Caucus Editorials

By Representative John Faulkner/Mississippi House District 5 For years now, national headlines have used a phrase that once seemed unlikely: the Mississippi Miracle. That phrase reflects the remarkable gains our state made in early grade reading after the passage of the 2013 Literacy-Based Promotion Act. At a time when Mississippi ranked near the bottom nationally in reading performance, we chose to focus on fundamentals. We invested in reading coaches, teacher training, evid

This statement may be attributed to Chairman Rep. Kabir Karriem, MS House District 41 The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus  conducted a fact-finding visit on February 23, 2026 to the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman . What we witnessed inside Unit 29 was deeply troubling. The conditions were deplorable and, frankly, inhumane. No human being—regardless of their circumstances—should be forced to live in the type of environment we observed. As lawmakers and public

By Rep. Fabian Nelson Mississippi’s educators — from classroom teachers to assistant teachers and support staff — do some of the most important work in our state. Yet year after year, we ask them to do it for far less than almost anywhere else in the nation. Mississippi consistently ranks near the bottom nationally in average teacher pay, often 49th or 50th. While the national average teacher salary is around $67,000, Mississippi teachers earn tens of thousands less. That gap

The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus fiercely opposes House Bill 2 because it undermines education equity, weakens public accountability, and threatens the long-term stability of Mississippi’s public education system—particularly for Black, rural, and low-income students. Public education in Mississippi has never been accidental. It has been the result of hard-fought struggles for access, equity, and opportunity. From the era of legally segregated schools to the creation

By Rep. Zakiya Summers Published by Essence on March 2, 2025 Every year, we mark Equal Pay Day as a reminder of the staggering wage gap...

By Vice Chairman Sen. Rod Hickman Published by Clarion Ledger on April 15, 2025 The Mississippi Legislature exists to serve the people....

By Senator Derrick Simmons, Minority Leader Published By Clarion Ledger on April 15, 2025 At the heart of sound economic policy is a...

By Senator Derrick Simmons, Minority Leader Published by Mississippi Today Each year, in a handful of states, public offices close, flags...

By Rep. Kabir Karriem, MLBC Chairman Published by Jackson Advocate on April 14, 2025 As I embark on the role of Chairman of the...