Bobby Harrison - Mississippi Today

Mississippi teacher pay raise gets caught up in standoff over controversial tax proposal

By Bobby Harrison - Mississippi Today, READ MORE > 71 Reads
On Wed, 03/03/2021 - 09:39 AM

The state Senate, late on a key deadline day, passed a bill through committee that would give Mississippi public school teachers pay raises, ensuring that the proposed raises remain alive in the legislative process and aren’t linked to a sweeping House tax bill.

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Hosemann cites problems with House tax bill, but won’t rule out action on it this session

By Bobby Harrison - Mississippi Today, READ MORE > 82 Reads
On Wed, 03/03/2021 - 09:29 AM

Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann did not rule out passing a version of the massive tax restructuring bill approved last week by the Mississippi House even though he cited what he said were multiple problems with the legislation.

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Mississippi voter ID law could be struck down by anti-medical marijuana ruling

By Bobby Harrison - Mississippi Today, READ MORE > 488 Reads
On Mon, 03/01/2021 - 03:17 PM

Mississippi’s voter identification requirement could be at risk if the state Supreme Court strikes down the medical marijuana initiative approved by voters in November.

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House leaders want to raise Mississippi sales tax. Here’s how neighboring states stack up.

By Bobby Harrison - Mississippi Today, READ MORE > 1,013 Reads
On Wed, 02/24/2021 - 12:54 PM

The Mississippi House of Representatives passed a sweeping proposal Tuesday that would completely phase out the personal income tax over 10 years and immediately, starting on July 1, put in place the largest statewide sales tax in the nation at 9.5% on most retail items, excluding groceries.

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Could Mississippi constitutional change pave the way for winning independents?

By Bobby Harrison - Mississippi Today, READ MORE > 819 Reads
On Mon, 02/22/2021 - 09:47 AM

When former Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. was weighing a run for governor in 2019, research was done on whether he could conduct a viable campaign as an independent.

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Top Republican files bill calling for vote on raising gas tax for designated roads projects

By Bobby Harrison - Mississippi Today, READ MORE > 817 Reads
On Wed, 02/17/2021 - 04:54 PM

A sweeping transportation bill filed by one of the most powerful Republican leaders in the Legislature would allow voters to decide whether to temporarily increase Mississippi’s tax on motor fuels to pay for specific improvement projects on highways.

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The issue closest to hearts of lawmakers is coming: legislative redistricting

By Bobby Harrison - Mississippi Today, READ MORE > 967 Reads
On Mon, 02/15/2021 - 11:47 AM

A smile can be seen behind Rep. Jim Beckett’s Ole Miss mask when he is asked if his colleagues are already coming to him to talk about the redrawing of their legislative districts.

After all, nothing is more important to most legislators than having a district in which they can be re-elected.

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Senate passes ‘voter fraud’ bill that some say could disenfranchise Black Mississippians

By Bobby Harrison - Mississippi Today, READ MORE > 1,010 Reads
On Wed, 02/10/2021 - 04:29 PM

State Sen. David Jordan, the 86-year-old Democrat from Greenwood and veteran of the Civil Rights struggles, said legislation approved Wednesday by the Mississippi Senate on a straight party line vote could potentially remove “people who look like me” from the voter rolls.

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Should lottery revenue be spent on state roads? Senate bill would send money to local governments.

By Bobby Harrison - Mississippi Today, READ MORE > 927 Reads
On Tue, 02/09/2021 - 10:47 AM

Lottery revenue earmarked for maintenance on state highways would be diverted to local road and bridge needs under legislation pending in the Mississippi Senate.

The legislation would undo one of the primary commitments made by the Legislature in a 2018 special session designed to address a deteriorating state transportation system.

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