Reeves launches first campaign ad for Governor
Mississippi is moving in the right direction. We need a governor strong enough to take us to our full potential. pic.twitter.com/ecpT868P7p
— Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) April 24, 2019
NEWSMS – Some teachers may miss out on raise due to MDE error
The raise was expected to cost the state just under $60 million, but according to the Mississippi Department of Education, an error in their system led to certain groups of educators being left out from their estimates.
“The MDE calculated the number of positions based on the code in the Mississippi Student Information System (MSIS) that referenced MAEP-only funded teachers and teacher assistants. Upon further review, it was determined there were additional teachers who were eligible for the raise who were not coded in MSIS as MAEP-funded positions,” the MDE said.
Gifted, special education and career-tech teachers were among the educators left out of the calculations, which could cost an extra $14 million to fix. In a statement, Governor Bryant said that he will not call a special session to fix the MDE’s error.
“The taxpayers of Mississippi should not have to fund a special session because of a mistake made the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE). MDE should identify any other funds that can be used to pay for the raises not accounted for in the original funding, and the Legislature can refund that source through a deficit appropriation in January,” Governor Bryant said.
A spokesman for the Governor clarified that “the funding figure that was inserted into the legislation dealing with the raises was calculated by the MDE and sent directly to the legislature.”
State Sen. Hill comments on teacher pay raise shortfall
Gallo jabs at Hughes over teacher pay comments
Again Jay? YOU voted for the bill!! You are beginning to sound like the blindfolded hunter shooting at the rustling sound of his own foot. “Come on, man! @PhilBryantMS msdemocrats @MSGOP @News_MS @supertalk @MagnoliaReport @MSStatewatch https://t.co/qeGtUoxeBR
— Paul Gallo (@paulgalloshow) April 24, 2019
Foster blames “backroom deals” for teacher pay error
Hard to imagine a worse deal than the inefficient $1,500 pay increase for Mississippi educators. But gifted teachers, counselors, career tech teachers, and other key players being left out takes the cake. Another prime example of why backroom deals have to stop in Mississippi.
— Robert Foster (@RobertFoster4MS) April 25, 2019
WTOK – Mississippi jobless rate ticks up in March
Mississippi’s job market softened in March, as unemployment rose for the second straight month and employer payrolls remained flat.
The state’s jobless rate ticked up to 4.9% in March from 4.8% in February. The labor force and number of people reporting jobs both fell, trends that have strengthened in recent months. The number of unemployed people rose slightly to about 62,000. Mississippi’s March 2018 jobless rate was 4.9 percent.
CLARION LEDGER – Many state employees are waiting to get small pay raises. But not MDOT engineers, some other workers
The state’s 27,000 employees haven’t received an across-the-board pay raise in more than a decade.
That’s about to change: Roughly 80 percent of workers this summer will see a small bump after the Legislature signed off on a salary deal last month. It gives public employees raises up to 3 percent, though many will see less than that, or none, due to the limitations on the increase based on position.
Workers are unhappy with the small amount, said Brenda Scott, president of the Mississippi Alliance of of State Employees, which represents state workers.
The increase averages out to $1,050 a year per worker — a raise that might “equate to a half a tank of gas” for many people per paycheck, she said.
That’s “a slap in the face,” Scott said, and generally amounts to less than the market rate of similar employees in other states and the private sector.
WTOK – College board names new leader for Alcorn State
Felecia M. Nave will be the new leader of Mississippi’s Alcorn State University, with trustees voting to affirm the alumna’s nomination.
The state College Board voted to make Nave the 20th president of the 3,750-student university. She got a warm welcome Wednesday on her home campus two days after being named the sole finalist for the job.
Sen. Wicker speaks to Jackson County Economic Development Foundation
Enjoyed being in @PascagoulaCity for the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation meeting. We have a great team working every day to bring new jobs and investment to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. pic.twitter.com/Z6Hey6KhZ2
— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) April 24, 2019
Sen. Hyde-Smith visits Tennessee Tombigbee waterway
Received an update on the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway from the @USACEHQ. Witnessed first hand the work being done there. https://t.co/oe4Dc8Lova via @WCBINEWS
— U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (@SenHydeSmith) April 24, 2019
Congressman Guest tours Ingalls Shipbuilding
While visiting Ingalls Shipbuilding yesterday, I was able to learn about the latest defense technology and the important economic role Ingalls plays in our state. pic.twitter.com/1zr7F1FMms
— Congressman Michael Guest (@RepMichaelGuest) April 24, 2019
WLBT – Old Capitol Museum repairs underway
This month construction began on repairs to the building which is celebrating it’s 180th birthday this year.
This historic building is surrounded by heavy equipment, including a giant crane. It’s being done to hoist equipment and workers to the top of the building, or the dome where most of the work is being done.
