[Desk] House Approves Wind Pool Funds, State Pay Increase, Partnership Bill
by Adam Lynch
Jan. 10, 2007
The Mississippi House approved three different bills Thursday, two of them leftovers that were stalled by a largely Republican minority last week that would not vote to change the rules to allow an early vote. HB 243 and HB 240 were the holdovers that passed the House after a second round of floor negotiations. HB 243 provides state funds to wind pool to reduce premium rates on commercial property, while 240 provides a pay increase for state employees. HB 240 passed with a unanimous vote while 243 passed with a lone holdout from Republican Dannie Reed, of Ackerman.
The House also passed HB 349, a bill that creates a program to replace the now unfunded Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi. The Bill collected 101 yes votes, with 18 mostly Republican nays, though the bill initially looked doomed by dissenting votes from black legislators. Rep. Omeria Scott, D-Laurel, led arguments that the board of the fledgling tobacco-cessation program did not adequately represent minorities?who statistically engage in heavy use of tobacco products. Scott was one of the Democratic votes against 349.
All three bills will now face the Senate.
Posted by ladd at 11:11 AM in Legislature, Healthcare, Insurance, Tobacco, Workforce, JFP | Email this entry
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