Blackwell: Legislative Week 3 Update: Progress, Priorities, and Key Deadlines
Photo credit: State Sen. Kevin Blackwell/Facebook
By State Sen. Kevin Blackwell (R-Southaven)
Note: State Sen. Kevin Blackwell has provided the following update on action the past week in the Mississippi State Senate and DeSoto County News is reprinting the update as written on his Facebook page with permission.
Last week, was the third week of the 2025 Legislative Session, and there was significant progress on multiple fronts. Here’s a look at what’s been happening:
Deadline for Bill Introductions
Last Monday, Jan. 20 marked the deadline for introducing general bills and constitutional amendments. Senators have now turned their focus to reviewing these proposals as we work toward shaping the future of our state.
Appropriations Subcommittees in Action
Throughout the week, Senators have continued to review agency funding requests in Appropriations subcommittee meetings. This process ensures that our state’s agencies receive the resources they need to serve our communities effectively.
Support for Local Weather Reporting
On Jan. 20, the Senate passed Senate Resolution 7, which urges Allen Media Broadcasting, based in Los Angeles, to retain the in-house weather reporting services of WTVA, Channel 9 in Tupelo. Allen Media had announced plans to dismiss WTVA’s local meteorology team and use a remote weather service provider. Senators expressed strong support for the valuable role WTVA plays in serving the region, emphasizing the importance of keeping local weather reporting services to better meet the needs of our communities.
Agriculture Outlook
On Jan. 23, the Senate Agriculture Committee convened to discuss the state of Mississippi’s farming industry. Topics included projections for crop production and exploring solutions to help our farmers increase profitability and boost the number of active farmers in our state. Mississippi’s agriculture industry remains a cornerstone of our economy, and we are committed to supporting its growth and sustainability.
Upcoming Deadlines
Looking ahead, the next major deadline is Feb. 4, when Senate committees must report on general bills and constitutional amendments. This is a critical step in ensuring that we continue to move forward with our legislative priorities.
Additionally, please note that the original floor action for general bills and constitutional amendments originating in the Senate must take place by Thursday, Feb. 13. This will be a key date as we move closer to the final stages of this legislative session.
As always, I remain committed to serving you and representing the best interests of our district and our state. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
