The Republican leader stated that no other party could shape the future of the state at the Neshoba Country Fair in July 2015. Policy decisions would be made by no other party. The dome would not allow any other party to hold leadership positions. It seems that no other party would exist. Gunn stated, “We take out the roster for our team and we choose leaders from that list.” Gunn said, “Your man, since he’s a Democrat is not on that list.” Many, including Gunn, believe that Gunn’s prophecy was fulfilled. According to Mississippi Today’s analysis of the legislation that was introduced and passed during this session, 24 of the 647 bills they authored by Democratic legislators (3.7%) were passed. Only 20 (6.7%) of the 299 Democrat-written Senate bills were passed. Only 4.7 percent of the bills written by Democratic legislators made it to the Governor. Phil Bryant’s desk. The legislature passed 18.3 percent of Republican-written legislation this year. In 2015, Democrats were able stop a tax cut proposal. A $415 million tax cut bill was narrowly passed by both houses of Congress this session, thanks to the supermajority (more that three-fifths) required to pass finance bills. The bill to issue $250 million in state bonds was also passed by both houses. This was despite opposition from many Democrats. Governor. proudly signed laws allowing guns in churches and religious freedom, which are Conservative-favorites. After the supermajority passed them through their respective chambers, Phil Bryant signed them. “The largest tax reduction in Mississippi history is certain to be a piece legislation that will continue to be looked at for many years,” Lt. Governor. After the session was over, Tate Reeves stated. “While I understand what the (Republican] party might think, we’re trying do what’s best to all Mississippians. The House’s majority expansion led to the passage of the tax cuts bill and other bills. Although the House had very little influence this term, there were occasions when they were heard. In an effort to slow down the legislative process, House Democrats twice asked that all bills be read. Filibustering was common. There were also racially motivated accusations. Gunn had to clear a legal hurdle, a temporary restraining orders filed by Jay Hughes (D-Oxford), to restore order to a chaotic House floor. Gunn divided the House electronic voting board by party, and the vast majority of bills were passed partisanally. The four-month-old session is a dismal reminder of what Democrats have endured. In a press conference, Rep. David Baria (D-Bay St. Louis, House minority leader) stated that “We can disagree about policies.” “What we can agree on is that the Mississippians who elected me want us to work together in solving Mississippi’s major problems. Our leadership wouldn’t allow us to cooperate to address these issues in this session.” This session saw very few bills or none passed by many Democratic lawmakers. Rep. Omeria Scott (D-Laurel) went 1-for-81 with bills in which her principal author was involved. Rep. Earle Banks (D-Jackson) went 0-for-63. Sen. Deborah Dawkins, D-Pass Christian, went 0-for-33. Thirty-one out of 48 Democratic representatives did not have any of their authored legislation passed. Nine of the 20 Democratic senators also had no authored bills. Rep. Deborah Dixon (D-Raymond) went 1-for-66 in passing bills she authored. She claimed that House committee chairs, who were hand-selected in January by Gunn, would not return phone calls. Dixon stated that the only way to contact anyone was through Speaker Gunn or Nathan Wells, (Gunn Chief of Staff Nathan Wells). It seemed like they wanted to destroy communication. They wouldn’t speak to you with any of the items you brought with them.” These numbers were worse than those in 2015 before the Republican supermajority. The 26 bills they wrote were passed by the House Democrats (3.4 percent), while 36 of the 55 Democratic representatives did not have any of their bills passed. The 22 bills that the Senate Democrats authored in 2012 (7.8%) were passed by them. Gunn spoke to reporters on the day that the House was adjourned for spring and said that he was happy with the House’s work this year. Gunn reiterated the same principles he spoke at the Fair last summer and continued to support the efforts of his Republican colleagues. Gunn stated, “I’m not going down for being Republican.” “Trimming government and reducing taxes are things that we campaigned to support.”