Blog

This marks the end of our fourth week at the state legislature! I wanted to give you an update on what’s been happening at the Capitol.

Last week, we heard from the committee formed to resolve the election challenge for House District 79. Based on the evidence presented by the committee, Mark Tullos received the most number of legal votes cast. I voted to accept the committee’s recommendation to seat Representative Tullos. That measure passed 67-49. You can read more about the election challenge and the vote here.  The Senate resolved their election challenge last week, clearing the way for official business to begin.

This week, we voted to establish the Joint Rules of the House and Senate as well as the Rules of the House.These measures dictate how the chambers of the legislature will operate for the next four years. They primarily deal with matters of procedure and were largely unchanged from the previous term. One of the biggest changes is shortening the legislative session by two weeks. In the past, the first legislative session following an election year is longer than the typical session. The new Rules this year shortened that calendar by 14 days. This measure helps cut costs by reducing the number of days that the legislature is in session. I voted in favor of the Joint Rules, and that measure passed by a vote of 98-23. You can read the full text of the bill here. I also voted in favor of the House Rules which passed on a voice vote. You can view them here.

This morning, we received our committee assignments. Much of the legislature’s work is accomplished in committee meetings, so we were all eager to learn where our work will be focused for this term! The Speaker appoints members to each committee for the next four years. I was named to serve on the following committees:

Medicaid (Vice Chairman)
Corrections
Drug Policy
Education
Judiciary B
Municipalities
Public Property
Technology
Youth and Family Affairs

I am extremely pleased with my committee assignments! I look forward to working with my colleagues and leadership over the next four years to advance good, conservative policy and make Mississippi a better place to live!

We took several other votes this week commending and honoring a number of Mississippians for their achievements. I read through each of these resolutions and vote Yes to approve them as long as the achievements being recognized are honorable. Our state is too often disparaged for our shortcomings, so it’s important that we recognize the people in our state who are working to make Mississippi a better place. I’ve cataloged each resolution we approved this week on my website here, where you can follow links to the full text of each bill and vote totals.

One such resolution we approved this week honored the life and legacy of Mr. Vernon H. Dahmer Sr. on the 50^th Anniversary of his passing. Mr. Dahmer was a Mississippi farmer and NAACP leader who was killed in 1966 while defending his family from an attack by the Ku Klux Klan. His leadership and courage in the face of injustice exemplify the best of Mississippi. You can read more about Mr. Dahmer here.

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I remain committed to transparency and accountability in my service to you and I will continue to post periodic updates on social media and post votes on my website.

Thank you all so much for your help and your support! I am truly grateful.