Today, the Speaker’s Office continued meeting with independent pharmacists, the Board of Pharmacy, and the business community to work out an agreement that would provide for much-needed and overdue support for independent pharmacists while also protecting employers and consumers. PBM reform has been a priority in the House for many years. We have led the charge on numerous pieces of PBM legislation that were never able to make it all the way through the legislative process, but the time is now. This summer, the House named several Select Committees to focus on specific priority areas, Prescription Drugs being one of them. As a result of the hearings, research, and discussions in that Select Committee and the many years of working on PBM reform, the House presented HB 1123 this session, which intends to provide the necessary transparency that has been demanded from the pharmacist community. The Senate also came forward with its approach to PBM reform in SB 2677. The House is actively working with our Senate counterparts to assemble the most meaningful and impactful legislation to reform the multi-faceted prescription drug industry. It is a priority in the House of Representatives to support independent pharmacists who are such an essential part of Mississippi’s communities and protect consumers from heightened drug costs at the checkout line, while also guarding against increased health insurance and premium prices for our state’s businesses and citizens. I thank my personal pharmacist, David Hudson, who runs an independent pharmacy in my hometown of Kosciusko. He has a unique perspective in that he is not only an independent pharmacist but also serves on the State Board of Pharmacy—his expertise and perspective has been invaluable in creating a solution. I also want to thank Representative Hank Zuber and Senator Hob Bryan for their dedication to getting PBM reform done this session while creating a win-win for independent pharmacists and Mississippi businesses.

Jackson, MS – Speaker Jason White issues the following statement on seven key education bills passing out of the House Education Committee. “As of today’s legislative committee deadline, the House Education Committee has advanced seven bills that finally give parents, not the government, real options for their child’s education while also bringing transparency and needed reforms for our current systems. The House’s education priorities in this session directly align with President Trump’s “Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families” Executive Order, which promotes the idea of school choice, allowing families to select educational settings that best fit their children, thereby improving overall student outcomes and success. President Trump’s Executive Order states, “When our public education system fails such a large segment of society, it hinders our national competitiveness and devastates families and communities.” In Mississippi, we must prioritize our children’s future by empowering parents to ensure that every child has access to a quality education. Our education system should work for our parents and children, not the other way around. The seven bills now on the House floor for consideration are: HB 1078 Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Act: ESA Reform HB 1431 The Education Efficiency Act: Path to Consolidation HB 1432 Charter School Reform HB 1433 The FREE Act (Flexible and Rightful Education Enrollment): School Choice HB 1434 AGENTS of Excellence (Aeronautics, Geospatial, Engineering, Nursing and Technical Skills): Campus Schools HB 1435 The FLEX Act (Families Leading the Enrollment Experience): Portability HB 1439 Accountability Dashboard Program By championing these seven key bills, we can provide families the freedom to select the best educational environment for their children. Implementing school choice enhances individual student achievement and fosters healthy competition among schools, driving improvements across the board. This approach has gained traction in several states, showcasing that when families can direct their children’s education, we see positive outcomes that benefit students, families, and communities alike. All of Mississippi’s surrounding southern states offer some form of enrollment progress. We constantly talk about competing with our neighboring states—this is an opportunity to be advantageous and further turn Mississippi’s competitive dial towards economic attractiveness. Following last session’s historic education investment and funding formula rewrite with INSPIRE, Education Chairman Rob Roberson and Representatives Kent McCarty and Jansen Owen have been working diligently and with great dedication to create an education landscape in Mississippi that ensures every child has the opportunity to thrive. By focusing the House’s efforts on meaningful education policy, we can build a stronger future for our state and its most valuable resource—our children.”

Jackson, MS – Speaker Jason White issues the following statement on the passage of House Bill 1063, Mississippi State Employees Paid Parental Leave Act. “In a 114-0 vote, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed the Mississippi State Employees Paid Parental Leave Act, which would provide state employees eight weeks of 100% paid leave as the primary caregiver after the birth or adoption of a child and two weeks for the secondary caregiver. As a pro-life state, Mississippi is in a critical position to meet the needs for healthier outcomes for parents and children and to support families in our state's workplace. With our fellow southern states offering some form of parental leave, and Mississippi currently offering no paid parental leave to their state employees, we too can reflect our commitment to the well-being of families, as well as utilize this benefit as an employee recruitment and retention tool. The Mississippi State Employees Paid Parental Leave Act sets a positive example for encouraging the private sector to adopt similar measures that foster a supportive environment for working families. I applaud Representative Kevin Felsher for championing this legislation, and I commend my fellow House members for their unity on this opportunity. The passage in the House is a significant step in the legislative process as it now heads to the Senate for consideration.”

Jackson, MS – Speaker Jason White issues the following statement on the passage of House Bill 1, the Build Up Mississippi Act, in the Mississippi House of Representatives. “Today, the Mississippi House of Representatives took a transformative positive step by passing House Bill 1, the Build Up Mississippi Act, with bipartisan support. This crucial legislation paves the way for a brighter economic future for our state, delivering a comprehensive tax reform package designed to uplift Mississippians, support our infrastructure and PERS system, and empower local governments. By phasing out the state income tax and significantly reducing sales tax on groceries, we alleviate the financial strain on Mississippians and create an environment ripe for robust economic growth. Under HB 1, every municipality will receive more funding under the local option, 1.5% sales tax, than the current diversion. With Build Up Mississippi’s proposed consumption-based model, Mississippi will maintain a lower sales tax and remain more competitive than our surrounding states. The bill also revises exemptions for motor fuel sales to include a retail fuel sales tax of 5%; this modest sales tax aims to enhance revenue for the Maintenance and Capacity Projects Fund at MDOT. HB 1 is not a “tax swap” but a strategic move to attract economic development opportunities, stimulate local governments to address critical infrastructure needs, and foster real tax relief, ultimately benefiting every resident in our great state and finally eliminating the personal income tax. Moreover, $100 million of revenue from lottery proceeds will be redirected towards our commitment to a stable retirement plan for our state employees which showcases our unwavering determination to build a stronger Mississippi. The remaining lottery proceeds will be allocated for the Education Enhancement Fund and Multi-Modal Transportation: our state’s ports, harbors, airports, rails, and transit system. By prioritizing essential services and safeguarding the PERS system, we are investing in the long-term well-being of our communities and reinforcing confidence in our state’s economic stability. With the passage of HB 1 in the House, we have taken a monumental step towards enacting the largest tax cut in Mississippi's history. This is a powerful message that we prioritize the quality of life for all our citizens while laying the groundwork for a thriving economy that will uplift generations to come. As the #1 priority in the House, we are thankful for the overwhelming support we have received from cities, county officials, statewide elected officials, and the Mississippi business community. I urge the Senate to now take a close look at HB 1 and be open to collaboration to bring sweeping tax reform to our great state. Together, we can Build Up Mississippi where everyone can prosper.”

Mississippi is facing critical challenges and the House of Representatives is committed to doing the work that the people care about most. Please click below to see what issues are most important to Mississippians today.