Legislative Update 51

April 07, 2009

Dear Friends,

Last Wednesday, the Legislature adjourned until May or June when lawmakers will return to the Capitol to finalize the state budget in advance of the 2010 fiscal year which begins on July 1. Several major issues await resolution including the cigarette tax and Medicaid funding. While progress has been made in negotiations on these matters, conferees have been unable to settle on final figures. By my last count the separation on the cigarette tax was twenty cents with House conferees recommending an eighty cent increase and Senate conferees recommending a sixty cent increase. With regard to Medicaid, the conferees are negotiating whether (and by how much) to increase the hospital provider assessment or “hospital tax”.

While I am not on any of the conference committees considering these issues, my best guess is that the cigarette tax will be raised between 64 and 68 cents and that the hospital provider assessment will end up in the $45 million range. Whatever the case, I’ll be sure to provide an update on these matters at some point during the summer.

Governor Signs Bill to Help Domestic Violence Fund

On March 30, the Governor signed a bill I sponsored that will benefit agencies combating domestic violence across the state. House Bill 989 places an assessment on bail bonds that is deposited into the Victims of Domestic Violence Fund. These dollars will go toward funding temporary housing, 24 hour crisis lines, counseling, and educational outreach at Mississippi’s abuse shelters. You can review the bill here

Family News

This will likely be my last update until the May or June session as my wife and I are expecting the birth of our second child any day now. Laurie and I thank you for your prayers and support during this exciting time.

How to Contact Me

If you have any questions or concerns, I invite you to call me on my cell phone at 228-326-7649 or e-mail me at bjones@house.ms.gov. Please feel free to forward this report to folks in our district and let me know if I need to add someone to my list.

I will also be posting my updates and House related news on my campaign website at www.electbrandonjones.com.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Brandon