JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Lawmakers are in the final days of this year's legislative session. Some of the high-profile problems are close to being solved. Education funding and retirement system changes are among the items introduced by Congress over the weekend.
Lawmakers have only funded it twice since it was created in 1997, but its repeal is imminent. Lawmakers want to replace it with the “Mississippi Student Funding Formula.”
“100% think this is the better way to do it,” said Rep. Rob Roberson, chairman of the House Education Committee.
Includes weighting based on student needs. This means districts will receive additional funding for students who live in poverty, have special needs, or are learning English as a second language. The House Education Committee chairman said it is designed to benefit districts that need it most.
“I can honestly say that the way we're doing things right now, most districts, especially those with smaller tax bases, should definitely be given more money,” Roberson said.
The Mississippi Educators Association says it is hopeful about the simplified formula.
“We know that school districts rely on funding from the state level to ensure a successful school year,” said MAE President Erica Jones. “This will make it easier for districts to plan for the upcoming school year.”
If approved by the governor, it would change the public employee retirement system known as PERS. But it fell short of the level of the original proposal, which sparked controversy at the beginning of the session. Here's what changes: The bill would halt a planned 2% increase in employer contributions. This will be replaced by a 0.5% increase each year until 2028.
“This will inject more money into the system,” explained the bill's author, Sen. David Parker.
Any future changes would require parliamentary approval.
Some of the details that led to the phone calls and emails to members of Congress are not mentioned.
“Let's be clear about one thing: the PERS board has not changed,” Parker noted. “And more importantly, the benefits and promises everyone has before joining the system will not change at this time.”
Want more WLBT news in your inbox? click here To subscribe to our newsletter.
Is there a spelling or grammar error in the story? Please click here Report it and include the article headline in your email.
Copyright 2024 WLBT. All rights reserved.