The Good-The Bad-The Interesting-Under the Dome

We are almost three full weeks into the 2023 Legislative Session, and it has been nothing short of eventful.

While many believed this year’s session would have very little action due to 2023 being an election year, many of our lawmakers prove that they are ready to fight for change in Mississippi. 

Democrat Brandon Presley, the Northern District Public Service Commissioner, announced Thursday he is running for Mississippi Governor because he knows “Mississippi can do better.” Presley is the state’s highest elected Democrat state official, serving the Public Service Commission for the past 15 years. Presley will face Gregory Wash, the only other candidate for Governor, in the Democratic primary.

Due to Presley not seeking reelection to his current position, the state will surely see a new Public Service Commissioner for the Northern District. Republican Mandy Gunasekara, a former chief of staff for the Environmental Protection Agency, is the only candidate to have qualified so far.

THE GOOD
– HB 370 from Rep. Shanda Yates was debated on the House floor last week. The bill, which allows for a municipal recall, has been tabled until further notice.
– HB 240 introduced by Rep. Joel Bomgar grants the Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce the authority to grant exceptions for the use of certain weighing devices which dispense agricultural commodities. This would help cut the red tape and deregulate agricultural businesses.
– HB 302 introduced by Rep. Stacey Hobgood-Wilkes establishes the Forming Open and Robust University Minds (FORUM) Act. This act would eliminate “free-speech zones” and instead allow students on college campuses to express themselves freely without limitations.

THE INTERESTING
– HB 373 from Rep. Randy Rushing and Rep. Jeffery Hulum allows hunters to wear fluorescent pink as an alternative to fluorescent orange during open gun season. As a fan of the color pink myself, I personally am in favor of this one.
– SB 2138 from Sen. Lydia Chassaniol designates the Mississippi Opal as the state gemstone. The opal is the only gemstone found in the state to be considered a precious gem, and since the opal just so happens to be my birthstone, I also find myself in favor of this bill.
– 2247 by Sen. Hillman Frazier prohibits the resale of mattresses without first notifying the customer. 

So far a few bills have already been introduced that support our agenda, with more to come:
– HB 509 from Rep. Jill Ford creates the “Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act.” This would ensure parents have a fundamental right to raise their children how they best see fit.
– SB 2049 by Sen. Angela Hill limits the salary of the State Superintendent to not exceed 105% of the national average for school superintendents. 
– SB 2053 from Sen. John Polk requires state agencies to notify certain officials when a likelihood of a deficit exists. This helps to prevent taxpayer dollars from being misspent.

Have a great rest of your week!