2016 Legislative Session Opens
New Year, new Mississippi. At least, that’s what some lawmakers are hoping for as they get back to work today for this year’s legislative session.
News 25’s Kristen Durand gives us a look at some of this year’s hot topics and what some of our Coast legislators are hoping for.
The first day of the legislative session is usually just sort of a meet and greet, very ceremonial but these lawmakers made it clear they have a lot to get through this session. There are a lot of key issues they will be tackling, such as education, the state flag, and probably the biggest key topic for Coast legislators, making sure most of the BP money stays on the Coast.
It’s back to the hustle and bustle in Jackson for state lawmakers today for the first day of this year’s legislative session. With the state getting a large chunk of the BP settlement this year, one of the main topics for Coast legislators is putting a plan into action to try and get as much of that money back to the Coast as possible. Republican State Representative from District 117 Scott Delano said, “We hope to implement that plan in the second month of the session. It will take some time for us to get everything pulled together but we have been meeting on it.”
With the failure of Initiative 42 at the polls in November, funding for public education remains a concern. There is discussion of changes, including whether superintendents should be elected or appointed, changes in funding, and whether the MAEP formula is still what’s best for the state. Republican State Senator for District 52 Brice Wiggins said, “We need to do that to make it a fair formula throughout the state. I saw a good comment from the lieutenant governor that he put it in perspective and said that MAEP was created back before the internet was popular and we need to update and get with modern times.”
The state flag is another point of controversy for the state. While legislators are mixed about where that discussion will end up, some think the citizens have already spoken. Republican State Representative from District 109 Manly Barton said, “Had the state not voted in 2001 to keep the flag, then I think the legislature might just do something but I think the fact that that vote is out there, I think it’s a little disingenuous for us to come back now and say ‘well, that might have been the will of the people but we’re going to ignore that and we’re going to do something different.’”
While BP money, education, and the state flag are all important topics the legislature will tackle this year, some of them say the biggest hurdle to overcome this year is the budget. “Revenue numbers are a little bit low for this current fiscal year. Next year, we expect it to be a little bit lower than our projection. It’s going to make it very difficult to meet all of the needs of the state, especially with education, mental health and Medicaid issues. So, we’re going to work through that and try to find the best solution for the state,” said Delano.
Other important issues on tap for this year include looking at different solutions to lower the cost of homeowners insurance and addressing Mississippi’s crumbling infrastructure.
News 25’s Kristen Durand gives us a look at some of this year’s hot topics and what some of our Coast legislators are hoping for.
The first day of the legislative session is usually just sort of a meet and greet, very ceremonial but these lawmakers made it clear they have a lot to get through this session. There are a lot of key issues they will be tackling, such as education, the state flag, and probably the biggest key topic for Coast legislators, making sure most of the BP money stays on the Coast.
It’s back to the hustle and bustle in Jackson for state lawmakers today for the first day of this year’s legislative session. With the state getting a large chunk of the BP settlement this year, one of the main topics for Coast legislators is putting a plan into action to try and get as much of that money back to the Coast as possible. Republican State Representative from District 117 Scott Delano said, “We hope to implement that plan in the second month of the session. It will take some time for us to get everything pulled together but we have been meeting on it.”
With the failure of Initiative 42 at the polls in November, funding for public education remains a concern. There is discussion of changes, including whether superintendents should be elected or appointed, changes in funding, and whether the MAEP formula is still what’s best for the state. Republican State Senator for District 52 Brice Wiggins said, “We need to do that to make it a fair formula throughout the state. I saw a good comment from the lieutenant governor that he put it in perspective and said that MAEP was created back before the internet was popular and we need to update and get with modern times.”
The state flag is another point of controversy for the state. While legislators are mixed about where that discussion will end up, some think the citizens have already spoken. Republican State Representative from District 109 Manly Barton said, “Had the state not voted in 2001 to keep the flag, then I think the legislature might just do something but I think the fact that that vote is out there, I think it’s a little disingenuous for us to come back now and say ‘well, that might have been the will of the people but we’re going to ignore that and we’re going to do something different.’”
While BP money, education, and the state flag are all important topics the legislature will tackle this year, some of them say the biggest hurdle to overcome this year is the budget. “Revenue numbers are a little bit low for this current fiscal year. Next year, we expect it to be a little bit lower than our projection. It’s going to make it very difficult to meet all of the needs of the state, especially with education, mental health and Medicaid issues. So, we’re going to work through that and try to find the best solution for the state,” said Delano.
Other important issues on tap for this year include looking at different solutions to lower the cost of homeowners insurance and addressing Mississippi’s crumbling infrastructure.
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