Legislative Update, Retire the Flag

2020 Legislative Update

Monday, June 22nd, 2020

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Articles

UPDATE: 1646 New Cases of COVID-19 (Since June 17th)

Here are the top three ways this week's Saharan dust plume will affect you

Analysis: Doctor calls Parchman conditions ‘deplorable’

39 past student body presidents call for state flag change

Clinical trial tests plasma as possible COVID-19 treatment

L egislators likely can avoid once feared double digit budget cuts

Reopening the Economy Under COVID-19: Tracking Containment

Virginia governor to propose Juneteenth, which marks slavery’s end, as holiday in state once home to Confederate capital

Pregnant in a Pandemic: Coronavirus Changes Birth Plans for Many

COVID-19 Is Calling the Shots: Report Shows Decreased Childhood Immunization Rates

From Juneteenth to the Tulsa massacre: What isn't taught in classrooms has a profound impact

As Pandemic Slows Business, Workers Fret: Is My Job Relevant?

Mississippi COVID-19 hospitalization rate ranks second in nation amid state data blackout

Mississippi voters head to polls Tuesday for congressional runoff, state legislative seat

13th Week of

Mississippi Legislative Session

Once you walk inside the Mississippi State Capitol doors, you can tell things are very different. Precautions are still being taken at the Capitol to ensure the health and safety of both lawmakers and staff. The Mississippi Department of Health offered free COVID-19 screenings early in the week, and all who enter the building are still required to have their temperatures taken. Thanks to the entire staff at the Mississippi State Capitol for you sacrifice.

Last week, my colleagues and I to met deadlines and finished remaining legislation. Wednesday was the deadline for original floor action on Senate bills, so any general bills left on the calendar died.

Because it is late in the session, much of the week was spent deciding whether to concur with any changes made to House bills by the Senate or to invite conference on those bills. In conference, Representatives and Senators work together to finalize each bill before they are sent to the governor. Included in the bills being sent to conference are most of the revenue and appropriations bills from both the House and the Senate, which will decide the state’s budget.

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Back to Business Mississippi

The application for the Small Business Grants is available NOW!! To apply, go to the following website: www.backtobusinessms.org

Mississippi Development Authority created a unique website to distribute the remaining $240 million for small businesses here in Mississippi.

Also, The Mississippi Department of Revenue began issuing COVID-19 Business Relief checks starting the week of June 1st. Eligible businesses do not have to to do anything to receive these checks. For more info, please CLICK HERE !!! If you feel you should have received a check but you didn't, please reach out to me and I'll help out as much as I can.

Census Update

Have you filled out your census information? CLICK HERE to fill out the online questionnaire. The new deadline to complete the census is October 31st!!!

Better Mississippi

Foundation

This past Saturday, I was invited to be on a Juneteenth panel hosted by Better Mississippi Foundation in Jackson, Mississippi at 4th Avenue Lounge. I enjoyed the dialogue with other panelist that included topics ranging from improving education to retiring the state flag to stopping police brutality to mentoring black males. Please Click Here to hear an excerpt from the discussion.

Retire the Flag!!!

Department of Public Safety

Mississippi History

Lottery Proceeds

The Mississippi Lottery Corporation (MLC) completed its May transfer of $12,728,965.17 in net proceeds to the Lottery Proceeds Fund in the Mississippi State Treasury. This brings the total amount deposited to the state to $60,006,706.47 since launch on November 25, 2019.

“Raising funds to benefit Mississippi’s roads, bridges and education is a top priority,” said MLC President Tom Shaheen. “We are already seeing lottery-funded projects awarded by the Mississippi Department of Transportation, and that is exciting. Additionally, the MLC awarded our first millionaire last week!”

A lucky player from Gautier won $2 million in the June 9, 2020, Mega Millions drawing. The ticket was sold at Jerry Lee’s Grocery, also in Gautier. On Tuesday, June 16, 2020, Jerry Lee’s received a check for $5,000 from the lottery for selling the winning ticket.

In accordance with the Alyce G. Clarke Lottery Law, the MLC is required to transfer net proceeds within 20 days following the close of each calendar month.

Please text me at 662-522-1400 for additional questions or inquiries.