Sen. David Blount (D-Jackson), was the author of the amendment. He stated that Mississippi taxpayers shouldn’t subsidize shopping centers that compete with stores that were built with private financing. Blount stated that the state of Mississippi and taxpayers should not be subsidizing shopping centers in times of budget crisis. There is no reason that taxpayers should send money to private developers. This (is) going to only hurt all the other businesses that were bought and paid with private money.” In 2013, the cultural attraction tax credit program was established to assist in the construction of Outlets of Mississippi in Pearl. The project was expected to create around 1,600 retail jobs. Top management positions could earn as high as $75,000 annually, according to legislative supporters. The historic credit program of the state is primarily intended to restore buildings for mixed residential and commercial use. The House addressed bills related to Jackson infrastructure, school-district consolidation and local taxation before adjourning on Wednesday. The House passed House Bill 991, which consolidates three Chickasaw County school districts, earlier in the session. The House voted Wednesday on the Senate bill to study the issue. The committee will submit its report to the House by December 2016. The temporary reprieve was appreciated by Preston Sullivan, a Democratic Representative from Chickasaw County. “I know when my whip is on so I want you to thank all 61 of us who voted for me to give my people some input,” Sullivan stated after the House’s first vote. The House also sent Senate Bill 2525 to conference. This bill establishes a center-of-Jackson capitol-complex improvement area to provide up $21 million for infrastructure maintenance, police and fire protection of state buildings. This session, Jackson included SB 2525 on its legislative agenda. House Bill 1507 would allow Brandon to levy a 3 percent tax on certain sales in order to raise funds for a new amphitheater. The bill will expire in four years if it is passed.