Legislative session starts January 7th

By Sen. David Blount

Jackson Advocate Guest Writer

The regular annual session of the Mississippi Legislature starts January 7th. Here are some of the issues I will be working on:

Expand Medicaid – This remains the top issue facing the State of Mississippi. To date, 40 states have expanded Medicaid eligibility to provide health insurance to people who do not have it, most of whom are working. In Mississippi that means more than 100,000 people would have health insurance for primary and preventative care and the hospitals and providers who treat them will be paid. This is the biggest thing we can do to help our hospitals, improve the health of our citizens (in the least healthy state), and receive $1 billion a year in federal funds for our economy. 

There is growing bipartisan support for expansion that Democrats have pushed for years. The Governor has been opposed. This needs to be the year we get it done.

Support public education – I ran for public office because the public school my children attended was not receiving the state funding required by law. In recent years, Mississippi has made significant progress because of a new bipartisan consensus to support our schools. The Legislature passed a new funding formula last year that I supported. Now some Republicans are promoting a plan to use tax money for private school tuition. This is a bad – and expensive – idea. We need to build on our progress by continuing to raise teacher pay and supporting public schools. We need to expand workforce training options at our high schools and community colleges.

Protect the Public Retirement System (PERS) – The public retirement system establishes a contract between public employees (teachers, city, county, state employees, law enforcement, community college staff, etc.) and an obligation owed by the State of Mississippi. Employees are required to pay 9% of their paycheck into the system. We must meet that obligation to our retirees and current PERS workers. This will be expensive. Before we pass any further tax cuts we need to get our house in order and fund a healthy PERS system.

TANF reform – The welfare scandal showed the nation how Mississippi abused and stole money intended to help poor Mississippians. I have written about these abuses in past columns. Put simply, TANF money should go to poor families to help meet basic needs and provide child care. The Legislature needs to set priorities in law and in the annual budget.

Early voting – This year’s election again shows that Mississippians want early voting like voters in 47 other states. Early voting is secure (in the Courthouse while showing an ID) and encourages voter participation. I will file this bill again this year.

As the session gets underway, I ask for your prayers and help. If there are any issues that are important to you please get in touch with me using the contact information below.

Another quick update: I was pleased to see that Gov. Tate Reeves recently announced a state grant to improve the Wynndale Industrial site off I-55 in Hinds County. The grant will provide up to $250,000 to conduct pre-engineering for a rail spur and concept mapping, as well as site due diligence. This site has great potential and I’m happy that our area is being recognized.

Thank you again for the opportunity to serve the people of Hinds County. If I can help you or your family, please contact me by email (dblount@senate.ms.gov) or by calling my office at the Capitol (601-359-2220). I am also on Facebook and Twitter (@sendavidblount).