Mississippi Today (https://mississippitoday.org/category/2019-legislative-session/page/2/)
Follow Mississippi Today’s state legislature news.
Landowner protection act, now awaiting governor’s signature after amendment added, faced unexpected debate over whether it would do more than protect property owners from frivolous lawsuits.
Opponents of the six-week ban plan to file a federal lawsuit over the constitutionality of the bill signed into law Thursday
Now that the Senate has passed the resolution, the House could make Mississippi the 15th state legislature to ask for an unprecedented constitutional convention of the states.
Bill that would be the most restrictive in the U.S. would ban abortions as early as six weeks. Similar legislation is currently planned in more than half a dozen other states, including Tennessee, Ohio and Georgia.
“… Anytime you affect one district, it has the potential of affecting all 51 other districts,” said Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves.
Previous ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Carlton Reeves found that Senate District 22 as drawn diluted the power of the black vote. The Fifth Circuit also extended the filing deadline for candidates to April 12.
Emails and other communications show that numerous key legislators were receiving updates on how the retirement board might change its regulations.
Proponents say measure “clarifies that they can’t be left in the property indefinitely.” But critics argue that policies making it easier for landlords to evict will only add to Mississippi’s affordable housing problem.
Many African American women, who bear the brunt of Mississippi’s highest in the nation rates of incarceration, poverty, low wages, and infant and maternal mortality, say their votes are often taken for granted.
Tax collections are $129.1 million (3.93 percent) above the estimate for the year
Counties are responsible for the cost of raises for the local officials. A pay raise for teachers and state employees would be funded by the state.
Finding revenue won’t be easy with additional funds also needed for Medicaid, Child Protection Services and state retirement system
Mississippi one of three states to deny access to benefits. Critics say law hurts children and others in household.
The House adopted the bill, sponsored by Speaker Philip Gunn, Wednesday morning. It nows heads to the Senate for consideration.
The House defied the wishes of a key committee chairwoman to send the bill to the Senate