As with the first year of every four-year term, things in Jackson move slowly, as new statewide elected officials get their teams and appointees in place. The legislature has been no different, as new committee chairs, vice chairs, and members have been appointed in both the Senate and House. Speaker Gunn appointed me as Vice Chair of the Judiciary B Committee, which handles all criminal laws and a range of other issues, as well as a member of the Appropriations, Public Health, Municipalities, Energy, and Accountability/Efficiency/Transparency Committees.
As Vice Chair of Judiciary B, we will be working closely this year with the Corrections Committee on meaningful criminal justice reform. Mississippi’s prisons are facing major crises, largely due to aging infrastructure, a shortage of corrections officers, and increased spending on healthcare. Last year, a staggering $70 million was spent on healthcare for the state’s approximately 19,000 prisoners.
Committees have passed more than 100 bills so far, but very few have been brought to the House floor. Only three bills have passed both the House and the Senate.
House Bill 1, which has now been signed into law by the governor, allocates an addition $18 million for teacher pay raises that were authorized in last year’s legislative session but not funded due to the Department of Education’s miscalculation in the number of teacher positions.
Senate Bill 2149 provides $400,000 to the Department of Finance and Administration to be used to help increase Mississippians’ response rate to the 2020 Census. Census figures are used not only for redistricting purposes, but also for funding for most federal agencies, from the USDA to the Department of Health and Human Services. It is imperative that all Mississippians are counted.
Senate Bill 2257 would allow the state tax returns of those applying for certain government benefits to be examined in order to verify income and eligibility. It has passed both bodies but, because the House made a few changes, it will now go back to the Senate for concurrence.
We will begin in earnest this week debating bills on the House floor. I appreciate the opportunity to serve. Please contact me if I can be of assistance.
Rep. Noah Sanford represents parts of Covington, Simpson, and Jefferson Davis counties in the Mississippi House of Representatives. He can be reached at 601-765-4122 or NSanford@house.ms.gov.
