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Historic winter weather brings legislative action to a near halt
Season 2, Ep. 6
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Severe winter weather caused lawmakers in the House to convene via ZOOM for the first time in state history. Senators met in-person, despite the ice and snow, to pass a bill that would purge some of Mississippi's voter rolls. The Senate voted unanimously for a plan they hope will simplify tax incentives in the state. Senate bill 2822 is the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive Act, also called MFLEX. The House is considering a proposal to allow voters to decide whether to temporarily increase the state's gas tax. Revenue from the increase would go to improvement projects on highways and local roads and bridges.
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12. Mississippi lawmakers conclude 2021 legislative session
27:55What are the highlights of the 3-month session? Most teachers, state workers and higher education employees are slated for a pay increase. A parole eligibility bill is awaiting the governor’s signature. Will he sign it? Legislators argued over some big issues that ended up going nowhere in the final days such as phasing out the state income tax, purging voters off the rolls and creating an alternative medical marijuana program in the state.11. Final days of the 2021 session
27:55Lawmakers are ironing out final details on legislation. Lawmakers are approaching the final week of the session. Members of the Senate and House are conferencing on key measures such as the income tax phase out plan and a state medical marijuana program. The Legislature is also making another attempt at a parole eligibility bill they hope the Governor will sign into law. Mississippi surpasses one million doses of coronavirus vaccines.10. Lawmakers continue squabbling over the House tax reform plan
27:51The Senate allowed the income tax elimination bill to die. The House revived it. Both chambers killed each other’s Medicaid bill on deadline day. Plans to revive those bills and go to conference are in the works. The legislature passed a $1,000 teacher pay raise. A 17-count federal indictment is released against Nancy New and son Zachary New who allegedly laundered millions of dollars from the state. Mississippi residents 16 and up are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.9. Gov. Reeves signs bill limiting transgender athletes
27:51The House and Senate argue over a medical marijuana bill on deadline day.Gov. Tate Reeves signs the Mississippi Fairness Act into law, even though it could be later challenged. After the House killed a bill, the Senate revived a plan for an alternative medical marijuana program if Initiative 65 is struck down. Clergy in Mississippi delivered letters to the Capitol this week urging lawmakers to expand Medicaid.8. The House passes a bill limiting transgender athletes
27:52A bill barring transgender athletes from competing in women sports heads to the Governor The House passed the “Mississippi Fairness Act” with no discussion or debate. Governor Tate Reeves says he will sign it. A $1,000 teacher pay raise plan is still alive in the Legislature. The bill returns to the House. Members can either accept the plan or negotiate further. Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann weighs in on the House tax reform bill – a plan to phase out the state’s income tax.7. The Mississippi Tax Freedom Act
27:52Some members of the House are calling it a historic day for tax policy in Mississippi The House approved a plan to phase out the state’s income tax within 10 years. Lawmakers say it will return $1.9 billion to the pockets of Mississippians. Gov. Reeves says he finds parts of the bill troublesome. Measures to eliminate the state’s “pink tax” died in both chambers. Anti-hazing policies for colleges and universities are moving through the legislature.5. Medical marijuana, transgender athletes, Medicaid expansion
27:52Lawmakers worked past midnight to pass a medical marijuana alternative bill.Lawmakers in the Senate vote to ban transgender athletes from competing in women's athletics. An effort to purge voter rolls passes along party lines. The Senate passed the Miss. Medical Cannabis Act as a backup plan if Initiative 65 is struck down by the courts. Republicans in the Senate rejected two plans to expand Medicaid, but an expansion plan to care for sick inmates heads to the House.4. Lawmakers mark deadline to pass bills out of committee
27:50The Senate passes bills to create a teacher loan repayment program and expand broadband Lawmakers marked the first big deadline to pass bills out of committee. The Senate passed bills to create a teacher loan repayment program and expand broadband to rural areas. Lawmakers also drafted a medical marijuana bill as Initiative 65 goes before the state’s highest court.