This afternoon, an attempt was made in the House of Representatives to increase the MAEP appropriation in HB 1476, the K-12 funding bill. That effort failed when 66 House members voted instead to table the motion to reconsider the bill. A “yes” vote on this motion was a vote to send the bill to the Senate without increasing MAEP funding. You can see that vote here.
Please join me in thanking the representatives who voted “no” on the motion to table. This was a vote to reconsider the bill and allow amendments to increase MAEP funding. I know you share my gratitude for their willingness to make good on their promise of adequate school resources for Mississippi children.
Rep. David Baria of Bay St. Louis urged House members to vote against the motion to table so that he could offer an amendment to fully fund the MAEP. My understanding is that Rep. Sonya Williams-Barnes also had ready an amendment to increase MAEP funding had she been allowed the opportunity.
Please join me in thanking Reps. Baria and Barnes for their efforts to get better funding for our children’s schools.
I know that many of you have contacted your representatives asking that they live up to their promise to provide our children an adequate level of funding for their schools. And I know that you are deeply disappointed that they failed to come through for you. Some of them have promised to do better if revenue improves. I agree with all of you who have called, emailed, and texted your dismay at this stand that places our children’s education at the very bottom of the priority heap. I share your frustration.
The funding bill will now move to the Senate, where we will have the opportunity to work with senators to get adequate funding for our children’s schools. The bill will go first to the Appropriations Committee; you can find contact information for committee members here. Please ask the members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, your own senator, and the lieutenant governor to make good on their promise to our children by increasing the MAEP funding in HB 1476.
Capitol Switchboard: 601.359.3770
Lt. Governor Reeves Capitol: 601.359.3200
Though we did not win today’s vote, we know that your calls are having an impact. Let’s ramp it up and capitalize on that momentum!
Legislators work for you; we need to keep reminding them that these are our tax dollars and that our children’s education is our priority. Let’s each get three more people to join our effort and make those calls; and let’s win this for our children in the next round!
