An earlier version of the bill would have given $21 million to the city of Jackson in additional sales tax funds for infrastructure improvement in the district, which includes downtown Jackson and Jackson State University, Fondren, and Belhaven. The Senate had adjourned on Tuesday and the bill was dead. A new bill, however, would have allowed Governor to appoint a judge who would oversee crimes within the district. This would have effectively bypassed the existing Hinds County or city of Jackson criminal justice systems. Also, the revised bill would have eliminated the additional infusion of sales taxes funds and provided no direct funding. Reeves stated that “I don’t believe you need to be a genius in order to recognize the real problems in the criminal justice system of Hinds County.” “I believe that, if we’re to fix our infrastructure, roads within that Capitol complex, to justify that state investment, we must also help with the crime problem throughout the entire city and country,” Reeves said. Senator David Blount (D-Jackson) said that the final bill would have removed city oversight from the proposed district board. This would allow the board to decide how funding should be spent. De’Keither Stamps, Jackson Councilman, said that the criminal justice plans would “tear apart democracy’s fabric.” Melvin Priester Jr., Councilman, said that the bill’s final version would have removed the city’s oversight from the proposed district’s board. This would decide how to spend any funding. Priester added: “I’m not afraid of admitting that Jackson needs help with criminal justice and infrastructure.” “But, if crime is the issue, let’s come together as sensible adults to find common-sense solutions that will improve Jackson’s criminal justice system. He said, “Let’s not just talk about a judge or expanding patrolling by UMC police. Let’s discuss increasing the number of our public defenders.” Let’s discuss increasing the crime lab’s capacity so that cases don’t get lost in translation while we try to find the DNA of the perpetrator. Let’s not spend our budget on mental health. “If the Lieutenant. “If the Lt. Governor is genuine — and I have my doubts about his authenticity based on how this was handled — let’s go back to the drawing board. Priester stated, “Let’s spend the next few month talking like adults about criminality.” After reading Reeves comments, Ashby Foote, Jackson Councilman, stated that the bill defined the problem in terms of the city’s infrastructure. Then, at the end, they attempt to add another problem to it.” You need to create a bill that identifies the problem and provides a solution if you want to improve the criminal justice system of Hinds County. Bad government is when you try to add something to a bill that is already quite complex. This only adds to the dysfunction.” Although the bill was defeated in the 2016 regular session of Congress, Reeves stated that lawmakers will likely try to pass similar legislation during future sessions. Reeves stated, “It’s important, I believe that our capital city be successful.” It’s important not only for the cities of Rankin and Madison County but also for the state as a whole that our capital city succeeds. If we are going to do this, we will do it in a responsible manner for taxpayers and in a way which actually makes a long-term difference. He said, “We are not going to write blank checks.” “That’s not going to happen.”