn the truth for yourself.

Click Here For More Info & Photos

Photos of the Week

Here, I am photographed with Representative William R.(Bo) Brown. He represents Hinds County. I wished him the best as he starts his first session in the Mississippi Legislature.

This was a funky sounding band and they have the style to back it up. Frank Jones Corner in downtown Jackson, Mississippi has some real deal blues music going on.

Representative Jay McKnight is new to the legislature. He represents Hancock and Harrison counties.

There is no reason to share this photo than other than the fact my daughter and I like "cupcakes." We took this shot right before session started.

The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus FEED Banquet was outstanding last night. Here, I am photographed with legislative colleague and classmate along with three students (Taylor Weatherspoon, Samuel Patterson, and Tyla Weatherspoon).

Here, I am photographed with a few of my legislative colleagues and two HBCU presidents. It's always good to expose the next generation of leaders to the legislative process.

I love when folks from back home visit the Capitol. It always remind me why I serve. Here, I am photographed with the Mississippi Delta After School Collaborative that spans several counties in the Mississippi Delta.

Each week, youth pages fill the halls at the Capitol. The group always bring new energy to the House Chamber.

Tiger Thomas Rogers is a talented saxophonist based in Jackson, Mississippi. CLICK HERE to check out his new album.

Superintendent Maurice Smith met in Jackson, MS with other Black leaders in education to discuss disparities in high poverty communities and consider opportunities to address challenges.

Invest in Public Schools

In 2015, the Mississippi Legislature passed and the Governor signed Senate Bill 2695, “The Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Act.” The act established an Education Scholarship Account (ESA) voucher, which sends public money to private schools. The voucher was set up as a five-year pilot to test the effectiveness of voucher programs in Mississippi, and it will end in 2020. In the 2020 legislative session, lawmakers will decide whether to continue funding this voucher program or allow public dollars to remain in public schools.

According to Public Funds School Public Schools , the following findings were shared:

A joint legislative committee found the program does not ensure students with disabilities receive needed services.
Mississippi’s voucher program lacks basic accountability requirements; ranks among the worst.
Nationally, voucher programs do not improve academic outcomes.

Black History Month

Here, I am photographed with a few members of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus . On our way from Parchman Prison, we took a photo in front of the Fannie Lou Hamer statute in Ruleville, Mississippi. CLICK HERE to learn more about this Civil Rights heroine. On August 22, 1964, Fannie Lou Hamer delivered arguably the most significant speech of her political career

Missed Newsletters?

2020 Week 3 Mississippi Legislative Session

2020 Week 2 Mississippi Legislative Session

2020 Week 1 Mississippi Legislative Session