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Hosemann wants to cut Mississippians a tax rebate check

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Hosemann wants to cut Mississippians a tax rebate check

In his Neshoba County Fair speech on Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann said that with state coffers at historically full levels, “This year, it’s time to give you your money back.”

“It’s not the government’s money,” Hosemann said. “It’s your money.”

Hosemann said that lawmakers could have provided a rebate last year, but were focused on passing the largest income tax cut in state history. In setting up his proposed rebate, he told fairgoers, “Inflation is scaring me. The possibility of a recession is scaring me.”

Mississippi, like most states, is collecting an unprecedented amount of revenue thanks to a number of factors, including federal COVID-19-relief money directed to the states, inflation and strong consumer spending. About 20 states already have opted to return some of those record revenue collections to taxpayers through direct payments. While Hosemann proposed a direct rebate during the 2022 session, the Legislature opted instead to provide the record tax cut that will not kick in until calendar year 2023. The income tax, when fully enacted in 2026, will be the largest in state history, taking about $525 million out of state coffers.

In addition to that tax cut, Hosemann renewed his call for a direct rebate during the 2023 session at the Nashoba County Fair speech, saying the state had the funds to do both.

The state ended the just completed fiscal year with $1.4 billion above the revenue projection and concluded the previous fiscal year about $1 billion about the official projection. The official revenue projection for the just-completed fiscal year was $5.9 billion. The state collected $7.4 billion in tax collections.

Hosemann said Wednesday that he’s “proud Mississippi led the way with the Dobbs case” to end the national constitutional right to abortion. But he said now Mississippi faces a challenge to provide health services to mothers and children and to be “pro child.” He lamented that the House shot down proposals to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage for working mothers, which “the Senate voted for three times to have.”

“How can we celebrate the rights of the unborn and then when they get here tell them, good luck?” Hosemann said. “We are better than that.”

The first-term Republican lieutenant governor made clear that the Senate where he presides will again make it a priority to extend postpartum coverage. Under current state law, pregnant women who fall below a certain income level are eligible for health care coverage through Medicaid. But the Medicaid coverage extends only 60 days after the pregnancy.

He cited Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana among the states that have extended postpartum coverage and said Mississippi should do the same.

Hosemann recapped an “historical” legislative session early this year, including spending about $1 billion in federal funds for water, sewer and other infrastructure and reducing state debt.

“And one other thing — we passed the largest teacher pay raise in Mississippi history, $246 million,” Hosemann said. “… The greatest asset that Mississippi has is a child’s brain.”

Hosemann also made clear he is running for a second term as lieutenant governor, and not seeking any other office.

“If you’ll rehire me for another four years, I promise to come back to work for you,” Hosemann said.

Hosemann and Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney spoke Wednesday on the opening day of the fair’s political speakings. The six other statewide elected officials and House Speaker Philip Gunn are scheduled to speak Thursday.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Mississippi News

Pearl police officer, driver injured during crash on I-20

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www.wjtv.com – Kristopher White – 2024-11-14 10:21:00

SUMMARY: Two individuals, including a Pearl police officer, were injured in a crash on Interstate 20 on November 13. The collision occurred while officers investigated a separate accident, with a Pearl Police Department patrol vehicle struck from behind while its lights were activated. The officer sustained minor injuries and was treated and released from a local hospital, while the driver of the other vehicle was also hospitalized. Assistant Pearl Police Chief Kyle Himmel highlighted the importance of driver vigilance around emergency vehicles, emphasizing the legal requirement to slow down and move over when passing them.

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Canton man convicted in shooting death of wife

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www.wjtv.com – Kaitlin Howell – 2024-11-14 09:41:00

SUMMARY: Myles Flint Johnson, a 53-year-old from Canton, was convicted of second-degree murder for the shooting death of his wife, Kristi Johnson, after a three-day trial in Madison County Circuit Court. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison without the possibility of parole. On January 30, 2024, Johnson called 911 claiming his wife had shot herself, but investigators found she had been shot in the back two days prior. Evidence revealed ongoing domestic violence in their relationship. Johnson testified it was accidental, but the jury deliberated for three hours before reaching their verdict.

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Chickasaw Co. executes a disaster drill at a local nursing home

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www.wcbi.com – Charity Johnson – 2024-11-13 19:07:00

SUMMARY: Chickasaw County emergency responders and Shearer-Richardson Memorial Nursing Home conducted a disaster preparedness drill to test their emergency plans. The scenario involved a tornado followed by a fire, requiring coordination between various emergency teams. The drill, which included state personnel and Okolona High School students portraying disaster victims, focused on ensuring the safety of nursing home residents. Participants, like Ophelia Smith, found the exercise educational and valuable in reducing fear and building preparedness. Linda Griffin, from the county’s Emergency Management Agency, emphasized the importance of practicing real-life events to identify gaps and improve responses.

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