Latest news with #JACKSON
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mississippi Democrats not happy with tax overhaul bill
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Governor Tate Reeves has until Monday, March 31 to sign or veto House Bill 1. While the governor has said he would sign the bill, lawmakers are waiting to see what action he will take. House Speaker Jason White (R-Miss.) believes Reeves will sign the bill into law as early as Thursday, March 27. House Bill 1 passed earlier this session with the major goal being the elimination of the state income tax. The bill does not include everything the House wanted, but it retains the elimination of the state income tax as a non-negotiable element. The House recently agreed to changes made by the Mississippi Senate, but a typo in the trigger language of the bill could accelerate the state's shift into tax cut mode. House Minority Leader Robert Johnson III (D-District 94) said the language error will push the state income tax elimination into action faster than initially planned. Mississippi income tax elimination bill awaits governor's approval 'The trigger is actually no longer a trigger because at the 80/500 of a percent, we essentially are in tax cut mode right now,' Johnson said. The bill also reduces the grocery tax from 7% to 5% and raises the gas tax by a total of $0.09 over three years. 'Regardless of the other features or how you feel about other aspects of the bill, there's no denying it eliminates the income tax in as soon as 14 years. While that's not fast enough for some, the House plan was a little faster than that—11 years,' said White. Democratic lawmakers in both the House and Senate have voice strong opposition to the bill, particularly because of its impact on the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Starting in 2026, new state employees would see their retirement contributions split between a traditional pension and a 401(k)-style plan. State Senator David Blount (D-District 29) argued that this change will hurt Mississippi's public employees. 'This bill is wrong for the retirement system, and it's going to make it harder for school districts, for first responders, firefighters, law enforcement to be retained to do those vital jobs when their retirement benefits are not nearly what they are now,' Blount stated. According to White, the Senate invited conference on Senate Bill 3095 last week. He is willing to negotiate about a trigger, but they want it to be reasonable. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Onion
13-03-2025
- Business
- The Onion
Egg Companies Assure Customers Dozen Has Always Meant 9
JACKSON, MS—Seeking to assuage consumer concerns about dwindling supplies, the nation's egg companies reportedly assured shoppers this week that a dozen has always meant nine. 'While we have seen some temporary shortfalls due to the avian flu, I want to let all our loyal customers know that we will continue to sell delicious, farm-fresh eggs by the dozen, which is a colloquial way to refer to the number nine,' said Cal-Maine Foods CEO Sherman Miller, joining egg producers across the country to tout the product as still readily available in the same paper-pulp or plastic containers that hold a dozen eggs plus 'three empty, bonus chambers.' 'Eggs are a crucial staple of the American diet, and they're not going anywhere. So come by your local grocery store today and pick out whatever size suits you best—our smaller half dozen, which is to say four eggs, all the way up to our 18-pack, which can hold anywhere from 12 to 15.' Miller added that his company was proud to continue their longstanding tradition of making one out of every five eggs a decoy made of styrofoam.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Yahoo
What is the impact of domestic violence in Mississippi?
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Amid prominent cases featuring individuals accused of relationship violence statewide, statistics shed light on the scope of the issue in Mississippi. Domestic Violence Awareness Month may be in October, but its devastating impact exists throughout the year. A 2023 report analyzing services used during one day found that hundreds of Mississippians rely on shelter services to protect themselves. Oftentimes, victims cannot receive the services they need. During the one-day overview of domestic violence services across Mississippi, 56 service requests could not be met due to a lack of resources. Approximately 82% of these unmet requests were for housing and emergency shelter. State data provides an overview of how domestic violence services are used. In fiscal year 2015, domestic violence programs in Mississippi received a total of 40,317 calls for emergency assistance or referrals. Shelters provided temporary housing and safety to 2,114 women, men and children. Bill would establish Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board in Mississippi That year, about three in five women who were provided shelter reported an annual family income of less than $5,000. Only 3% reported a family income of greater than $30,000. Under Mississippi law, the scope of domestic violence includes current or former romantic partners or spouses, as well as family members. This includes children, grandchildren, parents and grandparents. It also encompasses violations of domestic abuse protective orders, as well as certain misdemeanor and criminal actions. These actions include, but are not limited to, the following: Stalking or cyberstalking Simple or aggravated assault Sexual battery or rape Kidnapping Physical, emotional or psychological harm to a victim by a spouse, former spouse or other specified individuals also qualifies as domestic violence. The crime's classification as a misdemeanor or felony is dependent on the severity of the offense and the number of times it is committed. A bill to establish a second domestic violence offense as a felony died in committee this legislative session. Bills in 2021 and 2022 that sought to bar convicted domestic abusers from owning guns also died in committee. However, bills to establish a domestic violence fatality review board passed in both the Mississippi House and Senate back in February. Each bill passed in each respective chamber unanimously. According to the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 11 domestic violence shelters exist statewide to serve Mississippians. To access them or other resources, click here. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mississippi bill requiring rape kits for hospitals dies
JACKSON, Miss (WJTV) – A Mississippi House bill that would prohibit hospitals in Mississippi from reusing a rape kit or treatment for sexual assault victims has died. House Bill 928 would have required hospitals to administer a rape kit to all sexual assault victims died in the Senate Public Health Committee. 'We are trying to keep the issue alive. We're hopeful that we can put this language in another bill and hopefully keep it at the forefront,' said State Rep. Dana McLean (R-District 39). The bill was introduced after McClean learned about several reports of victims being turned away from hospitals without a test. Some were asked to drive hours to another facility. Mississippi to allow direct wine shipments to residents 'We are hearing from victims that have gone to three different medical facilities, three different emergency rooms and still not received treatment, or they were told to drive to another city in another state such as Memphis, where there is a Rape Crisis Center,' McLean stated. The bill would have mandated all hospitals to have enough tests and require qualified staff to administer a rape kit on duty at all times. 'There's at least a nurse there, a registered nurse or a physician's assistant there. So, that's really the staff that is needed to perform a kit,' said McLean. She said proper rape kits are key to prosecuting rape cases. 'How can we prosecute an offender if we don't have a rape kit from the victim? So, this is really the first step in a prosecution. And if this doesn't happen, then that perpetrator gets away with a sexual assault,' McLean stated. She hopes to draft another piece of legislation regarding rape test availability by the end of the Legislative Session. Under the U.S. Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, a hospital should not turn away a rape victim without providing at least an initial medical screening. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
CDC: Mississippi has 2nd highest rate of vision loss
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – As Mississippi quickly approaches the end of Low Vision Awareness Month, statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show a clear picture of how Mississippians are disproportionally impacted. According to the National Eye Institute, millions of people in the United States are living with a visual impairment. These impairments, which can make it hard to do everyday activities, often cannot be fixed with glasses, contacts, medicine or surgery. In Mississippi, 3.28% of residents have visual acuity loss. According to the CDC, that is the second highest rate nationally. Various types of eye conditions include age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and other conditions. However, a particular type of eye condition disparately impacts Mississippi. Mississippi has the third-highest diabetes mortality rate. However, the disease can also contribute to poor eyesight. According to 2024 data from the Mississippi State Department of Health, diabetic retinopathy occurs at higher rates for men and women in Mississippi compared to the United States average. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among American adults. Black Mississippians are about 33% more likely to suffer from the disease compared to white residents. Smoking, nephropathy, dyslipidemia, obesity and poorly managed hypertension and diabetes contribute to an increased risk of diabetic retinopathy. Mississippians have significantly higher rates of tobacco usage, heart problems and obesity compared to most Americans. Even if one suffers from vision impairment, state resources exist to help residents. The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services provides resources to help Mississippians with disabilities find careers, face new challenges and live more independently. For more information, click here. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
