WTOK – Top Republican outraises top Dem in governor’s race
Candidates had a Thursday deadline to report how much money their campaigns collected and spent during 2018.
In the Republican primary for governor, Tate Reeves reports having $5.2 million on hand and Robert Foster reports about $12,300. Reeves is in his second term as lieutenant governor after serving two terms as state treasurer. Foster is a first-term state representative.
In the Democratic primary for governor, Jim Hood reports having just over $1 million and Velesha P. Williams reports about $1,380. Hood is in his fourth term as attorney general, and Williams is a retired Jackson State University employee.
Hosemann reports $2.6 million for LG run
We appreciate your support! #TeamDelbert https://t.co/xfczQYys5l
— Delbert Hosemann (@DelbertHosemann) January 31, 2019
Gov. Bryant wants a heart-beat bill
It’s time to pass a Heart Beat Bill in Mississippi and stop this madness about when life begins. https://t.co/oMyA8jKOo8
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) January 31, 2019
WTOK – Bill proposing Mississippi teacher pay raises passes committee
The House Education Committee Thursday passed House Bill 1349, which proposes $500 increases in teacher salaries for each of the next two years, for a total of $1,000.
That would boost the starting pay for a teacher with a bachelor’s degree from $34,390 now to $35,390, beginning July 1, 2020.
The bill is sponsored by Republican Rep. Charles Busby of Pascagoula. It would also boost the long-frozen salaries of assistant teachers from $12,500 to $13,500 over the same two-year period.
The bill also includes proposals intended to alleviate a shortage of Mississippi teachers.
Democrat Hughes unhappy with teacher pay raise bill
Teacher & Assistant Pay Raise? Really? House Ed. Committee passes a single pay raise bill, which provides for only a $1,000 raise over two years, which is $500 per year, or $9.61 per week, before taxes, after a two-year phase-in.
This is NOT putting public education first!
— Jay Hughes (@Jay4Mississippi) January 31, 2019
Baria, #msleg Democrat hold presser on Economic Justice
Today we had a great policy press conference discussing #EconomicJustice. Minority Leader @dbaria explains. pic.twitter.com/j7V7GL5oIY
— Mississippi House Democrats (@MSHouseDems) January 30, 2019
WTVA – School safety bill advances in Mississippi House
A bill meant to make Mississippi schools safer from mass shootings and other threats is advancing.
The House Education Committee on Thursday passed House Bill 1283 , sending it to the full House for more consideration.
The plan would require safety inspections and twice-yearly active shooter drills at public schools. It would also create a threat-reporting mechanism to be monitored by three dedicated analysts at the state Department of Public Safety.
Gov. Bryant: Send me the special needs bill and I will sign it
Send me this bill, and I will sign it. Many Mississippi children would benefit from this. Thank you to all who are making the Mississippi education system better each day. https://t.co/QR1nPH1A9F
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) January 31, 2019
CLARION LEDGER – Bill would make voting absentee easier for Mississippi college students
College students would have an easier time voting under legislation that unanimously passed an initial test in the Mississippi Senate on Thursday.
Senate Bill 2806 would eliminate several burdensome requirements for college students who have moved away for school but want to vote absentee in their home districts.
As it stands now, they must apply for an absentee ballot before each election by mail, and the application must be notarized. Then once they receive and complete the ballot, it also must be notarized before they mail it back.
Sen. Hyde-Smith co-sponsors immigration, medical training bills
Thank you @SenJoniErnst for your leadership. I’m happy to cosponsor this bill. It shouldn’t take a law to emphasize the protection of our citizens is a priority for any federal agency, especially in cases of illegal immigrants committing serious crimes. https://t.co/gG5o6rlceu
— U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (@SenHydeSmith) January 31, 2019
Happy to cosponsor @SenCoryGardner‘s bill to expand training track programs to encourage more doctors to perform their residencies in rural areas. This could have long-term benefits for rural MS & America.https://t.co/VKgJcrDOku
— U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (@SenHydeSmith) January 31, 2019
WCBI – Saga in Okolona Town Marshall’s race takes another turn
Gov. Bryant commends Congressman Palazzo for work on Homeland Security Conference Committee
I’m glad @CongPalazzo is on this committee representing the interests of Mississippians and safety of all Americans. https://t.co/gZS0DiA7sC
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) January 31, 2019
I believe the Homeland Security Conference Committee has three goals to achieve, although the details may differ, we must come to a consensus.
1) Secure the Border
2) Address the humanitarian crisis
3) Keep the government open pic.twitter.com/5iS9YhWxwz— Cong. Steven Palazzo (@CongPalazzo) January 31, 2019
Home Stretch expanding in Nettleton
HomeStretch, Inc., an upholstered reclining furniture manufacturer, is expanding in Nettleton. The project is a $500,000 corporate investment and will create 71 jobs.
We are proud to have them as a Mississippi business partner. pic.twitter.com/NW4SZTQgAX
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) January 31, 2019
CLARION LEDGER – Lawmakers to out-of-state visitors: Stop getting married in Mississippi
It’s too cheap to get married in Mississippi, a group of lawmakers agreed Thursday.
At $20 per marriage license request, Mississippi has one of the lowest prices in the Southeast, said Senate Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency Chairman John Polk, R-Hattiesburg.
“We have a lot of circuit clerks who are being inundated with marriage license requests from out of state actually,” Polk told his fellow lawmakers. “It’s become a numbers game.”
