We cannot overstate how important the upcoming special election is to our children and our public schools. Federal courts last year ordered a re-draw of some Mississippi House and Senate districts, the final result of which is a special election this year to fill 14 legislative seats. Seven of the newly redrawn districts will be […]
This is No Time to Sit Back and Watch Read More »
The next few weeks are extremely important to our children and our public schools. A recent federal court order mandated that 14 of Mississippi’s legislative districts be redrawn. The primary election for those seats will be held on August 5 with the general election to follow on November 4. The outcomes of those races will
Special Election Candidates Share Thoughts on Public Education Read More »
Mississippi has achieved its highest education ranking in history in the national KIDS COUNT report! The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s latest KIDS COUNT Data Book ranks Mississippi 16th in the nation in education, up from 30th in 2024. The 2025 Data Book ranks Mississippi 48th overall in child well-being. Kudos to our rock star teachers and
Wow! Mississippi Notches Highest Ever Education Ranking; Voucher Threat Read More »
The Mississippi Legislature has adopted the PreK-12 funding bill for the 2025-2026 school year. HB 42 provides: A $16-million increase in funding for the Mississippi Student Funding Formula (MSFF), including funding to cover increases in educators’ health insurance premiums and PERS Level funding for Early Learning Collaboratives and State Invested Pre-k (SIP) programs Full funding for National Board
Mississippi Legislature Passes School Funding Bill Read More »
The Mississippi Legislature convened a special session today to finalize the state budget. The PreK-12 appropriation bill, HB 42, was passed by the House Appropriations Committee and the full House and should be taken up by the Senate tomorrow. Explaining the bill in committee, House Appropriations E Chairman Karl Oliver said that HB 42 fully funds
Mississippi Legislature Takes Up FY2026 Budget in Special Session Read More »
The Mississippi Legislature will return to Jackson tomorrow (Wednesday) at 11:00 a.m. to finalize the state budget. The special session agenda, which the governor sets, includes only budget bills related to core functions of government, though Gov. Reeves has the prerogative to add issues to the agenda while the Legislature is in session. Watch the livestream
Gov. Reeves Calls Special Session, Sets Agenda Read More »
Word at the Capitol is that state funding for pre-k programs is at risk. After adjourning the 2025 Regular Legislative Session without adopting a state budget, legislators now are hammering out final appropriations details before Gov. Reeves calls them back to Jackson for a special session, a call that is rumored to be coming later
Pre-k Funding at Risk, Please Call Read More »
The House and Senate have adjourned sine die, ending the 2025 Legislative Session without passing a state budget. Public schools and other state agencies could shut down if no budget agreement is reached before July 1, when the new state budget year begins. To pass a budget, legislators will have to be called into a
House & Senate End Session With No State Budget Read More »
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,
Education Budget Bill Dies on Deadline Day Read More »
We’re almost there! Saturday is the deadline for conference reports on appropriations and revenue bills to be filed, including the school funding bill and those that now include Children’s Promise Act tax-credit voucher language (HB 1894, SB 3126, SB 3165, SB 3167). We are watching those closely. In the meantime, please continue to ask your legislators to
