BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) – Mississippi lawmakers will address school choice legislation, PERS reform, and Gulf Coast Restoration Fund distribution when the legislative session begins Tuesday, according to political analyst Frank Corder with the Magnolia Tribune.

School choice

Corder said school choice will likely be the first major issue addressed, with House Speaker Jason White making it one of his main agenda items this session.

School choice policies would let families use public funds to enroll their children in schools outside their assigned local option, including private schools.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if the first week or two, we don’t see a bill dropped and by the end of January, there’s some kind of action on that bill,” said Corder.

The Senate will likely take a more measured approach to school choice legislation, Corder said. Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann has said he supports opening up public-to-public transfers but not necessarily allowing money to follow students from public to private schools.

ALSO READ: Lt. Gov. targets chronic absenteeism, supports limited school choice options

Corder expects Mississippi will pass some form of public-to-public transfer system that allows parents to choose schools outside their assigned district, though he is uncertain whether universal school choice will advance this session.

Gulf Coast Restoration Fund

This session, lawmakers will look at how Gulf Coast Restoration Funds are distributed, Corder said. The fund operates as an advisory body that makes recommendations to the Mississippi Development Authority, which then sends proposals to lawmakers for funding decisions.

Corder said Coast lawmakers have typically been unified in their requests, but when they are not, funding has lagged.

“I do expect them to maybe revamp how things are done this time. If it doesn’t happen, I’ll be surprised,” he said.

ALSO READ: 16 projects recommended for Gulf Coast Restoration Funds

Corder believes focus will shift toward larger, coastwide projects spanning from Jackson County to Hancock County, including infrastructure improvements and coastal restoration projects.

PERS reform

The Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) will also likely receive attention this session.

Corder said lawmakers could consider changes to Tier 5 that would reduce the 35-year work requirement for law enforcement officers and firefighters before retirement.

In March 2025, the state legislature passed House Bill 1, which changed PERS to require 35 years of service for full retirement benefits, regardless of age, starting March 1, 2026.

ALSO READ: Mississippi first responders unite to propose separate state retirement tier

Corder believes lawmakers will also consider injecting resources into PERS to improve its financial stability.

Vote 2026

Corder also weighed in on the midterm elections happening this year. Last week, candidates filed paperwork to qualify.

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith will face a Republican primary challenge from Sarah Adlakha of the Gulf Coast. Corder said Hyde-Smith has advantages as the incumbent with an established “campaign war chest,” while Adlakha appears to be self-financing her campaign.

ALSO READ: MS candidates file for federal election qualification

In the 4th Congressional District, Rep. Mike Ezell faces challenges from Republican Sawyer Walters. On the Democratic side, State Rep. Jeffery Hulum and two others are running along with one Independent.

“That could be an interesting race to watch,” said Corder.

Rep. Bennie Thompson also has a Democratic challenger, Evan Turnage, who previously served as chief counsel for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Congressional primaries are scheduled for Tuesday, March 10.

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The exodus of Mississippi State players continued Sunday afternoon with two more players announcing decisions to enter the transfer portal.

Running back Seth Davis and offensive lineman Luke Work have decided to enter the transfer portal. Both made their announcements in social media posts.

“I’m beyond thankful for my time at Mississippi State. These past two years gave me memories, friendships and lessons that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life,” Work stated. “God gets all the glory. None of this would be possible without Him guiding my path. Thank you to every coach, teammate, staff member and all the amazing people I’ve met along the way. This place truly became family to me. No matter where the road takes me next, I’ll always be proud to say I wore maroon and white.”

Work played in 23 games in his two seasons in Starkville. He was thrust into the starting lineup last season as a true freshman, starting seven games including five at left tackle. This past season Work worked mostly at tackle and guard and played in every game except the first against Southern Miss because of an injury.

Davis began his collegiate career with a solid 2023 season, playing in all 12 games and running 59 times for 356 yards and one touchdown. However, his career was put on hold in that season’s Egg Bowl when he suffered a knee injury that forced him to miss all of the 2024 season.

The Katy, Texas native was able to return to action this season and played in two games. Against Alcorn State, Davis had five carries for 47 yards and one touchdown. He enters the portal with three years of eligibility remaining.

Mississippi State Transfer Portal

Incoming Bulldogs

Official Visits Scheduled

• CB Tyran Chappell (Houston Christian)
• OL DJ Chester (LSU)
• DL Jayson Jenkins (Florida State)
• EDGE Tunmise Adeleye ( UNLV)
• DL Tarvorise Brown (Florida)
• OT Veguer Jean Jumeau (Tennessee State)
• DT Ahmad Breaux (LSU)
• DL Khalil Poteat (Temple)
• S Justin Denson Jr. (Michigan State)
• CB Quentin Taylor (Iowa State)
• WR Marquis Johnson (Missouri)
• OL Mario Nash (Florida State)
• OL Lucas Simmons (Florida State)
• QB AJ Swann (Appalachian State)
• WR Earnest Campbell (Sacramento State)
• TE Jeff Carpenter (Nevada)
• OL Grant Seagren (Oklahoma State)
• CB Daniel Harris (Georgia)
• OT Anwar O’Neal (Delaware)
• DL Brandon Davis-Swain (Colorado)
• EDGE Jalen Thompson (Michigan State)
• OL Miles McVay (North Carolina)

Outgoing Bulldogs

• WR Jordan Mosley
• S Stonka Burnside
• WR Cam Thompson (Northern Illinois)
• WR Anson Lewis
• DL Terrance Hibbler
• OL Jaekwon Bouldin
• WR Jaron Glover
• DL Corey Clark
• OL Alex Lopez
• K Marlon Hauck
• OL Brennan Smith
• S Tony Mitchell
• WR Markus Allen
• DE Joseph Head
• TE Max Reese
• OL Jimothy Lewis Jr.
• WR Ferzell Shepard
• TE Emeka Iloh
• S Lo’Kavion Jackson
• TE Cam Ball
• QB Luke Kromenhoek
• RB Johnnie Daniels
• S Tyler Woodard
• CB Dwight Lewis III
• DL Ashun Shepphard
• WR Davian Jackson
• P Nathan Tiyce
• DT Kai McClendon
• CB Elijah Cannon
• S Cyrus Reyes
• OL Luke Work
• RB Seth Davis

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