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Jackson, Miss. (Press Register) - Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann and Senate Appropriations Chairman Briggs Hopson named a seven-member Appropriations Subcommittee today to make recommendations on expending the $1.8 billion in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated to the Mississippi Legislature. Senator John Polk will Chair the Subcommittee. Other members include Senators Albert Butler, Dennis DeBar, Hillman Frazier, Walter Michel, Rita Parks, and Bart Williams. The Subcommittee is expected to hold a hearing before the 2022 Legislative Session. “The upcoming Session may be the most challenging of our four-year term, with redistricting, the expenditure of the ARPA funds, and a variety of other important items on the agenda,” Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann said. “We need to be as organized as [...]

Jackson, Miss. (WCBI) - The C Spire Foundation made a $1 million commitment Thursday to assist school districts across Mississippi with implementing computer science programs in the classroom. One of the primary objectives of the C Spire Foundation is to support community efforts to improve educational opportunities in Mississippi, especially in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. “In all our efforts, our goal is to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve and help students achieve their dreams of success through STEM-related educational initiatives,” said Foundation Executive Director Beth C. Pickering. The commitment comes as the Mississippi State Legislature reconvened this week and is expected to consider legislation in the 2021 session to give elementary, [...]

Jackson, Miss. (Star-Herald) - Colin Powell, America’s first Black national security adviser, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and secretary of state, died on Monday at age 84. Powell, who had undergone treatment for multiple myeloma, died from complications of COVID-19, his family said in a statement. Powell served more than 40 years as an Army general, diplomat and national security adviser. Mississippi leaders reacted to the news of Powell’s death on Monday: Saddened to hear of the passing of Gen. Colin Powell. He was a lifelong servant to our nation, and will be missed by many. Praying for healing for his family and loved ones. — U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (@SenHydeSmith) October 18, 2021 The best example of a [...]

Jackson, Miss. (Mississippi Today) - The Mississippi economy, based on its gross domestic product, is projected to grow during the current fiscal year at its fastest pace since 1994, State Economist Corey Miller told legislative leaders Friday. “Mississippi’s economy, like the national economy, continues to recover from the relatively brief but steep recession experienced in 2020,” Miller said, referring to the coronavirus-related recession that occurred last spring. Miller said the infusion of federal funds, including direct payments to most adults and tax credits for children, and “the pent up demand” for retail items are helping to spur that growth. Miller’s comments came during a meeting of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. Members of the committee are working to develop a [...]

Vicksburg, Miss. (Vicksburg Post) - Bills affecting technology, workforce training, and health care — with some side trips to deal with COVID-19 issues — were among the highlights of Mississippi’s Legislature during its 2020 and 2021 sessions, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann said Wednesday. Speaking to members of the Vicksburg-Warren Chamber of Commerce at their monthly lunch meeting, Hosemann discussed the Legislature’s activities during its past two sessions, with a glimpse of future issues facing the state. Hosemann said the Legislature began 2020 dealing with the effects of COVID-19 on the state’s small businesses by approving $300 million in relief for small businesses. “Our small businesses were struggling, our restaurant industry was collapsing,” he said. “When you look at the $300 [...]