News
Reeves Vetoes MAEP, Protects Private School Vouchers
Late last night, Gov. Tate Reeves vetoed almost all funding for public education in the K-12 appropriation bill, leaving school districts with no budget –
Legislature Wraps Up Budget Bills, Goes Home for Now
The Legislature wrapped up its work on general and appropriations bills and has gone home for the time being. They will return as necessary to
Revised Appropriations Conference Report Passed
UPDATE: A revised conference report for pre-k through grade 12 appropriations for FY2021 passed both chambers this afternoon. Only one change was made – adding to
K-12 Funding Conference Report Passed, Recommitted
The conference report for pre-k through grade 12 appropriations for FY2021 passed both chambers today but was recommitted later in the day for further work by
Important Distance Learning Bills
Yesterday, the Senate took up and passed SB 3044, the Equity in Distance Learning Act, which creates a grant program to assist school districts in purchasing
Senate Committee Declines to Approve Collins Nomination
The Senate Education Committee this morning declined to consent to the appointment of former Senator Nancy Collins to the State Board of Education. A motion
Latest News from the Capitol
Yesterday, the House voted to table the motion to reconsider on SB 2594, the ESA voucher bill, so it is on its way to the governor with
Update on Education Bills
The House and Senate have made significant progress on education bills. This morning, the House passed the ESA Voucher bill, SB 2594, with no amendments that
Need Calls on Voucher Bill
Today was the deadline for committees to act on bills that originated in the opposite chamber. The teacher pay raise (SB 2001) and community schools
Important Bills Coming Up in House
An amended version of SB 2511 has passed the House. The bill addresses the teacher shortage by altering requirements for entry into college and university teacher education
House & Senate Committees Take Up Education Bills
Legislative committees met this week to begin debating bills that passed the opposite chamber prior to the pause in the session necessitated by the pandemic.
MDE Wants Your Input on How to Spend CARES Act Money
The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) is asking the public to provide input on how K-12’s share of CARES Act funding should be spent. The Department
Move Would Shift Millions of Dollars from Public Schools to Private Schools
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos wants to take millions of dollars away from our neediest public school children and give them to our state’s wealthiest
Legislature Passes Small Biz Relief, Hears Distance Learning Plan
This evening, a bipartisan group of lawmakers came to an agreement on a plan to use a portion of Mississippi’s $1.25-billion CARES Act funding to provide
Legislative Hearings Online, Revenue Tanking
The Mississippi Legislature is back in session to make decisions about the appropriation of CARES Act funding. The Senate is live-streaming its hearings for public viewing with
Legislature Adjourns for Weekend, PERS Retiree News
The Legislature has adjourned for the weekend with a plan to return on Tuesday at 10 a.m., when they hope to have a COVID-19 relief
Legislature to Appropriate CARES Act Funds
The Mississippi Legislature will appropriate CARES Act funds that have been in dispute, per an agreement announced today by Gov. Reeves, Lt. Gov. Hosemann, and
Legislature Coming Back Tomorrow, Teacher Appreciation Week
The Legislature will return tomorrow (Thursday) to address “a plan to help small businesses across the State that are struggling amid COVID-19.” See the announcement. Our
Need Your Help to Keep Public Schools Strong
In November, you elected the most pro-public education Legislature we have seen in years, and we were starting to see the fruits of that election before
Legislature Takes Control of CARES Act Funds
The Mississippi Legislature returned to Jackson today to affirm its authority to appropriate funds, including federal CARES Act funding. This afternoon, the House and Senate
Legislature to Reconvene Tomorrow to Address CARES Act Funds
The Mississippi Legislature will return to Jackson tomorrow (Friday) at 1 p.m. to take up legislation addressing CARES Act funding, two weeks earlier than their