Blackwell: Legislative Week One: Committees, Bills & What’s Next
Note: This item was written by state Sen. Kevin Blackwell and posted on his Senator Kevin Blackwell Facebook page. It is reprinted here with permission.
By State Sen. Kevin Blackwell (R-Southaven)
The first week of the legislative session has officially concluded, and I wanted to take a moment to update you on the progress we’ve made, as we begin week two. As always, it is an honor to represent you, and I look forward to keeping you informed throughout the session.
Last week, we began our work with a formal opening, which included a pledge of allegiance and a prayer. After getting settled, we focused on the necessary “housekeeping” tasks to ensure the session runs smoothly. The remainder of the week included drafting legislative bills, submitting them for eventual bill numbers and appropriate committees, and senators began the committee meeting process to discuss agency budgets.
The make-up of the Mississippi Senate remains at 52 members in total—36 of whom are Republicans. This majority allows us to continue pushing forward a conservative agenda focused on fiscal responsibility, enhancing educational opportunities, and fostering economic growth across our state.
Looking ahead, our first important deadline of the 2025 legislative session will be this Wednesday, Jan. 15. That’s the deadline for submitting requests for bills to be drafted. This is a key milestone that helps shape the direction of the session, and I’m excited to see the ideas and proposals that will move forward in the coming weeks.
If you’re interested in watching the debates and following the session live, you can do so on the Mississippi Legislative YouTube Channel: Mississippi Legislative YouTube Channel. It’s a great way to stay informed and engage with the legislative process.
While the pace was relatively steady, these initial steps are essential for a productive session. Rest assured, our work will continue to focus on commonsense, conservative solutions that make a real difference for Mississippians.
Thank you for reading and being an engaged citizen. It is an honor to serve you once again and work toward solutions that improve the lives of all Mississippians. Please do not hesitate to reach out if I may ever be of service to you or your family.