During the 2011 legislative session that ended on April 7, the Senate passed a $5.5 billion budget that funds K-12 education at $2.25 billion.

Institutions of higher learning will receive $701 million and community and junior colleges were given $233 million.

We passed a bond bill that provided $98.9 million for our institutions of higher learning. The money will be used to maintain structures on the campuses of those colleges and universities. Senators also provided $25 million in maintenance funds for community and junior colleges.

The bond bill also included $73 million for the Mississippi Industry Incentive Financing Revolving Fund that allows the state to loan money to corporations locating in Mississippi to create jobs. This fund is credited with helping the state to continue being able to lure new companies.

The bond bill also placed another $20 million into the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund.

Also passed was Senate Bill 2472, “Nathan’s Law,” that will enhance penalties for passing stopped school buses. It was named in honor of 5-year-old Jones County youth Nathan Keys, who died from injuries suffered when a vehicle struck him after illegally passing a stopped school bus.

Another law geared toward children is the Career Track Program, Senate Bill 2557, a bill that established a program allowing high school students who will not pursue a bachelors degree to graduate with a diploma and credits toward community college certification in a vocational-technical course of study.

Senate Bill 2821 will create the Mississippi Dog and Cat Pet Protection Law of 2011 that set out criminal penalties for people who intentionally harm an animal. I authored this bill and thank everyone for their tremendous support in seeking its passage in both houses of the legislature. It is now awaiting Gov. Barbour’s signature.

The passage of Senate Bill 2196 created a law that requires riders of ATVs age 16 and under to wear helmets while on public rights of way in hopes of saving lives and reducing the number of injuries that young people suffer each year.

Other Senate Bills passed include:

• Senate Bill 2597 establishes criminal penalties for adults who allow minors to consume or possess alcohol at parties.

• Senate Bill 2413 created a Blue Alert program to assist in the investigation of and apprehension of persons who assault a law enforcement officer.

• Senate Bill 2511 allows school boards to auction 16th Section land hunting and fishing leases in order to increase district revenues.

• Senate Bill 2192 will require safety lights to be used on loads of timber projecting a certain distance beyond the rear of the trailer.

• Senate Bill 2450 made Mississippi’s Organic Certification Program mirror that of the USDA.

• Senate Bill 2289, created stiffer penalties for violating of the Open Meetings Act and forces the public officials to pay the fine themselves instead of using taxpayer money to do so.  It also assesses a fine for anyone who denies access to public records.

• Senate Bill 2596 increased the daily penalty for elected officials who fail to file in a timely manner, a statement of economic interest.

• Senate Bill 2059 created the Mississippi Country and Western Music Commission that will study ways to create more interest in and better marketing of the art form in part as a means of promoting tourism.

If I can be of assistance, please call me at 601-359-3244 or e-mail me at bdearing@senate.ms.gov.

Bob M. Dearing is a Democrat representing a portion of Adams County in the Mississippi Senate.