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Lt. Gov. Reeves Proposes $110 Million Boost to
K-12 Education Funding
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Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves recently announced his support for increased funding for K-12 public schools by $110 million, which would bring total education funding to top $3.5 billion in Fiscal Year 2016.
His proposal would direct 86 percent of the expected growth in state revenues to schools. Officials expect the state to collect $127 million more in general funds in FY 2016 than in the current budget year, which ends June 30.
"I have made funding schools a priority by directing new revenue growth into outcome-based education programs," Reeves said. "As Mississippi's economy strengthens, we are on target to fund education at historic levels."
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Workforce Legislation Clears First Hurdle
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The Mississippi legislature has advanced legislation to improve Mississippi's competitiveness in workforce development - the No. 1 priority when companies consider new locations or expansions.
Legislation introduced by Senate Finance Chairman Joey Fillingane and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jeff Smith that would create a fund of approximately $50 million over two years to address targeted workforce training needs - without raising taxes or taking money away from any existing program.
House Workforce Development Committee Chairman Donnie Bell provided strong leadership and hard work to get House Bill 911 to the House Floor, while Chairman Fillingane use a procedural motion to advance Senate Bill 2457 prior to today's committee deadline.
MEC has worked closely with officials from Mississippi's Community Colleges, the Mississippi Department of Employment Security and the Mississippi Development Authority.
Governor Phil Bryant lists the creation of this strategic workforce fund as a priority in his State of the State address.
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Over 200 Join MEC & Gov. Phil Bryant on
Workforce Conference Call
 Creating a $50 million workforce training fund over the next two years is among MEC's top legislative priorities this year. MEC took a step toward displaying a unified front in that quest by partnering with Gov. Phil Bryant and the MEC membership during a conference call on Jan. 30.
During the call, Gov. Bryant highlighted the need for the workforce training fund to make Mississippi a more competitive place to do business and to strengthen our ability to bring jobs to the state.
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Statewide Workforce Training Key to Mississippi's Future
Dear ,
MEC members have told us time and again - Workforce is the No. 1 issue standing in the way of economic development in Mississippi.
Last Friday, MEC joined Gov. Phil Bryant on a conference call with MEC members to hear his vision for workforce development training funding in our state.
During the call, Gov. Bryant highlighted the need for the workforce training fund to make Mississippi a more competitive place to do business and to strengthen our ability to bring jobs to the state. Creating a $50 million workforce training fund over two years is THE legislative priority for this session, and having the support of the Gov. is vital to getting our legislators to reach across the aisles and work together to make Mississippi more competitive.
This legislation has brought many organizations to the table - business leaders, Mississippi community colleges, MDES, MDA and others. All have realized the importance of workforce development to the future of our state and all possess the intent to put Mississippi in the place of greatest opportunity. Their vision is great and their commitment is inspiring.
I hope you will join us in supporting HB 911 and SB 2457 - our collective effort will create tremendous opportunities to move Mississippi forward.
Keep the faith,
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Road to Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi Now Open
Yokohama Boulevard, the 4 mile road that travels west to east from Highway 45 Alternate to Barton Ferry Road, is now officially open for travel. Governor Phil Bryant, state and local officials gathered recently for a ribbon cutting.
Learn More
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United Furniture Industries Locating 300 New Jobs in Verona
Gov. Phil Bryant and officials from upholstered furniture manufacturer United Furniture Industries announced recently the company is expanding in Mississippi by locating manufacturing operations in the former Lane Furniture facility in Verona. The project represents a $2.75 million corporate investment and will create 300 new jobs, bringing the company's total employment in the state to approximately 2,000.
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Winston Plywood Breaks Ground at Site of New Manufacturing Facility in Louisville
Gov. Phil Bryant and officials from Winston Plywood and Veneer, manufacturer of specialty plywood products, gathered recently for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the company's new manufacturing facility in Louisville. The project represents an investment of approximately $50 million and will create 400 new jobs.
Learn More
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Second MEC Legislative Scrambler Set for Wednesday, Feb. 4
Meeting to Focus on Transportation
MEC will hold its second Legislative Scrambler on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at the Mississippi Museum of Art. The meeting will focus on Transportation, and will feature Sen. Willie Simmons, Chair of the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee and Rep. Robert L. Johnson III, Chair of the House Transportation Committee.
You can attend in person,
or dial in by calling 800-771-7943.
MEC's Legislative Scramblers are a great way to have a voice at the Capitol without ever leaving your desk.
MEC's Second Legislative Scrambler is Sponsored By:
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Former Gov. Winter "Roasted" at Mississippi Press Association Education Foundation Event
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(From Left) Tougaloo President Dr. Beverly Hogan, Elise Winter, Editorial Cartoonist Marshall Ramsey of The Clarion-Ledger, Former Gov. William Winter, Prince Newspaper Holdings Publisher Jim Prince, Dr. Andy Mullins and Editorial Director of The Clarion-Ledger David Hampton were on hand to "roast" former Gov. Winter.
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The state press association recently "roasted" former Gov. William Winter at their January 29 benefit for the MPA Education Foundation.
The event was held at the Hilton Jackson. Proceeds from the roast will be used to underwrite the scholarship and internship programs of MPAEF.
Winter served as Mississippi's 57th chief executive from 1980-1984. He is special counsel in the Jones Walker Law Firm.
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More than 1.5 Million Mississippians
Read Daily or Weekly Newspaper
We've been in towns and cities across our state longer than most any other business. And we're here to stay. There is strength in numbers and there is power in print.
A survey conducted by the Mississippi Press Association finds that 7-in-10 Mississippi adults are regular newspaper readers. The 120 newspapers comprising the membership of the Mississippi Press Association provide local news and information to folks from Corinth to Bay St. Louis and everywhere in between. MPA research shows 1.5 million Mississippians pick up a local newspaper each week.
Click Here to See Video on the Importance of
Mississippi Newspapers
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Calling All Former STAR Students and STAR Teachers!
2015 marks the 50th Anniversary of the M. B. Swayze Foundation Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program!
In celebration of this great milestone, MEC and the STAR Program are looking for all former STAR Students and Teachers in an effort to find out "Where Are They Now?"
MEC and the STAR Program will hold the 2015 Education Celebration in conjunction with MEC Advantage - the 66th MEC Annual Meeting. The Education Celebration will be held at the Jackson Convention Complex on April 30, 2015.
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MEC's Regional Round-Ups
Continue in Capital City, East Mississippi Regions
MEC's Regional Round-Ups will continue NEXT WEEK in the Capital City Region and East Mississippi Region.
During the Regional Round-Ups, which are sponsored by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of MS, MEC will travel to approximately 28 communities throughout the state, discussing opportunities for those regions to help grow Mississippi's economic competitiveness.
Capital City Region
February 10, 2015 - 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Embassy Suites - Ridgeland
Forest
Wednesday, February 11, 2015 - 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Forest Community Center
There is no cost to attend the meetings thanks to a generous sponsorship
from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi, but pre-registration is required.
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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 approximately 10,000 members from 1,100 member firms in 2,400 locations throughout Mississippi.
Greetings! 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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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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