MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEEKLY SUMMARY REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING JANUARY 10, 2003

JACKSON, Miss. -- Governor Ronnie Musgrove delivered his final "State of the State" speech for the current term during the first week of the 2003 Legislature. In his 20-minute address, the governor stressed public education initiatives such as teachers' pay raises, computers in every classroom and increased kindergarten opportunities, a bond program to help fund higher education costs, and another program to improve new and existing businesses. Although few details were set out, presumably these will be discussed further during the session.

The annual "State of the State" address is an interesting and impressive event, as literally the entire leadership of Mississippi’s state government is crammed into the House chamber all at the same time. In addition to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker, the entire membership of the House and Senate, all justices of the Supreme Court and judges of the Court of Appeals, all state-wide elected officials (Attorney General, Secretary of State, Auditor, et al), most district-wide elected officials (Transportation and Public Service Commissioners, et al), and the heads of all major state agencies all attend in order to hear what the Governor has to say. The media presence is intense, and not only the regular Capitol press corps, but many other reporters and photographers from around the state all press into the chamber to cover this special day in the life of our state government. Needless to say, the small public galleries are packed with spectators as well.

The "body language" of the joint assembly was particularly intriguing during this election year event. Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck, still fresh from her switch to the Republican party, was accorded an especially warm reception from GOP lawmakers as she entered the chamber, though some Democrats were noticeably less enthusiastic and more formal with their applause for the state’s number two elected official. Speaker Tim Ford was cheered more loudly and for longer than any other official -- partly because he is the leader of the House and the event was in our chamber, but mainly in recognition of the obvious fact that this was his last such event to attend at the end of his long and prosperous career at the Capitol. Supreme Court justice Chuck McRae, defeated in his re-election bid last fall but serving out a term which does not expire until January 2004, chose to sit with friends in the center of the chamber instead of with the other judicial guests up front. Meridian native Kenny Griffis, newly sworn in as a Judge of the Court of Appeals, sat in the judicial row for his first "State of the State" address, and shook the many hands extended by House and Senate members who had closely followed his election bid last fall. Seating for the joint assembly is always at a premium, and although House members naturally retain their regular seats at their desks, our guests from the Senate are regulated to folding metal chairs or as-available standing room – it may be the one day of the year where House members "pull rank" on their Senate colleagues – it is our chamber, after all!

The governor during his speech made a special point to praise the legislative career of his sometimes adversary, House Speaker Tim Ford (D–Baldwyn), who has announced that he will retire later this year. "On behalf of the people of Mississippi, I want to . . . commend him for the unselfish work he has done for this state over the past 23 years. He has served this body, and the people of Mississippi, with a dedication and commitment to a better future. For that . .. we are grateful," Musgrove said to a packed House chamber and a live statewide public television audience.

The governor also pointed out that while the state economy remains sluggish, state government has not had to lay off employees as has happened in some neighboring states. "Our state employees are doing their jobs and doing them well, despite heavy workloads, and our commitment to them remains strong," he said. "We're holding up better than most other states. We know this national recession will end one day. We're preparing for that day with an aggressive plan to improve our schools, create quality jobs and fight for the jobs we have."

The "State of the State" address was not the only thing happening at the Capitol this week. Some House committees and sub-committees began their work early in the week, discussing issues that could lead to bills being introduced for the session. The deadline for all legislators to introduce bills and constitutional amendments is Monday, January 20. The bills introduced in the House all will be referred to one of the 31 standing committees in the House of Representatives. Some bills, mostly those involving state spending and finances, are "double-referred," i.e., they are referred to two committees, both of which must pass them out in order for the bill to survive. It is relatively simple for any interested person to track the progress of all of the legislation introduced during the 2003 regular session by going online to the Legislature’s Bill Status System, which may be accessed here.

The Mississippi Legislative Conservative Coalition held a press conference on Wednesday to announce its agenda for the coming session. The MLCC is a bi-partisan group of 43 House members committed to extending conservative influence in the House. The group’s growing clout noticeably was enhanced as a result of conservative successes during last year’s long tort reform special session, and members hope to sustain that momentum during the current regular session. Rep. John Moore (R–Brandon) serves as MLCC president.

The first official group of the House to gather on opening day was a subcommittee of the House Education Committee. The group presented a report on Mississippi's high dropout rate in the public school system and offered recommendations on how to curb the problem. The study group's emphasis was on ascertaining the exact dropout rate and initiating dropout prevention measures. Meeting throughout 2002, the panel heard testimony from the State Department of Education, the State College Board, recognized academicians in the field, and business leaders.

The study panel concluded that both the Legislature and the DOE are receiving inadequate, incorrect and confusing data regarding dropout statistics, all of which is said to be detrimental to setting priorities, budgeting and educational accountability. Also, there is a lack of recognition of at-risk characteristics for potential dropouts. A third conclusion is the stark realization that the last realistic chance for preventing dropouts in high school comes while those students are still in the middle school grades.

A superintendents' report to the State Department of Education in 2001 showed Mississippi had a cumulative dropout rate of almost 2 percent for the 1998-99 school year and a slightly lower mark for the following year. Graduating classes tracked over a several-year period in the 1990's showed that as many as 40 percent of the students statewide who entered the 7th grade dropped out before their senior year.

Discussions will continue throughout this session on how to remedy the problem. Among recommendations to be discussed include legislative mandates that all school districts upgrade reporting dropouts and require the state department to track each student who enrolls in a school system to graduation or when they leave the state.

A brief summary of the proposed Education Budget for FY 2004 may be seen by going here. This is an initial budget proposal as presented to the House Education Committee, and is not to be considered final by any means.

The House Penitentiary Committee heard from state Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps who said the inmate population was at 19,868 and growing. The Commissioner expects the number of prisoners in DOC custody to top 20,000 later this year. More than 1,100 new convicts joined the system last year. Like many state agencies, the Department of Corrections is facing a budget shortfall. Epps said he would ask the Legislature for an additional $35 million to complete funding for the current 2003 fiscal year. He also told the committee that DOC continues to improve work programs for inmates, particularly in the poultry processing industry. Inmates who qualify earn money they can save until they are released from prison and part of their pay also goes to reimburse victims of their crimes.

The House Insurance Committee heard a report from Insurance Commissioner George Dale. Commissioner Dale said that of 5,025 physicians in the state, only 2,178 responded to his recent survey about medical malpractice insurance. It showed that 2 percent of them do not have malpractice insurance, an increase from 1 percent a year earlier. The data shows that 54 percent of physicians had premium increases between 26-50 percent in 2002, while 31 percent had an increase above 50 percent.

The questionnaire results also showed that one-third of the responding doctors, or 722, had a malpractice claim filed against them in the past three years. Some physicians reported they are having to limit certain procedures and patients in their practice. Dale's report also shows that only three companies are currently writing medical malpractice insurance in Mississippi. "Most doctors can get the insurance -- it's the price they don't like," Dale told the committee.

The first bill passing the full House was HB 279, the reappropriation of $7.2 million to be split equally between Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley State universities. The funding is associated with the settlement of the Ayers Case.

Members of the legislature were afforded an extensive fiscal briefing Thursday morning by state budget and financial officials and economists. A brief summary of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee’s recommendations for the FY 2004 budget (beginning July 1, 2003) may be found here. Additional budget information may be accessed here.

Representative Greg Snowden (R–Meridian) maintains a legislative web site to aid constituents and other interested persons in obtaining information about state government. The web site address is www.gregsnowden.com. Rep. Snowden may be reached by e-mail at any time at greg@gregsnowden.com, or by telephone at 601-693-5700 (Meridian office) or 601-527-5350 (cell phone – a local call from anywhere within Mississippi).

EDITORIAL NOTE: Most of the facts and much of the organization of the above summary is due to the fine work of Mac Gordon, of the House Information Office. However, although Mr. Gordon provides this information weekly to all House members, each member has the privilege of using it however he or she sees fit. Rep. Snowden has taken the liberty to re-write much of the standard summary, and to include his own comments and expressions of opinion. Accordingly, while Rep. Snowden gratefully acknowledges the work of the House Information Office in organizing and supplying reliable and timely information as to the workings of the House, all comment and all opinion contained in this summary is that of Rep. Snowden alone, and not that of Mr. Gordon or any other staff employee of the House of Representatives.

To contact House members, call the Capitol at 601-359-3770. 
State government's Internet address is http://www.ls.state.ms.us
Representative Snowden's cell number (no long distance to Jackson) is 527-5350
Greg  Snowden's e-mail address is greg@gregsnowden.com