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Mississippi Economic Council MEC Snapshot
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Tort Reform: After Ten Years
Conference Set for May 14
The Tort Reform: After Ten Years Conference will begin at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14 at the Jackson Convention Center.
In 2004 former Governor Barbour signed into law a comprehensive law regarding tort reform in Mississippi. The Tort Reform: After Ten Years Conference will celebrate the success of the tort reform law, review its positive results and discuss risks that could reduce or reverse those benefits.
At the conference former Governor Haley Barbour will review the successful grassroots effort to pass the bill, then there will be a panel of state, professional and industry leaders who will spell out the beneficial effects of the 2004 reforms.
A second panel will discuss the future of tort reform in Mississippi; both in preserving the progress already made plus improving on those results. A reception will follow the seminar at 5 p.m., also at the Jackson Convention Center.
The public, as well as our own leaders and members, must not become complacent about lawsuit abuse. The threats against tort reform are real. We must remain active and vigilant. Governor Phil Bryant, Lt. Governor Tate Reeves and Speaker Philip Gunn have been invited to be part of this important event.
There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.
Click Here to Register
Click Here for More Information
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SpaceX Cuts Ribbon on Rocket Engine Testing Program at Stennis Space Center
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Participants in the ribbon-cutting ceremony were (from left) Gov. Phil Bryant, U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell, U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo and NASA's Stennis Space Center Director Rick Gilbrech.
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Gov. Phil Bryant and officials from commercial spaceflight company SpaceX cut the ribbon on the company's rocket engine testing program at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Hancock County. SpaceX announced in October 2013 it would bring initial testing of its Raptor methane rocket engines to the facility.
The SpaceX Raptor engine development program represents the latest in propulsion technology and will produce the largest methane/LOX engines in U.S. history. Raptor engine components will be tested at the E-2 test stand at Stennis, which SpaceX upgraded with methane capability under an engine testing agreement. The stand is now one of the most sophisticated high-pressure testing facilities in the world. It is capable of supporting many potential users and will remain the property of Stennis Space Center for future government and commercial use as needed.
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Gov. Bryant Signs Teacher Pay Raise Into Law
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Gov. Phil Bryant (center) signed into law the first pay raise for all Mississippi teachers since 2007.
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Gov. Phil Bryant today signed a pay raise for all Mississippi public school teachers into law. The raise is separate from local supplements that some districts offer and separate from stipends teachers can earn for certifications like National Board Certification. This is the first pay raise for all for all Mississippi teachers passed since 2007.
House Bill 504:
- provides a $1,500 raise for teachers in the 2014-2015 school year;
- provides a $1,000 raise for teachers in the 2015-2016 school year;
- establishes a statewide school recognition program to be implemented in the 2016-2017 school year; and
- requires the Legislature to adopt a pay plan for high-performing teachers in "C", "D" and "F" schools by the third year.
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Mississippi Children's Mental Health Summit
Set for May 8
Mississippi Children's Home Services, University of Mississippi Medical Center and Mississippi Department of Mental Health will host the Mississippi Children's Mental Health Summit on Thursday, May 8 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Hilton Jackson.
The Summit will focus on transforming children's mental health and connecting healthcare, education and economic development to children's mental health. Featured speakers include Gov. Phil Bryant, Andy Taggart of Taggart, Rimes & Graham, PLLC, Dr. Susan Buttross and Dr. David Elkin of the UMMC CAY Center, Dr. Hank Bounds of the Institute of Higher Learning and Blake Wilson of the Mississippi Economic Council.
Click Here for More Information
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Lt. Gov. Reeves Emphasizes Importance of Education at Furniture Summit
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The Magnolia State can better encourage capital investment through improved education, low taxes and balanced budgets, said Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves at Mississippi State's Furniture Summit.
At the gathering, Reeves spent more than half his keynote speech emphasizing the importance of education at all levels: from kindergarten through 12th-grade, through community college and university, and as part of workforce skills enhancement.
"Our role, government's role, is to create an environment which encourages those of you in private sector to invest capital and create jobs," Reeves said. "We can do that through education, and we are working very hard ... to make sure we create the environment where your business thrives," he continued.
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CREATE Foundation to Host State of the Region Meeting May 22
On Thursday, May 22, the CREATE Foundation will host their "State of the Region Meeting" at the BancorpSouth Conference Center in Tupelo from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Bill Johnson, TVA President and CEO, will explain TVA's vision and outlook; Dr. Carey Wright, Mississippi State Superintendent of Education will discuss the Vision for Education in Mississippi; and Philip Walker of the Walker Collaborative will present the Value of Cultural Heritage Tourism.
This event is free of charge. Please register by county. Every county with at least 25 people in attendance will receive $250 for its development organization. The county with the most in attendance will receive $1000 for its development organization.
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Click Here for More Information
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Voter ID Commercials Receive National Awards
The national 35th Annual Telly Awards have announced the Mississippi Secretary of State's Voter ID commercials were awarded two of their national awards. The commercials received a Bronze Telly in the Political Issues/Campaign Advertising Category and a Bronze Telly in the Public Service Category. Only silver and bronze honors are awarded.
"Mississippi has received two national awards for a voting campaign," says Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann. "Regardless of your views and opinions on Voter ID, our goal was to educate and engage all citizens of our State in a light-hearted and entertaining way. Our State has now been recognized nationally for our efforts."
The ads were created by the Cirlot Agency, which also created the Mississippi...Believe It! campaign.
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ACCO Brands Adds Call Center in Booneville, Creates 162 Jobs
Gov. Phil Bryant and officials from office products supplier ACCO Brands announced the company is adding call center operations at its location in Booneville. The project represents a corporate investment of $1.6 million and will create 162 full-time jobs.
ACCO Brands last expanded its operations in Booneville in 2008. That project was a $55 million corporate investment that created 300 jobs.
"ACCO Brands is a great corporate citizen in Mississippi, which is demonstrated by the addition of these new call center operations and the jobs being created. With this announcement, we have reached a milestone of announcing the creation of more than 10,000 new jobs since January 2012," Gov. Bryant said.
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Atmos Energy Celebrates
National Safe Digging Month
 Before you dig into your next outdoor project, Atmos Energy Corporation invites you to join its "iDig It" campaign designed to remind property owners, construction crews and do-it-yourselfers to always call 811 before they dig. The reminder comes as utilities across the nation recognize April as National Safe Digging Month.
Atmos Energy's "iDig It" campaign, which began on April 1, offers participants the chance to win $811 if they snap a picture of a clearly marked digging site in their community. The contest information and rules are on Atmos Energy's Facebook page and website. The goal of the campaign is to educate the public about the need to Call 811 before every digging project, whether simple landscaping or major construction of a building.
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Ten Years Later: Tort Reform Still a Hot Topic
In 2004 Former Governor Haley Barbour signed into law a comprehensive tort reform bill. MEC played a major role in helping pass this legislation, which remains vital for our state's strong economic competitiveness.
While this was a major victory and drastically improved the business climate in Mississippi, we know the fight is still ongoing. The tort reform law has continuously been under attack and has faced several court challenges. It is imperative that this reform remain at the forefront of our push to make Mississippi the best place to do business and put our state in the greatest place of opportunity. Fighting for the integrity of this law is crucial to Mississippi's future.
The "Tort Reform: After Ten Years" Conference will be held on May 14 to celebrate the signing of this reform into law. The conference will review its positive results and discuss the opposition and risks to the integrity of the law that could jeopardize it and reduce or reverse its benefits.
It is important you take part in events like this to understand of the successes of tort reform as well as an stay on up-to-date of the legitimate threats that exist. We must continue to fight to move Mississippi forward.
We hope you can attend this very important event.
Keep the Faith,
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You are receiving this newsletter because of your past involvement with the Mississippi Economic Council. For more information about MEC, please visit our website at www.msmec.com.
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ABOUT US
The Mississippi Economic Council has been the voice of Mississippi business since 1949. MEC deals with broad issues that relate to businesses through advocacy, research, resources and leadership. MEC has 8,600 members from 1,100 member firms in 2,400 locations throughout Mississippi.
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Mississippi Economic Council - The State Chamber of Commerce
248 E. Capitol Street, Suite 940 - Jackson, Mississippi 39201
P.O. Box 23276 - Jackson, Mississippi 39225-3276
Phone: 601-969-0022 - 1-800-748-7626
Fax: 601-353-0247 - 1-888-717-2809
Click Here for MEC Web Site
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