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By Rep. Kabir Karriem | Chairman, Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus Governor Tate Reeves called the Mississippi Legislature into the 2026 Extraordinary Session with less than 24 hours' notice to consider the Mississippi Youth Court Reform Act of 2026, one of the most significant overhauls of Mississippi’s juvenile justice system in decades. There is no question that our youth court system deserves thoughtful reform. Our children, families, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, law enforcement officers, educators, and communities all deserve a system that is fair, efficient, accountable, and focused on rehabilitation whenever possible. However, legislation of this magnitude should never be rushed through the legislative process. A complete restructuring of Mississippi’s youth court system deserved careful review, meaningful public input, and genuine bipartisan collaboration. Instead, lawmakers were given less than 24 hours’ notice before convening in Special Session to consider sweeping changes that will affect children and families across our state. Unfortunately, what could have been a defining bipartisan moment became another missed opportunity. Good legislation is strengthened, not weakened, when members of both parties have the opportunity to ask questions, offer amendments, and work together to find common ground. For these reasons, I joined the majority of our Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus colleagues in voting “NO” on every piece of legislation relating to this youth court overhaul. Our vote was not a vote against reform or against Mississippi’s children. It was a vote against both a flawed legislative process and provisions of the legislation that we believe require greater scrutiny. Among our concerns were provisions expanding public access to youth court records and increasing the public disclosure of juvenile proceedings, changes that could follow young people long after they have paid for their mistakes. We were also troubled by the significant investment in juvenile detention facilities without an equal commitment to prevention, diversion, mental health services, education, mentoring, and community-based intervention programs that can keep children out of the justice system in the first place. Additionally, we remain concerned about the financial burden this legislation places on Mississippi’s counties. Many counties will now be expected to shoulder substantial new costs to operate and maintain an expanded youth court system. Reform should not become an unfunded mandate that strains already limited local resources. As these reforms move forward, we must also remain vigilant about equity. Black children have historically been disproportionately represented in Mississippi’s juvenile justice system. We must ensure that every child—regardless of race, income, or ZIP code—has equal access to diversion programs, rehabilitation, mental health care, educational opportunities, and restorative justice before incarceration becomes the default response. The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus believes accountability and public safety must always be balanced with fairness, compassion, and the unwavering belief that young people are capable of change. We support policies that protect our communities while investing in prevention, intervention, and opportunities that help children become productive citizens rather than lifelong participants in the justice system. I challenge every parent, pastor, educator, mentor, community leader, judge, prosecutor, and elected official to stay informed and remain engaged. Reforming our juvenile justice system is too important to become a partisan exercise. It requires all of us working together with one goal: giving Mississippi’s children the opportunity to succeed. Moving forward, I remain committed to working with my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats alike, to strengthen Mississippi’s juvenile justice system through an open, transparent, and collaborative process. We can protect public safety while also protecting the future of our children. The true measure of a society is not how many children it detains, but how many children it gives the opportunity to succeed. Our children are not our greatest problem, they are our greatest promise.

By Rep. Kabir Karriem | Chairman, Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus There are moments when a state has the opportunity to tell the world who it really is. Recently, I visited The Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson. Both tell the story of our state. Both are truthful. Yet each tells that story through a different lens. As I walked through those exhibits, I realized the most important story of Mississippi isn’t confined to museum walls. It is being written every day by the choices we make, the values we uphold, and the way we respond when our people cry out for answers. History is not something we visit only in museums. It lives in our laws, our institutions, our memories, and our willingness or unwillingness to confront difficult truths. Every generation is given a choice: to repeat history, to ignore history, or to learn from it. I believe Mississippi is at its best when it chooses to learn. As a legislator, I have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution and serve the people of Mississippi. As Chairman of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus, I have a responsibility to speak when communities are hurting. And as a father who has buried a child, I understand that no parent should ever be left searching for answers after suffering the unimaginable. That is why the death of Nolan Xavier Wells matters—not only to his family, but to all of us. This moment is bigger than one case. It is about what kind of Mississippi we choose to be. I have listened carefully to the public conversation surrounding Nolan’s death. I heard comments from Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell, former State Senator Chris McDaniels, and my friend and colleague, Representative Jimmy Fondren, whom I respect greatly. While each expressed their own views, I came away with what I believe was a common theme in their comments: that Mississippi has changed, that we should not continue to define ourselves by our past, and that outside voices are coming into our state to stir racial division. I recognize that reasonable people can disagree, and I am paraphrasing my understanding of the overall message—not quoting anyone directly. My response is simple: if Mississippi has indeed changed, then we should never fear transparency. We should welcome it, because transparency is how public trust is earned and progress is demonstrated. I agree that Mississippi has changed in many ways. I have dedicated my life to serving its people, and I have witnessed meaningful progress firsthand. But acknowledging progress should never require us to ignore unanswered questions. In fact, true progress demands greater transparency, greater accountability, and greater public trust. This is not about reliving the past. It is about learning from it. The Wells family deserves answers. Mississippi deserves answers. America deserves answers. What happened to Nolan Xavier Wells? According to publicly reported accounts, Nolan reportedly left with three friends headed toward Horn Island, yet the only things that returned were his keys and his phone without Nolan. That heartbreaking reality leaves a grieving family, a community, and a nation searching for answers. What happened during those missing moments? What evidence has been gathered? What conclusions can legitimately be supported by the facts? The question is larger than one case. It is whether Mississippi has finally become one Mississippi, where every family receives the same urgency, the same transparency, and the same pursuit of justice, or whether too many still experience the tale of two Mississippis: One Mississippi where confidence comes easily. Another where confidence must be earned. One Mississippi where questions are answered quickly. Another where families wait, wonder, and grieve without knowing why. When legitimate questions go unanswered, speculation fills the void. Transparency is the only antidote to distrust especially in a state with Mississippi’s dubious past. The worst thing government can do is ask grieving families to simply trust the process without demonstrating that every available resource has been used to uncover the truth. Transparency does not weaken law enforcement. It strengthens public confidence. When investigations are open, thorough, and credible, they protect both the innocent and those who faithfully wear the badge. For many Mississippians, particularly Black Mississippians, history has taught us that unanswered questions often become lifelong wounds. That history cannot simply be dismissed because it makes us uncomfortable. It should compel us to ensure that every investigation is thorough, impartial, and worthy of the public’s trust. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us, “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” If today’s Mississippi is truly different from yesterday’s Mississippi, then this is our opportunity to prove it, not with slogans or speeches, but with a transparent investigation that earns the confidence of the people it serves. A just Mississippi understands that supporting law enforcement and seeking accountability go hand in hand. A united Mississippi does not silence difficult conversations. It meets them with truth. The families of Mississippi deserve more than our condolences. They deserve our courage, the courage to seek the truth wherever it leads. As Chairman of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus, I join those calling for complete transparency and accountability. We owe Nolan Xavier Wells’ family nothing less than the truth. Whatever that truth may be, it must be uncovered openly and honestly so that justice is not only done, but seen to be done. There is a Mississippi that wants to move forward, confront hard truths, and earn the trust of all its people. And there is a Mississippi that believes asking difficult questions somehow diminishes our progress. I choose the first Mississippi. Because loving Mississippi does not mean defending everything it does. Loving Mississippi means believing it can be better than it was yesterday. That is why I ask these questions, not to divide our state, but to help unite it around a simple principle: that every family deserves the truth, every investigation deserves integrity, and every life deserves equal justice under the law. Justice should never depend on race, geography, influence, or political affiliation. I love Mississippi. I have chosen to dedicate my life to serving this state because I believe in its people and in its promise. I believe we can continue moving beyond the divisions that have too often defined our history. But progress is not measured by what we say about ourselves. It is measured by what we do when justice is tested. The measure of Mississippi will never be whether tragedy occurs. The measure of Mississippi will always be how we respond when it does. If our state has truly changed, then transparency should never be feared. It should be embraced. Years from now, I hope we are remembered not for the questions we were asked, but for the answers we had the courage to seek. I hope we are remembered as the generation that chose truth over comfort, transparency over suspicion, and justice over expediency. That is how trust is restored. That is how healing begins. That is how history is changed. May we respond with honesty, courage, and justice that unites us. And, may history say that when Mississippi was called to choose between protecting its reputation and pursuing the truth, it chose the truth. Only then can we truly become one Mississippi.

A slate of new Mississippi laws took effect July 1, impacting areas ranging from criminal justice and education to health care and retirement benefits. Rep. Kabir Karriem, chairman of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus, recently highlighted several of the new laws in a public information flyer, encouraging residents to stay informed about how policy changes may affect their daily lives. Here’s a closer look at several key measures and what they mean in practice: Criminal Justice and Public Safety House Bill 525 establishes mandatory minimum sentencing for individuals convicted of sexual battery. Supporters say the law ensures consistent punishment for serious offenses, while critics of mandatory minimums have historically argued they can limit judicial discretion in sentencing. Senate Bill 2710 requires that minors accused of certain gun-related crimes be charged as adults. The law is intended to address violent crime involving youth, though it raises ongoing debates about how the justice system handles juvenile offenders. Senate Bill 2369 allows the state to intercept casino or gaming winnings from individuals who owe past-due child support. The measure expands enforcement tools already used for tax refunds and other income sources. Voting and Elections Senate Bill 2588, known as the “Shield Act,” requires local election officials to verify the citizenship status of individuals registering to vote. State leaders say the law is aimed at strengthening election integrity, while opponents have raised concerns about potential barriers to voter registration and administrative challenges. Family and Custody Law House Bill 1662 changes how courts approach child custody cases. The law establishes joint custody as the starting point in divorce proceedings, meaning judges begin with the presumption of a 50-50 custody arrangement. Courts can still adjust custody based on the best interest of the child, but the default starting point shifts how cases are evaluated. Education and Workforce House Bill 1935 provides a $2,000 pay raise for Mississippi teachers. Additional $2,000 increases are included for special education teachers, along with raises for assistant teachers, school psychologists and occupational therapists. Lawmakers say the raises are part of ongoing efforts to address teacher shortages and improve retention. Public Employees Retirement House Bill 4073 modifies the Public Employees’ Retirement System for new hires under Tier 5. The law reduces the years of service required for full retirement benefits from 35 years to 30 years, a change supporters say makes public employment more competitive. Health Care Coverage House Bill 565, known as “Jill’s Law,” requires certain health insurance plans — including Medicaid and state-regulated private plans — to cover biomarker testing when supported by clinical evidence. Biomarker testing can help guide treatment decisions for conditions such as cancer, potentially improving patient outcomes. Public Awareness Push Karriem said the goal of sharing the information is to help residents better understand how state laws affect everyday life. “An informed public is essential to a strong democracy,” he said in the flyer. Many of the new laws reflect broader policy trends seen across the country, including tougher penalties for certain crimes, expanded health care coverage requirements and changes to education funding. Residents seeking more details can review the full text of each bill through the Mississippi Legislature’s website or consult legal professionals for guidance on how specific laws may apply to them.

By Rep. Kabir Karriem, Chairman, Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus There are moments in life that transcend politics. There are moments when titles no longer matter. In those moments, we are simply mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, neighbors and human beings. The death of one-year-old Kohen Kartier Wiley is one of those moments. His life mattered. As a father who lost my own daughter, Aeiriol Nicole Karriem, in a tragic automobile accident when she was only two years old, I know something about the unbearable silence that follows the loss of a child. My daughter’s death occurred under entirely different circumstances, but grief has a language all its own. It is a pain that changes you forever. That is why I felt compelled to drive nearly three hours to Senatobia, MS to attend Kohen’s visitation at West Gilmore Street Church of Christ on June 26. I did not go as Chairman of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus alone. I went as a father. I went because no parent should have to bury a child. When the funeral ends, the flowers will eventually fade. Family members will slowly return to work. News cameras will pack up and move on to the next story. Television trucks will disappear. But the pain remains. Baby Kohen has been received by the ancestors. His family, however, awakens each morning to an empty crib, an empty room, and questions that have yet to be answered. That is why this moment cannot be allowed to wither away from Mississippi’s conscience. This is not simply about one family. It is about whether every Mississippian can have confidence that when a child dies during an encounter involving law enforcement, the investigation will be thorough, impartial, and transparent. Truth cannot exist without transparency. Transparency is not the enemy of law enforcement. Transparency protects both the public and the officers who faithfully serve with integrity. It builds trust where distrust exists. It allows facts, not speculation, to prevail. The people of Senatobia deserve to know exactly what happened. Kohen’s family deserves to know exactly what happened. Mississippi deserves to know exactly what happened. I join the growing number of clergy, civil rights organizations, elected officials, and community leaders calling upon Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell and Attorney General Lynn Fitch to ensure that this investigation is conducted with complete transparency. The public deserves timely, factual information about the investigation, and the family deserves clear answers as they seek justice and healing. This is not about rushing to judgment, rather refusing to rush to silence. Our state has witnessed too many families searching for answers after tragic encounters involving government authority. Regardless of where the evidence ultimately leads, confidence in the outcome depends upon confidence in the process. That process must be open, credible, and worthy of the public’s trust. As Chairman of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus, I remain committed to standing with families who seek accountability, fairness, and justice under the law. We will continue to advocate for processes that value every life and strengthen public confidence in our institutions. May God comfort Kohen’s family. May He strengthen the people of Senatobia. And may He grant our state both the courage to seek the truth and the wisdom to pursue justice wherever that truth leads. For in the end, justice delayed deepens grief. Truth, honestly pursued, is the first step toward healing for justice cannot exist without truth.

The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus welcomes today’s decision by the United States Supreme Court to uphold Mississippi’s five-day absentee ballot receipt window and reject an effort that would have disenfranchised lawfully registered voters across our state. The challenge to Mississippi’s absentee voting law was part of a broader national effort initiated by the Republican Party to restrict access to the ballot box. Had the challenge succeeded, countless Mississippians who complied with every legal requirement could have seen their votes discarded simply because of postal delays outside of their control. The Caucus has consistently maintained that democracy is strongest when every eligible voter has a meaningful opportunity to participate. Voters should not be penalized because they are serving in the military, living in rural communities, elderly, disabled, or otherwise dependent upon absentee voting. While today’s ruling preserves an important protection for voters, we remain deeply concerned about the continuing attacks on voting rights nationwide and in Mississippi. The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus will continue to advocate for policies that expand access to the ballot, protect against discrimination, and ensure that every vote is counted and every voice is heard.

Statement from MLBC Chairman Rep. Kabir Karriem: Monday's action by the Supreme Court of the United States should trouble everyone who cares about fair representation in Mississippi. A lower federal court previously found that Mississippi’s state House and Senate maps diluted Black voting strength. Following that ruling, new districts were established and special elections were held. Now, however, the case is being sent back to the lower court under rules that may make it harder to protect Black voting power. We fought for fairer maps and won relief. Black Mississippians should not have to fight the same battles repeatedly while the rules shift around us. This is not simply a technicality. These maps determine our representation in the Mississippi House and Senate, affecting decisions on schools, hospitals, infrastructure, and public safety. Maps decide power, and they dictate which communities have a voice. The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus will continue to demand that decisions regarding our political maps happen in the open. If lawmakers are studying these maps, they must do so publicly. We demand transparency with data and plans, and we insist that Black communities be heard before lines are drawn. Black voting power remains on the line, and we will not be quiet about it.

This statement may be attributed to MLBC Chairman Rep. Kabir Karriem: Reports indicate that Gov. Tate Reeves is canceling the May 20 special session. Let me be clear: canceling the session does not cancel the fight. People are beginning to pay attention. Questions are being asked. Communities are preparing to respond. The session is now canceled, but the issue has not gone away. Black representation and Black voting power still deserve public attention, and Mississippi leaders still owe the people transparency. We know our history. We know what happens when decisions about voting power are made without the people in the room. Black political power must never be treated like something to move around, weaken, or bargain away behind closed doors. If there are plans to redraw congressional lines in 2027, the people deserve to know that now. We should not have to wait until the last minute or to find out after decisions have already been made. The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus will keep watching. We will keep asking questions, speaking up, and standing with the people of this state to protect Black representation, Black voting power, and fair political voice. To everyone who was ready to show up, post up, and speak up: stay ready. The date may change. The fight has not. Mississippi remains on the front line. Black political power is still on the line. Protecting Black voting power does not only happen when maps are drawn. It happens when people stay registered, stay informed, vote in every election, attend community meetings, and ask hard questions before decisions are made. We are asking every eligible voter to register by the October 5, 2026 deadline and vote on November 3, 2026 during the General Election. Stay connected to the community conversations happening across this state

The decision by Governor Tate Reeves to convene a special session at the Old Mississippi State Capitol is deeply troubling. It is a painful and deliberate reminder of one of the darkest periods in Mississippi history. That building stands as a symbol of the systematic destruction of Black political power in this state. It was there that legislators voted to secede from the Union and, under the 1890 Mississippi Constitution, that laws were crafted with the clear intent to strip Black Mississippians of the right to vote, silence Black voices, and erase Black representation from the political process. The architects of that Constitution openly declared their intentions to disenfranchise Black people and cement white political control. Let us be clear: symbolism matters. For Speaker White to hold the Governor's special session in that very building in 2026 — at a moment when Black voting representation and political power are once again under attack — is a slap in the face to the 1.2 million Black people of Mississippi. This decision sends the wrong message to every Black family whose ancestors bled, marched, suffered, and died for the right to vote. Our people endured literacy tests, poll taxes, lynchings, intimidation, and violence so future generations could have a voice in democracy. Men and women were beaten, murdered, and terrorized simply for seeking the ballot box. We will not sit quietly while efforts are made to turn the clock backward. We cannot ignore the history of the Old Capitol, and we also cannot allow history to repeat itself through modern-day decisions. The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus stands united and fully prepared to fight against any attempt to dilute, dismantle, or destroy Black voting strength and Black political representation in Mississippi. We refuse to allow the ghosts of 1890 to dictate the future of 2026. We are watching. We are organized. And we are prepared to stand in the gap for the people of Mississippi. As Scripture reminds us in Amos 5:24: “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” The fight for freedom, justice, and equality continues.

The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus expresses profound disappointment and deep concern following the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais. This ruling represents a troubling step backward in the ongoing struggle to protect the voting rights of Black Americans and to ensure fair and equitable representation in our democracy. At its core, this decision weakens critical protections that have long served as a safeguard against racial discrimination in the redistricting process. For decades, the Voting Rights Act has stood as a pillar of accountability—ensuring that communities of color, particularly Black communities across the South, are not diluted, divided, or silenced through manipulated district lines. Today’s ruling threatens that foundation. For the state of Mississippi, the implications are both immediate and profound. Mississippi has a long and painful history of voter suppression and racially discriminatory practices. While we have made progress, this decision opens the door for renewed efforts to redraw political maps in ways that could diminish the collective voice of Black voters. It creates legal uncertainty at a time when Mississippi is already under scrutiny for maps that may fail to fully comply with the Voting Rights Act. Let us be clear: representation is not a privilege—it is a right. And when the power of Black voters is weakened through redistricting decisions, it is not just lines on a map that are changed—it is access to resources, education, healthcare, economic opportunity, and justice itself that hangs in the balance. This decision could have far-reaching consequences beyond Mississippi. Across the nation, states may now feel emboldened to challenge or weaken majority-Black districts, undermining decades of progress secured through sacrifice, advocacy, and, in many cases, bloodshed. The result could be fewer Black voices in legislative bodies, fewer champions for our communities, and a democracy that does not fully reflect the people it serves. The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus will not stand idle. We are actively reviewing the full implications of this ruling and preparing to respond with strategic, legal, and legislative action. We will continue to advocate for fair maps, equitable representation, and the full enforcement of voting rights protections at every level of government. We will also intensify our engagement with communities across Mississippi to ensure that our people are informed, mobilized, and prepared for what lies ahead. As Scripture reminds us in Amos 5:24: “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” While today’s decision may attempt to slow that stream, it will not stop the movement for justice. We call on leaders, advocates, and citizens across this state and nation to remain vigilant. This moment demands unity, courage, and unwavering commitment. The fight for representation is the fight for our future—and we intend to meet it head-on.

From classrooms to courtrooms, from the ballot box to the doctor’s office, the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus (MLBC) is delivering real results for Mississippi families. The 2026 legislative cycle has been defined by one word: Action . Across the state, MLBC members have been organizing town halls, hosting legislative hearings, and advancing a bold policy agenda rooted in equity, opportunity, and justice. But beyond engagement, the Caucus has translated advocacy into measurable outcomes. Investing in Education and Protecting Public Schools MLBC members fought to strengthen public education while expanding opportunity for students. This includes: Expanding literacy interventions for grades 4–8 Establishing math coaches for grades 2–6 Increasing teacher and staff salaries Adding financial literacy, civics, and future-ready coursework Successfully stopping harmful school choice legislation Advancing Black Maternal Health and Healthcare Access The Caucus continued its leadership in maternal health by: Establishing the Fetal & Infant Mortality Review Board Introducing a comprehensive maternal health legislative package Expanding access to quality, affordable healthcare Protecting the Right to Vote At a time when voting rights are under attack nationwide, MLBC stood firm by: Introducing the Robert G. Clark Mississippi Voting Rights Act Advocating for voter restoration Successfully restoring voting rights for Mississippians Holding Systems Accountable From Parchman prison conditions to environmental protections, MLBC: Forced attention to hazardous conditions at Unit 29, leading to facility improvements Advocated for clean air protections Opposed unconstitutional bail reform Strengthening Communities The Caucus also fought for: Child care funding and family supports SNAP and social safety net protections Equitable funding for HBCUs This work reflects a simple truth: policy matters because people matter. The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus remains committed to building a state where every family can thrive. We are not slowing down. Together, with you, we are unstoppable.

By Senator Rod Hickman, MLBC Vice Chairman | Mississippi Senate District 32 I did not come to the Mississippi Legislature to be a spectator or to do harm dressed up as policy. I came to solve problems, to make our communities safer and to ensure that the laws we pass actually serve the people of this state. That is why I write today with deep disappointment following the recent passage of Senate Bill 2322 , which is now pending the governor’s signature to become law. Taken as a whole, this bill does not address a pressing public safety need. It does not fix a broken system. Provisions that invalidate certain out of state driver’s licenses may sound strong on paper, but they do little to improve safety on our roads. A person’s ability to drive responsibly is not determined by the origin of his or her license. This legislation risks creating confusion for law enforcement and the courts without producing any measurable benefit. We should be focused on policies that reduce accidents, promote accountability and make our roadways safer, not measures that complicate enforcement while offering no clear gain. But the most troubling aspect of this legislation is the “sex at birth” provision. This language now requires that Mississippi driver’s licenses reflect only a person’s sex as determined at birth, allowing for almost no exceptions. It is a rigid mandate that ignores reality, ignores evidence and ignores the human impact of what it requires the state to do. There has been no showing that allowing individuals to have identification that reflects who they are creates any safety risk. This provision does not prevent fraud. It does not assist law enforcement in any meaningful way. It does not make a single Mississippian safer. What it does instead is require the state to issue identification that may directly conflict with a person’s lived identity and, in some cases, with other legal documents someone might possess. That kind of inconsistency does not create clarity. It creates confusion and invites unnecessary conflict in everyday interactions. More than that, it is degrading. It places people in situations where simply presenting identification can expose them to scrutiny, embarrassment or worse. When a person presents as one sex and his or her identification reflects another, it immediately calls the identity into question in settings where no such question should exist whether that is at a traffic stop, at a workplace, in a place of business or in any routine encounter that requires identification. That moment of mismatch is not just inconvenient, but also can be harmful. It forces individuals to explain themselves in ways that are deeply personal and often unwelcome, and it increases the risk of confrontation in situations that should be routine. We cannot ignore the reality that this provision targets a vulnerable group of people who already face disproportionate levels of discrimination, misunderstanding and, in many cases, outright hostility. Rather than offering protection, this law adds to that burden. Rather than making their lives safer, it makes them more exposed. That is not the role of government, and it is not the purpose of good legislation. We were sent here to protect Mississippians – all Mississippians. And when we pass laws that do not protect, but instead isolate and place people in harm’s way, we have to be honest about what we are doing. This is not about safety. It is not about efficiency. It is a policy choice that carries real consequences for real people. I say plainly and without hesitation that we can do better than this. There are real challenges facing our state, such as strengthening our schools, expanding economic opportunity, improving health care access and ensuring safe and thriving communities. Those are the issues that deserve our attention and our energy. Those are the areas where legislation can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Scripture teaches us in Micah 6:8 that we are called to do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly. That is not just a personal calling, but also should be a standard for how we govern. Laws rooted in justice protect rather than target. Laws grounded in mercy recognize the dignity of every person. Laws shaped by humility reflect a careful use of power, not an overreach of it. Senate Bill 2322, particularly this provision, falls short of that standard. Mississippi deserves better. And the people of this state deserve to know that their government is working to protect them instead of making their lives harder, more uncertain or more vulnerable. That is the responsibility we carry, and it is one I intend to continue taking seriously. State Sen. Rod Hickman is a Democrat from Macon. He was elected in a 2021 special election to represent Senate District 32 in east Mississippi and was reelected in 2023. He is an attorney. This editorial was published at www.mississippitoday.org .

By Rep. John Faulkner | Mississippi House District 5 In Mississippi, the balance of power inside the House of Representatives is not just tilted, it is firmly controlled by a Republican supermajority. Republicans also control the Senate, although Democrats recently broke that chamber’s supermajority, and they hold the Governor’s Mansion as well. With that level of control comes the ability to set the agenda, move legislation, and ultimately determine what policies live or die. That is the reality of our current political landscape. But alongside that reality is another truth that deserves just as much attention: the growing frustration among Democratic lawmakers and the communities they represent. At its core, this frustration is not about partisanship for the sake of politics. It is about priorities. It is about whether the policies coming out of the Legislature are truly addressing the everyday needs of Mississippi families. And too often, the answer feels like no. Democratic lawmakers have consistently raised concerns about issues that directly impact working people. Teacher pay, access to affordable healthcare, childcare support, infrastructure improvements, and economic opportunity in rural communities are not abstract talking points. These are real challenges facing real people across this state. Yet time and time again, efforts to push bold, meaningful solutions in these areas are met with resistance, delay, or outright dismissal. Instead, what many are witnessing is an agenda that appears to mirror national political narratives rather than reflect the unique needs of Mississippi. National talking points may dominate headlines, but they do not fix a struggling school district. They do not reopen a closed rural hospital. They do not help a working parent afford childcare or keep the lights on in a home facing rising utility costs. Mississippi is not a one size fits all state, and it cannot be governed by one size fits all solutions imported from national politics. Our challenges are local. Our people are local. And our solutions must be rooted in the lived experiences of Mississippians. For Democratic lawmakers, the frustration runs deeper because it often feels like the voices of their constituents are being sidelined. When motions are tabled, when bills are left to die in committee, and when opportunities for negotiation are shut down, it sends a clear message about who is being heard and who is not. But frustration alone is not enough to create change. The truth is, the current political makeup of the Legislature, along with control of the Senate and the Governor’s office, is a direct reflection of voter participation. A supermajority does not happen overnight. It is built over time through elections, turnout, and engagement. That is why this moment calls for more than commentary. It calls for action. Elections matter. Every single one of them. From local races to statewide offices, the choices made at the ballot box shape the direction of our state for years to come. If there is dissatisfaction with the current leadership, the most effective way to address it is through participation in the democratic process. But engagement does not start and end on Election Day. It begins with staying informed about what is happening in the Legislature. It continues with having conversations in our communities, in our churches, in our homes, and on our campuses. It grows when people decide to speak up, to organize, and to hold their elected officials accountable. Spreading the word is not just a slogan. It is a responsibility. When people understand how decisions are being made and how those decisions affect their daily lives, they are more empowered to take action. Mississippi has always been a state of resilience. Our history shows that progress is possible, even in the face of significant challenges. But progress requires participation. It requires people who are willing to stand up, stay engaged, and demand better for their communities. The path forward is not about division. It is about ensuring that every Mississippian has a voice and that those voices are reflected in the policies that shape our future. If we want a Legislature that fully represents the people of this state, then we must be willing to show up, speak out, and vote. This editorial was published at www.thepeoplespaperms.com .