Special session reaction
May 30, 2025 – We’re starting to see and hear some local reaction to the state budget passed in the state Legislature this week. The House early Thursday and the Senate later on Thursday approved bills making up a budget of more than $7 billion for the state that goes into effect on July 1.
Lawmakers were not able to reach agreement on budget issues during the 2025 regular season, forcing Gov. Tate Reeves to call for the special session that began on Wednesday, May 28.
State Rep. Rodney Hall (R-Southaven) was pleased with what he termed a responsible budget without wasteful spending. Hall said it reflected a commitment to protect taxpayer dollars while keeping essential services running smoothly.
That’s not to say Hall was completely enamored at everything that moved from the legislators to the Governor’s desk.
“I remain deeply concerned that it didn’t go far enough in addressing pressing local needs—especially the DCRUA wastewater project and critical road infrastructure improvements in Olive Branch and across DeSoto County,” said Hall. “These projects are vital to our region’s success and quality of life. I’m actively working with our state and federal leadership to secure the funding needed to get them across the finish line, because DeSoto County deserves more than just a seat at the table—we deserve results.”
District Attorney Matthew Barton was pleased with the passage of bills that brought prosecutors to his office. Three new permanent Assistant District Attorneys will be added to the office
House Bill 49 makes two temporary ADA positions permanent and adds a third position to be fully funded in January 2027.
The change brings the total number of full-time, state-funded ADAs in DeSoto County to eight by 2027—a critical increase for one of the busiest judicial districts in the state.
“This is a game-changer for our office and the people of DeSoto County,” said Barton. “We’ve been sounding the alarm for years about the need for more prosecutors. For too long, this office was neglected while our caseload kept growing. I’m grateful to the Legislature—and especially our DeSoto County delegation—for listening and taking action.”
The results of the special session means two new circuit judges will be coming to the district, which will be renamed as the 21st Judicial District.
According to the Mississippi Supreme Court’s annual report in 2024, the county led the state in both cases filed and cases closed.
“This won’t fix everything overnight, but it’s a vital step forward,” he said about the moves to help prosecute criminals in the county.. “We’re still not where we need to be in terms of staffing to handle our caseload effectively, but every added prosecutor means more accountability, more justice, and a safer community.”
Barton noted the assistance of DeSoto County’s Senate delegation and state Reps. Hall and Justin Keen in getting the bills passed.
State Sen. Michael McLendon (R-Hernando) did express his frustration with the process of the special session, which cost taxpayers an estimated $100,000 per day.
“It’s a rush job put together by a few people that took months to put together and we look at it in a matter of hours and are asked to vote on it,” McLendon said. “It’s not fair to us or the citizens of Mississippi. It’s just not what the process should be.”
On the Senate side during the special session, the chamber adopted a $7.861 billion total state support budget that appropriated $3.321 billion to K-12 education to fully fund the Mississippi Student Funding Formula.
Institutions of Higher Learning was given a total state support budget of $838.3 million, and Community and Junior Colleges was budgeted at $299.3 million.
Other budgets included:
- University of Mississippi Medical Center, $198.9 million.
- Department of Public Safety, $177.6 million.
- Mississippi Department of Health, $94.2 million.
- Department of Mental Health, $278.7 million.
- Mississippi Development Authority, $22.7 million.
- Mississippi Department of Insurance, $13.5 million.
- Department of Corrections, $438.2 million.
- Division of Medicaid, $969.8 million.
McLendon pointed out that no money was added to the Public Employees Retirement System, which he disagreed with and voted no when that issue came up for a vote.
