Mississippi News
Bill would help Mississippi welfare recipients create savings accounts
Bill would help Mississippi welfare recipients create savings accounts
A bill pending in the state Senate would provide a $2-to-$1 match for Mississippi welfare recipients to help them create savings accounts.
“Of the 100 most un-banked communities in the country, 17 are in Mississippi,” said Sen. John Horhn, D-Jackson, co-author of Senate Bill 2634 along with Sen. Chris Caughman, R-Mendenhall.
Horhn said the program, similar to ones being run by a majority of other states, would be funded up to about $1 million with federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families money, with the goal of helping people get off welfare.
Horhn said it would help poor families create savings accounts, provide them with financial literacy training — which would be required for the program — and that the savings would not affect their eligibility for TANF benefits. He said it would only apply to people with net incomes of less than $10,000, and at most only about 3,700 people would qualify.
“I believe this is a wise use of resources and helping people with financial literacy and helping them to become financially stable,” Horhn said. “Forty other states are doing this, and they are seeing people being moved off the welfare rolls.”
But passage of the measure out of Senate committees brought philosophical and political debate. The bill was passed from committee with a “reverse repealer,” meaning it could not be passed into law without much more debate and changes.
“I appreciate what you're trying to do here, but my concern is that this is a financial inducement from taxpayers' money … federal money is still taxpayers' money,” said Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ellisville. “The taxpayers are being taken advantage of twice with this program. No one is saying we shouldn't be teaching financial literacy. But this takes dollars from taxpayers and redistributes it to other taxpayers.”
Hohrn countered that TANF “is a program with a cycle of dependency, and this is a program trying to end that cycle and provide financial independence.” Sen. David Parker, R-Olive Branch, also defended the bill as worth trying, and questioned whether those philosophically opposed to spending the tax dollars pick and choose when they stand by that philosophy.
Parker also noted that Mississippi has tens of millions of dollars in unspent TANF funds.
Mississippi's welfare program has been rocked by scandal and state and federal criminal investigations and charges into millions of dollars allegedly misspent or stolen.
READ MORE: Mississippi spent lowest welfare total ever in 2020, one year after massive scandal
The proposed savings program would provide matching funds up to $2,000 for a qualified individual and $4,000 for a family. The program would include financial literacy training for beneficiaries, and they would be limited in how they could spend the savings to only large items such as college education, purchasing a home, or purchasing a vehicle for work.
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Governor signs bill enacting more protections for children online
SUMMARY: Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves signed the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act into law in response to the death of a Starkville teen. The law requires parental permission for minors to create social media accounts and places restrictions on social media platforms, such as not sharing a minor's location, displaying inappropriate ads, or selling personal information. The law will go into effect on July 1 and aims to protect children online. It passed both houses of the Legislature without opposition.
The post Governor signs bill enacting more protections for children online appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
Medgar Evers to posthumously receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
SUMMARY: Medgar Wiley Evers, a civil rights leader and World War II veteran, will posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his meritorious contributions to the United States. Evers was assassinated in 1963 in Mississippi. He played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement by leading demonstrations and voter-registration drives. Mississippi delegates expressed their support for Evers' recognition, highlighting his lasting impact on the state and nation. Previous Mississippi natives who have received the award include civil rights activist James Earl Chaney and media mogul Oprah Winfrey. Evers' legacy continues to inspire future generations, as evidenced by this prestigious honor.
The post Medgar Evers to posthumously receive Presidential Medal of Freedom appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: May 3-5
SUMMARY: A list of events happening around Mississippi this weekend includes food truck gatherings, family-friendly concerts, film screenings, art exhibits, pickleball tournaments, wine festivals, tea events, live music performances, farmers markets, and more. In Central Mississippi, events are being held in Jackson, Natchez, Ridgeland, Clinton, and Vicksburg. In the Pine Belt region, events are happening in Hattiesburg, Petal, and Laurel. Activities range from concerts and art shows to races, markets, and tea parties. There is something for everyone to enjoy, whether it's exploring local culture, trying new foods, or participating in recreational activities.
The post Events happening this weekend in Mississippi: May 3-5 appeared first on www.wjtv.com
-
Mississippi Today5 days ago
On this day in 1951
-
SuperTalk FM21 hours ago
Driver’s education set to become mandatory in Mississippi as bill passes
-
SuperTalk FM4 days ago
Festival merger in Leland sets up one major event for Mississippi Delta
-
Mississippi News6 days ago
One injured in Mississippi officer-involved shooting after chase
-
Mississippi Business2 days ago
Geartek expanding operations in Alcorn County
-
SuperTalk FM4 days ago
PERS bill set to phase in employer rate increase heads to governor’s desk
-
Mississippi News3 days ago
Two women accused of shoplifting across southeast captured in Mississippi
-
SuperTalk FM7 days ago
Investigation underway after gun found in backpack of Ridgeland High School student