This past week was the end of the first month of the 2019 legislative session. This week was the busiest week for committees as the February 5 deadline approaches. After Tuesday, Feb. 5, no additional general bills will be added to the House calendar for consideration. The busiest committees on which I server were Judiciary A, Transportation, and Education. As always there were some good bills passed out of these committees and also some bad bills.
Municipal Annexation Bill
House Bill 1051, authored by Rep. Steve Hopkins and co-authored by myself would give citizens who live in areas of proposed annexation the right to vote on the annexation effort. This bill directly address the concerns of the citizens who live in the proposed annexation areas around Olive Branch. As a resident of Olive Branch the proposed annexation does not directly affect me, but as the representative of the people in the annexation area it is my responsibility to voice their concerns and find solutions to their problems in state government especially if their problem comes from government.
House Bill 1051 would require a vote by the people in the proposed annexation area and give them a voice and the ability to decide if they want to become a part of the city. This is the way all annexation efforts should be handled throughout the state. Today, the bill is in the hands of the Apportionment and Elections Chairman, it is his decision to bring this bill to the committee for a vote. If he does not by February 5 the bill is dead.
Keep up with Proposed Legislation
If you are interested in keeping a closer watch on legislation as it makes its way through the legislative process, I recommend www.mspolicyvotes.org.
This website is maintained by the Mississippi Center for Public Policy. They score each bill that reaches the House Calendar in relation to the core principles that guided our Founders.
Proposed state legislation (bills) will be graded as green (good for liberty), yellow (neutral), or red (bad for liberty) based on three criteria:
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Does the law expand the size, scope, intrusiveness, or cost of government?
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Does the law limit either economic or individual liberty?
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Does the law restrict free market competition (voluntary exchange and consumer choice) or private enterprises (such as churches, nonprofits, charities, parents, etc.)
If you have any questions, concerns, or request, please email me at criswelldana@yahoo.com or give me a call on my cell phone at (901) 275-4191.
It is an honor to serve you, and I humbly ask for your prayers as we seek to make decisions that help the people of our state.
Dana
To learn more about me or my campaign visit my website, www.DanaCriswellforMississippi.com.
