Monday, January 16, was the deadline for general bills and constitutional amendments to be introduced in this 2023 Regular Session of the Mississippi Legislature. The next major deadline is Tuesday, January 31, when committees are required to report general bills and constitutional amendments originating in its original chamber. Bills continue to flow through the legislative pipeline, and onto the bill status computer system. As of this newsletter distribution, 736 bills have been introduced in the Senate and 1,222 bills have been introduced in the House of Representatives.
On Tuesday, Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) Commissioner Dr. Alfred Rankins presented to the Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Committees. In his presentation, Commissioner Rankins focused on the rising costs our state’s universities have faced as a result of inflation and increased construction costs. The presidents and chancellor from each of Mississippi’s universities raised these same concerns before the committee. IHL’s Fiscal Year 2024 request of $582.5 million is a 19% increase from FY 2023 which would encompass university campuses, a nursing facility, mental health assistance, and capital projects. Attached you will find a document that details the IHL presentation before the legislative committees.
Early Wednesday morning, the Mississippi Economic Council hosted their Legislative Scrambler. The event centered on the topic of appropriations and featured Senator Briggs Hopson (R-Vicksburg) and Representative John Read (R-Gautier). They chair the Appropriations Committees in their respective chambers. More information on upcoming Legislative Scramblers can be found here.
Also on Wednesday, Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann (R) announced that the Senate drafted multiple bills to help hospitals across the state navigate their current financial crisis. One of the bills is Senate Bill 2323, which would allow community hospitals across Mississippi to consolidate and collaborate with other hospitals, whether they are public, private, or nonprofit. Currently, community hospitals would be subject to state and federal antitrust statutes if they were to consolidate with other potential hospitals outside of their region. SB 2323 would provide immunity from liability under the state and federal antitrust statutes. The author of SB 2323, Senator Joey Fillingane (R-Sumrall), explained the intent of the bill before the Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Sen. Hob Bryan (D-Amory). SB 2323 passed out of committee and now sits on the Senate calendar for further consideration.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Mississippi Early Learning Alliance (MELA) hosted its first in person Early Childhood Capitol Day since 2020. MELA partnered with the Systems Change Lab of the Social Science Research Center at Mississippi State University, Excel by 5, and the Graduate Center for the Study of Early Learning. A press conference was held where numerous organizations spoke regarding early intervention programs, workforce development, and extending postpartum coverage.
On Thursday, Dr. Robert Taylor, the Mississippi Department of Education Superintendent, announced new statewide education statistics. Graduation numbers increased to 88.9% of students who were eligible for graduation in the 2021-22 school year. A dropout rate of nine percent also was announced. The Mississippi graduation rate currently exceeds the United States graduation rate of 86.5% that was reported in the 2019-20 school year.
Legislators continue to file for re-election in their current positions and other offices. More than half of the current Legislature has filed papers to run for their existing seats. Numerous members are retiring or running for other positions. A full listing of candidates will be provided after the February 1 deadline has passed.