In a continued effort to reduce spending, Senate Bill 2067 was passed to extend a moratorium on the unnecessary purchase of state vehicles.

It allows the purchase of emergency and law enforcement vehicles and replacement of vehicles not deemed worthy of repair. Over time the measure is expected to save $11.8 million.

In a move to improve education from the ground up, Senate Bill 2347 was passed. It will require third grade students to read at that grade level before promotion to fourth grade in the 2014-15 school year. Only 47 percent of Mississippi third-grade students read at their proper level now.

Senate Bill 2395 will provide $8 million in support to an existing network of early childhood education classes statewide and adds additional classes through public-private partnerships. The program is voluntary.

Senate Bill 2048 seeks to increase the number of whitetail deer hunters by allowing crossbows to be used during regular bow season for deer. The measure has the potential to benefit the state through increased revenues being paid by holders of hunting licenses as well as creating spinoff revenue for retailers.

In weeks past, the Senate approved a charter school bill, but I voted against it because I believe more financing of our existing educational system can cure all problems education has suffered in recent years.

If we properly pay school personnel, equip the classrooms with modern technology and give our children the most up to date learning techniques and devices, we would see higher performance by our students.

We passed Senate Bill 2109 that will increase from seven days to 14, the time required to register new vehicles.

Other bills passed include:

•Senate Bill 2654 provides a $7.5 million grant through the Department of Education for the Mississippi Community 
Oriented Policing Services in Schools program or that will provide a 50-50 match of up to $10,000 a year per trained professional police officer hired as security in schools.

•Senate Bill 2472 seeks to save money by consolidating state office building space and creating the Capitol Complex zone where the majority of state offices will exist.

•Senate Bill 2047 allows the spouse of an officer killed in the line of duty to purchase their service weapon.

•Senate Bill 2215 clarifies existing law on concealed carry of weapons by exempting from prosecution a person who 
accidentally displays their weapon in the public, which currently violates state law.

•Senate Bill 2647 would strengthen existing safeguards to keep persons with documented cases of mental illness from being able to legally purchase a firearm. It will make state law conform to federal laws.

 

Sen. Kelvin Butler, D-Magnolia, is chairman of the labor committee and vice chairman of enrolled bills. He also serves on the business and financial institutions; energy; finance; judiciary, division A; local and private; municipalities; PEER; state library; highways and transportation and tourism committee. He can be reached at 601-359-3244 or at kbutler@senate.ms.gov.