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Kevin Horan
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By Kevin Horan
Legislator
Things are moving forward in Jackson, and I want to share the events and issues that I believe are important to us in District 24.
We left the Capitol after midnight last Thursday following a rigorous, 10-hour debate over charter schools legislation. HB 369 finally passed on a 64-55 vote. I voted against it.
During debate, I offered an amendment to give local citizens the right to approve charter schools in their communities; the amendment failed. In all, 18 amendments were presented, and all but one failed.
So, it appears that charter schools will be a reality for Mississippi. The Senate had previously passed a plan in SB 2189. The final version of charter schools in Mississippi will depend on how the Senate and House resolve their differences through the conference committee process.
There may be an effort to establish pilot charter schools under the final measure. I am not opposed to this idea.
Bond Bill
I voted to approve HB 610, a bond bill to fund improvements to the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s training facilities. If this bill becomes law, we will have provided opportunity to train more physicians in Mississippi in state-of-the-art surroundings.
Mississippi has the fewest physicians per capita in the nation. For people living in the more rural areas, just getting to a doctor’s office can be quite an ordeal. I am hopeful that this measure will pass the Senate and help provide physicians’ care in all corners of Mississippi.
Additionally, we should continue to work toward more healthcare provider training opportunities through our local Holmes County Community College presence. This is an ideal setting for our local students to be able to realize their career goals in the healthcare fields, and I will support any effort to provide this opportunity.
Speaking of healthcare opportunities, our Grenada County Board of Supervisors is to be commended for its leadership in working to secure UMMC management for Grenada Lake Medical Center.
If successful, this is an important partnership that will provide the most up-to-date medical services for our local community and will ensure a stable operating program for the hospital.
We will also have access to specialists and healing technologies that were formerly a day-trip away. We will all reap the benefits of this wise decision.
Main Street Bill
I have co-sponsored HB 590, the “Mississippi Main Street Investment Act,” a bill to help secure funding for downtown revitalization.
If successful, Grenada and other communities, could realize as much as $4 million to reinvigorate downtown areas and capitalize on efforts already under way.
Most of us remember the days when downtown Grenada was our center of commerce and community activity. We have the structures, homes and buildings in place to make the central area of Grenada a viable cultural attraction second-to-none.
Just a ride down Main Street is a reminder of what kind of showplace Grenada can again become.
With one of the oldest chambers of commerce in Mississippi already active and enthusiastic, combined with the very successful efforts of the Grenada Visitors and Tourism Bureau, having the funds to bring a fresh face to downtown Grenada will help secure us as a destination spot for visitors and locals alike.
PERS Update
While I don’t think there is much support for changes to the Public Employees Retirement System despite a bill being filed in the Senate, I assure you I will not vote for any changes to the benefits our public servants expect from their pension fund.
Specifically, I will not support any change to the 13th check, COLA or any other aspect of the benefits. We should keep our promises to the people who have spent their careers serving us.
As always, I welcome your suggestions and concerns. I want to hear from you on these or other issues.
Please let me know if you plan to visit the Capitol during the session. I will be happy to introduce you to my colleagues.
You may contact me at 662-809-7187 or email me at khoran@legislature.ms.gov.
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