[MUSIC] >> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US I'M WILSON STRIBLING.

WELCOME TO ANOTHER EDITION OF @ISSUE COVID-19 FOR WE DISCUSS AND DEBATE THE ISSUES FACING MISSISSIPPI AND HOW THESE ISSUES IMPACT YOU.

IT'S THE FOURTH WEEK OF THE 2021 MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATION.

LAWMAKERS WERE UP AGAINST THE FIRST BIG DEADLINE.

ANY BILL THAT DID NOT MAKE IT OUT OF COMMITTEE BY TUESDAY HAD LITTLE CHANCE OF BECOMING LAW THE SESSION.

BILL SENT IT CLEAR THAT HURDLE ARE SUBJECT TO FURTHER REVIEW, DISCUSSION AND DEBATE ON THE FLOOR OF EACH CHAMBER.

IN THE SENATE LAWMAKERS PASSED TO EDUCATION BILLS.

THEY BELIEVE WILL HELP TEACHERS ENTER THE PROFESSION IN MISSISSIPPI.

AND ENTICE THEM TO STAY IN THE CLASSROOM.

SENATE BILL 2267 OFFERED BY REPUBLICAN SENATOR DENNIS DEMARCO THANKS BILL WOULD REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ISSUE A MISSISSIPPI LICENSE TO ANY TEACHER WITH A VALID OUT-OF-STATE LICENSE WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF APPLYING.

TEACHERS RECEIVING RECIPROCITY WHICH WOULD BE SUBJECT TO A BACKGROUND CHECK BEFORE BEING HIRED BY A DISTRICT UNDER A SEPARATE STATUTE.ENATE BILL 2305 AUTHORED BY DAVID LUNT OF JACKSON WOULD PROVIDE ANNUAL GRANTS TO DO TEACHERS TO PAY DOWN STUDENT LOAN DEBTS.

HE EXPLAINED THE BILL ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> YOU GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE.

THIS IS A STAGGERING STATISTIC.

THE AVERAGE MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE STUDENT LOAN DEBT IS BETWEEN 35 AND $37,000.

MOST MISSISSIPPIANS GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE WITH SIGNIFICANT STUDENT LOANS.

THEN WE SAY TO THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE GRADUATING FROM COLLEGE, IF YOU AGREE TO COME TEACH IN A MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL WE WILL PAY DOWN YOUR STUDENT LOAN DEBT.

AND THEN THE TEACHER OR THE PERSON INTERESTING IN TEACHING AT THE END OF THE YEAR THEY GO TO THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL AID WITH A PIECE OF PAPER THAT SAYS I TAKE TAUGHT IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI WRITES A CHECK AND A PRINCIPAL IS REDUCED BY THAT AMOUNT.

THAT'S THE WAY OUR LOAN REPAIRING PROGRAM WORKS.

WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS A PROGRAM THAT WILL BENEFIT EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE.

EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE IS ELIGIBLE.

IT'S A 3-YEAR PROGRAM WE PROPOSE WHERE THE FIRST YEAR WE WILL PAY A CERTAIN AMOUNT.

THE SECOND YEAR WILL PAY A LITTLE BIT MORE, III YEAR WILL PAY A LITTLE BIT MORE.

WE DO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT FOR A CRITICAL NEED SHORTAGE DISTRICT AS OPPOSED TO ANOTHER DISTRICT.

EVERY DISTRICT IS ELIGIBLE.

WE HAVE A LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM.

WE THINK IT WILL HELP ATTRACT PEOPLE TO THE PROFESSION AND HELP PEOPLE ALONG WITH THE RAISED VERITY PAST HELP THEM PAY DOWN THEIR COLLEGE STUDENT LOANS AND GIVE THEM THE SENATE TO STAY IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> OF BOTH EDUCATION BILLS NOW MOVE TO THE HOUSE FOR FURTHER REVIEW.HE SENATE ALSO APPROVED A BILL THROUGH EXPAND CONNECTIVITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF RELIABLE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ACROSS THE STATE.

SENATE BILL 2798 ONE ENERGY COMPANIES LEASE SO-CALLED DARK FIBER TO ANY INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER.

DARK FIBER IS NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE BUT NOT BEING USED.

HUSBAND IS IS PART OF A SERIES OF EFFORTS TO DISSOLVE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN MISSISSIPPI.

ESPECIALLY IN RURAL COMMUNITIES.

>> WE NEED BROADBAND IN EVERY HOME WE CAN HAVE IT IN.

BROADBAND BILL IS OUT FROM THE CITY I ASSUME THE HOSPITAL BEFORE COMING SHORTLY AND WE WILL IMMEDIATELY GO TO CONFERENCE.

I DO NOT WANT DELAY IN EMPHASIZING THE FACT THAT PEOPLE WHO WERE IN UNSERVED AREAS HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET.

YOU WILL SEE THAT AS WE GO FORWARD AS WELL APPLYING TO ENTERGY WHICH RUNS BASICALLY FROM WILKINSON SOUTH MISSISSIPPI ALL THE WAY TO MEMPHIS.

JUST ABOUT TO MEMPHIS.

OPEN UP HIGHWAY 49 AND THEREABOUTS ROUGHLY CORRIDOR FOR THE DELTA TO ALLOW THEM TO HAVE THIS NEW BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS TO THEM.

BASED OFF WHAT BASICALLY IN MEETING WITH THE POWER COMPANIES IT COST VERY LITTLE TO ENLARGE THE ACCESS IN THE NUMBER OF CLASSIC CIRCULAR ITEMS THAT ARE IN THERE.

BEST OF THESE ARE HUNDRED AND 43 OF THEM AND THEY'RE ONLY USING MAYBE ONE OR 2 OR 10 OR 15 OF THEM.

AS A LOT OF ACCESS AND CAPACITY THERE.

>> OZMENT SAYS ALL REVENUE DERIVED FROM LEASING THE DARK FIBER WILL BE USED TO TO REDUCE UTILITY COST FOR REPAIRS.

THE BILL NOW MOVES TO THE HOUSE FOR CONSIDERATION.

ADVANCING A SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE IS A BILL TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CANNABIS ACT.

IT WOULD ESTABLISH A PROGRAM SEPARATE FROM INITIATIVE VOTERS APPROVED IN NOVEMBER APPEARED TO LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BY WAY OF A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

IT WAS INITIALLY POSITIONED AS A BACKUP IF INITIATIVE 65 AND STRUCK DOWN BY THE STATE SUPREME COURT.

THE INITIATIVE IS BEFORE THE HIGH COURT AFTER THE MAYOR OF MADISON CHALLENGED WHETHER THE SIGNATURES WERE LIKELY GATHERED.

MIKE INITIATIVE 65 THE BELT OFFERED BY REPUBLICAN SENATOR KEVIN BLACKWELL OF SOUTHHAVEN MAKES MEDICAL MARIJUANA AVAILABLE TO THOSE WITH DEBILITATING CONDITIONS.

IT ALSO HAS DIFFERENCES.

SUCH AS REQUIRING REGULATION BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND A 10 PERCENT SALES TAX ON MARIJUANA PRODUCTS.

BLACKMAILING DEMOCRATIC SENATOR DAVID BLUNT OF JACKSON DEBATED THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL AND COMMITTEE.

>> ASSUMING THE CONSTITUTION STAYS THE WAY IT IS OR WHAT WE DOING IS SETTING UP 2 PARALLEL TRACKS, 2 DIFFERENT REGULATORY SCHEMES MEMBER DIFFERENT AGENCIES WITH DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS AND A PROVIDER OR A PATIENT CAN AVAIL THEMSELVES OF EITHER ONE.

THERE'S NOTHING IN THIS BILL THAT CAN CHANGE WHAT'S IN THE CONSTITUTION.

AS YOU KNOW IT'S VERY SPECIFIC WAS IN THE CONSTITUTION.

WITH THE MANY CAN BE USED FOR.

WITH THE REQUIREMENTS ARE.

WITH THE PATIENT QUALIFICATIONS ARE.ANY CANNOT GO TO THE GENERAL FUND.

ALL THAT STUFF YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT WITH THE BILL.

WE JUST SETTING UP 2 PARALLEL REGULATORY STRUCTURES THAT THE PATIENT OR SOMEBODY IN THE MARIJUANA BUSINESS CAN CHOOSE TO DO EITHER ONE.

IF WE ARE WITH SOMEBODY WHO'S IN THE MARIJUANA BUSINESS WANT A FULL WITH ANY OF THE STUFF ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION DOESN'T SET THESE FEES OR ANYTHING ELSE?

>> WELL, THAT'S WHAT THINGS OUT IN THE BUSINESS WORLD.

YOU'VE GOT CHOICES.

AS A BUSINESS PERSON I THINK 65 IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

BECAUSE MY BUSINESS IS NOT PROTECTED.

YOUR REAL ESTATE BUSINESS IS NOT PROTECTED.

THE FARMERS ARE NOT PROTECTED.

BUT YET WE'VE TAKEN THIS MORNING PRODUCT IN THIS MORNING INDUSTRY PROTECTING IT IN THE CONSTITUTION.

I THINK THAT'S A VIOLATION OF EQUAL PROTECTION ACT.

>> THAT HORSE HAS LEFT THE BARN SENATOR BLACKWELL.

>> I'M SORRY?

>> THAT HORSE HAS LEFT THE BARN.

I APPRECIATE YOUR POINTS BUT b& 65 IS ALSO IN FRONT OF THE SUPREME COURT.

WHAT HAPPENS IF 65 IS STRUCK DOWN WE DON'T HAVE SOMETHING IN PLACE?

REGARDING A 73 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE WANT MEDICAL CANNABIS.

SO, THIS BILL WOULD ALLOW THEM TO HAVE THAT PROCESS PLUS THE TAX REVENUE THAT IS GENERATED BY 65 IT GOES TO THE INDUSTRY.

IT DOESN'T GO TO THE TAXPAYERS IT DOESN'T BENEFIT ANYBODY BUT THEM.

>> GOES TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM.

WE COULD DEBATE IF THAT'S HOW IT SHOULD WORK.O, MY QUESTION IS, IF 65 REMAINS IN THE CONSTITUTION THEN WHAT'S GOING TO BE THE IMPACT OF THIS LEGISLATION?

>> UNDER THIS WITH THE GUIDELINES PEOPLE, IF THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO GET 20 MILLIGRAMS OF THC IN A PRODUCT GOING TO GET 20 MILLIGRAMS.

UNDER 65 WHATEVER'S IN THE JOINT IS IN THE JOINT.

>> BUT b&.

>> HERBICIDES, INSECTICIDES.

HEY, HOW ABOUT IT.

>> 65 IS A CONSTITUTION.

I CAN CHOOSE AS A PATIENT OR SOMEBODY IN THE MARIJUANA BUSINESS, I CAN SAY HERE'S A REGULATORY STRUCTURE OVER HERE IN THE CONSTITUTION.

I CAN CHOOSE THAT.

OR HERE'S ANOTHER ONE OVER HERE BUT THEY'RE BOTH GOING TO EXIST AND BE PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER.

THEY MAY, THAT'S SOMEBODY'S CHOICE.

IT'S MY CHOICE AS A BUSINESSMAN IF I WANT TO GET INTO BECOME A CULTIVATOR OR IF I WANT TO HAVE A DISPENSARY.

ALSO MY CHOICE AS A PATIENT WHERE I GO AND GET MY CERTIFICATE FILLED.> IF YOU'RE BUSINESSMAN YOU COULD SAY I CAN PAY THIS BIG LICENSING FEE AND HOW MY PRODUCT AND TAXED A HIGHER RATE OR I COULD NOT.

>> YEAH BECAUSE I GOT UP QUALITY PRODUCT.

WE CAN GO ROUND IN CIRCLES ON THIS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WISH WE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS DISCUSSION LAST YEAR.

BUT I, APPRECIATE IT.

>> A YEAR WOULD'VE BEEN A GOOD YEAR TO DO IT.

>> JOHN HORN IS ALSO ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

HE IS A SUPPORTER OF INITIATIVE 65.

AND BELIEVES THE BILL WAS DRAFTED TO CREATE AN AVENUE FOR THE STATE TO GET MONEY OUT OF THE NEW INDUSTRY.

IN INITIATIVE 65 MONIES GENERATED BY THE SALE OF MARIJUANA PRODUCTS GOES BACK TO THE PROGRAM TO HELP HEALTH DEPARTMENT RUN IT.

IN THE SENATE BILL HORN SAYS MARIJUANA TAX REVENUE WOULD GO TO THE EARLY LEARNING COLLABORATIVE, DUAL ENROLLMENT AND OTHER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS.

>> GUESS, BECAUSE THERE ARE NO REQUIREMENTS FOR MONEY GOING INTO THE STATE'S GENERAL FUND ARE GOING INTO SPECIFIC PROGRAMS OTHER THAN THE OPERATION OF THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM ITSELF.

I BELIEVE THE INTENT OF THE FOLKS WHO SPONSOR THE LEGISLATION AND 2 WERE TRYING TO GET IT WORKING THROUGH THE PROCESS IS SO THAT WE CAN GET THE REVENUE WOULD GO TO IN THIS CASE PROBLEMS DEALING WITH EDUCATION FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ON THE WAY UP THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS FOR COMMUNITY AND 4 COLLEGE STUDENTS.

>> THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN UP ON THE SENATE FLOOR SOON.

THE HOUSE FLORIDA LAWMAKERS PASSED HOUSE BILL 307.

A MEASURE TO ALLOW THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SOME FLEXIBILITY TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER STATE AGENCIES OR ENTITIES FOR THE OPERATION OF THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM.

MEASURE IT NOW HAS TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE SAM MEMS CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE EXPLAINS THE BILL.

>> THIS WAS REQUESTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

AS YOU KNOW THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA AMENDMENT PASSED WITH 73 Ã74 PERCENT OF THE VOTE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH UNDER THE LEADERSHIP IS GOING TO MAKE THIS THE MOST EFFECTIVE MOST EFFICIENT MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM IN THE US.

THEY'RE COMMITTED TO FOLLOWING THE LAW AND SO THEY ARE NEEDING HOUSE BUILT 3072 ALLOW THEM TO REALLY HAVE INTERACT WITH OTHER STATE AGENCIES.

WE PASSED LEGISLATION A FEW YEARS AGO THAT WOULD NOT ALLOW THEM TO CHARGE OTHER AGENCIES FOR SERVICES AND SO THIS WOULD ALLOW THEM FOR EXAMPLE THEY WOULD NEED TO ENTER TO CONTRACT WITH THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE FOR THE COLLECTION OF SELVES TAXES AND POSSIBLE THE INSPECTION OF SOME PROCESSORS.

THEY MAY OFTEN NEED A CONTRACT WITH OTHER AGENCIES AS A DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH.

THIS WOULD ALLOW THEM A LITTLE BIT OF FLEXIBILITY AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN THERE COMMITTED TO FOLLOWING THE LAW AND MAKING THIS THE BEST MOST EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE PROGRAM IN THE UNITED STATES.

I FEEL LIKE THEY WILL.

I HAVE TO WORK WITH THEM FOR SO MANY YEARS.

>> REPRESENTATIVE JOHN HIMES OF GREENVILLE SAYS HE'S CONCERNED ABOUT WHICH AGENCIES WILL BE INCLUDED IN FORTHCOMING PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

DETAILS @ ISSUE THAT HE WANTS THE LEGISLATURE TO ASSURE A LEVEL OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.

>> ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO WHEN ARKANSAS FIRST STARTED TALK ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THEY HAD AND THEY DID INCLUDE HIS INSTITUTIONS.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT SBC USE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS ENDEAVOR.

IT'S A BIG MONEYMAKER.

AND POSSIBLY GOING TO BE BIG MONEYMAKER HERE.

HAVE TO ENSURE THAT THE PLANE FILTER LEVEL.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS NOT LEFT OUT.

THAT'S REASON ASKED THOSE QUESTIONS.

>> NEW STATE UNIVERSITIES AND INSTITUTIONS.

PARTICIPATING.

IN WHAT WAYS CAN THEY PARTICIPATE?

>> WELL, HUMANS WANT AN INSTITUTION TO THE RESEARCH.

SO ALSO NEEDS TO BE SOME TRAINING ON WHAT THE PAST TECHNIQUES AND STUFF ARE REGARDING GROWING MARIJUANA.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT SMALL FARMERS HAVE ACCESS ESPECIALLY SMALL AFRICAN-AMERICAN FARMERS.

THEY SEEM TO ALWAYS BE LEFT OUT.

THERE WAS GET THE SCRAPS ON THE TABLE AND ITS, PEOPLE WORKED VERY HARD TO BE BY GENERATIONS OF LEVELS OF POVERTY.

WE WILL MAKE SURE THE FIELD IS EVEN.

THIS IS A NEW MISSISSIPPI.

WE SHOULD BE ABOUT BEING FAIR, EQUAL AND MAKING SURE EVERYBODY HAS ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY.

>> TODAY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS REPORTING 1210 MORE CASES OF THE CORONAVIRUS AND 40 DEATHS.

BRINGS THE TOTAL TO MISSISSIPPI TO NEARLY 280,000 CASES AND MORE THAN 6200 DEATHS.

SINCE MARCH 2020.

GOVERNOR TATE REEVES IS EXTENDING AN ORDER THAT REQUIRES MISSISSIPPIANS TO WEAR A MASK IN PUBLIC IN 75 OF THE STATES 82 COUNTIES.HAT ORDER IS EXTENDED TO AT LEAST MARCH 3.

HEALTH OFFICIALS IN MISSISSIPPI ARE CONCERNED ABOUT LOUISIANA RESIDENTS AND THOSE FROM OTHER NEIGHBORING STATES COMING OVER TO GET THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE.

THE VACCINE IS AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS AND THOSE WHO WORK IN MISSISSIPPI FROM OTHER STATES.

MISSISSIPPI DOES NOT REQUIRE IDENTIFICATION OR PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY TO GET THE VACCINE.

THE STATE HAS LIMITED DOSES AND HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS ENOUGH FOR THOSE IN NEED.

COVID-19 VACCINATIONS ARE BEING ADMINISTERED HOSPITALS, COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS, PRIVATE CLINICS AND 21 STATE RUN DRIVE-THROUGH SITES.

SHOTS ARE AVAILABLE TO HEALTHCARE WORKERS, RESIDENTS OF LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES, ANYONE 65 OR OLDER AND ANYONE OVER 16 WHO HAS AN UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITION.

SO LET'S GET STRAIGHT TO THE POINT NOW WITH VIEWS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.RANDON JONES IS AN ATTORNEY AT FORMER DEMOCRATIC MEMBER OF THE HOUSE.

AUSTIN BARBOUR IS A NATIONAL REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST AND FOUNDER OF THE CLEARWATER GROUP.

BRANDON, AUSTIN COULD HAVE YOU BOTH WITH US AS ALWAYS.

START WITH SOMETHING THAT FRANKLY I'M CONFUSED ABOUT AUSTIN.

THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM.

WE HAVE THE VOTERS APPROVE THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT REALLY SETS UP A PROGRAM AND YET YOU'VE GOT THE LEGISLATOR SETTING UP AS WAS REFERRED TO, A PARALLEL PROGRAM AT THE SAME TIME.

YOU CAN HAVE BOTH CAN YOU?

>> IT CAN'T HAVE BOTH, CONFUSED BY IT.

LET'S TRY TO GO BACK.

SENATOR BLACKWELL HAS TRIED TO MOVE THIS BILL AT LEAST LAST SESSION MAYBE THE SESSION BEFORE 2000 19.

I CAN'T REMEMBER.

BUT OBVIOUSLY WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE HOUSE OR MAJORITY OF MEMBERS SAID THIS IS NOT A BILL WE WANT TOHAVE BEFORE.

THE SUPPORTERS OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA WITH APPELLATE INITIATIVE, 73 PERCENT OF THE VOTERS SAY YES WE APPROVE THIS WHICH ADDED TO OUR CONSTITUTION AND MANDATED THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO GO CREATE A MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM.

THAT WOULD REQUIRE THEM TO COME UP WITH RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT WOULD MONITOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO TRANSPORT MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

GROTE MEDICAL MARIJUANA, ONE OF THE DISPENSARIES, WHO WANT TO TEST IT.

ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT HAVE RULES AND REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS AND FEES AND ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE INVOLVED WITH IT.

I WOULD UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY IF SENATOR BLACKWELL'S BELT AND I THINK THIS WAS TAKEN OUT IN COMMITTEE SAID YOU KNOW WHAT, THIS ONLY BECOMES LAW IF THE SUPREME COURT CHALLENGE THAT WAS FILED BY THE MAYOR OF MADISON IS SUCCESSFUL.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL MM AT 65 IS REMOVED THEREFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CAN'T MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROGRAM.

>> THAT MAKE SENSE THAT IT WOULD BE THERE JUST AS ADDRESSED IN CASE TYPE MEASURE.

>> JUST IN CASE MEASURE.

I BELIEVE THAT WAS REMOVED IN COMMITTEE.

I'M CONFUSED.

YOU CAN'T HAVE 2 PARALLEL PROGRAMS.

WE DON'T HAVE 2 GAMING PROGRAMS.

WE DON'T HAVE TO STATE LOTTERIES.

WE DON'T HAVE TO FOSTER CARE PROGRAMS.

BUT AS BRANDON ALWAYS SAYS.

SOMETIMES LEGISLATURE IT JUST TAKES TIME TO GET THROUGH THE PROCESS TO GET THIS RIGHT.

RIGHT BRANDON?

>> WELL, PISSING WENT A LONG TIME WITHOUT HAVING ONE PROGRAM IN OUR MAKING UP FROM AWESOME PREP TIME HAVING MULTIPLE PROGRAMS.

YOU DID HEAR SENATOR BLACKWELL SAY WE COULD CONCEIVABLY HAVE 2.

HE SEEMED TO BE OKAY WITHOUT.

HE MENTIONED FROM A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE THAT THAT SOMEHOW MADE SENSE.

I DON'T KNOW THAT I AGREE WITH HIM ON THAT.

I DON'T KNOW THAT I AGREE HAVING A CENTRALIZED PLACE TO OVERSEE BOTH PROGRAMS.

THAT SEEMS STRANGE.

GREG'S BUSINESSES SHOULD COMPETE WITH ONE ANOTHER.

THAT'S A FREE MARKET.

2 GOVERNMENTAL PROGRAMS SHOULDN'T COMPETE WITH EACH OTHER.

>> NFL BACK A LONG TIME AGO.

>> IT'S NOT LIKE THAT AT ALL.

I THINK WITH SENATOR BLACKWELL'S ATTENTION IS HOW THIS IN CASE THE SUPREME COURT RULES THAT 65 IS NOT CONSTITUTIONAL.

BUT WE WILL FOLLOW THE PROCESS AND SEE WHERE IT GOES.

>> THERE'S ANOTHER COMPONENT AUSTIN.

I THINK WE HEARD REPRESENTATIVE HINES IT.

THE VULTURES ARE NOW ASCENDING.

WE DIDN'T HAVE FOLKS THAT WERE HIGHLY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS OUT FRONT UNTIL THEY SAW THAT 73 PERCENT.

NOW THAT IT'S POPULAR AND NOW THEY KNOW PEOPLE WANT THIS.

NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN EVERYBODY SEEMS TO HAVE THEIR OWN MARIJUANA PLAN INCLUDING THOSE WHO DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE FOR THE BILL BACK WHEN IT WAS IN DEVELOPMENT.

I THINK HE'S RIGHT.

THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE PAYING ATTENTION TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE DO HAVE ACCESS TO THIS MARKET.

THE PEOPLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE PROGRAMS.

THAT IS A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN ACTUALLY DO SOME PRODUCTIVE WORK.

>> I THINK KEVIN BLACKWELL IN A NOTE HE REFERRED TO HIM HE'S TRYING TO WORK ON THIS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

I DON'T KNOW IF VULTURES ASCEND OR DESCEND.

JUST A WAY FOR MOM.

NEXT LET'S MOVE ONTO SOMETHING THAT WE TALKED I GOT.

THAT HAS A BELL FROM REPRESENTATIVE TRAIN THE MORE.

HE PROPOSES TO CREATE A NEW COMMISSION THAT WOULD RUN THE STATE DIVISION OF MEDICAID.

WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT?> I DON'T KNOW.

I KNOW CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG BRANDON THAT NO STATE IN THE UNITED STATES HAS A COMMITTEE OR COMMISSION THAT RUNS THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID.

WHY MISSISSIPPI WOULD WANT TO BE THE FIRST I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE ADVANTAGES OF THIS.

'M SURE REPRESENTATIVE LAMAR AGREES WITH ME AND CONSERVATIVES BECAUSE WE WOULD AGREE WITH HIM THAT THE WAY YOU TRY TO BE CONSERVATIVE IN REDUCING THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT IS TO HAVE THESE AGENCIES REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR APPEARED THE GOVRNOR IS THE INDIVIDUAL WAS MOST RESPONSIBLE TO EVERY VOTER IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

THE VOTER EXCUSE ME THE GOVERNOR GETS MORE VOTES IN ANY OTHER ELECTED POSITION.

THEREFORE IF THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID WHICH IS THE MOST COMPLICATED STATE AGENCY HISTORY OF STATE AGENCIES IN MY OPINION SHOULD BE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE GOVERNOR.

HE IS RESPONSIBLE TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ON MEDICAID AND THE TAXPAYERS THAT HELP FUND MEDICAID.

THE GOVERNOR, OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER IS THE INDIVIDUAL WHO NEGOTIATES, CORRESPONDS AND COMMUNICATES WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHICH FOUNDS MOST OF MEDICAID.

MORE THAN ANY OTHER PERSON IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

I THINK THIS IS A MOVE THAT WE REALLY GOTTA BE CAUTIOUS WITH.

I'M FOR PUTTING MORE AGENCIES UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE GOVERNOR WHETHER THAT'S A REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT.

THE GOVERNOR HERE SHE IS THE ONE WHO'S GOING TO HAVE TO ULTIMATELY ANSWER TO THE VOTERS.

>> I THINK THIS IS A GOOD FORMAT FOR SHOWS LIKE THIS LESSON.

WE JUST BRING THE REPUBLICAN ON AND RETURN TO HIM AND WE SAY WHAT'S UP WITH THAT.

WHAT ON EARTH?

>> REPRESENTATIVE LAMAR, I WILL SAY THIS.

THERE'S A SUBTEXT TO THIS.

REPRESENTATIVE LAMAR MUST BE AT ODDS WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

DO NOT FILE A BILL LIKE THIS UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEF.

THERE'S NO REASON TO BRING THIS OUT.

NOW THE GOVERNOR DOESN'T LIKE IT.

IT'S A MAJOR STRUCTURAL CHANGE.

THIS DOES DENOTE SOME TYPE OF RISK.

THERE MUST BE SOME FEELINGS REMAINING FROM THE LAWSUIT THAT THE GOVERNOR ONE WHEN HE DID A LINE ITEM VETO.

THAT AFFECTED SOMETHING THAT REPRESENTATIVE LAMAR WANTED.

I DON'T KNOW THIS IS PLAYING THOSE TYPES OF GAMES OUT THROUGH SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS MEDICAID IS A WAY TO DO IT.

I SAY THIS AUSTIN.

FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE ON THE PROGRESSIVE SIDE OF THINGS IN MISSISSIPPI.

WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE MEDICAID EXPANSION.

DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO GET US THERE AND HAVE A MORE OPEN DIALOGUE ABOUT THAT.

THIS IS A STATE THAT NEEDS IT.

WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT POLICY POSSIBILITY SHALL APPEARED.

>> I'M SURE WE DESCRIBE THIS BUT WE SHOULD STATE AGAIN.

IF HB 1013 WHICH I THINK IS REPRESENTATIVE LAMAR'S BILL NUMBER.

IT WOULD APPOINT 7 COMMITTEE MEMBERS.

FOR THEM IT WOULD BE 20 BY THE TENANT GOVERNOR AND 3 BY THE GOVERNOR.

ULTIMATELY GIVING CONTROL TO THE LEGISLATURE OF THIS AGENCY.

>> DO YOU SEE THAT AS A POSSIBLE AVENUE TOWARD MEDICAID EXPANSION?

>> WELL, I'LL SAY THIS.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS BEEN MORE OPEN TO THAT PROSPECT THAN THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MENTIONED DURING HIS CAMPAIGN THAT HE WAS OPEN TO THE CONCEPT OF MEDICAID EXPANSION.

ONE OF ONLY 12 STATES THAT HASN'T TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THAT PROGRAM.

SO, LOOK, FRANKLY I THINK THAT'S WHERE THIS IS HEADED.

I DON'T TAKE THIS BILL IS GOING TO PASS.

MEDICAID EXPANSION IS ON MANY MINDS WHEN WE BRING UP THIS ISSUE.

>> ÃÃWHOSE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID IS DOING A FANTASTIC JOB.

HE WAS APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR PHIL BRYANT EVERY APPOINTED BY TATE REEVES.

HE'S DOING A GREAT JOB OF RUNNING MEDICAID.

HE BELIEVES THERE 750,000 PEOPLE WHO WERE ON MEDICAID.

IT'S A SAFETY NET PROGRAM.

IT'S A PROGRAM WITH RIGHT SINGLE MOMS, A LOT OF LITTLE CANCER ON THIS PROGRAM.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT IS A PROGRAM THAT'S DOING WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO DO AND I KNOW DREW HAS DONE A GOOD JOB OF THAT.

>> CREDIT WHAT ARE SOME BILLS OF SIGNIFICANCE DID OR DID NOT MAKE THE DEADLINE THAT SURPRISED YOU, DISAPPOINTED YOU, MADE YOU HAPPY?

>> THERE STILL SOME BILLS OUT THERE THAT CAN DO THIS.

I WAS HOPING WE WOULD SEE WILSON RETURN TO THE PROBE BILL WE SAW LAST YEAR.

THE GOVERNOR VETOED A PAROLE BILL.

WE KNEW IT WASN'T TO BE THE SAME PRODUCT.

WE NEED SOMETHING, THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION BECAUSE OUR PRISONS ARE OVERCROWDED.

WE DON'T HAVE STAFF SUFFICIENT TO DO WHAT IS REQUIRED TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE SAFE AND TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS WITHIN PRISON WALLS IS DONE IN A PROPER WAY.

WE JUST OUR NEIGHBOR TO THE EAST, ALABAMA GET POPPED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO THE TUNE OF PROBABLY MORE THAN $1 BILLION TO REVAMP ITS PRISON SYSTEM.

WE KNOW WE ARE NEXT.

THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IS IN THE SIGHTLINES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

IF WE DO NOT FIGURE OUT A PRESENT SITUATION AND FIND A SAFE PATH TO PAROLE FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WERE JUST STOCK BECAUSE OUR SENTENCINGS LAWS ARE TO HARSH.

NUMBER CAN HAVE MAJOR PHYSICAL PROBLEMS DOWN THE ROAD.

I WAS HOPING WE WOULD SEE A VERY CLEAR BILL WAS KIND OF IN SYNC WITH WHAT HAPPENED WITH WHAT THE LEGISLATION LAST YEAR.

BUT MODIFIED TO SATISFY SOME OF THE GOVERNOR'S CONCERNS AND WE'VE GOT A BIT OF A MESS.

HOUSE HAS A VERSION.

THAT'S NOT FULLY DEVELOPED.

IN THE SENATE HAS A VERSION OF THIS FRANKLY IS IT TO FRIENDLY AND BRINGS US BACK IN THE SAME POSITION WE WON'T HAVE ANYBODY HAVE A PATHWAY TO PAROLE.

THAT'S A HUGE ISSUE FACING THE STATE.

IT COULD BECOME THIS SAME ISSUE IF THE DEPARTMENT DOES TIES WITH ALABAMA AND WE SOON HAVE AN ANSWER.

>> WE WILL TALK ABOUT REPRESENTATIVE LAMAR THIS SHOW.

HE DOES HAVE HOUSE BUILT 997 WHICH I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT WHICH REMOVES ABC FROM UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE.

PRIVATIZING ABC WHICH IS BEEN, THIS WAS PROBABLY DEBATED WHEN YOU WERE IN THE LEGISLATION ENGINE.ECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO LIKE TO GO BY LIQUOR AND LIQUOR STORES AND GROCERY STORES AND SO FORTH.

I GUESS YOU CAN'T BUY WINE AND LIQUOR GROCERY STORES.

YOU CAN SURE FIND AT THE LIQUOR STORE.

IT'S AN INTERESTING BILL.

I HEARD THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR STATEWIDE RADIO TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT ABC IS HAVING WITH BEING UNDERFUNDED AND NOT HAVING MODERN EQUIPMENT SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT REPRESENTATIVE LAMAR DOES.

>> FOCUS USED TO BE ON TAXES NOW WE CAN SEE HOW FAST WE GET MARIJUANA AND ALCOHOL THROUGH THE CITIZENS OF MISSISSIPPI.

IT'S INTERESTING.

LONG ENOUGH AND THINGS ARE TO CHANGE.

THANK YOU BOTH.

ONE OF TIME.

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