Archive for January 2022
Mississippi legislature: Week 4 recap
Lawmakers wrapped up their fourth week of the session as we really begin to really see committees send bills to the floor in their respective chambers ahead of a February 1 deadline for action. If a bill does not make it out of committee by Tuesday, it is (likely) dead. (Bills can be resurrected later…
Read MoreTraveling the state to celebrate National School Choice Week
Every January thousands of students, parents, and teachers descend on the State Capitol to celebrate National School Choice Week. This year, Empower Mississippi took the celebration on the road traveling the state visiting all different types of amazing schools. Check out all the fun we had in the video below. Bayou Academy, Cleveland “I’ve been at…
Read MoreThe legislature should provide full practice authority
Yesterday I had the opportunity to testify before the Senate Public Health and Welfare committee in support of Senate Bill 2178, which provides full practice authority for nurse practitioners. As opposed to most others at the hearing, I didn’t speak as a medical professional, whether that’s a nurse practitioner or a medical doctor. I spoke…
Read MoreSB 2428: District of Innovation task force
Senate Bill 2428, sponsored by Sen. Dennis DeBar, would create a District of Innovation task force. School districts that are part of the District of Innovation program are available to receive waivers from certain regulations, including modified calendar school years, unique curricula or testing, early college and dual enrollment opportunities, and the use of technology…
Read MoreSB 2178: Full practice authority for nurse practitioners
Senate Bill 2178, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Blackwell, would provide full practice authority for nurse practitioners in Mississippi. Currently, a nurse practitioner is required to enter into a collaborative agreement with a physician. This would exempt nurse practitioners from that requirement after 6,240 hours of practice. Mississippi, like the country as a whole, is projected…
Read MoreSB 2422: Issue teacher supply cards by September 1
Senate Bill 2422, sponsored by Sen. Dennis DeBar, will ensure that teacher supply cards are issued by September 1. These cards are used to purchase classroom supplies, and currently, the requirement is that they are issued “at the beginning of the school year.” This often leads to teachers purchasing supplies for their classrooms out of…
Read MoreHB 873: Tim Tebow Act
House Bill 873, sponsored by Rep. Chris Brown, would allow homeschool students to participate in public school extracurricular activities. Often dubbed the Tim Tebow Act after the Heisman quarterback who was homeschooled but able to play high school football for his local high school in Florida, similar legislation has been moving across the country to…
Read MoreHB 1196: Remove barriers to work for nurses, barbers, and social workers
House Bill 1196, sponsored by Rep. Nick Bain, would prevent those who want to be barbers, nurses, or social workers from being denied an occupational license simply because of a criminal conviction. Current law allows for individuals with a past criminal conviction to be denied the opportunity to work in these fields, with no limitations…
Read MoreLicensing reform bill removes barriers to work for nurses, barbers, and social workers
Every year, thousands of Mississippians leave the state’s prison system and return to their communities. Having a job is one of the best ways to ensure that they don’t return. In 2022, jobs are plentiful, but Mississippi law prevents thousands of Mississippians from entering the professional field of their choice. Mississippi maintains dozens of occupational…
Read MoreWicker and Hyde-Smith sponsor School Choice Week resolution
U.S. Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith have sponsored a resolution designating January 23 through January 29 as “National School Choice Week.” “Parents have a fundamental right to shape their children’s education, and school choice is an important way to exercise that right,” Wicker said. “Our children and future leaders deserve the best educational opportunities available, no matter…
Read MoreLet’s make it legal for barbers to come to you
The Mississippi legislature has been focusing on removing needless laws to help encourage entrepreneurship and provide Mississippians with meaningful work. They have a chance to continue this with pending legislation that would allow barbers to operate mobile barbershops. Like every other state, Mississippi strictly regulates barbers and barbershops. In fact, state laws typically regulate small…
Read MoreReeves reiterates call for income tax elimination
Gov. Tate Reeves called for a bold vision in his push for elimination of the income tax during his annual State of the State address tonight. “We also need to consider how to attract those companies and economic projects that transform communities—create generational wealth and lift families out of poverty,” Reeves said. “This does not…
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