Mississippi

Paid parental leave passes Mississippi House. Read details

Published

1 year ago

January 31, 2025

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Paid parental leave passes Mississippi House. Read details

Bill sees widespread support in Legislature

Mississippi’s government employees are one step closer to having eight weeks of paid parental leave, which is currently not offered.

On Thursday afternoon, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed House Bill 1063 with 114 votes.

The bill would give state employees who have worked for the government for at least one year eight full weeks of paid parental leave once their child is born. It also offers leave for parents adopting someone under the age of 18. Parents who are considered secondary caregivers would receive two weeks of paid leave.

The bill would not specifically apply to schoolteachers but would allow school districts to adopt their own similar policy.

House Speaker Jason White, R-West, later called the bill a win for Mississippi.

“As a pro-life state, Mississippi is in a critical position to meet the needs for healthier outcomes for parents and children and to support families in our state’s workplace,” White said in a press release issued Thursday after the vote. “With our fellow southern states offering some form of parental leave, and Mississippi currently offering no paid parental leave to their state employees, we too can reflect our commitment to the wellbeing of families, as well as utilize this benefit as an employee recruitment and retention tool.”

White in his statement also said the bill, if it were to pass, sets a health example for the state’s private sector to offer similar benefits to their employees.

The legislation was authored by Rep. Kevin Felsher, R-Biloxi, who among a large bi-partisan contingent of lawmakers in both the Senate and House have been calling for the idea.

In 2024, Attorney General Lynn Fitch asked lawmakers to pass parental leave to keep the state competitive in hiring practices and made the idea one of her legislative priorities for 2025. There was also a hearing to discuss the benefits of paid parental leave.

Others such as Sen. Nicole Boyd, R-Oxford, have also said it’s time to offer state employees a parental leave option, and Sen. Jeremy England, R-Ocean Springs, has filed a bill to give state employees parental leave in the Senate.

“As a parent myself, I understand that those first several weeks after giving birth, they’re very joyful weeks, but they’re also very trying weeks, and you have to learn how to do a lot of things, especially with your first child, and I think that it’s a good idea for us to offer that,” England said.

Grant McLaughlin covers the Legislature and state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.

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Mississippi

Mississippi House of Representatives passes bill to make NIL earnings non-taxable

Published

4 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Mississippi House of Representatives passes bill to make NIL earnings non-taxable

NIL money comes with a price. More specifically, a tax bill.

The Mississippi legislature is trying to reduce that burden for college athletes who play there.

Via Bea Anhuci of the Mississippi Clarion Ledger, the Mississippi House of Representatives has passed a bill that would exempt NIL earnings from state income tax.

It’s a recruiting tool for Ole Miss and Mississippi State, one that would put the Mississippi schools on equal footing with other states that host SEC universities. Florida, Tennessee, and Texas have no state income tax, and Arkansas carved out NIL earnings from the state’s income tax burden in 2025.

Mississippi currently charges a four-percent tax on anyone making more than $10,000 per year.

NIL earnings remain subject to federal income tax.

The bill will have to also pass the Mississippi Senate, and the governor would then be required to sign it into law.

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Mississippi

Why Rebels are keeping pace for Mississippi State CB commit Brandon Allen Jr

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

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Why Rebels are keeping pace for Mississippi State CB commit Brandon Allen Jr

Ole Miss is working to eventually flip Mississippi State cornerback commit Brandon Allen Jr. (Atlanta, Ga.). Ahead of a packed spring travel schedule, visiting multiple programs, Allen speaks on his current recruitment with Rebels247.com.

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Mississippi

Carpenter Pole and Piling invests $5M in Mississippi, creating 10 jobs

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Carpenter Pole and Piling invests M in Mississippi, creating 10 jobs

Staff
| Mississippi Clarion Ledger

A Mississippi wood products manufacturer is investing nearly $5 million in an expansion.
Carpenter Pole and Piling’s project is expected to create 10 new jobs in Wiggins.
The expansion includes a new treatment plant and an additional 20 acres for storage.
Construction is anticipated to be completed by September 2026.

A wood products manufacturer is set to create new jobs as part of a major expansion.

Carpenter Pole and Piling is investing nearly $5 million into its Wiggins, Mississippi, operation.

The expansion will add 10 new positions and support long-term growth in the region.

“Carpenter Pole and Piling is a true Mississippi success story, and we’re proud to see the company continue investing right here at home,” Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said.

“This expansion in Stone County is creating new opportunities for hardworking Mississippians while strengthening a company that has long contributed to our state’s economy,” Reeves said. “When Mississippi businesses grow, our communities grow with them, and we remain committed to fostering a business environment where companies can thrive.”

Carpenter Pole and Piling produces utility poles and pilings for marine and foundation use.

The project includes construction of a new treatment plant, investment in a 2,600-cubic-foot autoclave and an alternative treatment option to improve production capacity.

The company is also clearing and preparing an additional 20 acres for a new pole storage yard.

Stone County is also contributing to the project.

The company expects to complete construction by September 2026.

The new roles are expected to be filled by January 2027.

Carpenter Pole and Piling specializes in the production of utility poles. It also manufactures foundation and marine pilings.

The new autoclave will increase production and add an alternative treatment option.

This story was created by business and development writer Ross Reily, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.

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