@ISSUE

What 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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lawmakers 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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A 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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Some 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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lawmakers 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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gov. Reeves says his top priority is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic in Miss.Gov. Reeves says he supports a teacher pay increase, eliminating the state's income tax, and speeding up COVID-19 vaccine distribution. It's week three of the 2021 legislative session and lawmakers are up against a deadline. Committees are expected to decide on all general bills and constitutional amendments originating in each chamber by early next week. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A $1,000 teacher pay raise passes the Senate unanimously The Senate voted to give a $1,000 raise to teachers with at least three years' experience. Newer teachers would get $1,100 to make the job more attractive. The plan heads to the House. Legislative leaders said Thursday that committees will begin conducting some business online starting next week, after at least two senators and one House member tested positive for the coronavirus. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ratifying a new state flag topped the agenda for lawmakers at the start of the 2021 session.As the 2021 legislative session convenes, lawmakers move swiftly to ratify the “In God We Trust” flag. During a ceremony, Gov. Tate Reeves signs the flag bill into law and new flags are raised atop the Capitol in Jackson. A proposed $1,000 teacher pay raise bill is moving through the Senate. Members of the Legislative Black Caucus are outlining their priorities for the 2021 session. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this @Issue Special, host Wilson Stribling moderates a debate over the two initiatives on the ballot that could allow for the legalization of medical marijuana in Mississippi. Guests include Angie Calhoun of Medical Marijuana 2020 and Jim Perry of the State Board of Health. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this special edition of @Issue, MPB's Desare Frazier talks one-on-one with State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs, and takes viewer/listener questions about the coronavirus pandemic in Mississippi. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

New DHS Director Bob Anderson has been appointed to root out corruption in the agency. State health officials discuss plans to control the threat of the coronavirus in Mississippi. Lawmakers move dozens of bills out of committee this week. Political analysts Brandon Jones and Austin Barbour look ahead to the March 10th presidential primary election. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A bill to allow the state auditor access to tax returns of people receiving government assistance is moving through the legislature and advocates are speaking out. Senate committees pass a revised version of the voucher bill for students with special needs. Moms Demand Action are supporting a red flag bill. In November, voters get to choose if medical marijuana should be legal in Mississippi. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gov. Tate Reeves says the remaining prisoners in Parchman's Unit 29 are being transferred to a nearby correctional facility. Reeves also tells flood evacuees how to report damages to MEMA. Lawmakers and State Dept. of Mental Health officials discuss a pending lawsuit. The U. S. Justice Dept. is suing the state for not providing mental health patients enough care in their communities. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Senate bill 2557 passed 35-14 along party lines but not without a fight. Democrats argue it's an attack on poor people. The House and Senate corrections committees are listening to presentations about expanding intervention courts and workforce training in prisons. The Department of Public Safety is asking for a $55 million budget increase. Lawmakers say it's too soon to make promises. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Department of Justice is opening an investigation on conditions at four state prisons after at least 15 inmates have died. Governor Tate Reeves says he is in support of the investigation. The Senate passed a teacher pay bill that would give most teachers and teachers' assistants a $1,000 raise. It heads to the House for more discussion. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gov. Tate Reeves announces the closing of parts of the State Penitentiary at Parchman that's been recently rocked by deadly violence in his first State of the State address. It's National School Choice Week and parents are urging lawmakers to renew the Education Scholarship Account program for children with special needs. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A recent string of deadly violence in Mississippi prisons has caught national attention. Prison advocates and families have been rallying outside the state capitol since day one of the 2020 legislative session. They are calling on lawmakers to take immediate action saying state inmates' constitutional rights are being violated. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.