By Vickie D. King and Eric J. Shelton | Originally published by Mississippi Today
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Mississippi legislators have ended their three-month regular session after a flurry of activity this week. The House and Senate set a $7.4 billion state budget for the year that begins July 1, about a 3% increase in spending over the current year. They also voted to give teachers a $2,000 pay raise and approved a “Christmas tree” bill to fund $253 million of local projects.
Sen. Theresa Gillespie-Isom, D-Southaven, asks a question about a bill in the Senate chamber at the Mississippi Capitol in Jackson on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi TodaySen. David Blount, D-Jackson, listens as legislation is discussed in the Senate chamber at the Mississippi Capitol in Jackson on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi TodayA view of the Mississippi Capitol on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi TodayHouse Education Committee Chairman Rob Roberson, R-Starkville, speaks at the state Capitol on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayRep. Jeffery Harness, D-Fayette, left, plays an imaginary violin as Reps. John Hines, D-Greenville, center, and Robert Johnson, D-Natchez, listen to the discussion of a bill at the state Capitol on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayA view of the Mississippi Capitol on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi TodaySen. Josh Harkins, R-Flowood, listens as legislation is discussed in the Senate chamber at the Mississippi Capitol in Jackson on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi TodaySen. Nicole Boyd, R-Oxford, asks a question about a bill in the Senate chamber at the Mississippi Capitol in Jackson on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi TodayA view of the Mississippi Capitol in Jackson on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi TodayReps. Lee Yancey, R-Brandon, left, and Rodney Hall, R-Southaven, listen to a discussion Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the state Capitol in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayReps. Rickey Thompson, D-Shannon, left, and Perry Bailey, R-Calhoun City, speak to each other at the state Capitol on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayA view of the Mississippi Capitol on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi TodaySen. Johnny DuPree, D-Hattiesburg, asks a question during a debate in the Senate chamber at the Mississippi Capitol in Jackson on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi TodaySen. Chris Johnson, R-Hattiesburg, discusses a bill in the Senate chamber at the Mississippi Capitol in Jackson on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi TodayA view of the Mississippi Capitol on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi TodayHouse Speaker Jason White chats with a fellow lawmaker on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the state Capitol in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayReps. Tracey Rosebud, D-Tutwiler, left, and Brent Anderson, R-Bay St. Louis, chat at the state Capitol on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayA view of the Mississippi Capitol in on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi TodaySen. Rod Hickman, D-Macon, asks a question during a debate in the Senate chamber at the Mississippi Capitol in Jackson on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi TodayLt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann listens as legislation is discussed in the Senate chamber at the Mississippi Capitol in Jackson on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi TodayA view of the Mississippi Capitol on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi TodayRep. Chris Bell, D-Jackson, asks questions about a bill on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the state Capitol in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayMembers of the House of Representatives at the state Capitol on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi TodayA view of the Mississippi Capitol on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Jackson. Credit: Eric Shelton/Mississippi Today
