Archive for March 2021
House sends universal recognition bill to governor
Legislation that will recognize occupational licenses obtained in another state, making it easier for licensed professionals moving to Mississippi, is one step closer to becoming law. House Bill 1263, authored by Rep. Becky Currie, cleared the House yesterday and has been sent to Gov. Tate Reeves for his signature. Occupational licenses, which are government regulated, are…
Read MoreHow the Parole Board makes decisions
It’s a busy day at the Mississippi Parole Board. Cases are stacked up and the phone is ringing. “The parole board reviews cases every day,” said Steve Pickett, chairman of the board. The cases heard by the board include regular parole hearings for those who are becoming eligible after serving 25 percent of their sentence,…
Read MoreLives thrown away. Families torn apart.
Disproportionately long prison sentences do not enhance public safety. But they do destroy families, increase the burden on Mississippi taxpayers, and exacerbate the overpopulated prison crisis that is the reason Mississippi has the second-highest incarceration rate in the country. When asked, two-thirds of voters believed that habitual sentences should not be applied to people whose…
Read MoreLeading National and State Conservative Groups Join Forces in Support of Income Tax Elimination
Today, Empower Mississippi joined Americans for Tax Reform, The American Conservative Union, National Taxpayers Union Foundation, Taxpayers Protection Alliance, and Bigger Pie Forum in support of the effort to eliminate Mississippi’s income tax. The full letter, which can be read here, called on state leaders to work together to eliminate the state’s income tax, reduce…
Read MoreDignity for Incarcerated Women Act moving
Pending legislation that has passed the House and Senate would establish a certain level of care as it pertains to pregnant women that are incarcerated. House Bill 196, sponsored by Rep. Nick Bain, would limit the use of restraints on incarcerated inmates giving birth, provide certain care and consideration for pregnant and postpartum inmates, provide…
Read MoreCriminal justice reform measures advance in House and Senate
The Mississippi House and Senate have continued to advance a number of important justice measures as lawmakers hit their most recent deadline. “It is time for impactful criminal justice reform legislation such as those addressing parole and habitual laws that would help individuals deserving of a second chance, their families, a strained corrections budget, burdened…
Read More“There is always hope”
“Goodwill gave me a career.” That’s something Jessica Maxwell-Flowers never dreamed possible while she was serving five years in prison at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF). In fact, a career was the furthest thing from her mind during those days in the deadly grips of addiction. Jessica grew up in a home where drugs and…
Read MoreParole reform is needed in Mississippi. And new legislation is moving.
Dangerous overpopulation crisis. Department of Justice investigation. Rehabilitation. Public safety. Recidivism. Mississippi Department of Corrections. Parole eligibility. These terms have been highly circulated in the halls of the Mississippi State Capitol during the 2021 legislative session. As the next legislative deadline fast approaches, Senate Bill 2795 is one that is of the utmost importance to…
Read MoreUniversal recognition for teachers moving in legislature
Legislation that would allow teachers who received their license in another state to work in Mississippi cleared the House yesterday after passing the Senate earlier in the session. Senate Bill 2267, sponsored by Sen. Dennis DeBar, would require the Department of Education to grant licenses to out-of-state teachers who obtained a license in another state.…
Read MoreSenate advances universal recognition bill
The Senate has advanced legislation that will require the state to recognize occupational licenses obtained in another state, making it easier for licensed professionals moving to Mississippi. House Bill 1263, sponsored by Rep. Becky Currie, is now headed back to the House. “If signed into law, Mississippi would become the first state in the south…
Read MoreExpanded scope of practice for optometrists sent to governor
A bill that will expand the scope of practice for optometrists was adopted by the House today and is on its way to the governor. House Bill 1302, authored by Rep. Jason White, will allow optometrists to examine, diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the eye, something they are currently prohibited from doing.…
Read MoreJustice reform: The cost of doing nothing
Many bills considered by the legislature come with a price tag. Whether it’s addressing needs in education, infrastructure, or any other area of public policy, many of the ideas considered by the Mississippi Legislature each session require funding, meaning that legislators must dedicate a portion of taxpayer dollars to fund the request. Proponents of legislation…
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