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Senate asks public to comment about needs of women and children

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Senate committee asks public to comment about needs of Mississippi women and children

A committee Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann created to study the needs of women, children and families in the wake of Roe v. Wade abortion rights being overturned has scheduled four hearings and wants written input from the public.

Hosemann said on Thursday the bipartisan, nine-member Senate Study Group on Women, Children and Families will hold hearings at the Capitol on September 27 and 28, and on October 25 and 26. The hearings will be webcast, archived and open to the public.

The public is invited to email written testimony to WCFStudyGroup@senate.ms.gov. The comments will be presented to the full committee.

House Speaker Philip Gunn last month also announced he was creating a similar committee โ€” the Speaker’s Commission on the Sanctity of โ€” to address post-Roe needs for services in Mississippi. He has not announced its membership or hearings, and his office did not immediately respond to a request for an on Thursday. Gunn had said his commission will include lawmakers, experts and advocates making recommendations to the House for policies to women’s and children’s wellbeing.

Republicans Hosemann, Gunn and Gov. Tate Reeves have praised the ‘s decision on a Mississippi case that overturned the decades-old Roe v. Wade decision providing women abortion rights. But the three said the decision also requires Mississippi leaders to more resources to help mothers, children and families.

Mississippi, the poorest state in the nation, suffers from lack of prenatal, postnatal and all other forms of . It also has the highest infant mortality rate in the nation and one of the highest maternal death rates. It has for years faced federal court decrees to address its substandard foster care and children’s services system.

The Senate committee will be chaired by Sen. Nicole Boyd, a Republican from Oxford.

“May people have personal stories about these topics and written testimony provides and opportunity to share them with study group members and the Senate,” Boyd said in a statement. “We are also encouraging legislators to reach out to their constituents and hold public hearings in their districts before the study group hearing dates in the fall.”

Hosemann said: “Testimony primarily from state agency heads and experts, and research following these hearings, will aid Stn. Boyd and the study group members in forming policy proposals going into the 2023 legislative session.”

Gunn has steadfastly opposed Medicaid expansion to the working poor, and earlier this year heย torpedoed a Senate proposalย backed by Hosemann to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage for Mississippi mothers.

Hosemann is the only one of the state’s top three leaders who’s said he’s open to discussion about expanding Medicaid, which would provide the state about $1 a year in federal funds to provide coverage for the working poor. But Gunn said recently when asked about Medicaid and postpartum expansion said, โ€œAll of those things you’re mentioning are things that will be on the tableโ€ with his new commission.

Topics set for the Senate hearings are:

Sept. 27: Statistical overview and maternal/child

Sept. 28: Adoption, foster care and child support

Oct. 25: Childcare availability

Oct. 26: Early intervention

Hosemann said additional hearing dates or topics may be added as necessary.

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

Mississippi News

National Women’s March held in Tupelo brings locals together

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www.wcbi.com – Kaleb Green – 2024-11-02 22:19:00

SUMMARY: The Women’s March in , Mississippi, joined national marches advocating for women’s rights, coinciding with in Washington D.C. and other . Organized by Indivisible Northeast Mississippi, the march influential speakers who emphasized the importance of personal autonomy and women’s involvement in societal issues. Participants expressed gratitude for the ‘s significance in a small town, with speakers urging women to fight for their rights and control their own bodies. The message for young women included themes of independence and empowerment, encouraging them to pursue their goals bravely. The Tupelo march was part of a larger movement encompassing similar events in and Hattiesburg.

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Mississippi News

‘Get Out to Vote’ rally encourages citizens to cast their ballots

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www.wcbi.com – Khamari Haymer – 2024-11-02 20:01:00

SUMMARY: Elected in Columbus, Mississippi, are promoting voter participation ahead of election day through a โ€œGet Out to Voteโ€ rally hosted by Representative Kabir Karriem and District Supervisor Leroy Brooks. The provided food and drinks while emphasizing the significance of exercising rights. Karriem stressed the importance of voting, stating every citizen should participate. Brooks, reflecting on the historical struggles for voting rights, underscored that voting should be a natural part of civic engagement. The rally took place in front of the Lowndes County Courthouse, encouraging community members to take action.

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Mississippi News

Millport hosts annual Stallion Street Fair

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www.wcbi.com – Khamari Haymer – 2024-11-02 19:41:00

SUMMARY: The Stallion Street Fair in Millport attracted hundreds, featuring food, vendors, , and ‘s activities. Attendee Mark Trull praised the for fostering community connections and supporting local businesses. Vendor Cynthia Woods emphasized its importance for raising brand awareness and networking. Meanwhile, Jason Patterson and Ashley Sudduth promoted a new weight loss clinic addressing obesity in Mississippi and Alabama. They plan to offer comprehensive services, diet management and recipes. Vendors are already gearing up for next year’s fair, marking it as a vital event for promoting local engagement and business opportunities.

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