Archive for January 2020
Rankin County Sheriff: Helping Inmates Find Success
Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey has adopted a new approach when it comes to corrections in his jail. For many years Bailey, a narcotics agent, was on the streets arresting offenders. “My mindset was lock ‘em up. Once I put them in jail, I didn’t care about them again until the trial came. My mentality was…
Read More2020 School Choice Celebration Transcript
NOTE: These are the remarks given by Grant Callen at the National School Choice Celebration held at the Mississippi State Capitol on January 28, 2020. Thank you, what an exciting day to be at your state capitol. So why are we here? What’s the point of these yellow scarves? We’re here to celebrate school…
Read MoreGovernor Tate Reeves on Prison Reform
On Monday afternoon, newly inaugurated Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves delivered his State of the State address on the south side of the State Capitol. Governor Reeves laid out a number of policy priorities in his address including improving the state’s education system, protecting foster children, and developing the state’s workforce. But he devoted a significant…
Read MoreSchool choice is also about listening to teachers and advocating for them
NOTE: This column was published in the Clarion Ledger on January 26, 2020. You can read it on their site here. Imagine working your entire life to land your dream job. After years dedicated to a college degree and certifications, you submit your resume to several companies and are delighted to learn that you’re…
Read MoreSave Our ESA: ‘If the ESA went away it would be a blow to the gut’
“People want to say, ‘You’re choosing private school.’ No, I’m not choosing private school. I’m choosing to educate my son in the way that he needs to be educated.” Whatever it takes. That’s how Kristi and Yancey Nolan of Madison explain the lengths to which they will go to provide for their son’s education.…
Read MoreSave Our ESA: “Some of us just can’t put our kids in public school. We have to have a choice.”
“The ESA is a blessing. It’s very, very scary to think that it could be taken away. I have major worries and fears that something is going to happen, and we won’t be able to send him to his school anymore.” A parent’s love knows no sacrifice, and that is evidenced by the actions…
Read MoreSave Our ESA: “We will do what we have to do for our daughter”
“About 85 percent of parents of kids with special needs end up in divorce. It’s a constant stress on a family, and they don’t need the additional financial stress. They need this ESA so they can sleep at night, work their jobs, and not worry about how they are going to provide for their child’s…
Read MoreSolutions for Mississippi’s prison crisis
Mississippi’s prisons are in crisis. The state has a moral and constitutional obligation to protect those in its custody and provide a safe working environment for correctional officers. Right now, that’s not happening. While increasing funding for Corrections would help alleviate some of these issues, the state must focus on reducing its overly large prison…
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