♪ >> Wilson Stribling: HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WELCOME TO ANOTHER EDITION OF "@ ISSUE" WHERE WE DISCUSS AND DEBATE ISSUES FACING THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND HOW THESE ISSUES IMPACT YOU.

A MEASURE BARRING TRANS GENDER ATHLETES FROM COMPETING ON GIRLS OR WOMENS' SPORTS IS TEAMS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS BECOMING LAW IN MISSISSIPPI.

THIS YEAR MORE THAN 20 STATES ARE PROPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON ATTACK LETTICS.

THEY ARE RESPONDING TO AN EXECUTIVE ORDER SIGNED BY DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN THAT BANS DISCRIMINATION BASED ON GENDER IDENTITY IN SCHOOL SPORTS AND ELSEWHERE.

MISSISSIPPI BECAME THE FIRST STATE TO ENACT SUCH A PROPOSAL AFTER A FEDERAL COURT BLOCKED A SIMILAR MEASURE IN IDAHO LAST YEAR.

GOVERNOR TATE REEVES SIGNED THE MISSISSIPPI FAIRNESS ACT INTO LAW YESTERDAY WITH A GROUP OF MOSTLY REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS STANDING BEHIND HIM.

SENATE BILL 2536 IS SET TO BECOME LAW ON JULY 1 BUT A LEGAL CHALLENGE IS POSSIBLE.

THE GOVERNOR CALLED IT A SPECIAL DAY IN MISSISSIPPI FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS.

>> Governor Reeves: I AM PROUD OF THE STAND MISSISSIPPI IS TAKING ON THIS ISSUE.

WITH THE PASSAGE AND ULTIMATELY THE SIGNING OF THE MISSISSIPPI FAIRNESS ACT.

IT SENDS A CLEAR MESSAGE TO MY DAUGHTERS AND ALL OF MISSISSIPPI'S DAUGHTERS THAT THEIR RIGHTS ARE WORTH FIGHTING FOR.

I WOULD LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK SENATOR ANGELA HILL, REPRESENTATIVES BECKY CURRY, STACY WILKES, JILL FORD AND ALL OF THESE MEN AND WOMEN STANDING BEHIND ME.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

THE SPEAKER PRO TEM WHITE.

ALL OF THE INDIVIDUALS IN THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE WHO STOOD UP FOR OUR GIRLS FOR MISSISSIPPI.

THIS LEGISLATION WILL WORK TO CREATE A FAIR PLAYING FIELD FOR THE FEMALE ATHLETES OF OUR STATE.

>> Wilson Stribling: THE REPUBLICAN SENATOR, ANGELA HILL AUTHORED THE BILL.

THE MEASURE PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS LARGELY ALONG PARTY LINES WITH MOST REPUBLICANS SUPPORTING THE BILL AND MOST DEMOCRATS EITHER OPPOSING IT OR REFRAINING FROM VOTER.

SENATOR HILL TELLS REPORTERS SHE DOESN'T HAVE ANY EVIDENCE OF TRANS GENDER ATHLETES COMPETING IN MISSISSIPPI SCHOOLS OR UNIVERSITIES BUT SAYS COACHES TELL HER IT'S AN URGENT MATTER.

>> I HAVE SPOKEN WITH MANY OF THOSE ATHLETES AND, YOU KNOW, I HAVE SPOKEN WITH COACHES.

COACHES KNOW THAT IT'S NOT FAIR FOR BIOLOGICAL MALES TO COMPETE ON FEMALE TEAMS IN MISSISSIPPI AND IT'S JUST A GOOD DAY FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN MISSISSIPPI.

>> IN YOUR CONVERSATIONS WITH COACHES HAVE YOU HEARD ANY EXAMPLES OF TRANS GENDER ATHLETES ATTEMPTING TO TRY OUT FOR GIRLS OR WOMENS SPORTS?

>> THE COACHES HAVE TOLD ME IT'S AN IMMINENT PROBLEM IN MISSISSIPPI.

THAT'S ALL THE DETAILS THEY WERE WILLING TO GIVE ME.

>> Reporter: THEY DON'T KNOW OF EXAMPLES?

>> I CAN'T TELL YOU THEY DON'T KNOW OF EXAMPLES.

I BELIEVE THEY DO KNOW EXAMPLES.

I THINK THEY WANTED TO LEAVE IT IN GENERAL TERMS BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT MISSISSIPPI NEEDED A POLICY, BECAUSE THEY ARE ALREADY BEING FACED WITH THIS.

BUT I CANNOT GIVE YOU NAMES BECAUSE COACHES DIDN'T TELL ME SPECIFIC INSTANCES BUT COACHES TOLD ME IT WAS AN IMMINENT ISSUE IN MISSISSIPPI.

>> Reporter: SENATOR, ONE THING THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN IS BY THE SIGNING OF THIS BILL IS A WELCOMING OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST TRANS GENDER ATHLETES.

WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE ON THAT?

>> I WOULD SAY THAT THIS BILL ENSURES THAT WOMEN ARE NOT DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.

THIS IS ABOUT WOMEN AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

THIS IS A BILL TO PROTECT WOMEN.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROTECT WOMEN FOR 50 YEARS IN THIS COUNTRY SINCE TITLE 9 WITHOUT BEING BEATEN UP AND WITHOUT BEING ACCUSED OF DISCRIMINATION.

THAT WAS THE WHOLE REASON THAT WE GOT, FEMALE SPORTS TEAMS TO BEGIN WITH, SO THAT FEMALES COULD COMPETE ON EQUAL PLAYING FIELD.

NO MATTER WHAT SOMEBODY IDENTIFIES THEMSELVES AS.

WOMEN ARE UNIQUE, MEN ARE UNIQUE.

MEN ARE BIOLOGICALLY PHYSICALLY STRONGER.

WE KNOW THAT EVEN SOME OF THESE ELITE ATHLETES CAN BE BEATEN IN THEIR OWN GAME BY THEIR BROTHERS.

I MEAN IT'S JUST THAT SIMPLE.

IT'S COMMON SENSE.

WE ARE PROTECTING WOMEN'S SPORTS.

WE WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO GET THEIR MEDALS, SCHOLARSHIPS, WE DON'T WANT THEM TO BE BEAT 10 TIMES IN A ROW BY A BIOLOGICAL MALE.

THAT'S THE PURPOSE.

>> Wilson Stribling: THE STATE CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIB LIBERTIES UNION SAID IT'S ABOUT ERASING AND EXCLUDING TRANS GENDER PEOPLE FROM PARTICIPATION IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE.

AND THAT IT CREATES SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS THAT DO NOT EXIST IN MISSISSIPPI.

>>> LAWMAKERS MET ANOTHER BIG DEADLINE TO PASS GENERAL BILLS ORIGINATING IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE CHAMBERS.

THE SENATE MEASURE THAT WOULD SERVE AS AN ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM GENERATED A LOT OF DEBATE WEDNESDAY BEFORE IT DIED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

LAWMAKERS IN THE SENATE PASSED A MEDICAL CANNIBIS BILL EARLIER THIS SESSION TO REPLACE INITIATIVE 65 SHOULD THE INITIATIVE BE STRUCK DOWN BY THE MISSISSIPPI SUPREME COURT.

THE MAYOR OF MADISON IS CHALLENGING THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT OVER SIGNATURE COLLECTIONS.

THE HOUSE KILLED THE BILL INDICATING THEY WOULD RATHER WAIT AND SEE WHAT THE COURT RULES INSTEAD OF DRAFTING A BILL THAT COULD BE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT VOTERS APPROVED.

BUT HOURS LATER, THE SENATE REVIVED THE DEAD LEGISLATION BY INSERTING IT AS AN AMENDMENT INTO THE BILL KNOWN AS HARPER GRACE'S LAW.

THAT'S A SEPARATE BILL THAT DEALS WITH CBD, A CANNIBIS DERIVED OIL THAT'S CURRENTLY USED FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES IN MISSISSIPPI.

THE PROGRAM IS UP FOR REAUTHORIZATION THIS YEAR.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR EXPLAINS.

>> WHAT THE SENATE HAS REPEATEDLY DONE AND AGAIN TODAY IS OFFERED A BACKSTOP TO THE SECTION 65 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

AND IN IT, IT SAYS THAT IF THE SUPREME COURT SAYS THAT THIS IS NOT A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, THEN WE PICK UP SECTION 65 AND WE INSERT IT INTO THE MISSISSIPPI LAW SO THAT CHILDREN AND OTHERS WILL HAVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT?

I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT.

IF THE SUPREME COURT DOES RULE ITS CONSTITUTIONAL, THIS LAW DOES NOT TAKE EFFECT.

SO, WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS COME ALONG AND REALIZED WHAT PEOPLE WANTED WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

WE HAVE PROVIDED THAT IN THE LEGISLATION.

AND WE WENT FORWARD.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO WANTED MEDICAL MARIJUANA DON'T WANT IT ANYMORE.

WHY NOT?

>> Wilson Stribling: AMONG THOSE IN FAVOR OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE FROM MADISON.

HE SUPPORTED INITIATIVE 65 SPENDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF HIS OWN MONEY TO BACK THE CAMPAIGN.

HE WAS VOCAL DURING WEDNESDAY'S HOUSE DEBATE ABOUT GETTING RID OF THE FIRST SENATE MEASURE TO CREATE AN ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM.

>> WE DON'T NEED TO VOTE ON THIS TODAY.

THIS IS RIDICULOUS.

THE PEOPLE ALREADY VOTED ON THIS.

THEY VOTED 74%.

THERE IS NO BENEFIT TO SENDING THIS TO THE BOARD TODAY.

WE SEND THIS TO THE BOARD TODAY, YOU ARE SCREWING OVER EVERYBODY WHO VOTED FOR INITIATIVE 65 AND SCREWING OVER EVERYBODY WHO VOTED AGAINST INITIATIVE 65.

IT'S A NO-WIN SITUATION.

WE ARE PLAYING GAMES WITH THE VOTERS.

I ASK THAT YOU OPPOSE IT AND WE NEED TO MAKE THIS ENTIRE THING GO AWAY.

>> Wilson Stribling: HE LATER TOLD JEFF PENDER THAT THE SENATE'S ACTION WAS RIDICULOUS AND THAT THE HOUSE SHOULD KILL THE NEW MEASURE THAT PROVIDES FOR AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM.

>>> MEMBERS OF THE CLERGY IN MISSISSIPPI ARE URGING GOVERNOR REEVES AND STATE LEGISLATORS TO CONSIDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

THEY HANDED LETTERS WITH MORE THAN 300 SIGNATURES OF FAITH-BASED LEADERS.

THEY CALLED TO THE STATE'S FAILURE TO EXPAND MEDICAID A HEALTH ISSUE AND A MORAL ISSUE.

THE BISHOP WITH NEW HORIZON INTERNATIONAL IN JACKSON -- >> OVER 10 YEARS AGO, THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI WAS AT A CROSSING-OVER POINT.

AND WE DECIDED IN RELATIONSHIP TO HEALTHCARE AND THE STATE DECIDED NOT TO ACCEPT OVER $9 BILLION FROM THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT THAT CAUSED THIS STATE TO REALLY GO INTO A WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE AND A LOT OF JOBS WERE LOST, HOSPITALS WERE CLOSED, UNTOLD SUFFERING HAS TAKEN PLACE TO MISSISSIPPIANS.

WE HAVE BEEN IN A TOUGH, TOUGH PLACE OVER THOSE YEARS, BUT WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE TODAY, PARTICULARLY WITH THE PASSAGE BY THE RELIEF ACT AND SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT, THAT HERE WE ARE NOW, NOT 40 YEARS LATER, THANK GOD, BUT 10 YEARS LATER WE ARE AT ANOTHER WONDERFUL PLACE TO BE ABLE TO CROSS OVER WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTHCARE IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

BECAUSE IN THAT RELIEF BILL, THAT RELIEF BILL INCENTIVIZES STATES THAT DID NOT EXPAND MEDICAID AND MISSISSIPPI IS ONE OF THOSE.

THERE IS AN EXTRA $300 MILLION FOR THE -- A YEAR, FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS THAT WILL COME TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI BECAUSE OF THIS INCENTIVE.

PLUS THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION AND ONE OF THEIR REPRESENTATIVES, REVEREND HEATH FERGUSON IS STANDING WITH US.

THEY ARE IMPOSING A TAX UPON THEMSELVES THAT WILL GENERATE ANOTHER $200 MILLION A YEAR THAT FRANKLY WILL GO ON AFTER THAT, BUT OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI WILL REAP A BILLION DOLLARS.

I WANT PEOPLE OUT THERE TO HEAR THAT.

A BILLION DOLLARS WILL COME TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI ONCE AGAIN FOR EXPANDING MEDICAID IN THIS STATE.

AND OUR PEOPLE NEED IT.

>> Wilson Stribling: THE REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITY IN THE LEGISLATURE HAS SHOT DOWN EFFORTS TO EXPAND MEDICAID THIS SESSION AND GOVERNOR REEVES HAS REPEATEDLY REJECTED THE IDEA.

DURING A PRESS EVENT THIS WEEK, HE SAID HIS THOUGHTS ON THE ISSUE HAVE NOT CHANGED.

>>> THE LEADER OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS RETIRING AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.

MELINDA McGRATH IS THE FIRST WOMAN TO SERVE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND HAS BEEN ON THE JOB FOR 10 YEARS.

SHE'S BEEN WITH MDOT FOR 36 YEARS OVERALL.

SHE MET WITH TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONERS ON TUESDAY AND TOLD THEM OF HER RESIGNATION PLANS.

THE COMMISSIONERS HAD NOMINATED HER TO REMAIN AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UNTIL APRIL 2025 BUT THE NOMINATION HAD NOT YET MOVED THROUGH TO SENATE COMMITTEES.

CENTRAL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER WILLEY SIMMONS IS A FORMER MEMBER OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE.

HE DECLINED TO SAY WHETHER THE RESIGNATION WAS DRIVEN BY LEGISLATIVE POLITICS.

HE SAID SHE WORKED HARD TO GET MORE FUNDS FROM THE STATE TO PAY EMPLOY YES, SIR.

AND COMPLETE PROJECTS BUT IT WAS A CHALLENGE FOR HER.

>> THINK THE LEGISLATIVE BODY PUTS THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IN THE MIX WITH ALL THE OTHER STATE EMPLOYEES, ALTHOUGH WE ARE SPECIALLY FUNDED.

THEY PUT US IN THE MIX AND IF OTHER STATE AGENCIES ARE NOT GETTING A PAY RAISE OF ANY KIND, THEN THEY PUT US IN THE SAME CATEGORY.

AND WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ADJUST AND TAKE CARE OF THOSE SALARY NEEDS OF OUR EMPLOYEES.

SO THAT'S THE KIND OF THING WE HAVE BEEN CAUGHT UP IN.

PUBLIC POLICY.

AND JUST NOT PAYING OUR EMPLOYEES WHAT THEY SHOULD BE, YOU KNOW.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY IN AN EFFORT TO PUT FORTH A $15 MINIMUM WAGE AND YET WE HAVE, IN MISSISSIPPI, ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES WHO ARE GOING OUT AND WORKING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER DAY AND NIGHT AND MAKING LESS THAN $10 AN HOUR.

THAT'S A TRAGEDY AND ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE STATE LEGISLATOR.

>> Wilson Stribling: REPRESENTAE HIGHWAY COMMITTEE DECLINED TO COMMENT ON HER RESIGNATION.

REPUBLICAN BUSBY, CHAIR OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE, SAYS McGRATH'S REPLACEMENT HAS BIG SHOES TO FILL.

>> I HOPE OUR COMMISSIONERS ARE ALREADY LOOKING WITHIN THE AGENCY AND OUTSIDE OF THE AGE AGENCY.

SOMEONE I THINK IT'S ALMOST A NECESSITY THAT THEY HAVE AN ENGINEERING BACKGROUND AND THINK IT'S A NECESSITY THAT THEY HAVE A BUSINESS BACKGROUND, BECAUSE IS IT A VERY BIG BUSINESS TO RUN, AS YOU WELL KNOW, WITH A BUDGET OVER A BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.

IT'S A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY.

SO I HOPE THEY HAVE THEIR FEELERS OUT FOR THE RIGHT PERSON.

THE RIGHT PERSON IS GOING TO BE HARD TO FIND AND MELINDA LEAVES PRETTY BIG SHOES TO FILL.

>> Wilson Stribling: IT HAS BEEN A YEAR SINCE THE FIRST COVID-19 CASE WAS REPORTED IN MISSISSIPPI.

SINCE THEN, NEARLY 300,000 MISSISSIPPIANS HAVE TESTED POSITIVE.

ALMOST 6900 HAVE DIED FROM COVID-19.

TODAY'S NUMBERS AS REPORTED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH INCLUDE 763 NEW CASES OF THE CORONAVIRUS AND 19 ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

>>> SO LET'S GET STRAIGHT TO THE POINT NOW WITH VIEWS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

BRANDON JONES IS AN ATTORNEY AND FORMER DEMOCRATIC MEMBER OF THE HOUSE.

AUSTIN BARBOUR IS FOUNDER OF THE CLEARWATER GROUP.

LET'S START WHERE WE JUST FINISHED ON COVID-19 AND THIS ENORMOUS RELIEF PACKAGE THAT'S JUST BEEN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN.

BRANDON, THIS COULD MEAN A GOOD BIT OF MONEY FOR MISSISSIPPI.

>> Brandon Jones: IT'S A TREMENDOUS MOMENT.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST BILLS TO BE PASSED IN A GENERATION.

THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN CUTS CHILD POVERTY IN HALF.

WE ARE JOINING THE REST OF THE WESTERN WORLD, THE WEST OF THE INDUSTRIAL NATIONS IN TERMS OF HAVING SOME TYPE OF SAFETY FOR CHILD POVERTY.

IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING ADDITIONAL REVENUE AND FUNDS TO GET THE VACCINE INTO COMMUNITIES IN ADDITION TO HELPING TO CREATE SAFE SPACES AT SCHOOLS AS THEY REOPEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY, YOU ALSO HAVE A VERY IMPORTANT BEDROCK CHANGE IN AMERICAN POLICY FOR A YEAR THAT ADDRESSES THIS EXPANSION OF THE CHILD TAX CREDIT.

I THOUGHT IT WAS ALSO EXCITING THE PRESIDENT SAYING HE WILL ASK STATES TO OPEN UP THE VACCINATION PROCESS TO ALL, BEGINNING IN MAY.

SO THAT'S BIG NEWS AND OF COURSE WE CONTINUE TO TRY TO GET MISSISSIPPIANS VACCINATD HERE.

>> 331,322 PEOPLE WERE VACCINATED YESTERDAY IN MISSISSIPPI.

THAT'S A RECORD IN MISSISSIPPI FOR A ONE-DAY -- THAT'S GREAT.

AGAIN, THE GOVERNOR, THE NATIONAL GUARD, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THEY ALL DESERVE A LOT OF CREDIT FOR THE EFFORTS THAT THEY HAVE MADE IN GETTING PEOPLE VACCINATED.

IT WAS A SLOW PROCESS IN THE BEGINNING.

THEY TOOK THEIR LUMPS, THEY FIGURED IT OUT.

AND I'M JUST GLAD TO SEE THAT THOSE NUMBERS ARE GOING UP FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO GET VACCINATED.

I HAVE YET TO GET VACCINATED.

I WANT TO GET VACCINATED.

>> YOU AREN'T 50 YET?

>> I'M NOT 50 YET.

NOWHERE NEAR.

>> Wilson Stribling: NO ONE AT THE TABLE IS.

BUT OUR TIME IS COMING ACCORDING TO THE PRESIDENT.

WE ARE LEARNING WHERE THE MONEY WILL GO THE SOME TO THE CITY OF JACKSON.

>> THE SENATOR FOUGHT OPENLY TO GET MONEY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, SMALL RESTAURANTS SPECIFICALLY.

I KNOW HE ULTIMATELY VOTED AGAINST THE BILL BUT THERE WAS THAT ASPECT THAT WAS PUT IN THERE THAT HE DESERVES A LOT OF CREDIT.

A LOT OF MONEY COULD POTENTIALLY GO TO THE CITY OF JACKSON TO HELP NOT JUST REPAIR BUT FIX POTENTIALLY THE WHOLE THING I HOPE FOR THE WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM IN JACKSON.

THERE ARE A LOT OF DETAILS ABOUT THE BILL THAT WE ARE ALL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY COMING TO MISSISSIPPI.

THERE MAY BE A LOT OF MONEY GOING DIRECTLY TO COUNTIES SPECIFICALLY, MUNICIPALITIES SPECIFICALLY, BUT DEFINITIVELY, THERE'S MONEY THAT APPEARS THAT COULD GO TO HELP FIX THE SITUATION THAT'S A GENERATIONAL LONG PROBLEM WITH THE PIPES UNDERNEATH THE STREET AND OF COURSE THE WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM IN JACKSON AS WELL.

>> Wison Stribling: BUT THAT'S NOT NOTHING TO DO WITH COVID.

IS THAT PART OF THE ISSUE THAT A LOT OF REPUBLICANS HAVE BROUGHT UP THAT THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY IN THIS ENORMOUS PACKAGE THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH COVID.

WE COULD PERHAPS CELEBRATE THAT IN A PLACE -- >> THAT'S HOW THINGS ARE DONE IN WASHINGTON D.C.

SOMETIMES MEGA P PACKAGES ARE PASSED.

IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH COVID BUT THERE ARE CATCH-ALL APPROPRIATION BILLS THAT HAPPEN AND THIS WAS ONE.

SO -- TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, NO, IT DOESN'T.

>> WELL I ACTUALLY THINK THAT IT IS TAILORED TO ADDRESS COVID.

SMALL BUSINESSES AND LARGE BUSINESSES WEREN'T THE ONLY PEOPLE IMPACTED.

MUNICIPALITIES WERE IMPACTED.

MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES WERE IMPACTED.

SERIOUS BUDGET CHALLENGES ACROSS OUR STATE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT ARE COVID RELATED.

SO YOU CAN'T HAVE THE ECONOMY FACE THE TYPE OF CHALLENGES THAT WE FACED OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR AND THAT NOT IMPACT BOTTOM LINES IN, YOU KNOW, CITY HALLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WHAT I HOPE THE STATE WON'T DO IS ABDICATE ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO ITS OWN CITIES.

YOU KNOW, WE LIKE TO KIND OF LOOK AT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND SOUND OFF ABOUT IT AND TALK ABOUT HOW MUCH WE ARE AGAINST IT.

WE ARE A STATE THAT IS MORE RELIANT ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

>> WEST VIRGINIA MIGHT ARGUE WITH THAT.

>> THEY MIGHT.

WE ARE IN A CLOSE RUNNING FOR A STATE THAT SPENDS A LOT OF TIME CUSSING THE CAPITAL.

>> SURE.

>> HERE WE ARE WITH RESPONSIBILITY TO PEOPLE IN JACKSON WITHOUT WATER, WITH AN INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEM HERE IN THE WELCOME CENTER TO THE ENTIRE STATE, AND THERE ARE BILLS IN THE LEGISLATURE NOW THAT WOULD ALLOW THE CITY TO BEGIN TO ADDRESS SOME OF THAT MUCH HOUSE BILL 1439 WOULD ALLOW THE CITY TO VOTE TO APPLY # 1% TO ITS SEWER AND WATER TREATMENT.

I HOPE THE STATE WON'T BE A I DID TATE ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO JACKSON.

>> HERE'S A POINT WE WILL AGREE.

NOT ON ALL THE DETAIL BUT WE AGREE AT 40,000 FEET THAT SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE TO FIX THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS.

NOT TALKING ABOUT ROADS, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE IN JACKSON.

WE ARE STILL, AND I LIVE HERE IN JACKSON.

I STILL HAVE TO BOIL MY WATER IF I WANT TO DRINK IT.

WELL I'M NOT GOING TO DRINK IT BECAUSE I AIN'T GOT TIME TO BOIL MY WATER.

BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE DEALING WITH THIS ALL THROUGHOUT JACKSON.

SORRY, EVERYBODY WHO LIVES IN JACKSON IS DEALING WITH THE BOIL WATER NOTICE.

MANY HAVE DEALT WITH JUST NO WATER.

I AGREE THAT THE STATE SHOULD WORK WITH CITY OFFICIALS TO FIX THIS.

BUT I HAVE SAID LAST TIME AND I AGREE HERE, THERE GOTTA BE SOME STRINGS ATTACHED TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THEY ARE GOING TO BE STATE FUNDS THAT ARE BROUGHT HERE OR FEDERAL FUNDS THAT ARE CONTROLLED BY THE STATE THAT ARE SENT HERE, LET'S MAKE SURE THIS IS DONE RIGHT.

OK?

BECAUSE WE GET ONE CHANCE TO DO THIS.

LET'S MAKE SURE THAT IT'S DONE THE RIGHT WAY.

>> Wilson Stribling: SPECKING OF FEDERAL DOLLARS, THE BISHOP MENTIONED THE FACT THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF FEDERAL DOLLARS ON THE LINE SHOULD MISSISSIPPI CHOOSE TO EXPAND MEDICAID.

IT SEEMED UNLIKELY FOR A LONG TIM NOW THAT THE GOVERNOR WOULD GO ALONG.

HE'S REITERATED THAT.

BUT BRANDON, WE HAVE HEARD MORE TALK OF EXPANDING MEDICAID THIS YEAR THAN IN ALL OF LAST YEAR.

IS SOMETHING CHANGING?

>> Brandon Jones: WELL IT CONTINUES TO BE THE MOST PRESSING PUBLIC POLICY ISSUE THINK FACING OUR STATE.

WE ARE IN THE VAST MINORITY OF STATES.

REPUBLICAN STATES, DEMOCRATIC STATES, INDEPENDENT -- PURPLE, BLUE, RED STATES THAT HAVE EXPANDED MEDICAID BECAUSE OF THE ENORMOUS HEALTH BENEFIT TO ITS PEOPLE WHO AREN'T COVERED UNDER THE CURRENT PROGRAM.

ALSO BECAUSE OF THE RELIEF IT PROVIDES TO EMPLOYERS BECAUSE NOW YOU HAVE A SUSTAINABLE LARGER POOL FOR PEOPLE TO GET INSURANCE FROM BUT ALSO THE HEALTHCARE INFRASTRUCTURE.

LET'S NOT FORGET WE HAVE HOSPITALS THAT HAVE CLOSED THEIR DOORS IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

A HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION WHO IS NOT PARTICULARLY LIBERAL WHO SAID WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS FOR THE BUSINESS OF HOSPITALS TO WORK IN MISSISSIPPI.

AND WE HAVE ALWAYS FOUND A WAY TO SAY NO.

WELL WHAT HAPPENED IN THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN IS ONCE AGAIN, THEY ARE INCENTIVIZING STATES LIKE MISSISSIPPI SO THAT WE COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS, WILSON, AS IF WE WERE DOING IT IN 2008.

MINE THAT'S AN IMPORTANT POINT.

BECAUSE IF YOU WILL REMEMBER WHEN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT PASSED IT HAD A PHASE-OUT OF THE BENEFITS.

SO IF YOU WOULD HAVE ACCEPTED EXPANSION THAT MOMENT, YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY THE ADDITIONAL PREMIUM.

WELL WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IS RE-SET THE CLOCK.

SO THEY LOOK AT STATES LIKE MISSISSIPPI, LIKE GEORGIA, AND THEY SAY THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY.

AND YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO PAY IN THOSE FIRST THREE YEARS.

IT'S COVER COVERED.

AND I TELL YOU THERE'S NO EXCUSE THIS TIME.

THE GOVERNOR'S TRIED AND TRUE EXCUSE IS IT'S GOING TO COST US, IT'S GOING TO COST US.

THERE'S NO ECONOMIC ARGUMENT TO BE MADE THAT MISSISSIPPI DOES NOT GAIN FROM THIS PLAN.

>> Austin Barbour: I DON'T THINK THE POLITICAL WILL IS THERE FOR IT TO HAPPEN.

I KNOW BRANDON'S WELL, GO MAKE THE POLITICAL WILL HAPPEN.

BUT IT'S NOT.

I THINK YOU HAVE ALL THREE LEADERS, THE GOVERNOR, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, THE SPEAKER AND I WOULD ASSUME THE COMMITTEE CHAIRS AS WELL WHO JUST DON'T BELIEVE IS THIS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

THAT ULTIMATELY TAXPAYERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY MORE FOR THIS.

WE DO PAY FEDERAL TAXES OF THE IT WILL COST US MORE.

THERE IS CONCERN THAT WHAT HAPPENS IF THE FEDERAL -- IF THE FEDERAL SIDE OF THE DEAL COLLAPSES AND THEN WE HAVE ADDED ALL THESE NEW FOLKS TO MEDICAID?

THE MISSISSIPPI TAXPAYERS WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE.

BUT LISTEN, I UNDERSTAND MEDICAID IS MAYBE THE MOST IMPORTANT PROGRAM IN THE STATE.

ARGUABLY, IT'S DEFINITIVELY ONE OF THE TOP THREE OR FOUR MOST IMPORTANT IN THE STATE.

WE HAVE GOT TO MAKE SURE THE FOLKS THAT ARE ON MEDICAID ARE GETTING TREATED THE RIGHT WAY, GETTING ACCESS TO GOOD SERVICES, GOOD DOCTORS.

BUT I HAVE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN WHAT DREW SNYDER HAS DONE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THAT PROGRAM AND, YOU KNOW, I KNOW HE'S FOCUSED ON TRYING TO MAKE IT BETTER WITH THE DOLLARS THAT HE HAS NOW FOR THE FOLKS THAT ARE ON MEDICAID.

>> Brandon Jones: BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO DREW IS OR HOW SMART OR GOOD HE IS IF WE AREN'T FULLY AVAILING OURSELVES OF THE LAW, DREW IS DOING THIS JOB WITH HIS HANDS TIED BEHIND HIS BACK.

THIS IS SILLINESS.

I TELL YOU, AUSTIN, I DON'T DISAGREE WITH YOU.

I DO THINK YOU ARE RIGHT WHEN YOU SAY THE POLITICAL WILL ISN'T THERE.

HECK THEY SAY IT'S NOT THERE.

WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT US?

WE HAD HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE SIGNING AN ANTITRANS ATHLETE BILL AND THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL CAN'T GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF WHERE IT'S HAPPENING.

YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT'S A HIGHER PRIORITY THAN CLOSING HOSPITALS AND PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO GET EMERGENCY CARE IN THEIR COMMUNITY?

THERE ARE PLACES IN THIS STATE WHERE IF YOU ARE IN A BAD ACCIDENT, YOU CAN'T GET A HOSPITAL.

THAT'S BAD M. THAT'S SILLY.

THE POLITICAL WILL DOES NEED TO BE THERE.

WE DON'T NEED TO BE TALKING ABOUT POTATO HEAD OR TRANS, WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT HEALTHCARE.

>> Wilson Stribling: LET'S GET TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

AUSTIN, WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THIS?

WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF DEBATE AND INTERESTING WRANGLING OF AN ISSUE THAT MIGHT BE MOOT IF THE SUPREME COURT DON'T STRIKE INITIATIVE 65.

>> Austin Barbour: LAST YEAR THE VOTERS PASSED INITIATIVE 65.

70% OR MORE PASSED IT.

DIRECTED THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO GO CREATE A MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM THAT HAD ALL OF THESE VARIABLES ABOUT THIS IS WHAT IT COST TO GET A LICENSE IF YOU WANT TO BE A CULTIVATOR OR WHATEVER ASPECT YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS, THIS IS WHAT IT WILL COST YOU TO DO THIS.

THEREFORE, SENATOR BLACKWELL INTRODUCED A BILL, SENATE BILL 2765 WHICH SAYS WE WILL GO CREATE A NEW MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM THAT HAD DIFFERENT FEES ASSOCIATED, DIFFERENT COST, DIFFERENT LICENSES THAN WHAT THE VOTERS PASSED.

IN 65, IT SAID THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT CAN GIVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PRESCRIPTION ARE DOCTORS.

AND BLACKWELL'S BILL GAVE NURSE PRACTITIONERS, DENTISTS, DOCTORS.

SO THERE ARE DIFFERENT ASPECTS IN THIS LEGISLATION THAT PASSED THE SENATE VERSUS WHAT 70% OF THE VOTERS SAID.

IT'S BEEN AN ARGUMENT BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE ABOUT SHOULD WE PASS THIS BILL.

IT'S OBVIOUSLY COMING DOWN TO THE VERY LAST MINUTE AND IT APPEARS, FROM WHAT WE SAW AT THE CAPITOL ON WEDNESDAY IN THE HOUSE, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH WILL WITH I WOULD SAY THE MAJORITY OF BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS TO MOVE THIS BILL OUT OF PARTICULARLY THE SENATE BILL OUT OF THE HOUSE.

IT'S A CONVOLUTED PROCESS.

BRANDON'S ROLLING HIS EYES BECAUSE I'VE ALREADY CONFUSED HIM.

BUT SORT OF THAT'S WHERE IT IS.

>> Wilson Stribling: YOU HAVE A MINUTE TO SORT IT OUT.

>> Brandon Jones: THERE'S A SIMPLE POLITICAL ANALYSIS FOR ME.

WHENEVER PEOPLE NEVER TALK ABOUT A CONCEPT, OR THEY ARE AGAINST IT, AND THEN SUDDENLY IT PASSES BY 75% AND THEY CAN'T SHUT UP ABOUT IT, I WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT SUSPICIOUS.

DELBERT HOSEMAN DID NOT SUPPORT THE EXPANSION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

NEITHER DID KEVIN BLACKWELL.

THE SPONSOR.

BEFORE IT PASSED THEY WERE BOTH AGAINST IT.

NOW THEY ARE TRYING TO SELL YOU ON THEIR ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM.

I DON'T BLAME THEM, THE FOLKS WHO ARE LOOKING AT THEM SAYING -- THIS DOESN'T JIVE, SOMETHING'S NOT RIGHT HERE.

AND I THINK THEY OUGHT TO PROBABLY JUST LET THE PROCESS WORK THROUGH THE SUPREME COURT AND THEN COME BACK NEXT YEAR.

>> Wilson Stribling: THERE'S A FUNCTION OF SENATOR BLACKWELL'S BILL, WHICH IS TRUE, THAT SAYS THIS ONLY BECOMES LAW IF THE SUPREME COURT RULES 65 UNCONSTITUTIONAL BUT YOU GOTTA REMEMBER, BLACKWELL'S BILL HAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ASPECT OF WHAT PASSED IN 65.

>> Wilson Stribling: AND WE WILL WATCH THE PROCESS PLAY OUT ON THIS ONE.

WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

DON'T FORGET YOU CAN WATCH THIS PROGRAM ONLINE.

YOU CAN ALSO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST AT MPB ONLINE.ORG.

FOR DAY TO DAY COVERAGE, FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK.