Legislators assess 2014 session

List successes in local gathering

DeSoto County’s delegation to the Mississippi Legislature lists a full menu of accomplishments in the 2014 session, including teacher pay raises, a state trooper school, beefing up the Rainy Day Fund and passing local bills that aid parks in Hernando and Southaven.

And they’re taking orders for ongoing priorities, such as removing a Section 42 housing tax loophole and authorizing local actions to boost development.

But you’ve got to speak up.

“I tell people, don’t complain if you haven’t called me,” said state Rep. Forrest Hamilton, R-Olive Branch. “We need your input, so I’m looking forward to phone calls.”

“We work well and play well together,” added state Rep. Wanda Jennings, RSouthaven.

She said the legislative sandbox isn’t a kid-glove place: “It’s rough and tumble,” but the county’s team sticks together in the thick of it.

In a lively session last week in Southaven with the DeSoto Economic Development Council, DeSoto-based lawmakers recapped the busy 90-day session that ended April 2 — four days ahead of schedule.

Jennings and other law- makers pointed to a pair of bills with a local spin.

The Legislature passed a $199.9 million bond bill that includes $250,000 to Southaven for improvements at Snowden Grove Park on Getwell Road.

And Gov. Phil Bryant signed a long-sought bill that allows voters in Hernando to decide on a 2-cent levy per hotel or restaurant dollar to benefit parks, especially develop- ment of the still-empty 70acre Renasant Park tract.

Parks and recreation improvements “will provide more reasons for people to visit and move to Hernando,” said state Rep. Pat Nelson, R-Southaven. “It won’t be an overnight thing, but it will help.”

On a statewide level, Nelson cited passage of a corrections reform bill

that provides “true minimums” for time served, gives more authority to judges, enhances controls on prison costs and provides standards for alternative sentencing.

“It’s anticipated this bill will save more than $266 million over 10 years,” said Nelson. “It’s one of our major accomplishments.”

Jennings said DeSoto County educators and others across the state will benefit from a pay raise; teachers last received a salary hike from the state in fiscal 2008.

“Nearly $60 million of the education budget goes toward this increase,” said Jennings, who serves on the House Education Committee.

A $1,500 raise goes into effect July 1 this year, with another $1,000 raise starting July 1, 2015. Designated funds must be spent on salaries and cannot be used for equipment.

The measure also authorizes a merit-based pay system for teachers in the third year for “A” and “B” schools or any school that improves one letter grade in a year.

Jennings also noted the successful fight to return control of the start date of the school year to local districts. In 2012, lawmakers approved a start of no earlier than the third Monday in August, pushing the end of the fall semester and tests after the Christmas holiday.

Some opponents said passage “would be over their dead bodies, but they’re still living and doing fine,” said Jennings.

She also was pleased to see $ 409 million restored to the state’s Rainy Day Fund: “We filled it up and it’ll be there when we need it,” such as another Katrina-type event.

State Sen. Chris Massey, R-Nesbit, said public safety gets an assist with $6.9 million of the Department of Public Safety’s budget for a new state trooper school to graduate officers to join the ranks. He said numbers show the need.

With the last school funded in 2011, the state Highway Patrol is some 150 troopers short of the 600 that should be on the road and there are about 130 troopers eligible for retirement.

“It amazes me just how few troopers we have on the road,” said Massey. “We were able to get the school in with the governor’s help.”

Much was done, and there’s more to be done.

Jim Flanagan, president and chief executive of the development council, asked about a special session to hear measures to strengthen economic development resources. After being advised that special sessions are the governor’s province, Flanagan said he’d be in contact with Bryant’s office.

In March the DeSoto Board of Supervisors, at Flanagan’s recommendation, requested a local bill to authorize direct county contribution of funds or “in kind” support to the council to negotiate with industrial prospects, to package deals on “certificated” sites and bring them to the board. The legislative session ended with no action.

“Our delegation tried hard to get it heard, but the chairmen of the House and Senate committees had self-imposed deadlines that were different from the published calendar,” said County Administrator Vanessa Lynchard. “We’ll keep trying.”

Horn Lake Mayor Allen Latimer, a former DeSoto County supervisor, called on lawmakers to try again to repeal Senate Bill 3100 involving Section 42 lowincome housing. Local entities say the 2005 statute contains a property-valuation loophole allowing certain federally subsidized, multimillion-dollar multifamily residences, and in some cases single-family residences, to escape payment of their fair share of taxes.

In January the supervisors, noting DeSoto County loses $600,000 to $700,000 annually in ad valorem tax revenue, sent a resolution to Jackson asking repeal. The effort was unsuccessful this year, as it has been for several years.

“But if you could drag it out of the barn again, we’d appreciate it,” said Latimer.