/Where top leaders stand on major 2022 legislative issues

Where top leaders stand on major 2022 legislative issues

Although they did not give any details Tuesday, the first day of the 2022 legislative sessions, the two presiding officers indicated that they expect to take up taxes, provide teachers with a significant raise and reenact medical marijuana after the voter initiative legalizing marijuana was canceled by the state Supreme Court. Both indicated that the plan for redrawing the four state congressional districts in accordance with the 2020 U.S. Census population shifts might be one of their first priorities. Because March 1 is the deadline for qualifying to run for one of the four House seats, it is imperative that quick action be taken. READ MORE: What are the top issues that lawmakers could address during the 2022 legislative session? Here’s what Gunn, Hosemann had to say about the key issues after the adjournment on Jan. 4. Gunn stated that medical marijuana is not a top priority for the House. “That is something that the Senate is leading on and we don’t have a bill. Gunn stated that we will have to wait to see what the Senate does. Gunn answered a question about Reeves’ objection to patients being allowed to consume up to 3.5 grams per day. Hosemann stated Tuesday that the House had taken the position that they want the program to be as close as possible to a medical program. It is likely that any fall agreement between Senate and House leaders will see some modifications. The Mississippi Cannabis Patients Alliance organized a rally at the Capitol on Tuesday to urge lawmakers to reinstate a state-approved medical marijuana program. However, it was rejected by the state Supreme Court. Hosemann didn’t give any details but said that he was open to considering a similar bill to Gunn’s last year. The bill would have eliminated the personal income tax, cut by half the grocery tax of 7%, and raised the sales tax for most retail items by 2.5 cents per $1. Hosemann stated that he expects the Senate to pass a tax relief bill. We were not convinced by a tax swap. We want tax relief.” Gunn stated that he will offer some tweaks to his proposal but that his main priority is still tax relief. Gunn stated that he believes he has a solid plan. “We believe there’s no downside to putting money back in the pockets of Mississippians.” Governor. Tate Reeves has also criticized Gunn’s plan as a “tax swap” and stated that he opposed increasing sales taxes. Gunn stated that there have been misrepresentations about the bill. It’s not a tax hike. It is a net reduction or tax deduction. We don’t have to agree with our proposal. Unfortunately, no one else has. We don’t just want to be able to tick the box and say that we have passed tax reform. We want real dollars to go back into the pockets Mississippians.” Gunn stated that the House would have a proposal for a teacher raise, but did not give details. Gunn stated that he believes it will be a good plan and you’ll see it once it is presented to the Senate. Hosemann stated that he expects the Senate to support a proposal for a teacher salary increase greater than the approximately $1,000 salary hike approved in the 2021 session. The plan could also be revealed this week if Dennis DeBar (Republican from Leesville), releases his teacher pay bill. Hosemann and Gunn both advocated for the reenactment of the initiative process, where voters can gather a required number of signatures in order to place issues on a ballot. The state Supreme Court declared invalid the medical marijuana initiative. Both agreed that they preferred the process to be used for amending general law, and not the state Constitution. Both men pointed out the difficulty of removing or changing items that are in the Constitution. Hosemann stated that the Constitution’s amendments are too rigid for them. Gunn stated, “You need to be able to modify things as circumstances change.” Hosemann stated that it was not clear whether citizens would vote to reenact an initiative process, if it was going to be used to amend general law, and not the Constitution. Hosemann said that research is underway to determine if it could be done through a simple legislative act. Gunn stated that he doesn’t believe Medicaid expansion is feasible. “Personally, it’s not something I support. It’s something I have always stated that I oppose. That is not how I see Mississippi moving forward. We must be looking at ways to get people off Medicaid and not make them eligible for Medicaid. The bottom line is that it’s just an academic discussion until we have the votes. Hosemann refuses to speak of phase medical expansion. Federal law allows for the provision of health care coverage to the poorest first. He insists that he supports working-class people having access to healthcare. He even mentioned an example of a store clerk who died from cancer due to inability to afford health care. She left behind two children and her husband, a mechanic. Hosemann stated that similar tragedies happen throughout the state due to the state’s lack of access to health care. Hosemann was asked if there would be any effort to improve health care access for Mississippians who are poor. Hosemann replied, “We are working hard to do that.” To support this important work, you can make a recurring gift today to celebrate our Spring Member Drive.