Mississippi Legislative Conservative Coalition (MLCC)

Press Release

January 7, 2003

The Mississippi Legislative Conservative Coalition (MLCC) is pleased to announce its agenda for the 2003 legislative session. The MLCC is a coalition of 43 conservative members of the Mississippi House of Representatives who promote limited government, free enterprise, individual liberties, and strong family values. The organization was formed in 1996 and is comprised of members from all over the state. As an organization we are extremely proud of our accomplishments over the past few years, and especially the part we played in the recent passage of the much needed changes in our civil justice system. Many of the accomplished changes were actually part of our legislative goals last year.

The coalition held its annual retreat on December 17, 2002, in Hattiesburg to formulate our 2003 legislative goals. At the annual retreat many bills were proposed but only those receiving unanimous support were eligible to become part of our official agenda. Our membership will individually introduce many different bills to cut taxes, to downsize government, to enhance criminal punishment, to remove or reduce government regulations and restrictions, to enhance the individual freedoms of our citizens, and to allow our families to function as sacred units. As the deadline for introduction of legislation approaches we will scrutinize bills authored by legislators who are not members of our organization. Should a particular piece of legislation fit within our policy statement and our philosophy it may be adopted and added to our list.

The following list was unanimously adopted as our official 2003 agenda. The major topic of each bill is listed below with the lead author/authors. Should you have any questions, please direct them to the appropriate representative.

Finance

1. Tax Free Weekend -Sales Tax Holiday --- Snowden/Robertson

This bill would allow municipalities to participate in a sales tax free weekend coinciding with the beginning of school in the month of August. Each municipality would be allowed the option to participate.

2. No Bonding of Recurring Expenses---Ellington

This bill would prohibit the state from using bond funds to finance recurring expenses.

3. Require a picture ID for Welfare Benefit Cards---Warren

This bill would require the use of identification with the new electronic benefit cards. This would help prevent abuse and misuse.

4. Prohibit taxation of finance charges---Formby

This would prohibit the assessing of sales taxes on finance charges. Under current law this repeated taxation of simple finance charges is allowed.

Free Enterprise

5. Regulation Reduction Act--Moore

This bill would restrict government agencies' ability to impose regulations on the private sector businesses and individuals.

Family Values

7. Give counties the authority to regulate adult entertainment establishments--Chism

Justice

8. Felony Voting Act--- Ketchings/Rotenberry

This law would strip any convicted felon of his/her right to vote as long as he/she is under the custody or supervision of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

9. No Plea on Three (Habitual Offender Act)--Formby

This bill would remove a felons ability to plea bargain upon the third conviction for a felony crime.

Limited Government

10. Pay increases for elected city, county, and state officials effective post election--Snowden

This bill would prohibit city councils, county boards of supervisors, and legislators from implementing pay increases for themselves until an election has been held. There would have to be an election between approval of the raise and the implementation of the increase.

11. Constitutional Amendment to limit the speaker of the house to two terms--Lott

Individual Liberties

12. Paycheck protection for Union Workers---Eric Robinson

This bill would allow union workers to participate financially or not participate with their unions political agenda.

13. Voter ID Bill---Denny/Martinson/Formby

This bill would require the use of some form of identification to be able to vote.

Education

14. School Vouchers---Wells-Smith/Ketchings

This bill would attempt to formulate a voucher plan for failing schools to allow parents a choice for the proper education of their children.

15. Evolution Disclaimer for text books--Wells-Smith

This bill would maintain that evolution be taught as a theory and not be taught as fact.

[ Home ]

Visitor