Updates on Medicaid policy, former Medicaid director and US Sen. Roger Wicker

State leaders are again looking toward the 2025 Mississippi Legislative Session now that most elections are over and the money they will have to set the new state budget.

Members of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, consisting of Republicans Gov. Tate Reeves; Speaker of the House Jason White of West; and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and others, agreed Thursday to set the state’s Fiscal Year 2026 revenue estimate at $7.62 billion.

In the spring, they will vote to set a more concrete estimate, which is used to determine the actual state budget.

The current figure is less than $30 million above what was estimated for Fiscal Year 2025, which began in July.

During the meeting, Reeves said about $600 million of unspent tax dollars remains in this year’s budget and suggested the committee members, made up of House and Senate lawmakers, to give that money “back to the taxpayers.”

Both Hosemann and White are eyeing major tax cuts in the 2025 Session. Hosemann has publicly advocated for a cut of the state’s 7% grocery tax, while White is looking to take an axe to the state’s personal income tax.

Reeves has been on record for years saying the income tax should be cut, which is currently being phased down to 4% by FY 2026.

“There are lots of crosshairs on that $600 million that you speak of,” White said, jokingly, in response to Reeves’ suggestion.

State Economist Corey Miller told the committee sales tax revenues are growing at a slower pace than in the previous three years, while income tax revenues despite the phasedown, are up.

Former Medicaid director is now leading up a healthcare lobbying group

Former Mississippi Division of Medicaid Executive Director Drew Snyder appears to have found a new job, albeit not very far from his last one.

On Tuesday, Capitol Resources, a powerful lobbying group in Mississippi and beyond, announced Snyder will lead Health Resources LLC, its latest division aimed at healthcare policy.

Medicaid director resigns: Mississippi Medicaid director resigns. Read why he’s leaving

“Health Resources is a health policy consulting and strategic advisory firm whose primary focus is advancing sound healthcare policy and providing impactful solutions for clients in the healthcare sector,” a press release states.

When asking if Snyder would be in violation of any state ethics guidelines by working in the same sector as his previous vocation, the Clarion Ledger was provided an ethics opinion on the Mississippi Ethics Commission website. Ethics commission questions are posted with those who asked for the opinion listed anonymously.

The commission ruled if a former state agency head does not work directly with their new company’s clients that do work with that state agency, there shouldn’t be an issue.

“I could not be more excited to be part of Health Resources and contribute to a mission that aligns with my passion to enhance operational efficiency and deliver cost-efficient, high-quality care,” Snyder said in the press release.

Gov. Reeves ‘open to discussions’ about Medicaid

Speaking of Medicaid. Reeves said he is hoping that Trump will allocate Medicaid funding in a block grant to the state rather than the current funding model.

Each year, Mississippi currently receives approximately $6.5 billion federal funds for Medicaid. Reeves said during a meeting Wednesday he thinks that money has too many federal restrictions.

$110 million toward development sites: Gov. Reeves highlights more than $100M for economic development. See where it is going

Reeves has for years been an opponent of Medicaid expansion. During the 2024 Session, the Clarion Ledger reported his unwavering opposition to Medicaid expansion at every juncture.

Medicaid expansion was considered for the first time in a decade in the Legislature this year, but Senate and House lawmakers could not come to an agreement on expansion specifics by a legislative deadline to do so.

Both Hosemann and White have vowed to return Medicaid expansion to the forefront of state politics in 2025.

Medicaid expansion bill dies: Medicaid expansion dies in Mississippi Legislature

With US Senate GOP majority, Wicker now reps Mississippi in a powerful position

As Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker makes his way back to Washington, D.C., for the next four years, he will be walking into a position of high regard.

As the most senior member of the now-majority party on the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Wicker is tapped as its chairman, sources close to the senator confirmed and according to Senate procedure.

Election night results, Wicker speech: US Senate: Incumbent Wicker retains seat with campaign focused on border, gun rights

With Wicker in the driver’s seat of the committee, he will have serious sway on any conflict-related policy and spending. It will certainly be interesting to see how he moves on policy in the near future.

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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This story will be updated.

Florida A&M football hosts Mississippi Valley State for a Week 12 Southwestern Athletic Conference game at Bragg Memorial Stadium. Keep scrolling for updates, and refresh the page for the latest information.

The Rattlers (5-4, 3-2 in SWAC), fresh off a 31-12 loss at Prairie View A&M, look to return to the win column. Additionally, FAMU aims to extend its second-longest home winning streak in the Football Championship Subdivision to 24 games.

MVSU (0-10, 0-6 in SWAC) is still searching for its first win after faltering at Jackson State 51-14 last Saturday. Today is the Rattlers’ third-to-last game with matchups versus Bethune-Cookman (Nov. 23) and Alabama A&M (Nov. 29). FAMU likely won’t be granted postseason play with two SWAC losses.

FAMU vs Mississippi Valley State score updates

FAMU football highlights vs MVSU

FAMUs winning streak at Bragg Memorial Stadium has snapped, and it handed Mississippi Valley State its first win of the season.

It is also the first time in program history that the Delta Devils have beaten the Rattlers. The Rattlers had a lot of momentum in the second half after shutting MSVU out and scoring 11 unanswered points.

A wasted timeout and a fumble loss on the snap cost the Rattlers. The Rattlers fall to 5-5 for the first time since 2018. Daniel Richardson completed 18 for 24 passes for 259 yards and a touchdown.

The FAMU Rattlers have shown life.

A tunnel screen pass to Jamari Gossett led to the first touchdown score in the second half, cutting MSVU’s lead to three points as the Rattlers trail 24-21 with 7:14 left in the fourth quarter.

FAMU has scored 11 unanswered points. The defense has shut down the Delta Devils’ offense the entire second half.

FAMU has been playing better, especially defensively, as they kept the MSVU scoreless in the third quarter.

However, the Rattlers are still behind 24-13 entering the fourth quarter. The Seminoles need a spark on offense to make it at least a one-possession game.

FAMU’s kicker Cameron Gillis nails a 45-yard field goal for the Rattlers to add more points on the board.

However, the Rattlers are still trailing by two scores, 24-13 with nine minutes left to play in the third quarter.

This could be the worst FAMU has looked in the first half as it trails 24-10 at halftime.

It started with poor special teams play and miscues, which led Mississippi Valley State to capitalize on the Rattlers. The Delta Blue Devils scored two touchdowns after a FAMU turnover.

FAMU quarterback Daniel Richardson has completed 8 of his 10 passes for 116 yards and was sacked twice. FAMU has been running the ball effectively led by Bo Sommersett as he rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown.

MSVU’s quarterback, La’Jarian Williams, has completed 13 of his 17 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns.

Nathan Rembert has been Williams’ primary target as he recorded 113 receiving yards on six catches.

MSVU decided to take a shot downfield. QB Ty’Jarian Williams threw a deep-ball 60-yard pass to Nathan Rembert for a touchdown.

FAMU trails big 21-10 with under six minutes left to play in the second quarter. The Rattlers allowed two touchdowns after a turnover.

FAMU’s offense was about to respond after running back Bo Sommersett’s 51-yard run that put the Rattlers inside the one.

Sommersett would cough the ball up on the next play and the Delt Devils recovered the fumble.

It was a no-score for the Rattlers, leaving another missed opportunity to put up points. The Delta Devils got the ball back and still up 14-10 with 7:08 left to play in the second quarter.

Special teams miscues continue to hurt the Rattlers, and the winless Delta Devils are taking advantage of it.

After Gregory Martin returned a 71-yard kickoff, MSVU’s quarterback Ty’Jarian Williams connected with Cameron Nelson on a four-yard slant.

The Delta Devils captured their first lead of the day, 14-10, with 10:48 left in the second quarter.

FAMU kicker Cameron Gillis redeemed himself with a 45-yard field goal for fAMU to regain the lead, 10-7, at the start of the second quarter

Daniel Richardson has been efficient so far for the Rattlers, as he completed all seven passes for 106 yards.

Special teams error became an issue for FAMU.

A muffed punt set up a rushing touchdown for Mississippi Valley State, and the Rattlers’ kicker, Cameron Gillis, missed a 36-yard field goal to regain the lead.

Special teams continue to be a problem for the Rattlers early. After going three and out, Cameron Gillis missed a 36-yard field goal. It remains 7-7 with 3:08 left in the first quarter.

Mississippi Valley even the score with a two-yard rushing touchdown by running back Jakobe Thomas.

MSVU scored following a fumble by punter Gunnar Trout, putting the Delta Devils inside the 20. The game is tied at seven with less than five minutes left to play in the first quarter.

After a three and out from FAMU’s offense, a special teams error went to puter Gunnar Trout. The freshman fumbled on the punt and was recovered by the Delta Devils inside the 20.

Daniel Richardson got the green light and didn’t waste any time. In just three plays, the Rattlers are on the board.

Richardson set up a 44-yard pass to receiver Marquez Bell, which would set up a rushing touchdown by running back Bo Summersett. FAMU takes the first lead 7-0 in the first quarter.

FAMU uniform jersey combination

FAMU is wearing all orange uniforms with white helmets.

FAMU quarterback Daniel Richardson is in full uniform and has been doing pregame warmups with the Rattlers.

It is still unclear if he will start against Mississippi Valley State, but he is active for Saturday’s game.

Richardson suffered a concussion in last week’s loss to Praire View A&M. Junior Muratovic is the backup quarterback.

Wide receiver Jamarri Gassett and running back Kelvin Dean Jr are also available to play.

FAMU vs Mississippi Valley State start time today

• Date: Saturday, November 16
• Time: 1 p.m. ET
• Location: Bragg Memorial Stadium (Tallahassee, Florida)

What channel is FAMU vs Mississippi Valley State game on today?

Florida A&M vs. Mississippi Valley State will broadcast on TheGrio TV in Week 12 of the 2024 college football season. The game will stream exclusively on HBCU Go.

The 2024 Rattlers are led by quarterback Daniel Richardson, a grad student who transferred from Florida Atlantic who is second in the SWAC with 2,030 passing yards and first with 19 touchdowns. FAMU has seven preseason All-SWAC selections: offensive lineman Ashton Grable, defensive backs Kendall Bohler and Deco Wilson and kicker Cameron Gillis on the first team, and running back Kelvin Dean, receiver Jamari Gassett and defensive lineman Allen Smith on the second team.

The 2024 Delta Devils are led by quarterback Ty’Jarian Williams, who has 1,177 yards and seven touchdowns passing while also leading the team with 273 yards and five TDs rushing. Wide receiver Nathan Rembert is second in the SWAC with 801 receiving yards.

FAMU vs Mississippi Valley State history

• Series record: FAMU leads, 6-0
• FAMU’s last win: September 30, 2023 (31-7)

Gerald Thomas III, Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU 27, MVSU 10

“FAMU hasn’t lost consecutive conference games since 2018. Nor have the Rattlers lost a home game since 2018. So, expect both to stay the same Saturday. And though the Rattlers are vulnerable right now with vanished postseason hopes and a banged-up roster, they can still defeat the Delta Devils if the execution is there.”

FAMU vs Mississippi Valley State betting odds

As of Friday, there were no game lines or odds from BetMGM.

FAMU vs Mississippi Valley State injury updates

Florida A&M quarterback Daniel Richardson left last week’s game with a concussion. Running back Kelvin Dean Jr. also was injured vs. Prairie View A&M. Wide receiver Jamari Gassett is also battling injuries.

FAMU vs Mississippi Valley State weather updates

Weather.com predicts 72 degrees with sunny skies at kickoff in Tallahassee. Winds are expected to blow out of the northeast at 5 mph. There is a near 0% chance of rain throughout the day.

FAMU football schedule 2024

*- SWAC game

Mississippi Valley State football schedule 2024

• August 31: at Tennessee State (L 41-21)
• September 7: at Lamar (L 28-14)
• September 14: at Murray State (L 59-8)
• September 21: at Nicholls (L 66-0)
• September 28: vs. Alcorn State* (L 42-21)
• October 5: Open
• October 12: at Alabama State* (L 54-17)
• October 19: vs. Bethune-Cookman* (L 20-10)
• October 26: at Arkansas-Pine Bluff* (L 35-21)
• November 2: vs. Prairie View A&M* (L 17-16)
• November 9: at Jackson State* (L 51-14)
• November 16: at Florida A&M*, 1 p.m.
• November 23: vs. Alabama A&M*, 1 p.m.
• Record: 0-10 (0-6 in SWAC)

*- SWAC game

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