Mississippi Business Journal » legislators

State tax collections exceed forecast, but agencies still face budget cuts

Associated Press — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 20:19:53 +0000

ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — Mississippi tax collections are up, but lawmakers say state agencies still might face budget cuts during the 2013 session. Because of a sluggish economy, Mississippi still hasn’t recovered from the Great Recession. Tax collections remain below where they were during the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2008. The Northeast Mississippi Daily [...]

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Former state Sen. Lee dies of cancer at age 74

Associated Press — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:49:49 +0000

PICAYUNE — Former state Sen. Ezell Lee of Picayune died today after battling cancer, according to a Senate staff member who had spoken with his family. Lee was 74. He served in the Mississippi House from 1988 to 1992, then in the state Senate from 1992 until January 2012. Lee served most of his career [...]

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State House recognizes Bomgar founder business success

MBJ Staff — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:35:55 +0000

JACKSON — The Mississippi House of Representatives recently commended Joel Bomgar, founder and CEO of Bomgar Corporation, being the innovative force that created Bomgar, an international provider remote support software. In House Resolution 94, the House of Representatives noted the technological developments made by Bomgar and his company, which have furthered the state’s stand in [...]

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Bryant signing workers’ comp, inventory tax bills into law

Associated Press — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:53:01 +0000

JACKSON — Gov. Phil Bryant says several new state laws could boost the state’s business climate, but opponents say the changes could hurt workers or take revenue away from state government. Republican Bryant is signing bills today to make changes in the workers’ compensation system and provide financial breaks for businesses paying the inventory tax. [...]

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Which bills passed, and which failed, this session?

Wally Northway — Sun, 06 May 2012 16:46:33 +0000

JACKSON — Here is a look at some of the major items that passed and failed during the 2012 Mississippi legislative session: PASSED • ABORTION: A bill signed into law by Gov. Phil Bryant requires doctors who work at abortion clinics to have admitting privileges to a local hospital and be certified OB-GYN’s. Could close [...]

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Auditor’s Office tells city to put tax money in escrow

Associated Press — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:57:40 +0000

HORN LAKE — The state Auditor’s Office says Horn Lake needs to place money collected from an unauthorized hotel-motel tax into an escrow account until the issue is resolved. City officials told The Commercial Appeal yesterday they have already been doing so. The issue stems from a $2 per night tax on hotel and motel [...]

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State Legislature wraps up work on redistricting plan

Associated Press — Fri, 04 May 2012 13:23:39 +0000

JACKSON — Mississippi lawmakers are finished with their part of redistricting, and new House and Senate maps await federal scrutiny. The Mississippi House voted 70-50 yesterday to approve a state Senate plan that increases the number of majority-black districts and reduces the number of split precincts. The Senate approved its own plan Wednesday. Both chambers [...]

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Bill cutting Hood’s authority headed to governor’s desk

Associated Press — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:16:12 +0000

JACKSON — A measure to limit Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood’s ability to control state legal business is on the way to Republican Gov. Phil Bryant. The Mississippi Senate voted 34-18 yesterday to pass House Bill 211, after the House voted 64-55 for final passage Tuesday. Both chambers are controlled by Republicans. Hood opposes the [...]

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State lawmakers pass dual enrollment legislation

Associated Press — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:15:42 +0000

JACKSON — Mississippi lawmakers have passed a bill that will allow high school dropouts and potential dropouts to enroll at community colleges, earning a high school diploma while getting worker training. The state already has a law allowing such dual enrollment. But, Gov. Phil Bryant has been pushing Senate Bill 2792, saying it will be [...]

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Bill passes to consolidate Delta county’s school districts

Associated Press — Wed, 02 May 2012 19:40:09 +0000

BOLIVAR COUNTY — Five Bolivar County school districts would be merged into two in 2014, under a bill headed to Gov. Phil Bryant’s desk. Senate Bill 2760 passed the House 66-53 and the Senate 31-19. It would require that the Benoit, West Bolivar and Shaw districts merge into a new West Bolivar district based in [...]

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