House Passes Mississippi State Employees Paid Parental Leave

Today, the Speaker’s Office continued meeting with independent pharmacists, the Board of Pharmacy, and the business community to work out an agreement that would provide for much-needed and overdue support for independent pharmacists while also protecting employers and consumers. PBM reform has been a priority in the House for many years. We have led the charge on numerous pieces of PBM legislation that were never able to make it all the way through the legislative process, but the time is now. This summer, the House named several Select Committees to focus on specific priority areas, Prescription Drugs being one of them. As a result of the hearings, research, and discussions in that Select Committee and the many years of working on PBM reform, the House presented HB 1123 this session, which intends to provide the necessary transparency that has been demanded from the pharmacist community. The Senate also came forward with its approach to PBM reform in SB 2677. The House is actively working with our Senate counterparts to assemble the most meaningful and impactful legislation to reform the multi-faceted prescription drug industry. It is a priority in the House of Representatives to support independent pharmacists who are such an essential part of Mississippi’s communities and protect consumers from heightened drug costs at the checkout line, while also guarding against increased health insurance and premium prices for our state’s businesses and citizens. I thank my personal pharmacist, David Hudson, who runs an independent pharmacy in my hometown of Kosciusko. He has a unique perspective in that he is not only an independent pharmacist but also serves on the State Board of Pharmacy—his expertise and perspective has been invaluable in creating a solution. I also want to thank Representative Hank Zuber and Senator Hob Bryan for their dedication to getting PBM reform done this session while creating a win-win for independent pharmacists and Mississippi businesses.

Jackson, MS – Speaker Jason White issues the following statement on seven key education bills passing out of the House Education Committee. “As of today’s legislative committee deadline, the House Education Committee has advanced seven bills that finally give parents, not the government, real options for their child’s education while also bringing transparency and needed reforms for our current systems. The House’s education priorities in this session directly align with President Trump’s “Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families” Executive Order, which promotes the idea of school choice, allowing families to select educational settings that best fit their children, thereby improving overall student outcomes and success. President Trump’s Executive Order states, “When our public education system fails such a large segment of society, it hinders our national competitiveness and devastates families and communities.” In Mississippi, we must prioritize our children’s future by empowering parents to ensure that every child has access to a quality education. Our education system should work for our parents and children, not the other way around. The seven bills now on the House floor for consideration are: HB 1078 Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Act: ESA Reform HB 1431 The Education Efficiency Act: Path to Consolidation HB 1432 Charter School Reform HB 1433 The FREE Act (Flexible and Rightful Education Enrollment): School Choice HB 1434 AGENTS of Excellence (Aeronautics, Geospatial, Engineering, Nursing and Technical Skills): Campus Schools HB 1435 The FLEX Act (Families Leading the Enrollment Experience): Portability HB 1439 Accountability Dashboard Program By championing these seven key bills, we can provide families the freedom to select the best educational environment for their children. Implementing school choice enhances individual student achievement and fosters healthy competition among schools, driving improvements across the board. This approach has gained traction in several states, showcasing that when families can direct their children’s education, we see positive outcomes that benefit students, families, and communities alike. All of Mississippi’s surrounding southern states offer some form of enrollment progress. We constantly talk about competing with our neighboring states—this is an opportunity to be advantageous and further turn Mississippi’s competitive dial towards economic attractiveness. Following last session’s historic education investment and funding formula rewrite with INSPIRE, Education Chairman Rob Roberson and Representatives Kent McCarty and Jansen Owen have been working diligently and with great dedication to create an education landscape in Mississippi that ensures every child has the opportunity to thrive. By focusing the House’s efforts on meaningful education policy, we can build a stronger future for our state and its most valuable resource—our children.”

Jackson, MS – Speaker Jason White issues the following statement on the passage of House Bill 1, the Build Up Mississippi Act, in the Mississippi House of Representatives. “Today, the Mississippi House of Representatives took a transformative positive step by passing House Bill 1, the Build Up Mississippi Act, with bipartisan support. This crucial legislation paves the way for a brighter economic future for our state, delivering a comprehensive tax reform package designed to uplift Mississippians, support our infrastructure and PERS system, and empower local governments. By phasing out the state income tax and significantly reducing sales tax on groceries, we alleviate the financial strain on Mississippians and create an environment ripe for robust economic growth. Under HB 1, every municipality will receive more funding under the local option, 1.5% sales tax, than the current diversion. With Build Up Mississippi’s proposed consumption-based model, Mississippi will maintain a lower sales tax and remain more competitive than our surrounding states. The bill also revises exemptions for motor fuel sales to include a retail fuel sales tax of 5%; this modest sales tax aims to enhance revenue for the Maintenance and Capacity Projects Fund at MDOT. HB 1 is not a “tax swap” but a strategic move to attract economic development opportunities, stimulate local governments to address critical infrastructure needs, and foster real tax relief, ultimately benefiting every resident in our great state and finally eliminating the personal income tax. Moreover, $100 million of revenue from lottery proceeds will be redirected towards our commitment to a stable retirement plan for our state employees which showcases our unwavering determination to build a stronger Mississippi. The remaining lottery proceeds will be allocated for the Education Enhancement Fund and Multi-Modal Transportation: our state’s ports, harbors, airports, rails, and transit system. By prioritizing essential services and safeguarding the PERS system, we are investing in the long-term well-being of our communities and reinforcing confidence in our state’s economic stability. With the passage of HB 1 in the House, we have taken a monumental step towards enacting the largest tax cut in Mississippi's history. This is a powerful message that we prioritize the quality of life for all our citizens while laying the groundwork for a thriving economy that will uplift generations to come. As the #1 priority in the House, we are thankful for the overwhelming support we have received from cities, county officials, statewide elected officials, and the Mississippi business community. I urge the Senate to now take a close look at HB 1 and be open to collaboration to bring sweeping tax reform to our great state. Together, we can Build Up Mississippi where everyone can prosper.”

Mississippi is facing critical challenges and the House of Representatives is committed to doing the work that the people care about most. Please click below to see what issues are most important to Mississippians today. 

Jackson, MS – Speaker Jason White announces a fourth Select Committee and its appointments to study Capital and Metro Revitalization. Speaker Jason White shares, “The Select Committee on Capital and Metro Revitalization is comprised of House members that are passionate and dedicated to improving Mississippi’s Capital City for the betterment of the Jackson Metro Area and our entire state. I look forward to this Committee’s work as they seek strategic and innovative ways to improve and partner with the citizens and leadership of the Metro Area, recognizing the unique importance a vibrant Capital City means for all Mississippians.” Select Committee on Capital and Metro Revitalization: CO-CHAIR: Clay Mansell CO-CHAIR: Shanda Yates Chris Bell Lawrence Blackmon Angela Cockerham Ronnie Crudup Jill Ford Stephanie Foster Justis Gibbs Jonathan McMillan Fabian Nelson Gene Newman Brent Powell Fred Shanks Lance Varner Price Wallace Grace Butler Washington Lee Yancey Hank Zuber

Jackson, MS – Speaker Jason White names appointments for PEER Committee, Select Committee on Healthcare Reform: Certificate of Need, Select Committee on Prescription Drugs, Select Committee on Tax Reform, and Joint Legislative Committee on Compilation, Revision, and Publication. Speaker Jason White shares, “With the appointments made to these Committees, I feel confident that the Mississippi House of Representatives will thoroughly study current state laws and tax structures to make informed recommendations for the 2025 Legislative Session. The House will continue its pursuit of bold initiatives and policies to improve our great state, focusing on the betterment of Mississippi and all of her citizens.” PEER Committee Donnie Bell Kevin Ford Becky Currie Kevin Felsher Cedric Burnett Casey Eure Stacey Wilkes Joint Legislative Committee on Compilation, Revision and Publication: Jason White Manly Barton Fred Shanks Jansen Owen Shanda Yates Justis Gibbs Noah Sanford Select Committee on Healthcare Reform: Certificate of Need CO-CHAIR: Sam Creekmore CO-CHAIR: Hank Zuber Clay Mansell Missy McGee Kevin Felsher Doc Harris Joey Hood Jon Lancaster Tamarra Grace Butler-Washington Timaka James-Jones Fabian Nelson Robert Sanders Omeria Scott Ricky Thompson Donnie Scoggin Jim Estrada Brent Anderson Select Committee on Prescription Drugs CO-CHAIR: Jerry Turner CO-CHAIR: Beth Luther Waldo Andy Stepp Stacey Wilkes Chris Bell Andy Boyd Justis Gibbs Greg Holloway Jimmy Fondren Rodney Hall Stephanie Foster Tracy Arnold Gene Newman Jeffrey Harness Steve Lott Brad Mattox Zakiya Summers Elliott Burch Select Committee on Tax Reform CO-CHAIR: Trey Lamar CO-CHAIR: Scott Bounds Jansen Owen Karl Oliver Shane Aguirre Clay Deweese Angela Cockerham Billy Adam Calvert Kevin Felsher Randy Rushing Lee Yancey Hester McCray Dana McLean Ronnie Crudup, JR Otis Anthony Lawrence Blackmon  Justin Keen Tracey Rosebud

Jackson, MS – Speaker Jason White issues the following statement on Medicaid expansion. “Today, the Mississippi House of Representatives and the Senate recommitted HB 1725, the Medicaid expansion legislation, for further conference and in the morning the House will deliver to the Senate a signed conference report to proceed with a statewide ballot referendum on the issue. Moving through the final stages of the legislative process, it became apparent that opinions still differed on the best way to address our healthcare crisis. Throughout the negotiations on this issue, legislators faced challenging conversations and debates, and although we did not always agree on the best pathway, we are united in wanting to provide Mississippi’s low-income population access to quality healthcare. The referendum process will be two-fold; Mississippians will have the opportunity to vote if they are for Medicaid expansion or not, and if so, should the parameters of the program include a work requirement. This year marks my thirteenth Session and for the first time healthcare coverage for low-income Mississippians has been in a vehicle with real driving power. I applaud Medicaid Chairman Missy McGee for her tireless dedication and work on this issue, as well as House conferees Joey Hood and Sam Creekmore. I also want to express my appreciation to the business community, religious leaders, community officials, and voters for amplifying their support of a healthier Mississippi. This Session proved that a consensus has formed and we all share the same goal: to provide healthcare access to low-income Mississippians. Creating a referendum process for this issue is a clear direction forward. We hope that our colleagues in the Senate will take this opportunity to finally hear from the electorate once and for all. With a Presidential election on the horizon, a robust campaign season with high turnout can be expected. For years, the response to Medicaid expansion was not just no , but entirely dismissed; with this ballot referendum, Mississippians will now have a seat at the table on how we improve healthcare outcomes in our state.”

Jackson, MS – Speaker Jason White issues the following statement on the Mississippi Student Funding Formula and PERS legislation. “Mississippi’s education formula rewrite and the financial sustainability of our state’s retirement system passed out of both chambers and are heading to the Governor. Since the beginning of this Legislative Session, the House has remained adamant and determined to prioritize education funding, PERS, and access to quality healthcare in Mississippi. It is a great honor to see meaningful progress in two of our priorities and we hope to find a compromise on the third in the coming days. I am proud of my fellow Representatives who remain unified in advocating for equitable and transparent funding for our state’s K-12 public schools. HB 4130 was the fourth time this Session the House voted to repeal the antiquated MAEP formula and adopt an education funding formula that was student-centered, with this final vote resulting in unanimous support in our chamber. The passage of the Mississippi Student Funding Formula is not only monumental, but inspiring , as we make the greatest education investment in our state’s history. Much like reforming our education funding formula, addressing the employer contribution and long-term stability of PERS is a challenging issue to confront and tackle. With the passage of SB 3231, Mississippi will ensure we meet financial obligations to PERS current and future retirees without placing undue burden on our state’s taxpayers.  As we approach the end of the 2024 Legislative Session, I applaud my House colleagues for their resolve to create a better Mississippi. There is still work to be done in the final days we have at the Capitol and we remain steadfast to do right by Mississippians.”