Posts Tagged ‘MS Legislative Session 2020’

While the state flag and the medical marijuana initiative have received significant coverage in the traditional media and on social media, there is a third issue that has received very little attention.

Legislative opposition to 65, and thus support for putting 65A on the ballot to compete with it, was driven by a combination of motives.

Initiative 65 and Alternative 65A both propose an amendment to the Mississippi constitution related to the medical use of marijuana.  That is, for the most part, where their similarity ends.

It is important to know ahead of time what to look for on the ballot.  If you wait until you get to the voting booth to try to figure out how and where to vote on it, you might end up wanting some medical marijuana to calm your frustration.  Most of what you will see on the ballot is useless in helping you understand what you are voting on.

The Mississippi Constitution has no provision for allowing voters to decide any public policy matter except amendments to the state Constitution. Yet, twice the legislature has asked voters for their opinion by use of an election ballot.  Both times, in 2001 and now in 2020, the question has been on the design of the state flag.

This year, Mississippi is scheduled to borrow $86 million for brick and mortar projects at the state’s eight public universities in the midst of a game-changing pandemic.

Bills that give high school students the ability to earn credit for apprenticeships and another that gives the state’s Occupational Licensing Review Commission (OLRC) backward-looking review power were signed into law by Gov. Tate Reeves. The governor also approved another bill that makes it easier for military members or their spouses to earn occupational licenses.

Legislators and taxpayers should watch out for earmarks, misplaced priorities, and general mischief that is appearing in legislation to spend almost $1 billion in federal funds that are supposed to address the costs of dealing with COVID-19.