2020 Legislative Update
Monday, February 17th, 2020 | Week 6
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6th Week of Mississippi Legislative Session
This was the sixth week of the 2020 Legislative Session. House members had a busy week full of committee meetings and hearings. The deadline for the introduction of general bills and constitutional amendments is Monday, February 17, so members will remain busy over the next few weeks deciding which drafted bills will make it onto the House floor. I introduced a few new bills this session but I also introduced a few that I have previously introduced. Instead of just focusing on areas that are of personal concern, I attempted to sign off on some of the bills my House colleagues (regardless of party affiliation) introduced so that I could help pass valuable policy in Mississippi.

On Tuesday, Speaker Philip Gunn was presented the Angel Award by the Mississippi Center for Violence Prevention and was recognized for his commitment to fight human trafficking. In October 2018, Speaker Gunn’s Commission on Public Policy hosted a Human Trafficking Summit, and last session, the House passed House Bill 571 which made it illegal for a person under the age of 18 to be charged with prostitution. 

After being held on a motion to reconsider at the end of last week, House Bill 95 came before the House again. The bill would provide that the Commissioner of Insurance shall resolve certain disputes between provider and the insured regarding billing. Amendment 1 to House Bill 95 was introduced and passed on a voice vote. The bill passed as amended and has been sent to the Senate for consideration.

House Bill 756 was the source of much debate during session on Thursday. The bill would require the Department of Finance and Administration to ascertain cost estimates of repairs at the Walnut Grove Correctional Facility. The correctional facility has been closed since the fall of 2016. The bill passed 91-22, and it has been held on a motion to reconsider. 

Two Representatives presented bills for the first time before the House. Representative Price Wallace (R – Simpson) presented House Bill 687 , which would extend the date of the repealer on the provision of law that requires the Mississippi Boll Weevil Management Corporation to submit the annual audit of its accounts to the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce by November 15. The bill passed 117-2. Representative Lee Yancey (R- Rankin) presented House Bill 408 , which would provide requirements for credit for reinsurance. The bill passed 115-4.

Although several resolutions were passed by the House this week, one concurrent resolution, in particular, stood out. House Concurrent Resolution 13 honors the life of Mr. William J. “Billy” McCoy, who passed away in November 2019. Speaker McCoy was a member of the House from 1980 to 2012, serving as Speaker of the House from 2004 to 2012. During his time in the House, he also served as Chairman of Ways and Means, Chairman of Education and Vice-Chairman of Highways and Highway Financing (now Transportation), among his other committee appointments. House Concurrent Resolution 13 was passed unanimously by the members.

Other visitors at the Capitol this week included Teen Pact Leadership Schools; the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks; the Mississippi Court Reporters Association; Mississippi Public Broadcasting; and the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians.
Happy Valentines Day to Adrienne (wife) and Abee (daughter)!!! 
Mississippi Prison Reform Coalition

The Mississippi Prison Reform Coalition has done an excellent job applying pressure to other state legislatures and I about the systemic issues in the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Please CLICK HERE to read their most recent press release about the challenges of humanity and stability in our prison system. Also, the above photo shows members of the coalition inside the meeting wearing tape over their mouths. 
Source: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Mississippi: What Every Elected Official Should Know


  • In 2017, SNAP helped 1 in 6 Mississippians afford groceries through a modest benefit averaging $1.21 per person, per meal.
  • Over 75% of SNAP participants are families with children.
  • Over 2/3 of participants are children, seniors, or people with disabilities.
  • Over 2/3 of adult SNAP participants are women.
  • SNAP supports work. It helps low-wage workers and people between jobs afford groceries & access crucial employment and job training supports.
  • SNAP revitalizes communities and stimulates local economies.
  • SNAP improves health and reduces health care spending.


Source: Take Action: End Mississippi’s Food Insecurity & Hunger Epidemic

Food security— when all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food — is essential to ensuring a healthy and resilient future for all Mississippians. Yet today, the Magnolia State faces the worst food insecurity and hunger rates in the nation.

  • 1/5 Mississippians are food insecure.
  • 1/4 children in Mississippi are food insecure.


Barriers to Healthy Food Access in Bolivar County
  • 74% of residents live below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level.
  • 41% of residents have low access to a supermarket or large grocery store— in rural areas, they live more than 10 miles away, and in urban areas, more than 1 mile.
  • 7% of households do not have a car and have low access to a grocery store or supermarket.
  • In 2015, MS spent an estimated $1.08-2.22 billion on medical costs associated with food insecurity.

Mississippi Heritage Trust and the I.T. Montgomery Home (Mound Bayou, MS)
The Mississippi Heritage Trust continues to fight to help revitalize the Mississippi Delta. In this photo, I am at a reception with Representative Karl Gibbs, Erica Speed, and Lolly Rash. Last year, the Mississippi Legislature allocated $250,000 toward the improvement of the Isaiah T. Montgomery House in Mound Bayou, Mississippi. Additionally, the National Park Service Civil Rights Grant program contributed $284,000 to the same project.

Photobombed!!!
Newly elected Representative Kent McCarty and Representative Dana McLean are quickly acclimating to the process. I have spoken to them both about legislation that interests me, and they have both been open to working to improve Mississippi through good legislation. I must say I was a bit surprised when I noticed Representative McLean in our photo. It was too funny to delete so we took another one with her.
Joint House Corrections and Judiciary B Meeting to address MDOC Issues
Both Judiciary B and Corrections House committees met for a joint session. While I am not on the either committee, I felt it was necessary to get first hand knowledge for myself so I could communicate the findings to my constituents. Both Cliff Johnson (Director of the McArthur Justice Center) and Steve Pickett (Chairman of the Mississippi Parole Board) were there to present on behalf of their respective organizations. Here are several photos from that hearing. Also, please CLICK HERE to hear a video excerpt from that meeting.
Photos of the Week
Yvonne Robinson Horton is an elections commissioner in Hinds County. It was fascinating to hear the concerns of elections commissioners at their annual reception. These folks are on the front lines for elections and get praised very little for the warm they execute. 
During session on Thursday, the House was visited by Miss Mississippi Mary Margaret Hyer. She addressed the House and spoke of her platform to increase the number of registered organ donors across the state. 
My deskmate, Representative Cheikh Taylor, brought his son, Ahmir Taylor, to the Capitol to serve as a youth page for a week. He is a great kid with a bright future!!!
Both Senator Sarita Simmons and I enjoyed meeting future doctor Kierra Jones. She was at the Capitol with the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians and the Rural Physicians Scholarship Program. Fortunately, Kierra is coming back to work in the Mississippi Delta so that she can contribute back to the area that gave so much to her.
Brenda Scott is a staunch advocate for state employees in Mississippi. I was happy to see her at the joint Judiciary and Corrections meeting that focused on the Mississippi Department of Corrections’ recent issues.
I knew Representative Daryl Porter before he got elected. I am proud to serve in the legislature with this young attorney. 
Here, I am photographed with my legislative colleague Representative Karl Gibbs and members of the Foundation for Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks . Their goal is to augment the state's efforts to ensure the conservation and enhancement of our fish and wildlife resources so they survive and thrive for current and future generations.
Dan Harris, Susie Daniels, and Willard E. Pugh and I attended a Valentines Day Gala in Shelby, Mississippi. Mr. Pugh, as you may recall, played Harpo in the Color Purple. He has been a longtime supporter of Shelby, Mississippi. He has several relatives that live in the area.
I am starting to think Jeremiah Smith is a legislator. He is at the Capitol every week it seems. Well, I am always glad to see him. He came to the Capitol and spent about two hours with me as I was preparing to submit bills.
Please CLICK HERE to see the plan a few Mississippi Delta lawmakers and I presented to Governor Reeves to address some of the issues at Parchman State Penitentiary.
Black History Month
Marcus Garvey , in full Marcus Moziah Garvey, (born  August  17, 1887, St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica—died June 10, 1940, London England). He was a charismatic black leader who organized the first important American black nationalist movement (1919–26), CLICK HERE to read more about this visionary. While he didn't achieve his ultimate aim, he did inspire many to understand the importance of being connected to the mother land and remembering your roots.