Mississippi

MS House committee passes massive school choice expansion bill. What it means

Published

2 months ago

January 15, 2026

Press Room

MS House committee passes massive school choice expansion bill. What it means

Mississippi Clarion Ledger

A Mississippi education bill proposes creating 12,500 educational savings accounts for school choice.
The accounts would provide up to $7,000 per child for private or charter school expenses.
The legislation also includes a $3,000 pay raise for assistant teachers.
Democrats raised concerns that the bill would divert necessary funds from public education.

The education bill championed by Mississippi House Speaker Jason White narrowly passed its first test in the legislature Wednesday. The legislation focuses on aligning Mississippi with its conservative neighbors by expanding and funding school choice options.

One of the most controversial provisions of the massive bill involves creating 12,500 educational savings accounts. The state would allocate more than $87 million to create these accounts, which would give the families of eligible students up to $7,000 per child to cover costs such as uniforms and tuition at private and charter schools.

Half of the initial savings accounts would be designated for students currently enrolled in public schools, and education committee chairman Rob Roberson, R-Starkville, said the selection process would prioritize low-income students.

“This is designed to make certain that if you’re 100% below the median income, you are the first in line to get this money,” he said in the Wednesday committee meeting. “We want to make certain that our kids out there that really haven’t had an opportunity to go anywhere else would have that opportunity.”

The accounts would provide funds for fewer than 3% of Mississippi’s school-age children in the 2027-2028 school year, if the bill passes, with scheduled increases in the number of savings accounts for the following three school years. After that, the number of savings accounts would only increase if there aren’t enough savings accounts for all interested students.

The bill is estimated to cost more than $160 million in its first year, the bulk of which would go to the student savings accounts. Included in the total is around $29 million allocated for assistant teacher pay raises. Roberson said the raise, a $3,000 bump that would bring minimum assistant teacher salaries up to $20,000 a year, was one of the provisions he thought was most important.

“It’s absolutely insane that anybody could even do it for $20,000 a year, and I hope we can work on increasing that going forward,” Roberson said.

The bill does not include teacher or professor salary increases, which differs from the legislation coming out of the Senate. A bill from Sen. Dennis DeBar, R-Leakesville, proposing a $2,000 raise for teachers passed the Senate and was sent to the House last week, but the House has not voted on it yet.

Roberson said he thought a discussion about teacher pay raises was worth having, but the House education bill was not the right place for it.

“It’s not in this bill because I don’t want to put anybody in this room in a position to suggest that I’m forcing you to vote against the teacher pay raise if you’re against [school choice],” he told the committee. “I’m all in favor of a teacher pay increase, but what I’m more in favor of is making certain that our babies are getting educated.”

Democrat legislators focused on the school choice aspect of the bill in the committee hearing, where they debated the impact of a potential mass exodus to private or charter schools on public education.

“We talk about how public education is the gateway for every family to have success, but we also know that we have underfunded public education since we’ve been in this government,” said Rep. Cheikh Taylor, D-Starkville. “This is a gateway, in my opinion, that we see that there’s going to be an advancement of tons of charter schools coming forward with zero accountability.”

Roberson said the bill was not the perfect solution to the problems facing Mississippi schools.

“This bill is not the end-all to fix all for schools. Never has been,” he said. “It is a piece of the puzzle that we need to continue working on.”

Democrats, including Taylor, warned committee members of the legislation’s impact on the average Mississippi family.

“Most of us run on public education, and therefore, if we divert these funds from public education, we’re also diverting funds from the entire philosophy that gives advancement to most families,” Taylor said, gesturing at banners on the committee room wall declaring that several school districts received an “A” grade. “How do we throw away the progress on the wall for 12,500 students?”

Source link

Click to comment

Mississippi

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

Published

12 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.

Source link

Mississippi

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

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

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.

Source link

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.

Source link