Legislative Update 32

September 21, 2008

Dear Friends,

It has been a busy two weeks. The House Transportation Committee has held productive meetings on county speed control, cycling, and the Mississippi Department of Transportation. In addition to attending these informational sessions, I enjoyed speaking to our local chapter of Retired Teachers, the Pascagoula High School football team, and the Mississippi Chapter of Family Members of Homicide Victims at their annual Beacon of Hope Retreat.

During September, I have also submitted 14 bills for drafting. I intend to submit these bills on the first day of the 2009 session. In addition to the bills relating to a governor’s ability to pardon murderers and a bill that would disallow certain convicts from participating in our state’s trusty program, I have requested drafting for the following:

  • A bill banning the use of bisphenol-A in all products intended for children under age 7;
  • A bill that would allow families, employers, and friends of gambling addicts to petition the State Gaming Commission for an order barring these individuals from entering a casino in the State of Mississippi;
  • A bill requiring insurance coverage for treatment of infertility in certain policies;
  • A bill providing tax incentives for individuals who construct homes with solar panels;
  • A bill requiring proof of insurance upon the issuance or re-issuance of a motor vehicle license plate;
  • A bill increasing the fine by $100 for each repeat offense of the child restraint law; and
  • A bill disallowing an individual who kills another from inheriting property from the deceased.

I want to thank those of you who have sent me your ideas and encourage all of you to let me know when you think of something the legislature should consider.

Insurance Committee Hearing Moved to September 30

The House Insurance Committee will hold its public hearing on Gulf Coast housing issues on Tuesday, September 30 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center in Biloxi. I hope you will consider coming to this important hearing.

Medicaid Update

On September 8, Governor Barbour released a statement indicating that in May, the Department of Medicaid discovered that the state has been overpaying the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services since 2003. As a result, CMS has refunded approximately $92 million to Mississippi and resolved the current Medicaid shortfall.

That’s a big chunk of change for the state to find in its couch cushions and it’s very good news for Mississippi Medicaid recipients and providers. The bad news is, taxpayers spent over $600,000 on a Special Session that we now know was completely unnecessary.

Since this is one-time money, the Legislature will have to once again consider a long term funding solution once the 2009 Session begins. To hear an interview I gave to Mississippi Public Broadcasting on future Medicaid funding follow this link: http://www.mpbonline.org/news/local-news/0809-ondemand/stories.htm to the Wednesday, September 10 story entitled “Future Funding for Medicaid.”

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