Speaker Jason White Names Six New Select Committees to Advance Legislative Priorities

Jackson, MS – Speaker Jason White delivered the following speech at the 2025 Neshoba County Fair. “Good morning! It’s great to be back here at Mississippi’s Giant House Party among so many friends. I consider it a great honor to lead the Mississippi House of Representatives and speak to you on their behalf. Preparing to be back on this stage reminded me of a story told by former Mississippi Congressman Sonny Montgomery. After a defeat in the Neshoba County Democratic Primary, a candidate for Sheriff ran the following advertisement: I lost several weeks canvassing. I lost several acres of corn and potatoes. I gave away 2 calves and 5 goats for barbecue. For prospective voters I plowed 173 acres and spread 63 loads of barnyard fertilizer. I drew 24 buckets of water and kissed 115 babies. I walked 6,481 miles, shook hands 9,847 times. I lost 2 front teeth and some hair in a personal encounter with a supporter of an opponent. I attended 26 revival meetings, made love to 9 grass widows and got dog bit 39 times and FOLKS, I STILL GOT DEFEATED. I want to thank my 43 friends, AND THEY ARE FRIENDS, for casting their votes for me and to the rest of Neshoba County I warn you that I am now going armed with a sawed-off shotgun because a man that doesn’t have more than 43 friends in a county as big as Neshoba is definitely in need of extra protection. So, as I said, it is good to be here amongst so many friends! A lady that shares my passion for Mississippi, is my bride of 28 years, Jolynn. Her support is the heart of our success, and I’m thankful to have her by my side – along with our three children, Sara Burden, John, and Carlyn.  I also want to thank my staff who are all here with me today. I have asked you to climb big mountains with me – it’s rewarding work but it certainly isn’t easy. I also want to recognize one of our House Appropriations Chairman and President of the Neshoba County Fair Association, Representative Scott Bounds. Thank you for the warm welcome! Before I dive into the achievements and goals we are proud of, I want to acknowledge my colleagues in the House of Representatives. I have charged our 79 House Republicans with pulling at the root of the weeds. We are going to approach the challenges and opportunities of Mississippi by getting to the core of it rather than passing surface-level policy. The legislation you see pushed by your Mississippi House of Representatives will not be an empty container, full of air and lacking substance. The House will continue to focus our efforts on positioning for the next generation, not posturing for the next election. We will continue our track record of success by soliciting input from interested parties, evaluating policies enacted in other states, and coming forward with legislation that has been vetted and measured with our collective experiences and intellect. The decisions we make today lay the foundation for the future, and therefore it is our duty to not simply seek short-term political gains. The Mississippi House of Representatives will continue to be proactive, not reactive in the policy process. This time last year, I was on this stage sharing the House’s vision for the elimination of the income tax, significant reduction of the grocery tax, modernizing the funding mechanism for our infrastructure, and creating a pathway for stabilizing our state’s retirement system. Now, I proudly stand up here today to share with you… we got it done. The process wasn’t always pretty, or pleasant, or easy, but changemaking policy hardly ever is and we believe building a brighter future for Mississippi is worth fighting for. Lots of folks running around up here the last few days bragging on tax cuts, state savings, infrastructure… ALL of that comes from HOUSE Bill 1! HB 1 is a measured commonsense conservative approach that regardless of who does the math, results in a $1.9 billion net tax cut, the greatest tax cut in Mississippi’s history. Transformative policy such as HB 1 does not move unless pushed, and I applaud the momentum and shared commitment created by our Governor. It would not have happened without his unwavering support, or without my 91 House colleagues who decided it was time to be bold and voted to Build Up Mississippi. There were a lot of facets and moving parts that made HB 1 a robust tax reform package, you could even say it was our version of “One Big Beautiful Bill”. Before Congress was debating their HR 1, Mississippi was passing HB 1 – I don’t know if we inspired the strategy for delivering a commonsense conservative agenda in One Big Beautiful Bill, but we certainly applaud President Donald Trump for the victory on his landmark legislation. My office and I have been fortunate to develop a relationship with this White House administration and as we are preparing for our next Big Beautiful Bill, we are in frequent communication with the President’s team. Earlier this month, President Trump hosted members of the Mississippi legislature in Washington DC – AND yes, the number 1 policy position of President Donald Trump for our state is the passage of a robust school choice and education freedom package. President Trump himself is promoting returning power over education to families instead of bureaucracies. Let me remind you, Education Freedom is a pillar in our adopted Republican Party Platform and has been highlighted by President Trump in his Make America Great Again agenda entitled America First: A Return to Commonsense. The Lt. Governor wants to copy President Trump on tax rebates, I certainly hope he wants to copy the President on Education Freedom too. Continuing the House’s pursuit of commonsense, conservative legislation – Education Freedom will be presented as our One Big Beautiful Bill for the 2026 Legislative Session, as the House aligns with President Trump’s priority for parent power. We are committed to transforming the educational landscape in Mississippi to ensure that every child in our state has access to an education that caters to their unique needs and aspirations. We have an obligation to cultivate a future-ready environment that educates our children and bolsters our workforce to meet the needs of today’s economy. Education should be a powerful equalizer, yet our current system often falls short of delivering quality options for all students. Economically disadvantaged communities in Mississippi have been left with few too options for far too long. The House will push legislation that focuses on our most needy students that have little to no options. We are shifting the discussion away from the focus being on failing or underperforming school districts to looking at specific students and factors such as those in poverty, foster care, and children of military or first responders. We have the opportunity to dismantle systemic barriers that limit educational opportunities for our students. Every child, regardless of their zip code, deserves a fair chance to succeed. As we examine and debate this topic, let us please be mindful that parents also happen to be taxpayers and they are the ones footing the bill. AND… Parents know what’s best for their children! Somewhere along the line, we’ve gotten the cart before the horse. We must focus on the next generation of Mississippians whose success will shape the future of our state for the next Mississippi Miracle. I’ll say it again, in order for Mississippi to prosper – we must dedicate ourselves to students, NOT systems. We’ve heard the tired argument from the liberal media and elites that pushing school choice is to enrich private schools by taking money away from struggling public schools. Nothing could be further from the truth. Just last year, the Republican-led House introduced the single largest investment in public education with the passing of the Mississippi Student Funding Formula and we are about to do it again investing even more in schools, teachers, facility and infrastructure needs, and most importantly, and now with laser focus, the individual student. This investment will be done in a way that has never been done in Mississippi AND will have no disruption on the gains we have seen. I will remind y’all – if we had maintained the status quo because of the fear mongers, then we wouldn’t be talking about the Mississippi Miracle, we would still be talking about the Mississippi Mediocre. So, you’ll have to forgive me if I’m a little reluctant to take the advice of those that are okay with the status quo and cling so tightly to it. We rocked the boat from being last in every metric, to the greatest improved in the nation, and we are going to keep rocking this boat until we are at the top. While the opposition concerns themselves with preserving institutions and the status quo, the House is going to preserve the rights of parents and the best interests of families. Our education system should work for our parents, children, and teachers, not the other way around. Let me be abundantly clear, Education Freedom will be the #1 priority in the Mississippi House of Representatives. I am proud of the way the House has been a driver on the big issues impacting Mississippi over the last few years. We diligently study these issues, engage key stakeholders in meaningful dialogue, and cultivate widespread support to pass legislation that truly benefits Mississippians. I cannot express enough gratitude to the House Republican Caucus for their courageous vote last year, on the Mississippi Student Funding Formula and this year, on their bold vote for House Bill 1. And upon this next session, I will urge them to have the same tenacity and forward-thinking in their support for Mississippi Education Freedom. Once again, the House’s legislative priorities will be clear and informed from the start as we maintain our focus and energy on, yes, preparing for the 2026 Legislative Session, but again to position our state for the next generation. Governor Barbour once told me that I have a bias for action. I think that is probably true and maybe that’s because I want to spend the time I have been afforded in this position doing big things that positively impact the lives of every Mississippian. The House will not accept the current way of doing things just because that’s how its always been done. We are leaving the status quo behind. For the sake of Mississippi, we will challenge the norm, seek innovation, and embrace positive change. The House is going to continue to champion bold new initiatives – to uplift our communities, strengthen our families, and build a brighter future for Mississippi. The momentum that you feel in this state and country is REAL, let’s keep it going in 2026. Thank you and may God continue to bless the great state of Mississippi.” ###

Jackson, MS – Speaker Jason White names three new Select Committees to study Education Freedom, PERS, Voters’ Rights, and to continue the work of the Capital and Metro Revitalization Select Committee named in 2024. Speaker Jason White shares, “The Mississippi House of Representatives has a strong track record of recognizing both challenges and opportunities within our state. We diligently study these issues, engage key stakeholders in meaningful dialogue, and cultivate widespread support to pass legislation that truly benefits Mississippians. Looking ahead, the House remains resolute in its pursuit of commonsense, conservative legislation, which is why you will see Education Freedom as the top priority in the House for the 2026 Legislative Session. We are committed to transforming the educational landscape in Mississippi to ensure that every child in our state has access to an education that caters to their unique needs and aspirations. A continued priority in the House is addressing the solvency of the Public Employees’ Retirement System. The House has proposed an annual dedicated stream of revenue for PERS for the last two years, and we will continue to evaluate opportunities that stabilize and secure our commitment to current and future state retirees. We will also be evaluating Voters’ Rights through early voting to boost participation and address barriers to suffrage for those who have served their time and desire to reengage with the community. Additionally, Mississippians have long requested a process for a ballot initiative to ensure they have a fair and accessible means of influencing state policy. Lastly, the Capital and Metro Revitalization Select Committee was incredibly successful in its work last Session, with five bills stemming from this committee becoming law. They will continue their efforts to improve our Capital City. After the conclusion of the 2024 Session, the House named four select committees that worked meticulously over the summer and fall, producing robust legislation for the 2025 Legislative Session. Once again, the House’s legislative priorities will be clear and informed from the start as we maintain our focus and energy on preparing for the 2026 Legislative Session.” 

Jackson, MS – Speaker Jason White issues the following statement on adjourning the Special Session Sine Die. “Early this morning, the House concluded our work on the state budget and adjourned the Special Session Sine Die. I am proud of our House Appropriation Chairs, who worked extremely hard to come forward with a conservative budget that reflects the priorities of the state and funds our core functions of government. We are disappointed in the Senate leadership for not supporting worthy projects for cities and counties. We believe Mississippians find their tax dollars well spent when bridges are built, roads are repaired, and sewage issues are addressed in their hometown. The House will not go along to get along with establishment politicians. Instead of hand-selecting projects that stand out on a campaign push card, the House will continue to work hard to meet the demands and necessities of Mississippi's local communities. Some were frustrated that the budgetary process went into a Special Session this year. The House communicated clearly and consistently with the Senate that the budget would not be finalized in the last few days of session with little oversight. In the 2026 Legislative Session, the House will maintain its stance that the budget should be developed early and in an orderly manner with transparency. To address the necessity for transparency in the condensed timeline of a Special Session, the House shared the final budget summary with House members on the morning of Tuesday, May 27th, prior to the Governor's official proclamation. The following morning, ahead of gaveling in, a hard copy of the budget summary was at the desk of each House member on Wednesday, May 28th, when the Special Session began. When I was elected Speaker, I stated my goal was to bring more order and timeliness to the budget chaos while allowing all House members time to read and review the spending bills before they are asked to vote on them. While we may not have perfected that process yet, as Speaker, I will maintain the goal of transparency and working in an orderly fashion. We are pleased to conclude our work with the budget, allowing us to direct our focus on our priorities for the 2026 Legislative Session. One of those priorities will be addressing the Public Employees’ Retirement System. As the Governor reiterated a House position in his press conference on Tuesday, a one-time cash infusion to PERS does very little to address the retirement system's financial challenges. The House has proposed an annual dedicated stream of revenue for PERS for the last two years, and we will continue to push policies that stabilize and secure our commitment to current and future state retirees. Perhaps 2026 will be the year we find consensus with our Senate counterparts. In addition to addressing the long-term stability of PERS, the House will dedicate much of this off-season to studying and preparing for Education Freedom in Mississippi. Our education priorities align directly with President Trump's Executive Order, which promotes the concept of school choice, enabling families to select educational settings that best suit their children, thereby improving overall student outcomes and success. The House introduced this effort during the 2025 Legislative Session, but it was never brought up for a vote in the Senate's Education Committee. When we talk about Education Freedom, this idea does not stop at school choice but extends to eliminating red tape and reducing the amount of mandated student testing, allowing our public school teachers the freedom to do what they do best – educate our children. 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, children, and teachers, not the other way around.  The Mississippi House of Representatives has a track record of identifying challenges and opportunities within our state, studying those issues, bringing the players to the table, and building support to allow a bill to become law for the betterment of her people. As Mississippi has seen with HB 1, the Build Up Mississippi Act, which eliminates the state income tax, and the Mississippi Student Funding Formula, an overhaul of how our public schools are funded and a historic investment in public education, the House will continue to pursue commonsense, conservative legislation vigorously. We are already at work and focused on the 2026 Legislative Session.”

Jackson, MS – Speaker Jason White issues the following statement on adjourning Sine Die for the 2025 Legislative Session. “Yesterday, the House proudly adjourned Sine Die. We came into the 2025 Legislative Session prepared and persistent to disrupt the status quo. With the conclusion of this session, we have set the bar for other states and marked a historic milestone in our state’s future with the elimination of the income tax, the most significant tax cut in Mississippi’s time. I especially thank the 91 House members who voted to Build Up Mississippi and decided it was time to be bold and to set a new course for our people. With that vote, they have created an environment that attracts investment and fosters long-term economic success for all Mississippians, and we are continuing to signal that Mississippi is indeed, open for business. In the summer of 2024, the House named four Select Committees to study tax reform, certificate of need laws, prescription drugs, and the revitalization of the metro Jackson area. All four of those committees produced robust legislation, three of which all went on to the Governor. These are four challenging topics that were tough to tackle, and I have to applaud the Chairmen and House Committee members that drove meaningful policy with defined purpose. The House’s legislative priorities were clear from the start and I am proud of our hard-earned success. With other legislative victories this session such as parental leave for state employees, judicial redistricting, and banning DEI in public schools and universities, the House has proven to initiate and confront impactful policy for Mississippians. With the conclusion of the 2025 Regular Legislative Session, it is concerning that the legislature was unable to agree and pass a state budget. The House maintains its commitment that the budgeting process should be transparent and orderly, giving every member in the legislature the opportunity to review and vet government spending. There are major differences on only a few budgetary items, but they are key differences, including the creation of a dedicated stream of revenue to PERS to address the deficit. We will continue these discussions with the Senate to produce a budget that reflects our commitment to smaller government with focused spending, while meeting the core functions and responsibilities to the taxpayers of Mississippi. If I have any regrets this session, it is not getting PBM reform across the finish line to truly help our independent pharmacists. In addition, the House’s efforts to address education freedom did not find common ground with the Senate, but I commend my House colleagues for embracing school choice with courage for the sake of Mississippi’s most valuable resource – our children. I look forward to returning next session ready to tackle these two issues. We are not done rocking this boat. Your Mississippi House of Representatives will continue to find comfort in being uncomfortable. Thank you to my fellow House colleagues for allowing me the opportunity to lead this chamber, to my staff for your tireless support, and to our mighty Mississippi and all her people who elected us to serve and represent the best state to work, worship, and raise a family.”

Jackson, MS – Speaker Jason White issues the following statement on the status of tax reform legislation. “To maintain the momentum of the greatest tax cut in Mississippi history, Chairman Trey Lamar has amended SB 3095 with a revised HB 1. The revisions in this bill stem from negotiations with the Senate, the demand of Mississippi taxpayers to eliminate the income tax, and opportunities the House identified to bring the most significant tax relief to Mississippians. The amendment that passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee today and heads to the full voting body provides for an immediate net tax cut for all Mississippians: The House of Representatives will not waver on our commitment to eliminating the income tax as quickly and responsibly as possible. Similar to the original House Bill, income tax rates will be cut from 4% to 3.5% in 2027 and then progressively decrease to complete elimination by 2037. The sales tax on groceries would immediately reduce from 7% to 5%, a change from the phase-in period in the original HB 1. Over two years, Sales Tax would increase from 7% to 8%. The revenue from this tax will distribute $48 million annually to the State Aid Road Fund, and the remaining funds will be deposited into the General Fund. Not included in original HB 1 was a change to our Use Tax. Similar to Sales Tax, however, Use Tax is designed to ensure that people who purchase goods and services from out-of-state vendors or online retailers pay the same amount of tax as they would if they purchased the goods or services locally. This amendment changes Mississippi’s Use Tax from 7% to 8% to simply mirror our proposed state Sales Tax. The revenue collected from the Use Tax increase will be used for the Homestead Exemption Reimbursement Fund created in this amendment to provide property tax relief in the form of a $200 annual credit to those over the age of 65. The Excise Tax on fuel would increase five cents a year for three years, a change from the fuel sales tax presented in original HB 1 but still provides significant and stable funding for our state’s infrastructure through MDOT and the Strategic Multi-Modal Investments Fund. As proposed in original HB 1, lottery proceeds of $100 million will be allocated to PERS until it reaches an 80% funded ratio, and the remaining funds will be deposited into the Education Enhancement Fund. $300 million will be transferred from the Capitol Expense Fund to the Budget Contingency Fund. We are on the cusp of bringing all Mississippians the most significant tax cut in state history. This cut would provide a tax credit to seniors on their property taxes, reward our workforce, and relieve the tax burden at the grocery store while also stabilizing PERS, dedicating a source of revenue to infrastructure, and enhancing our economic development opportunities. The Mississippi House of Representatives continues working hard to make our great state the best place to work, worship, and raise a family.”

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 1063, Mississippi State Employees Paid Parental Leave Act. “In a 114-0 vote, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed the Mississippi State Employees Paid Parental Leave Act, which would provide state employees eight weeks of 100% paid leave as the primary caregiver after the birth or adoption of a child and two weeks for the secondary caregiver. As a pro-life state, Mississippi is in a critical position to meet the needs for healthier outcomes for parents and children and to support families in our state's workplace. With our fellow southern states offering some form of parental leave, and Mississippi currently offering no paid parental leave to their state employees, we too can reflect our commitment to the well-being of families, as well as utilize this benefit as an employee recruitment and retention tool. The Mississippi State Employees Paid Parental Leave Act sets a positive example for encouraging the private sector to adopt similar measures that foster a supportive environment for working families. I applaud Representative Kevin Felsher for championing this legislation, and I commend my fellow House members for their unity on this opportunity. The passage in the House is a significant step in the legislative process as it now heads to the Senate for consideration.”