Mississippi News
Reeves gives bonuses to state law enforcement
Reeves uses federal funds to give bonuses to state law enforcement
State law enforcement officers — about 1,750 in various state agencies — are slated to receive a $1,000 bonus before the end of the year for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Tate Reeves announced.
The cost of the bonus, about $2.3 million, will be paid through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act that was passed on a bipartisan basis during the Trump administration to provide funds to the states to help battle the pandemic.
At the time, Reeves argued that he should have discretion to spend the entire $1.25 billion the state received from the CARES Act. But the Legislature blocked Reeves' effort and spent the bulk of the funds. The Legislature provided the governor discretion in how to spend $50 million of the funds.
Reeves said Monday he had about $5 million left in the discretionary funds that he must dish out by the end of the year. He did not give details of how all of the remaining funds will be spent, though he did say that $688,000 would be allocated to the Department of Child Protective Services to help with the expenses they incurred trying to ensure safety of their staff and the foster children they oversee during the pandemic.
READ MORE: Gov. Reeves got $50 million in CARES Act money. Here's how he spent it.
Reeves said he wanted to provide the bonuses or hazard pay to the officers because “day in and day out they put their lives on the line to keep us safe.”
He said they have not had the option to work from home during the pandemic.
About half of the sworn law enforcement personnel who will receive the bonuses are in the Department of Public Safety. The others are in a litany of state agencies, ranging from the Department of Revenue, Department of Agriculture and Commerce, and Insurance.
Sean Tindell, the commissioner of public safety, attended the Reeves news conference and said about 50 law enforcement officers — at both the state and local levels — have died of the coronavirus. The bonuses were allocated only for state officers.
“We just buckled down and did the job no matter what. Sometimes that entails wearing masks. We were in and out of that,” said Trooper Craig James who spoke at the news conference.
James said it was “humbling” that the governor would provide the funds “at this time of the year.”
Earlier this year, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and Speaker of the House Philip Gunn urged Reeves to call a special session to allow the Legislature to appropriate funds from another pot of federal money — the American Rescue Plan Act — to provide bonuses for health care workers who were overwhelmed during a COVID-19 surge in the late summer.
Reeves did not call a special session. On Monday, the governor praised health care workers, but did not make any comment on whether he would support such bonuses. He said the theme of the Christmas decorations at the Governor's Mansion in 2020 was to honor “health care heroes.”
“We had a lot of health care heroes. No doubt about it,” the governor said.
FOLLOW THE MONEY: How will Mississippi spend billions in federal pandemic stimulus dollars?
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
McComb PD launches app to help fight crime
SUMMARY: The McComb Police Department in Mississippi has introduced a new crime fighting tool, the McComb MS PD App, developed by Tip411. The app allows citizens to give anonymous tips directly to police via their smartphones or by text message. It aims to encourage community involvement in keeping the city safe from violent crimes like shootings and murders. The police chief emphasizes the importance of community policing and hopes that the public will use the app to help fight crime. The app has received positive feedback from some community members who see it as a valuable tool for safety.
The post McComb PD launches app to help fight crime appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Hatley students host living wax museum of famous Mississippians
SUMMARY: Fourth graders at Hatley School in Mississippi spent nine weeks researching famous Mississippians and brought their research to life in a wax museum. The students portrayed different Mississippi natives like Jimmy Buffett, B.B. King, and Britney Spears, sharing stories of their lives and careers. The teachers behind the project hoped to inspire the children to see that hard work and dedication can lead to success, despite their Mississippi roots. The students learned valuable lessons from the project, such as perseverance and never giving up, as they embodied their chosen famous Mississippians in the spotlight. This was the first year for Hatley's Famous Mississippians Wax Museum.
The post Hatley students host living wax museum of famous Mississippians appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
Governor signs bill banning ‘squatted vehicles’ in Mississippi
SUMMARY: Beginning July 1, driving “squatted vehicles” with front fenders raised four inches or more higher than the rear fenders will be illegal on Mississippi roads. Governor Tate Reeves signed House Bill 349 into law, making it a misdemeanor to drive these modified motor vehicles. The law aims to improve road safety, as the configuration of squatted vehicles poses visibility issues and potential dangers for other drivers. Truck owners are encouraged to ensure their vehicles comply with the new regulations, with local businesses offering free assistance in measuring and adjusting vehicle height. Violators could face fines or a suspended driver's license.
The post Governor signs bill banning ‘squatted vehicles' in Mississippi appeared first on www.wcbi.com
-
SuperTalk FM4 days ago
Martin Lawrence making 3 stops in Mississippi on comedy tour
-
Our Mississippi Home3 days ago
Beat the Heat with Mississippi’s Best Waterparks
-
Mississippi Today7 days ago
Lawmakers may have to return to Capitol May 14 to override Gov. Tate Reeves’ potential vetoes
-
Our Mississippi Home3 days ago
Charlie’s U-Pik: Opening Soon for the Summer Season
-
Mississippi News Video6 days ago
Local dentists offer free dental care in Amory
-
Kaiser Health News3 days ago
Medicaid ‘Unwinding’ Decried as Biased Against Disabled People
-
Mississippi News6 days ago
Bond set for West Point couple accused of killing their child
-
Mississippi News Video2 days ago
Jackson has a gang problem