Crucial state senatorial runoff elections Dec. 2
Letitia Johnson, J.D.
MS Senate District 26
1. Please provide us with a draft copy of the first bill you will introduce at the beginning of the 2026 legislative session.
• AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE CITY OF JACKSON FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING IN PAYING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH CERTAIN PROJECTS IN NORTHWEST JACKSON FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2027.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
Section 1. The following sum, or so much of it that may be necessary, is appropriated out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, to the City of Jackson to assist in paying costs associated with the projects in Northwest Jackson described in Section 2 of this act for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027………….$1,850,000.
Section 2. The money appropriated in Section 1 of this act shall be used by the City of Jackson for the following projects in Northwest Jackson:
(a) Improvements to parks and recreational facilities………$600,000.00.
(b) Repair and maintenance of bridges, sidewalks, and related infrastructure……….$1,250,000.00.
TOTAL…$1,850,000.00.
Section 3. The money appropriated by this act shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, upon warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his or her warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, officer or officers in the manner provided by law.
Section 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2026.
2. What legislation will you propose to decrease the number Mississippians without health care insurance? When will you introduce this bill?
• A major thing that the legislature can do quickly and responsibly is to expand Medicaid. This will cover thousands more Mississippians and help keep so many of our hospitals from operating in a deficit due to uncompensated care. I do know that the federal government has made changes to the state of our health insurance system but providing coverage for even just a few hundred more Mississippians is more than worth the financial cost and political capital needed to push this over the finish line.
3. What steps will you take to ensure state-funded HBCUs receive additional funding during the 2026-2027 academic year?
• There are members of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus that have been fighting for transparency and equitable funding among the state’s public institutions for many years. I am excited to join that fight in an effort to secure long overdue, major wins. The State of Mississippi must first formally acknowledge the intentional underfunding of our public Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Following that acknowledgement, I would urge establishing a multi-year state investment plan, and creating a dedicated line item in the state budget to guarantee fair, transparent funding every year. This would ensure that Alcorn State University, Jackson State University, and Mississippi Valley State University have the resources they need to serve students, support research, and drive economic growth in our communities.
