Mississippi News
Initiative process survives key deadline
Plan to revive citizens' right to place issues on ballot survives key deadline
Legislation to restore Mississippi's initiative process survived a key committee deadline Tuesday and will be taken up by the full Senate in the coming days.
On Tuesday, the Senate Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency Committee passed House Resolution 39, which would place a proposal to restore the initiative process on the November ballot after it was ruled invalid in May 2021 in a controversial ruling by the Mississippi Supreme Court. The initiative process allows citizens to gather signatures to bypass the Legislature and place issues on the ballot for voters to decide.
The proposal passed out of committee Tuesday includes language that will force the resolution restoring the initiative to go to conference at the end of the legislative session to hammer out a compromise between House and Senate leaders.
Accountability Committee Chair John Polk, R-Hattiesburg, had refused throughout the session to say whether he would take up legislation to restore the initiative process. But on Tuesday he said after studying the bill and talking with leaders who had passed the proposal earlier this session out of the House, he supported passing it out of committee.
“I think they (House leaders) have a good bill that we will be able to build on together and that is what we are doing,” Polk said.
Tuesday was the deadline to pass out of committee general bills and constitutional resolutions that originated in the other chamber.
The issue is before the Legislature this session because the state Supreme Court struck down the initiative process when it ruled that the medical marijuana initiative approved by voters in November 2020 was invalid. The Court ruled the process invalid because language in the Constitution mandated the required number of signatures to place an issue on the ballot be gathered equally from five congressional districts. The state has only four congressional districts, losing one as a result of the 2000 Census.
The proposal that passed the House and is pending before the Senate would require a pro rata share of signatures be gathered from whatever number of congressional districts the state has.
The proposal also would allow voters to place issues on the ballot to change or amend general law. The initiative adopted in the early 1990s and that was struck down by the Supreme Court allowed voters to amend the state Constitution.
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Retrial for Beth Ann White begins Monday
SUMMARY: In Hinds County, Mississippi, Beth Ann White is facing her second trial for a crash that killed a mother and her six-month-old son in November 2021. During the first trial, it was alleged that White had a blood alcohol content level more than three times the legal limit. The defense questioned the right of way during the crash, resulting in a mistrial due to the jury's inability to reach a consensus on a verdict. White was indicted on four counts of aggravated DUI and has pled not guilty. After the trial ended with a hung jury, the county re-indicted White for the charges.
The post Retrial for Beth Ann White begins Monday appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Mississippi lawmakers send education, PERS bills to governor
SUMMARY: Mississippi lawmakers settled contentious issues, sending a new public education funding formula to Governor Tate Reeves. The Mississippi Student Funding Formula would replace MAEP, bringing in $220 million more to public schools. The compromise was well-received by lawmakers and educators, providing a more understandable and predictable funding mechanism. Additionally, a deal was reached on the Public Employees' Retirement System, which mandates an increase in contributions but will not impact current benefits. House Speaker Jason White emphasized the importance of prioritizing education funding, PERS, and healthcare access in Mississippi, expressing hope for further compromises in the future.
The post Mississippi lawmakers send education, PERS bills to governor appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Hunter Hines leads MSU baseball to series win at Vanderbilt
SUMMARY: Mississippi State baseball defeated Vanderbilt 8-7 in game three to clinch the series. Despite Vanderbilt tying the game with six runs in the sixth inning and taking the lead in the seventh, Mississippi State rallied in the ninth with a two-run homer by Hunter Hines. Pitcher Tyson Hardin closed out the game with a scoreless ninth inning. The win improved Mississippi State's SEC record to 12-9.
The post Hunter Hines leads MSU baseball to series win at Vanderbilt appeared first on www.wcbi.com
-
Local News4 days ago
Sister of Mississippi man who died after police pulled him from car rejects lawsuit settlement
-
Mississippi Today4 days ago
At Lake High School in Scott County, the Un-Team will never be forgotten
-
Mississippi News2 days ago
One injured in Mississippi officer-involved shooting after chase
-
Mississippi Today14 hours ago
On this day in 1951
-
Mississippi News6 days ago
Cicadas expected to takeover north Mississippi counties soon
-
Mississippi News5 days ago
Viewers make allegations against Hatley teacher, school district releases statement – Home – WCBI TV
-
Mississippi News Video4 days ago
Vehicle struck and killed man lying in the road, Alcorn County sheriff says
-
Mississippi Today7 days ago
On this day in 1892