All of the state agency budget bills that were in conference have died, including the PreK – 12 appropriation bill. House conferees declined to sign conference reports over the weekend, causing legislators to miss the deadline for filing those reports. The bills could be revived were the Legislature to extend the legislative session and suspend deadlines, a move senators say is unlikely. If the session is not extended, Gov. Reeves would need to call legislators into a special session to adopt a budget.
In better news, conference reports on Senate Bills 3126 and 3165 did not contain the Children’s Promise Act tax credit voucher program the House had inserted earlier. Those reports were adopted, though SB 3165 has been held on a motion to reconsider. HB 1894 and SB 3167, the other bills that included Children’s Promise Act language, died on deadline day along with other appropriations and revenue bills, though they could be revived if deadlines are suspended.
The session isn’t over, and as of this writing, what will happen next is an open question. We will need to remain vigilant, continuing to urge legislators to oppose any increase in Children’s Promise Act tax credit vouchers that send public money to private schools and to press for full funding of the Mississippi Student Funding Formula. I know we can count on you to help us!
Ask your legislators to
Fully fund the Mississippi Student Funding Formula
and
OPPOSE any increase in Children’s Promise Act private school tax credits
Capitol Switchboard: 601.359.3770
(Open Mon. noon-5:00, Tues.-Thurs. 8:00-5:00, Fri. 8:00-noon)
Find contact information for legislators who represent your school district
Lt. Gov. Hosemann: 601.359.3200
Speaker White: 601.359.3300
It appears that full funding of public schools is likely, as both the House and Senate versions of HB 1768 fully fund the new formula.
If you want to see how your legislators voted on other bills we’ve been following – and to track the status of the bills in conference – you can find that information on our bill tracker.
We know you are weary of this session – you have worked so hard and called so many times! Legislators are weary too, and we must help them stay engaged and resilient as they push back against a persistent voucher lobby even as their timelines for passing a budget and finishing their work are uncertain. Please keep reaching out to your legislators and let them know we are standing with them as they stand up for strong public schools for all our children. Together, we’ve got this!
