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Ronnie Musgrove: Making a difference for Mississippi is a team sport

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mississippitoday.org – Ronnie Musgrove – 2025-02-12 09:53:00

This essay is part of an ongoing Mississippi Today Ideas series showcasing first-person perspectives of former Mississippi governors. We asked them to write about their successes while in office and perhaps what they wished had gone a little differently during their tenure.


Reflecting on the years I wore the title of governor, I’m struck by more than what was accomplished. Who contributed to getting it done mattered, too.

Sure, my name was on the ballot. I took the oath of office, swearing to faithfully support the constitutions of this country and this state, to obey the laws of both and discharge the duties of the office.

Only days before taking that oath, I called the state Senate to order as the outgoing lieutenant governor while the House of Representatives took an historic vote to uphold the popular vote from November 1999, in essence, “electing” me to the office of governor. A now repealed archaic and racist provision of the state Constitution required the House to select the governor if no candidate obtained a majority of the popular vote and won a majority of the 122 House districts.

Waiting in the wings as the House voted were a small number of individuals committed to working the many hours it would take over the next seven days to get ready for my inauguration. This was not something I could do alone.

I think about Melody Maxey who headed a team to put together the inauguration itself. They designed and delivered everything associated with the day’s events from early morning gatherings to the swearing in to the grand ball that evening.

Intentionally, we celebrated more than my win. We celebrated who we are as Mississippians, our contributions to this country and the world. We celebrated what it could mean to improve the quality of life for every single person who would call Mississippi home for generations to come.

Donna (Addkison) Simmons headed a separate team tasked with creating a smooth transition into the office – making sure the necessary staff and the most necessary “cabinet level” officials were in place and the outline of a legislative agenda for a session already underway had been built.

This team ensured that the fledgling staff, the newly appointed department heads, and I would know where the previous governor and staff paused office operations, what was most pressing by department and where my/our attention needed to be focused during the early days of the administration. In addition we needed to handle a variety of tasks and challenges as they arose moment by moment.

In short we had seven days, not the customary 60, to transition into office, to produce an inauguration worthy of the office and the people of this state and to come up to speed on the innumerable things necessary for discharging the duties of the office.

None of which I could do alone.

Add to that making good on my commitments to creating greater public access to me and to the staff, expanding economic opportunity and financial sustainability, opening up health insurance coverage to as many children as possible and moving Mississippi’s public schools to new heights through internet access, technology in the classroom and modernizing facilities while lifting teachers up as professionals deserving of professional compensation.

Again, not something I could do alone.

Qualified individuals, possessing the courage and commitment to doing their best in service to their neighbors from the Gulf Coast to the Tennessee border, had to say yes.

Yes to serving on the 7-day transition team or the seemingly impossible inaugural team.

Yes to working on the governor’s staff.

Yes to heading major departments with life-impacting responsibilities.

Yes to accepting appointments to various boards and commissions, many with terms that would last well beyond my time in office.

Real live human beings with names, faces and families they love and who love them are the “bureaucrats” and “politicos” who said yes. Real people made real sacrifices pulling off an historic seven-day transition, serving a limited number of years leading a department or as a board/commission members or dedicating their entire careers to providing necessary and often overlooked public services.

In 2000 and beyond, men and women from across the state embraced the vision of a better day, one made possible through “Unprecedented Goals” and the realization of “Unparalleled Progress.” As a team, we brought this vision into being.

Who were a few of these courageous and dedicated men and women?

  • Armerita Tell and Michael Bentley reimagining one-on-one service to Mississippians and outreach statewide.
  • Michael Boyd and Kelly Riley making recommendations after digging into the details of policy topics, finding best practices and exploring other states’ experiences.
  • Peyton Prospere providing legal counsel and going beyond to share his expertise in so many areas.
  • David Huggins leading the state’s public safety efforts along with L.M. Claiborne, the first African-American colonel of the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
  • Robert Latham expanding our ability to alert residents to hazardous weather and to respond in the aftermath.
  • James Lipscomb III leading Mississippi’s National Guard offering the leadership necessary to grow the ranks of Guard members.
  • Marilyn Starks bringing her Corrections experience to the State Parole Board.
  • Virginia Newton serving with integrity a 12-year term on the IHL Board.
  • Len Blackwell chairing the Gaming Commission.
  • Toni Cooley representing the First Supreme Court District on the board of the Mississippi Home Corporation.
  • Every Mississippian who said yes to serving on the State Flag Advisory Commission or the Computer Technology Task Force.

I’m told it’s dangerous to start listing individuals, knowing that all can’t be named and might be offended by the omission. I hope those not named here will forgive me, knowing their service and contributions are in no way diminished.

It’s important to be aware of some so perhaps we can better appreciate the simple reality of a government that is of the people, by the people and for the people.

One person (singular) may wear the title of an office, but people (plural) work together in service to the whole of the state or nation.

I honored my own commitment to build a staff and a cabinet of talented individuals who were themselves a reflection of the state and the people more broadly. Together, we expanded that commitment to truly reflecting the state, regionally and demographically, through hundreds of appointments of highly qualified individuals to boards and commissions.

After all, it is people (plural) who make, interpret and carry out policy. Only people (plural) dedicated to something bigger than themselves can truly breathe life into slogans like “Unprecedented Goals, Unparalleled Progress.”

Only people working together, with a shared interest in what can make positive differences for the greatest number of people, can deliver on promises of more and better employment opportunities, higher quality schools in every community, safe water to drink and roads to travel.

We may disagree on matters of policy and policy preferences may change over time. Even so, I remain convinced that the group of individuals who came together as a team during my term in office made a difference. Their presence mattered. Their work mattered then and now.

Who a leader surrounds himself with makes all the difference, now and for generations to come.


Ronnie Musgrove served as governor from 2000 until 2004. Before then, he served as lieutenant governor and as a member of the state Senate. A Panola County native, Musgrove lives in Oxford with his 9-year-old son. He also practices law and is involved in various other business ventures. Musgrove also has three grown children.

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

Mississippi Today

School transfer, most other ‘school choice’ measures dead in Mississippi Legislature

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mississippitoday.org – Michael Goldberg – 2025-03-14 11:44:00

A bill that would make it easier for K-12 students to transfer to other public schools outside their home districts, one of the last “school choice” measures to remain alive this session, died in the House this week.

That came after Senate leaders said House legislation easing public-to-public transfers, or “portability,” did not have the votes to pass that chamber.

The House initially responded to the Senate with a list ditch attempt to keep the measure alive by inserting language from the legislation into an unrelated bill. But Rep. Jansen Owen, the bill’s sponsor, said he knew the move would be challenged with a parliamentary point of order. Owen said opposition to portability, which he called the most basic of school choice measures, was rooted in outdated arguments.

“The opposition, they were citing things like the change in school culture and property values, which sounds a lot like the 1960s segregationist movement,” Owen said. “The only thing we were doing here was telling the school district they can’t tell me ‘no’ when I want to send my kid to another public school district. But that’s too much for Nancy Loome.”

Nancy Loome, director of the public education advocacy group, The Parents Campaign, said the measure would have harmed public school students because transportation was not provided. Few children would have real “choice,” and many would be left in schools with further reduced resources, Loome argued.

Republican House Speaker Jason White has been angered by the Senate killing most of the House’s education agenda this session, and has criticized fellow Republican Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, who oversees the Senate.

“No need to send a milquetoast, very lame Senate Education agenda back to the House, it’s not even worthy of discussion,” White said in a social media post responding to a Magnolia Tribune report. “… We showed the Senate what Mississippi’s education future looks like with the House bills, and they wholeheartedly rejected them without so much as a whisper. Mississippians are beginning to take notice of the Lt. Governor and his Senate leaders doing the bidding of the status quo.”

Bills remain alive this session that would increase tax credits available to private schools through the Children’s Promise Act.

White vowed to try other measures again next year.

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

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Early education expert: It’s time to provide paid family leave to help protect babies

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mississippitoday.org – Biz Harris – 2025-03-14 11:07:00

Early education expert: It’s time to provide paid family leave to help protect babies

Editor’s note: This essay is part of Mississippi Today Ideas, a new platform for thoughtful Mississippians to share fact-based ideas about our state’s past, present and future. You can read more about the section here.


Mississippi leaders say they are taking steps to protect the lives of our babies. One way they can do that is by ensuring they get a healthy, strong start.

About 100 babies are born in Mississippi each day — about one per county. Each of these new lives is full of potential and as a state we have a responsibility to support them during this crucial stage. From the very beginning, early relationships with parents and caregivers shape brain connections that lay the foundation for lifelong learning and relationships.

Given the importance of this window of time, it is exciting that the Mississippi Legislature has passed a bill that is pending the signature of Gov. Tate Reeves to provide six weeks of paid leave to state employees who are primary caregivers of newborns or adopted children. While research shows that at least eight weeks of paid leave for new or adoptive parents can strengthen babies’ brain development, reduce infant mortality, and improve overall child health outcomes, six weeks will still be beneficial. Additionally, any amount of leave can ease the burden on the child care system while also enhancing employee retention and productivity. By allowing families to spend time with their newborns during this pivotal time, Mississippi can create lasting benefits for both children and the workforce.

I was fortunate to have eight weeks of paid leave with my children, followed by an additional month at half pay. This time together was invaluable for my children’s  development, school readiness and overall health. Today, they are thriving– emotionally stable, socially engaged and eager learners in first and fifth grade.

Biz Harris

However, not all children receive this time with and support from a parent or caregiver. In Mississippi, only 20% of workers have access to paid leave, and many mothers return to work just two weeks after giving birth.

This early separation can take a serious toll since the first eight weeks of life are a crucial period for brain growth and bonding. By two weeks, babies recognize their parents’ voices; by five weeks, they respond to faces with excitement; and by eight weeks, they find comfort in familiar caregivers. These early interactions lay the foundation for lifelong emotional and cognitive development, making paid leave not just a benefit, but a necessity for families and the future of our children.

Paid leave is more than just a brain-boosting tool—it’s a proven way to save infant lives. In 2024, Mississippi ranked last nationally in infant mortality, highlighting an urgent need for solutions. Research shows that 10 weeks of paid maternity leave is linked to about a 10% reduction in neonatal, infant and under-5 mortality.

Paid leave gives parents the time to attend critical medical appointments, receive guidance from doctors on how to care for and protect their babies, ensure proper vaccinations, and respond to health concerns before they become life-threatening. By providing paid leave, Mississippi can take a crucial step toward improving infant survival rates.

I believe that any amount of paid leave is valuable for children, but at least eight weeks of leave ensures that our babies remain safe and healthy when parents return to work. The CDC recommends that infants get most of their necessary vaccines at eight weeks–not before – and without these vaccinations they are not able to attend child care programs since they are susceptible to dangerous diseases. Without any paid leave, however, many parents must choose between caring for and protecting  their newborn’s health and avoiding financial hardship—a choice no parent should have to make.

Paid leave can also assist with Mississippi’s critical child care shortage. Many mothers struggle to find available infant care, forcing them to reduce work hours or leave their jobs entirely. According to Mississippi State University’s Systems Change Lab, in 2023 there were only enough child care slots for about two-thirds of Mississippi children. Infant care, the most limited and expensive form of care, is particularly scarce.

Paid leave alleviates pressure on the child care system by reducing immediate demand for infant slots and allowing families time to secure the best arrangements for their needs.

My own experience with paid leave allowed me to care for my newborns, ensure they received necessary vaccinations, and transition them into child care so I could return to work. Without this opportunity, I might have had to leave a job I loved, costing my employer money to recruit and train my replacement. Instead, I was able to return and contribute to my team. By offering paid leave to state employees, the state can retain new parents and save these same costs.

By offering paid leave, we can protect our state’s babies while also saving money and boosting efficiency by retaining state employees. More importantly, we can allow families to care for their newborns in ways that lay a strong foundation for their future– building their brains, supporting their health, and encouraging wellbeing—without jeopardizing their livelihoods.

Now is the time for the state to make this commitment for the sake of Mississippi and our babies.


Biz Harris is the executive director of the Mississippi Early Learning Alliance. She is also an alumna of Teach for America’s Mississippi Delta Region where she began her career in education as a teacher in Marks.

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

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Mississippi Today

Legislature sends paid family leave bill to governor

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mississippitoday.org – Sophia Paffenroth and Gwen Dilworth – 2025-03-14 10:02:00

Mississippi women who work in government don’t get a single day of paid time off after giving birth or adopting a child. That’s about to change. 

A bill that cleared the Legislature Friday will give six weeks of paid family leave to primary caregivers who are state employees. It now heads to the governor to be signed into law.

“This is a great day for Mississippi,” said Rep. Kevin Felsher, R-Biloxi, author of the bill. “We’re placing the value on mothers and children in a post-Roe vs. Wade society. And it’s time we put our money where our mouths are.” 

House Bill 1063 will apply to state employees who adopt or give birth to a child and are the primary caregiver for that child. It applies to employees working for state government agencies but does not include public school teachers. 

The bill passed the House unanimously with a vote of 118-0. 

The original version of the House bill included eight weeks of paid leave for primary caregivers and two weeks of paid leave for secondary caregivers before it was amended by the Senate.

Felsher said he would consider expanding paid leave provisions in the future after seeing how effective it is. 

“I’ve been strong for pro-life and for mothers and children, and also fathers, so I’m all about the family. And so if this is something we can continue discussions on in the future and it’s successful, I would gladly lead the charge on that.”

The policy has garnered wide support from leadership in both chambers. Speaker of the House Jason White and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann have championed it. Attorney General Lynn Fitch has also publicly spoken out in support of it. 

Proponents say it acts as a recruitment and retention tool for the public sector, which tends to pay less than the private sector. 

“We have trouble retaining workers because our pay sometimes is not as competitive as the private sector, so this is just one more tool to allow us to retain folks,” said Felsher. 

Sen. Jeremy England, R-Vancleave, authored a similar bill which has also had overwhelming support this year. For him, the issue was personal – and simple. 

“The exhaustion of having a new baby at home, and the joy of doing that – it’s something that you’ll never get back,” England said. “And so for that reason, as a father, it was very important for me to do that.”

England said he was surprised to learn that this policy didn’t already exist.

“We’ve had state employees that have children, and we celebrate with them, and I just had no idea they weren’t getting that time,” he said. 

Mississippi will now join 36 other states in offering dedicated paid family leave for state employees, according to A Better Balance, a national nonprofit advocating for better work-life balance. 

“The cost of living, the turmoil in the world … you look around and I imagine you do think ‘Wow, is it a great time to be a parent?’ And this should not be one thing that you have to think about, in my opinion,” Felsher said. “If you want to be a parent, we as a state need to be here in that role as an employer and say: ‘We’ll stand behind you being a parent and having a healthy child.’”

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

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