Governor Tate Reeves announced that he is open to calling a special legislative session on education. He should.
Two and a half months into the session, Mississippi’s state legislature has so far accomplished remarkably little. Senator Jeremy England’s well thought out efforts to restore the ballot initiative (SCR 518) failed. Speaker Jason White and Representative Jansen Owen’s flagship school choice bill (HB 2), a product of months of work and careful deliberation, died. So too did the House proposal on teacher pay (HB 1126). Ditto for plans to reform PERS, the Public Employee Retirement System, into which a lot of first responders and others had put enormous thought. Having convened for more than 40 days, it is hard to think of a single significant legislative achievement this session. That the legislature has so little to show for all those hours (and per diem payments) is not due to a lack of effort on the part of many lawmakers. There was no shortage of good proposals. The problem is that they all died in the Senate. Governor Tate Reeves now has the power to break the logjam with a special session. He should make it clear that he will call a special session for April, with a single education bill on the agenda, one that both raises teacher pay (modeled on HB 1126) and gives parents more power (modeled on HB 2). Any lawmaker who votes against what is put before the special session will be voting against teacher pay increases. At the same time, our Governor should make it clear that if there is no agreement, he will call a second special session in May, then in June, July, and into the summer if that is what it takes. In Texas, where families now control their child’s education tax dollars, that is what Governor Greg Abbott ended up having to do. Governor Reeves would be in good company. Lawmakers are up for reelection next year. This time next year, some might face primary elections. It would be a bold move to go into a long summer, months before a potential primary election, repeatedly voting to kill teacher pay increases and parent power. In his comments earlier this week, Governor Reeves remarked, “I do not have much time left”. With the end of his eight year term in sight, and term limited, he appears to be reflecting on his legacy. What an impressive legacy it already is. Mississippi is on a roll economically. In 2024, we ranked second nationally in real GDP growth. Household incomes have surged. Outside investment is pouring in. After decades of decline, more people moved to Mississippi last year than left. But for a Southern state now surrounded by neighbors that have embraced school choice, one key policy remains conspicuously absent: effective, meaningful school choice here at home. Governor Reeves has a historic opportunity to change that by calling a special session. In doing so, he could deliver this long sought reform, cement a lasting achievement for Mississippi families, and virtually guarantee that his successor is pro parent power too. Douglas Carswell runs the Mississippi Center for Public Policy, Mississippi’s free market think tank.This post is a paid advertisement.
5 comments:
As usual, MCPP grossly overstates the "groundswell" of support for school choice. Even in the House, the might Speaker was only able to generate 61 votes (out of 122) in favor of HB 2, and he would not have had number 61 if he had not left the voting open long enough for Representative Horan to walk back to his desk to cast his vote. There were 59 votes cases against HB2, and many of those representatives have an "R" behind their name. Teacher pay is an entirely different issue, and perhaps the Governor should call a special session on teacher pay, but there is no "overwhelming" support for school choice as evidenced by the way HB2 barely limped out of the House.
I think there is much stronger sentiment among taxpayers for the two sides to work out an agreement on this before any special session is called. Do not waste taxpayer money on a special session that could drag on for many days without yielding results.
From what I understand, the concept of parent directed school choice has about 80% polling favorability, but the challenge is getting something out that might be perceived as hurting "good" districts so the inclusion of district transfer provisions stirred up those concerns. Perhaps the legislature could just limit it to Hinds Co. residents as a trial.
School Choice further weakens shitty public schools and enables gifted students stuck in them. Private Schools can interview and accept or decline applicants. Support School Choice and Vouchers, send education choices back to parents.
The voters spoke loud and clear to their Senators after the House tried to pull a fast one. This issue should clearly clearly be dead in the Senate, so move on to other issues.
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