SUMMARY: Republicans in Mississippi, despite controlling the state House and Senate, are struggling to reach a compromise on expanding Medicaid coverage before the end of their session in early May. While Governor Tate Reeves has been against putting more people on government programs, House speaker Jason White is prioritizing the issue. The House has voted to expand coverage to 200,000 people earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level, while the Senate has a more limited proposal for those earning up to 100%. Negotiations are ongoing, with the House offering a compromise to cover those in between with subsidies. The Senate is cautious about moving too fast on expansion.

Read the full article

The post Mississippi lawmakers haggle over possible Medicaid expansion as their legislative session nears end appeared first on www.wxxv25.com

SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission has approved a rule that would ban US companies from enforcing noncompete agreements, which prevent employees from taking jobs with competitors. The rule is expected to be challenged in court by business groups who argue that the FTC lacks the authority to implement such a sweeping rule. The Biden administration has taken aim at noncompete agreements, stating that they harm workers by limiting their ability to switch jobs for higher pay. Critics of the rule believe that it casts too wide a net and could have negative implications for the job market and economy.

Read the full article

The post New federal rule would bar ‘noncompete' agreements for most employees appeared first on www.wxxv25.com

SUMMARY: Mississippi legislators have advanced bills to restore voting rights to 32 people convicted of felonies, reflecting the state's piecemeal approach to suffrage restoration and its history of disenfranchising crimes from the Jim Crow era. These individuals must get a pardon from the governor or have individual bills passed with two-thirds approval. The state constitution lists 22 crimes that result in loss of voting rights, with the addition of murder and rape in 1968. Efforts to restore suffrage have faced challenges, including a recent bill that was killed. Lawmakers are working to restore voting rights for select individuals, but some advocate for full restoration for all disenfranchised individuals.

Read the full article

The post Mississippi lawmakers move toward restoring voting rights to 32 felons as broader suffrage bill dies appeared first on www.wxxv25.com