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New Year, New Priorities for the Legislative Session
Op-Ed by District 32 Senator Rod Hickman
As another year begins, the 2026 Mississippi Legislative Session is officially underway, and I am writing to share my priorities as I continue working on behalf of the people of Senate District 32 and Mississippians across our state.
The session convened on January 6 and began in an unprecedented manner. On the first day, the Senate was already engaged in committee meetings, and by the second day, legislation was moving on the floor. This early momentum reflects the seriousness with which the Senate is approaching the work ahead and our shared commitment to addressing the needs of our state.
My focus this session is on making life better for all Mississippians, with particular attention to rural communities, which form the backbone of our state. Too often, rural areas face challenges related to access—access to healthcare, housing, legal services, and economic opportunity. Addressing these gaps is essential to ensuring Mississippi grows together, not apart.
Education in the form of school choice remains one of the most significant issues before the Legislature. While I do not support ANY school choice and voted against the senate’s proposal, I appreciate the thoughtful and measured approach the Lt. Governor and Senate have taken, particularly its focus on public-to-public student transfers as a way to expand opportunity while maintaining some stability within our public school system.
As part of this discussion, I offered an amendment to the senate’s proposal, that failed, to ensure that school districts receiving transferred students cannot discriminate and that appropriate accountability standards are met before transfers occur. These guardrails are necessary to protect students, families, and local school districts, especially in rural areas where resources are already limited.
As Chair of the Senate Housing Committee, I am also focused on expanding access to affordable housing, particularly in small towns and rural communities. Many areas are ready to grow but lack the infrastructure needed to support housing development. This session, I am working to advance infrastructure grant opportunities that help cities and counties build the water, sewer, and road systems necessary to support safe, affordable housing and long-term economic growth.
I am also working on initiatives to address legal deserts in rural Mississippi. Many communities lack adequate access to attorneys, which can make it difficult for residents to handle basic legal matters involving family law, housing, estates, or small businesses. This session, I will be presenting legislation to establish a rural lawyers program designed to encourage attorneys to practice in underserved areas, strengthening access to justice across the state.
In addition, I continue to support thoughtful criminal justice reforms that promote fairness while maintaining public safety, as well as efforts to strengthen voting access, including early voting options that make participation more accessible for working families and seniors.
Healthcare remains a top concern for families across Mississippi. I support policies that expand access to quality, affordable healthcare, including Medicaid expansion, because strong communities—especially rural ones—depend on healthy citizens and stable healthcare systems.
Finally, I remain committed to bringing state resources back to the communities I serve. Supporting municipalities and counties through infrastructure investments and targeted funding helps local leaders meet their needs and plan for the future.
I value hearing directly from constituents. If there are issues you believe the Legislature should be addressing, I encourage you to reach out to my office. Your input helps guide my work, and it is an honor to serve you in the Mississippi Senate.
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