District 49 Senator Billy Hewes, R-Gulfport was named a “Business Champion,” by the Business and Industry Political Education Committee, a consortium of Mississippi businesses and trade organizations that promote a pro-business political climate.
BIPEC’s 2008 Mississippi Legislator Report Card cited Hewes’ voting record as business friendly, pointing to his support of legislation that promoted economic prosperity for the state.
BIPEC approved of Hewes’ support for House Bill 1482 that allows an employer to give workers a one-time gift of up to $2,000 for rental assistance or security deposits. It also allows employers to give workers up to $10,000 toward the purchase of a home. The bill exempts an employee from state income tax on those funds.
House Bill 1482 has been cited as especially helpful in Hewes’ district as the area continues to rebuild following the destruction left by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Hewes also supported Senate Bill 2988 that mandates employers use the E-Verify system to ensure that workers are legal U.S. citizens, thereby further protecting the Mississippi economy.
Hewes serves as Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, which recently met in Biloxi as a means of inviting more dialogue with the general public. The coastal meeting proved productive for senators and the public as well because citizens spoke directly with the officials about concerns they had.
Other senators named “Business Champion” were: Terry Brown, R-Columbus; Nickey Browning, D-Pontotoc; Terry Burton, R-Newton; Videt Carmichael, R-Meridian; Lydia Chassaniol, R-Winona; Eugene Clarke, R-Hollandale; Doug Davis, R-Hernando; Tommy Dickerson, D-Waynesboro; Joey Fillingane, R-Sumrall; Merle Flowers, R-Southaven; Briggs Hopson III, R-Vicksburg; Billy Hudson, R-Purvis; Cindy Hyde-Smith, D-Brookhaven; Gary Jackson, R-Kilmichael; Tom King, R-Petal, Dean Kirby, R-Pearl; Perry Lee, R-Mendenhall; Chris McDaniel, R-Ellisville; Nolan Mettetal, R-Sardis; J. Walter Michel, R-Jackson; Tommy Moffatt, R-Gautier; Alan Nunnelee, R-Tupelo; Giles Ward, R-Louisville; Michael Watson, R-Pascagoula; J.P. Wilemon Jr., D-Belmont and Lee Yancey, R-Brandon.
MS Senate Press Release
9/23/8
Magnolia Tribune
