REAL-TIME CLOSED CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY U.S. CAPTIONING COMPANY ♪ >> Wilson: HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M WILSON STRIBLING AND WELCOME TO "@ISSUE" WHERE WE DISCUSS THE ISSUES FACING THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND HOW THESE ISSUES IMPACT YOU.

IT IS THE SIXTH WEEK OF THE 2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION THE LAWMAKERS ARE FACING A DEADLINE FOR FLOOR ACTION ON GENERAL BILLS AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ORIGINATING IN EACH CHAMBER.

THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED SENATE VOTED TO BAN TRANSGENDER ATHLETES FROM COMPETING IN GIRLS OR WOMEN SPORTS IN THE STATE'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THERE WAS LITTLE DISCUSSION BEFORE SENATORS PASSED SENATE BILL 2536 LATE LAST NIGHT BY A 34-9 VOTE.

REPUBLICAN SENATOR ANGELA HILL EXPLAINS THE BILL.

>> SENATE BILL 2536 IS A PRETTY SIMPLE BILL.

IT REQUIRES ANY PUBLIC SCHOOL OR INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING THAT IS A MEMBER OF THE NCAA, MHS AA OR IN GCA TO DESIGNATE THEIR SPORTS TEAMS BASED ON BIOLOGICAL SEX AS MALE, FEMALE OR COED.

IT REQUIRES ATHLETIC TEAMS DESIGNED FOR FEMALES CANNOT BE OPEN TO MALE STUDENTS.

THE BILL PROVIDES IN SECTION 3 ANY GOVERNMENT ENTITY, LICENSING OR CREDITING ORGANIZATION OR ANY OTHER ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION OR ORGANIZATION SHALL NOT ENTERTAIN A COMPLAINT OF AN INVESTIGATION OR TAKE ANY OTHER ADVERSE ACTION AGAINST PRIMARY OR SECONDARY SCHOOL OR COLLEGE FOR MAINTAINING A SEPARATE INTRAMURAL ATHLETIC TEAM OR SPORT FOR STUDENTS OF FEMALE SEX.

IT ALSO PROVIDES CAUSE OF ACTION FOR STUDENT DEPRIVED OF ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITY AS A DIRECT RESULT OF A VIOLATION OF THIS ACT.

THE REASON FOR THIS IS I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS COACHES ACROSS THE STATE CALL ME AND BELIEVE THEY FEEL A NEED FOR AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS POLICY BECAUSE THEY ARE BEGINNING TO HAVE SOME CONCERNS OF HAVING TO DEAL WITH THIS WHEN MISSISSIPPI IS ONE OF ONLY 10 STATES THAT DO NOT HAVE A POLICY.

ALL OUR SURROUNDING STATES HAVE A POLICY LIKE THIS EXCEPT FOR TENNESSEE.

AND TENNESSEE IS IN THE PROCESS OF AN ACTING THEIR POLICY AS WE SPEAK.

>> Wilson: MISSISSIPPI IS ONE OF THOSE IN STATES WITH LAWMAKERS PROPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON ETHICS OR GENDER CONFIRMING HEALTHCARE FOR TRANSGENDER MINORS THIS YEAR.

THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN AND LGBT QUEUE ADVERSITY GROUP IS CONDEMNING TRANSGENDER BUILDING MISSISSIPPI AND OTHER STATES.

THE SENATE BILL NOW MOVES TO THE HOUSE.

THE PROPOSAL RAISING SIMILAR CONCERNS IS ALREADY IN THE HOUSE.

YESTERDAY REPRESENTATIVES TOOK UP HOUSE BILL 1030 WHICH WOULD ALLOW STUDENT-ATHLETES TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR USE OF THEIR NAME OR IMAGE.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE BECKY CURRY OF BROOKHAVEN ADDED AN AMENDMENT THAT DOES NOT ALLOW MALE STUDENTS TO PLAY ON FEMALE TEAMS AND RECEIVE COMPENSATION.

IF A STUDENT ATHLETE'S 6 IS DISPUTED THE STUDENT MAY ESTABLISHES OR HER SEX BY PRESENTING A SIGNED PHYSICIAN'S AGREEMENT AS PROOF SHE DID NOT ADDRESS OR STIPULATE PROVISIONS FOR TRANSSEXUAL MEN, ONLY TRANSSEXUAL WOMEN AND THEIR PARTICIPATION IN RELATED COMPENSATION IN WOMEN'S ATHLETICS.

THE BILL PASSED AS AMENDED.

THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION ISSUED A STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF COMPENSATING COLLEGE ATHLETES THE CALLED ON LAWMAKERS TO REMOVE THE AMENDMENTS WHICH THE ACLU SAYS DISCRIMINATES AGAINST TRANSGENDER WOMEN.

IT ADDED IF THE STATE IS SUED, THE LAW WILL BE STRUCK DOWN IN COURT.

LAWMAKERS IN THE SENATE WORKED PAST MIDNIGHT INTO THE EARLY MORNING HOURS TO MEET A DEADLINE TO PASS MEASURES, THE MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CANNABIS ACT, 30-21 BUT WAS HELD ON MOTION TO RECONSIDER.

LAWMAKERS CAME BACK HOURS LATER AFTER MIDNIGHT AND PASSED THE BILL WHICH WOULD SET A 7% SALES TAX ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

REPUBLICAN SENATOR KEVIN BLACKWELL OF OLIVE BRANCH SAID THE BILL IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE INITIATIVE 65 WHICH IS THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ADOPTED IN NOVEMBER TO LEGALIZE THE PRODUCT FOR 22 DEBILITATING CONDITIONS.

BLACKWELL SAYS THE WAY THE BILL IS WRITTEN NOW, IT WOULD ONLY BE A BACKUP PLAN IN CASE COURTS LOCK WHAT VOTERS APPROVED.

INITIATIVE 65 IS BEFORE THE HIGHEST COURT AFTER THE MAYOR OF MADISON CHALLENGED THE LEGALITY OF THE SIGNATURES COLLECTED.

THE BILL MOVES TO THE HOUSE FOR CONSIDERATION.

REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE REJECTED TWO PLANS TO EXPAND MEDICAID WHICH WOULD PROVIDE COVERAGE TO AN ESTIMATED 300,000 MISSISSIPPIANS WHO CANNOT OTHERWISE AFFORD HEALTH INSURANCE.

EVERY FEW YEARS THE STATE'S MEDICAID PROGRAM COMES UP IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW AND RENEWAL.

THE ATTEMPTS TO EXPAND IT THIS WE CAME DURING DEBATE ON SENATE BILL 2799 WHICH PROPOSES SEVERAL CHANGES TO THE STATE'S PROGRAM AND WOULD KEEP THE AGENCY RUNNING BEYOND THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

HERE IS A LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> NOW MORE THAN EVER, MISSISSIPPIANS WANT AND NEED GOOD HOSPITALS AND GOOD ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

>> THEY ARE GOING TO JOBS WHERE THEY CAN BARELY MAKE ENDS MEET AND THIS COULD BE SITUATIONS WHERE THERE IS MORE THAN ONE PERSON IN THE HOUSEHOLD.

THEY HAVE CHILDREN AND THEY SIMPLY DO NOT -- NECESSARY TO HAVE AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE.

>> EVERY STATE THAT HAS EXPANDED HAS MISSED THE MARK, HAS COST THE STATE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ADDITIONAL MONEY AND THE NUMBER OF ENROLLEES HAS BEEN ASTRONOMICAL, ANYWHERE FROM 148% OR MORE TO CLOSE TO 200% MORE.

THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME THIS IS TO BE TO EXPAND.

>> IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO PAY 9% TO HELP POOR PEOPLE WHO WORKED ALL THEIR LIVES, AND YOU HAVE THE AUDACITY TO STAND THERE AND DEBATE THAT WE ARE WASTING MONEY TO HELP THE POOR.

>> ARE YOU SERIOUSLY SUGGESTING A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT IS $28 TRILLION IN DEBT, $28 TRILLION IN DEBT, IS GETTING ANYBODY MONEY THEY POSSESS?

THEY DON'T.

>> THIS IS NOT ANYBODY.

>> IT IS RECKLESS AND DANGEROUS AND WILL BRING OUR ECONOMY DOWN.

IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME.

THE SPENDING HAS TO STOP.

>> FOR THE ONE ZILLION TIME, WE WOULD MAKE MONEY IF WE EXPANDED MEDICARE.

AS AN ASIDE, IF THIS MAKES ANY DIFFERENCE, WE WOULD ALLEVIATE HUMAN SUFFERING.

NOT ONLY WOULD WE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL HEALTHCARE FOR THE EXPANSION OF POPULATION, ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE THAT HAVEN'T HAD IT BEFORE BUT BY ADDING THOSE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS GOING INTO THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, YOU HELP KEEP ALIVE DOCTORS OFFICES, NURSING HOMES, HOSPITALS, OTHER HEALTH CARE ENTITIES IN THE RURAL PART OF THE STATE, DESPERATE NEED FOR ENOUGH VOLUME TO KEEP THE FACILITIES OPEN.

>> WILL ATTEMPT TO EXPAND MEDICAID WERE DEFEATED.

FOLKS IN THE SENATE FELL ALONG PARTY LINES BY A 31-16 MARGIN.

THEY HAVE NOT TAKEN THE OPTION TO EXPAND ALLEGEDLY FOR MEDICAID UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

HOWEVER, SOME LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING EXPANDING MEDICAID FOR INCARCERATED MEN AND WOMEN.

A PROPOSAL MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE CAPITAL WOULD ALLOW CHRONICALLY A LID MATES TO BE PAROLED, TO SPECIAL FACILITIES WHERE THEY WOULD BE PLACED ON MEDICAID.

REPUBLICAN SENATOR WIGGINS EXPLAINS THE BILL.

>> ACTUALLY WHAT IT IS IS ALLOWING A FACILITY TO BE ESTABLISHED TO TAKE ON THE WORST IN TERMS OF HEALTHCARE INMATES, YOU CAN EQUATE IT TO HOSPICE IF YOU WILL.

WHAT IT IS IS TO MOVE OUT OF INDIA SEE AND LET THE TREATMENT BE HANDLED BY THESE FACILITIES TO ADDRESS THE MEDICAL CARE.

THE STATE SPENDS AT A MINIMUM OF $80 MILLION JUST ON HEALTHCARE COSTS.

THIS FACILITY, FACILITIES IF IT GOES TO MORE THAN ONE, WOULD ALLOW TREATMENT TO TAKE COLD AND FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PICK UP TWO THIRDS OF THE COST.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS ENCOURAGED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO TRY TO DO THIS, TO HELP ADDRESS CORRECTIONS ISSUES IN DIFFERENT STATES.

>> DEMOCRATIC SENATOR DAVID JORDAN OF GREENWOOD SAYS HE IS DISAPPOINTED THE STATE IS TURNING DOWN FEDERAL DOLLARS TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE COVERAGE FOR WORKING MISSISSIPPIANS BUT IS CONSIDERING THE MEASURE TO USE FEDERAL FUNDS TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE FOR PRESENT >> WHY CAN'T YOU ASK THE COURT TO REJECT IT.

THERE IS NO OBLIGATION TO IT.

IT WILL PUT MORE PEOPLE TO WORK AND YOU CAN SAVE SOMEBODY HELP.

WHY WOULD MISSISSIPPI, THE POOREST STATE IN THE NATION, TURNED DOWN 7 BILLION FEDERAL DOLLARS, THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.

TO ME.

PEOPLE CAN'T READ AND WRITE CAN REASON BETTER THAN THAT.

IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

LET'S RECEIVE THE MEDICAID PACKAGE LIKE THE OTHER STATES HAVE WHO ARE MORE WEALTHY THAN WE ARE.

3 MILLION OF US HERE, PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT HAVE THE ADEQUATE EDUCATION, PEOPLE DYING IN THE MOUNTAINS, AND WE CAN GET 97, 93, 94% OF IT WITHOUT ANY TAX.

>> Wilson: WIGGINS SAYS HE APPRECIATES THE DEBATE BUT IT IS NOT AN APPLES TO APPLES COMPARISON.

THE BILL NOW HEADS TO THE HOUSE FOR FURTHER REVIEW.

A BILL THAT WOULD PURGE MISSISSIPPI VOTER ROLLS PAST THE SENATE BUT NOT WITHOUT MORE THAN AN HOUR OF DEBATE AND DISCUSSION THIS WEEK.

SENATE BILL 2588 CALLS FOR A NOTIFICATION TO BE MAILED TO MISSISSIPPI RESIDENTS WHO DO NOT VOTE WITHIN A 2-YEAR PERIOD.

THE NOTICE REQUIRES A RESPONSE FROM THE VOTER TO CONFIRM OR UPDATE THEIR INFORMATION.

IF THEY DON'T RESPOND, AND THEY FAILED TO VOTE OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, THEIR NAME WOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE ROLLS.

HERE'S A SAMPLING OF WHAT HAPPENED ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> A LOT OF LEGISLATION DICTATES HOW MUCH COUNTIES HAVE TO SPEND ON ELECTIONS BASED ON THEIR ACTIVE VOTER ROLE.

WITH INFLATED VOTES, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE MORE COPS THAT GO DOWN TO THE COUNTIES AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE MANAGEABLE ROLES.

>> MY QUESTION IS ISN'T IT A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO VOTE?

DON'T WE HAVE A RIGHT TO VOTE?

>> WE DO AS LONG AS WE ABIDE BY CERTAIN RULES, DISENFRANCHISING CRIMES OUT THERE, BUT FOR THE MOST PART YOU ARE 18, YOU LIVE AND VOTE IN THE JURISDICTION YOU ARE INTERESTED IN.

>> AND LIKE WE HAVE A RIGHT TO VOTE, DON'T WE AS VOTERS ALSO HAVE A RIGHT NOT TO VOTE?

>> WITH KICK OFF THE ROLLS.

MI DONE?

CAN I GET BACK ON IT?

WHATEVER REASON OR REASONS, THOSE FOUR TO EIGHT YEARS I GET REGISTERED ON THAT SO IT IS NOT A BIG DEAL TO GET BACK ON THE ROLLS IF WE DON'T.

THE BENEFITS OF THIS ARE MORE EFFICIENT STREAMLINING, FEWER MAN-HOURS, AND THE PROPENSITY TO REDUCE OR ELIMINATE FRAUD WHEN IT EXISTS.

>> YES, SIR.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE A EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS VOTER FRAUD, DO YOU?

>> IT IS THERE, I PROMISE YOU.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY EVIDENCE?

>> I DO NOT HAVE IT WITH ME BUT I PROMISE YOU IT IS THERE.

>> YOU PROMISED ME IT IS THERE AND YOU HAVE NO EVIDENCE.

>> I RESTRAINED HERE AFTER YEAR -- >> I JUST DON'T WANT US TO BE TOO HASTY PASSING LAWS WHEN ALL OF THIS STUFF ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON NOW ABOUT VOTER FRAUD THAT YOU KNOW EVIDENCE OF ANY YET YOU WANT TO REMOVE PEOPLE OFF OF THE ROLLS OF A PRECIOUS GIFT EVEN BY THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT, THAT ALL PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO VOTE AND SOME OF US HAD MANY STRUGGLES TRYING TO DO JUST THAT, TRYING TO FOLLOW THE CONSTITUTION AND HERE IN MISSISSIPPI WHICH DOESN'T HAVE A CLEAN RECORD ON VOTING, MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED TRYING TO DO THAT, RIGHT?

AND YOU COME WITH A BILL, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY STATISTIC OF VOTER FRAUD.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE ARE SO HASTY HERE.

>> Wilson: TODAY THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS REPORTING 984 NEW CASES OF THE CORONAVIRUS AND 39 ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

THAT BRINGS THE TOOLS IN MISSISSIPPI TO MORE THAN 280,000 CASES AND NEARLY 6500 DEATHS SINCE MARCH OF 2020.

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

RENDON JONES IS AN ATTORNEY AND FORMER DEMOCRAT MEMBER OF THE HOUSE.

FILLING IN FOR AUSTIN BARBER THIS WEEK IS FORMER MISSISSIPPI REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN LUCIEN SMITH.

THANKS FOR COMING BACK TO SEE US.

BRANDON, GOOD TO SEE YOU WITH US.

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA?

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS LAST WEEK, WE HAVE SOME CLARIFICATION THAT THE BILL WAS CLARIFIED TO EXPLAIN THIS BILL PASSED SO FAR, MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE CAPITAL WOULD BE A REPLACEMENT FOR INITIATIVE 65 IF THE COURT STRIKES DOWN 65.

WE GOT ALL THESE YEARS WITH NO ACTION, NO LAWS FROM THE LEGISLATURE ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

WHY IS IT THEY ARE STAYING PAST MIDNIGHT IN HASTE TO PASS A NEW MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL WHEN WE ALREADY HAVE THE AMENDMENT, THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT VOTERS PASSED, THAT EVEN IF THAT DOESN'T STAND UP WE HAVE A PROGRAM.

WHERE IS THIS URGENCY COMING FROM?

>> THE LEGISLATURE REALIZES THEY MADE A MISTAKE BY TURNING THIS INTO A CONSTITUTIONAL AN INITIATIVE BY NOT TAKING ACTION ON THEIR OWN.

WHEN YOU CONSTITUTIONALIZE POLICY THERE IS NO WAY TO COME BACK AND TINKER WITH IT.

YOU HAVE TO GO FOR THE INITIATIVE PROCESS, HAVE A NEW VOTE.

WHEN PEOPLE REALIZE THERE'S A PROBLEM THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO REGULATE ZONING OR TAX THE MARIJUANA PRODUCTS THAT ARE OUT THERE, PEOPLE WANT TO CHANGE THAT BUT THEY CAN'T.

IN MY SINS LISTENING TO THE DEBATE ON THE FLOOR SOME MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE MIGHT BE THINKING IF THEY PASS A LEGISLATIVE ALTERNATIVE THE SUPREME COURT WOULD BE COMFORTABLE STRIKING DOWN THE CONSTITUTIONAL INITIATIVE BUT KNOW THAT THEY ARE STILL GOING TO RESPOND TO PUBLIC SENTIMENT AND HAVE AN AUTHORIZED MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM.

>> THIS WAS NOT PROFILES IN POLITICAL COURAGE.

THE PEOPLE OF MISSISSIPPI VOTED IN FAVOR OF THIS PRODUCT 70%.

I THINK IT IS CLEAR THEY WANT TO GET IN ON THIS.

THEY MISSED THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO GET AHEAD OF IT AND THIS IS WHAT THEY ARE LEFT WITH.

I DO FIND IT INTERESTING.

SENATOR BLACKWELL, WE HAD A CHANCE TO WATCH THE EXTENDED COMMITTEE DEBATE, LAST WEEK HE SAID WOULD BENEFIT THE STATE TO HAVE TWO PROGRAMS THAT PEOPLE COULD CHOOSE WHICH PROGRAM TO BE PART OF.

THIS IS ONLY THERE IN THE EVENT, I'M NOT SURE PEOPLE WHO ARE BRINGING THIS BILL KNOW EXACTLY WHY THEY ARE BRINGING THIS.

A LOT OF BARRIERS TO THIS ONION.

I DON'T WE AS OBSERVERS TO THIS PROCESS KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON, THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL, CONFUSED WHY HE IS BRINGING THE BILL.

IS IT AN ALTERNATIVE OR DID WE NEED TWO PROGRAMS SO PEOPLE COULD CHOOSE?

AS US WATCHING, WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR EYE ON IT.

BILLS THAT PASS AT 12:0 ONE AFTER MULTIPLE TRIES AND MULTIPLE VERSIONS REQUIRE OUR FULL ATTENTION.

>> CLEARLY VOTERS INDICATED THEY WANT SOME SORT OF PROGRAM IN MISSISSIPPI.

ARE THERE OTHER FORCES AT WORK AS WELL?

FOLKS WHO STAND TO MAKE A LOT OF MONEY ON THE MARIJUANA INDUSTRY IN MISSISSIPPI?

>> SOME PEOPLE WHO WERE SUPPORTIVE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL INITIATIVE STAND TO MAKE A LOT OF MONEY OFF OF IT BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY CONSTITUTIONALIZE IN POLICY IS A BAD WAY TO DO THINGS, I WAS OPPOSED TO INITIATIVE 42 YEARS AGO, TO CONSTITUTIONALIZE EDUCATION POLICY.

SAME THING HERE, YOU MAKE GOOD POLICY OR TRY TO MAKE GOOD POLICY THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

AS PEOPLE SEE WHAT ALL WAS IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL INITIATIVE THERE WILL CONTINUE TO BE A SHIFT AWAY FROM PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTED THE INITIATIVE, WHO PROBABLY WISH THEY DID HAVE A LEGISLATIVE OUTCOME SO HOPEFULLY THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS HERE, THE SUPREME COURT IS IN STRIKING DOWN THE CONSTITUTIONAL INITIATIVE AT A LEGISLATIVELY CREATED MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM COMES INTO EXISTENCE BECAUSE IT IS CLEAR THE PEOPLE OF MISSISSIPPI WANT TO HAVE A MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM.

>> Wilson: THIS UP IN COURT COULD LET IT TAKE EFFECT AND THE VERSION PASSED BY VOTERS COULD BE THE ONE THAT BECOMES THE LAW OF THE STATE.

LET'S MOVE TO THE TRANSGENDER BILL.

WHERE IS THIS COMING FROM?

IS THIS A REACTION TO A NEW PRESIDENCY?

WIRE WE SUDDENLY TALKING ABOUT THESE THINGS IN THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE?

>> THERE IS NOT A GREAT REASON FOR THAT FROM MY PERSPECTIVE.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A BRUTAL EXAMPLE OF THE BAD LEGISLATION THAT IS COMING THROUGH THE STATE CAPITAL.

IF YOU ARE A PERSON AT HOME WHO WANTED THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE TAX HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE INTO THE CAPITAL SO YOU COULD PAST ESCALATORY BILLS, SO THAT YOU COULD PASS VOTER PURGING BILLS, SO YOU CAN REJECT MEDICAID EXPANSION AND TINKER WITH THE PROGRAM THAT PASSED 70% ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT THEN CONGRATULATIONS, BUT IF YOU ARE SOMEONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE STATE TAKE A STEP TOWARDS MODERNITY, THAT WOULD LIKE TO SEE MISSISSIPPI FOR ONCE FIND ONE BIT OF DISCRIMINATORY ACTIVITY THAT IS SWEEPING THE COUNTRY AND SAY NO, THEN THIS WAS DISAPPOINTING.

I DON'T PRETEND, GENTLEMEN, TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE A TRANS PERSON.

I DON'T PRETEND TO UNDERSTAND THAT BUT I DO KNOW THEY ARE HUMAN BEINGS AND WE HAVE NOT HAD ONE EXAMPLE OF A PERSON TRYING TO INFILTRATE A ATHLETIC PROGRAM IN THE WAY DESCRIBED I SENATOR HILL.

WE HAD NO EXAMPLE OF THIS CAUSING ANY PROBLEM AT ANY OF OUR UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES.

HERE WE ARE AGAIN ON A LARK DURING A PANDEMIC, BRINGING A DISCRIMINATORY BILL BECAUSE WE JUST HAVE TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF ANY BIT OF DISCRIMINATION THAT IS OUT IN THE ATMOSPHERE AND I AM A MISSISSIPPIAN THAT LOVES THE STATE BUT IS VERY TIRED OF US NOT SAYING NO TO HATE AND THAT IS WHAT IT IS TO ME, IT IS HATRED, IT IS FEAR, HOW TO GET PEOPLE WORKED UP AND I LOOK AT THOSE LEGISLATORS AND IF THIS IS THE TYPE OF THING THAT ANIMATES YOU, IF THIS IS THE TYPE OF THING THAT GETS YOU OUT OF BED AND LETS YOU LEAVE YOUR FAMILY, COME TO THE LEGISLATURE AND GET PAID NOTHING, THEN I THINK YOU NEED TO FIND A NEW MOTORIZATION.

THIS WAS A SAD MOMENT AND I HATE THAT IT HAPPENED AND THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IT.

>> I DON'T THINK IT IS A DISCRETIONARY BILL.

I SUPPORT THE CONCEPT OF THE BILL.

YOU ARE CERTAINLY RIGHT THIS IS NOT AN EPIDEMIC THAT MISSISSIPPI IS SEEING RIGHT NOW BUT SENATOR HILL'S POSITION AND I SUSPECT THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR IT IS A RECOGNITION THAT THE CULTURE HAS SHIFTED SO RADICALLY ON THIS POINT, YOU LOOK BACK 10 OR 20 YEARS AGO THE CONCEPT OF TRANSGENDER EVEN EXISTING, SOMETHING YOU ONLY WOULD HAVE FELT UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES AND GRADUATE SCHOOL SEMINARS AND IT HAS READILY MOVED INTO THE MAINSTREAM, 10 YEARS AGO IT WAS LISTED IN THE DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL AS BEING A MENTAL ILLNESS.

I THINK LOOKING AT HOW QUICKLY THE CULTURE HAS CHANGED, SENATOR HILL IS TRYING TO GET AHEAD OF IT AND IT IS A BIOLOGICAL FACT THAT IN THE AGGREGATE ON AVERAGE, THERE ARE PHYSICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN.

HER THINKING IS THIS IS A WAY OF PROTECTING PRIMARILY GIRLS FROM HAVING BIOLOGICAL MALES COME IN AND COMPETE AGAINST THEM AND I THINK EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT, BUT I THINK THIS BILL IS SIMPLY AN EFFORT TO PROTECT PRIMARILY FEMALE SPORTS FROM HAVING BIOLOGICAL MALES COME IN AND DOMINATE WHICH IS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN THAN NOT.

>> Wilson: YOU HAVE A SENSE THE DEMOCRATS ARE NOT GOING TO GET ANYTHING OUT OF THIS SESSION.

IS THAT HOW YOU FEEL?

>> YES, IT IS TOUGH.

WHAT WE SAW IN THIS PROGRAM TONIGHT IS A RUN UP OF BILLS THAT ARE GOING SOMEWHERE AND WHAT HAVE WE TALKED ABOUT SO FAR?

AN ALTERNATIVE TO A STATEWIDE BALLOT INITIATIVE THAT PASSED OVERWHELMINGLY AND WE TALK ABOUT A BILL TO DISCRIMINATE IN ACTION THAT IS NOT EVEN OCCURRING IN OUR STATE AND WE TALK ABOUT TINKERING WITH THE VOTE.

HOW TO TAKE PEOPLE OFF OF THE VOTING ROLLS.

THERE ARE PROGRESSIVES LIKE ME, MODERATES, REPUBLICANS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY THAT WOULD SCRATCH THEIR HEAD, THIS IS WHAT YOU COME BACK TO THE CAPITAL TO DO DURING A PANDEMIC.

YOU DON'T NEED ANY OF THIS.

THERE IS NO HUMAN CRY FOR ANY OF THIS.

IT SEEMS LIKE REPUBLICAN STINKER WITH THE CONSTITUTION EVERY TIME A DEMOCRAT GETS OUT WITH VOTING, EVERY DEMOCRAT GETS ELECTED PRESIDENT, MOTOR ID WITH BARACK OBAMA AND NOW THAT WE HAVE JOE BIDEN WE ARE GOING TO STARTING CARING WITH VOTING ROLLS.

THE OTHER PART OF THIS WE HAVEN'T EVEN DISCUSSED, MANY OF THESE BILLS ARE GOING TO INVITE LAWSUITS.

DISCOVERED HIS REACTIVITY SUCKS THAT SKIRTS TO THE EDGE OF THE NATIONAL VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND OTHER PARTS OF FEDERAL LAW.

ARE PROBLEMATIC.

WE DIDN'T EVEN TALK ABOUT THE OTHER PURGING BILL THAT IS MOVING THROUGH OVER THERE WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO CROSS-REFERENCE UNKNOWN DATABASES AND CHECK PEOPLE'S NATIONAL CITIZENSHIP.

THAT HAS BEEN STRUCK DOWN IN KANSAS AND TEXAS.

THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN AN ORIGINAL VOTER PURGING BILL IS STEALING SOMEONE ELSE'S THAT HAS BEEN STRUCK DOWN BY THE COURT BUT THAT IS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE.

I'M A LITTLE ANIMATED TONIGHT BUT IT FEELS LIKE IT IS ONE SHOT AFTER ANOTHER.

>> ON THE ELECTION INTEGRITY POINT IN PARTICULAR REPUBLICANS REGARDLESS OF WHO THE PRESIDENT IS WANTS TO MAKE SURE ONLY QUALIFIED VOTERS ARE ABLE TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS.

VOTING IS A SACRED RIGHT BUT PART OF WHAT MAKES IT SACRED IS ONLY PEOPLE WHO ARE 18 YEARS OLD WHO ARE NOT DISQUALIFIED, WHO ARE AMERICAN CITIZENS OR ARE ABLE TO VOTE.

HOW THE FINAL VERSION OF THESE BILLS WORK OUT I CERTAINLY HOPE AS IT GOES THROUGH THE PROCESS THAT WE WILL DO IT IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW AND THE CONSTITUTION, THAT WOULD BE THE GOAL OF THE LEGISLATURE BUT HAVE A PROVISION THAT SAYS WE WILL MAKE SURE YOU ARE AN AMERICAN CITIZEN BEFORE YOU CAST A VOTE IN AN AMERICAN ELECTION IS NOT OFFENSIVE AND SAYING MAKING SURE ONLY PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY ALIVE LIVING REAL PEOPLE ARE ON THE VOTER ROLLS IS ALSO PERFECTLY APPROPRIATE.

MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE DEBATE ON THE FLOOR ABOUT SENATOR TATE'S PURGING BILL IS COUNTIES IN MISSISSIPPI WHERE THERE ARE MORE REGISTERED VOTERS THAN WE HAVE PEOPLE.

THAT IS A SIGN OF A REAL PROBLEM AND IT SHOWS CIRCUIT PARKS IN THE OFFICE, IN THOSE COUNTIES THAT ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOB AND OPENS A PASSIVE OPPORTUNITY FOR FRAUD IF YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO REGISTERED TO VOTE ALMOST CERTAINLY DELIVER, DOESN'T TAKE MUCH FOR SUMMER TO CAST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT IN THEIR PLACE.

TRYING TO GO THROUGH AND HAVING PROCESSES WHERE WE MANY THOSE PEOPLE, HELPS PROTECT THE SANCTITY OF THE VOTE FOR NOT ALLOWING FRAUD TO HAPPEN.

>> Wilson: IS THERE A WAY YOU KNOW OF THAT THAT COULD BE ACHIEVED THAT YOU WOULD NOT CONSIDER THIS, THE STORY?

>> SENATOR JORDAN DID A GOOD JOB ADDRESSING VOTER FRAUD.

I SUBMIT NONE OF US BELIEVE VOTER FRAUD EXISTS AND IT IS JUST USED IN POLITICAL WAYS BUT TO YOUR QUESTION, CAN WE REMOVE DEAD PEOPLE FROM THE VOTING ROLLS AND SHOULD PEOPLE WHO MOVE OUT OF THE DISTRICT BE REMOVED?

THERE ARE LAWS ON THE BOOKS IN MISSISSIPPI THAT REQUIRE THAT?

DOES IT IS INTERESTING.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HOST LYNN PRESIDED OVER THAT CONVERSATION.

HE WAS SECRETARY OF STATE FOR 12 YEARS.

DURING THE TIME HE WAS SECRETARY OF STATE THERE WERE LAWS ON THE BOOKS THAT ALLOW ELECTION OFFICIALS TO REMOVE PEOPLE THAT WERE QUALIFIED JUST AS YOU MENTIONED.

I THINK YOU CAN DO THAT IN A NONDISCRIMINATORY WAY.

THE LAWS ARE THERE NOW.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT PASSING A NEW LAW NECESSARILY MAKES OUR CIRCUIT CLERK THAT ELECTION OFFICIALS ANY MORE ANIMATED ARE MOTIVATED TO DO THAT TYPE OF THING.

WHAT WE DO KNOW IS WE DON'T HAVE AS BIG A STAFF AS WE SOMETIMES NEED IN THESE COUNTIES, THE TRAINING ISN'T PROPER AND CIRCUIT COURTS DO A GOOD JOB OF THIS.

IT ADDS ANOTHER LAYER OF DISCRIMINATION.

>> I WILL DISAGREE WITH YOU ON ONE POINT COME A VOTER FRAUD IS A REAL THING AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

>> Wilson: THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

WE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

DON'T FORGET YOU CAN WATCH THIS PROGRAM ONLINE AND LISTEN TO THE PODCAST FOR DAY-TO-DAY COVERAGE, FOLLOW MPB NEWS ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK.

WE APPRECIATE YOU SPENDING TIME WITH US.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.