Fitch says that Mississippi’s recovery from the Great Recession was slower than expected. Fitch also believes that a constitutional amendment would help the state pass a balanced budget. At least not yet, there won’t be more charter schools in Mississippi. The charter school authority board voted 4-to-2 against the application of Ohio-based I Can Schools. This group was the fourth to apply for a charter school in Mississippi this year. Board members stated that the Reason I Can Schools application was rejected due to a report which highlighted inconsistencies in academic outcomes at the eight schools in the group. The Affordable Care Act has resulted in Mississippians becoming more insured, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The rate dropped from 14-point-5 % in 2014 to 12 point-7 percent last year. Despite the decrease, Mississippi remains sixth in uninsured resident count. Mississippi did not expand Medicaid as the federal Affordable Care Act permits. To support this important work, you can make a regular donation to the Spring Member Drive today.