Mississippi News
Special Senate committee begins work on federal stimulus spending
Special Senate committee begins work on federal stimulus spending
A special Senate subcommittee on Monday began studying how best to spend $1.8 billion in federal pandemic stimulus funds Mississippi is receiving as part of the American Rescue Plan Act.
”Never before in the history of Mississippi have we had an opportunity like this is going to provide,” Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, who oversees the Senate, told the committee. City and county governments are receiving about $900 million in ARPA money, and Hosemann has proposed using much of the state's share to match the local spending and fund larger projects.
FOLLOW THE MONEY: Mississippi Today coverage of state's federal stimulus spending
A representative of the National Conference of State Legislatures on Monday told the new committee that at least six states have created ARPA matching funds for local governments for water, sewerage and other projects.
In a daylong hearing, the committee heard from officials from Louisiana and Tennessee — neighboring states that have already spent or earmarked much of the billions they received — and from state budget and audit officials on what the rules are for the spending the money.
”We spent about half of our $3 billion this year, and will spend half next year,” said Louisiana state Sen. Mack “Bodi” White. “We wanted to see how things go (before spending the rest).”
Louisiana has earmarked about $300 million for water and sewer infrastructure projects statewide, and has created a commission to work out details of the projects. It's also spending millions on tourism, ports and health care, including extra pay to recruit and retain nurses. Although ARPA money can't go directly to road and bridge projects, it can be used to replace lost revenue, and White said Louisiana is using $600 million to replace pandemic losses in its roadbuilding fund.
READ MORE: Should safe drinking water be a priority for Mississippi's federal stimulus spending?
Tony Niknejad, policy director for Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, joined the Mississippi subcommittee via videoconference on Monday. He said Lee, working with lawmakers, created a Financial Stimulus Accountability Group to help guide spending Tennessee's $3.9 billion in ARPA money coming to the state and $2.28 billion to local governments.
Tennessee has earmarked more than $1.3 billion for water and sewer infrastructure projects, including $1 billion to match projects local governments are funding with ARPA. Tennessee is also spending about $500 million on broadband expansion and millions to help tourism and agriculture.
Mississippi State Auditor Shad White told the new Senate committee his office will provide any help it can in keeping state and local governments within the rules on spending.
”I've been telling (local officials) at the end of the day, we're not the bad guys you need to worry about,” White said. “The bad guys will be from the (federal) Office of Inspector General.”
Sen. John Polk, R-Hattiesburg, is chairing the Senate Appropriations ARPA Subcommittee. He said he plans to have multiple meetings before the end of the year, and present its findings and recommendations to the Senate before the state's legislative session begins in January.
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
CPD makes Aggravated Domestic Violence arrest
SUMMARY: On April 27th, Columbus Police responded to a gunshot victim in the 800 block of North Lehmberg. Courtney Stewart Wiggly was arrested for shooting her husband, Daryl Wiggly, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was flown to Jackson for treatment. Courtney is in custody at Lowndes County Adult Detention Center awaiting her Initial Appearance. The incident is being investigated as aggravated domestic violence. Follow updates on Facebook for more news.
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Mississippi News
Warm and breezy tomorrow ahead of Monday storms – Home – WCBI TV
SUMMARY: Breezy conditions will continue tonight with partly cloudy skies in Columbus, Mississippi. Tomorrow will be warm and breezy with increasing clouds ahead of storms expected on Monday. Rain chances will persist throughout the week. Overnight temperatures will be in the low 60s with partly cloudy skies. Sunday will see mostly dry conditions with some clouds and highs in the 80s. Thunderstorms are expected on Monday followed by showers for the next few days. High temperatures will be in the low to mid 80s next week.
The post Warm and breezy tomorrow ahead of Monday storms – Home – WCBI TV appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
No. 23 Alabama tops Ole Miss 10-3 to win series, Rebs drop to 7-14 in SEC play
SUMMARY: No. 23 Alabama defeated Ole Miss 10-3 in their series, with Mason Nichols pitching well for the Crimson Tide. The game was tied at one in the sixth inning before Alabama pulled ahead and outscored Ole Miss 9-2 in the final three innings. Ole Miss won a thrilling Game 2 but ultimately fell short in winning the series, dropping to 7-14 in SEC play. The Rebels will face Mississippi State next, with the last time they were 7-14 in SEC play being in 2022, the season they won the national title. The game can be watched on ESPNU at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
The post No. 23 Alabama tops Ole Miss 10-3 to win series, Rebs drop to 7-14 in SEC play appeared first on www.wcbi.com
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