NATCHEZ — “Government does not create jobs,” Reeves said. “Government creates the environment that encourages the private sector to create jobs.”

The past legislative year has been one of the most pro-business years in the state, Reeves said, with the passage of tax cuts for small businesses and legislators working to keep the state regulatory environment from placing an undue burden on the private sector.

“I always ask, ‘Is this bill going to create that environment in our state that encourages the private sector to invest money and create jobs in our state,’” he said.

The way to do that is working in a bi-partisan matter, with all parties being involved in the process, Reeves said.

“I believe that at the end of the day, the best legislation to come out of Jackson is that which allows each member to have an opportunity to have their opinion heard,” he said.

Further educational reform will also play a key in the future state economy, Reeves said.

“We need more students graduating high school, more students going to junior college and more students going to senior college,” he said. “If we are going to grow our economy, we need more workers with more skills, and they are going to need more training.”

The lieutenant governor’s comments were made at the Southwest Mississippi Training Facility, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office’s shooting range, where the Mississippi Constables Association was having educational and training sessions for the state’s constables.

During the sessions, the constables will complete their annual firearms qualifications and learn about new laws going into effect.

As Reeves addressed the constables, he spoke about several new firearms-related laws, including House Bill 2, which will clarify state law open carry of firearms July 1.

“One could argue that our state constitution gives each individual the same right to open carry,” Reeves said. “But we wanted to ensure that someone who had a concealed-carry permit and was wearing a jacket, who raises their arms up and accidentally exposes that gun wasn’t violating that law.”

In the wake of the Newtown, Conn., school shootings, the state also passed laws that ensure that once someone is declared mentally incompetent, their information is entered into the appropriate databases to ensure they cannot buy a gun, as well as legislation that creates grants for school districts to place trained law enforcement officers in every school, Reeves said.

“When we don’t have a system in place to protect our young people while they are at school, we need to do something about it,” he said.

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On Wednesday, The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools named Lt. Governor Tate Reeves and State Senator Gray Tollison of Oxford as 2013 Charter Champions.

The annual award is presented during National Charter Schools Week.

The award recognizes public officials for their outstanding service to the students, parents and families of the public charter school movement.

In a news release, NAPCS says Reeves and Tollison are the first public officials from Mississippi to be selected for the award.

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OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi – Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves told a group of 100 Ocean Springs High School students to follow their dreams, but never forget those who made those dreams possible.

“I urge you to go to the college of your choice,” Reeves said. “I encourage you to major in the field of your choice. But don’t ever forget the people here in Ocean Springs who helped make it possible.”

Reeves was in Ocean Springs Tuesday to speak at the annual OSHS Ambassador Mentor Program. The program is a part of the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program and is one of about 10 such programs in Mississippi.

OSHS coordinator Julie Milanese said students selected from the program are asked to give 30 minutes to an hour of their time each week to mentor a child in grades kindergarten through 8th grade who is dealing with some difficulty in his or her life.

All of the mentors are seniors and, although there is no minimum academic standard for serving as a mentor, most are among the top students in their class, Milanese said.

Milanese’s husband, Bruno Milanese, is the primary benefactor of the program. Julie Milanese said her husband lost his father at the age of 15.

“This program is very personal to all of us,” she said.

Reeves has attended the end of year banquet all five years of its existence. Also on hand Tuesday were State Rep. Hank Zuber of Ocean Springs, State Sen. Michael Watson of Pascagoula, Ocean Springs Mayor Connie Moran, Ocean Springs Superintendent Bonita Coleman-Potter, OSHS principal David Baggett and Joel Waters, Executive Director of the Mississippi Big Brothers, Big Sisters program.

The attendees dined on spaghetti and meatballs, baked chicken, vegetables and twice baked potatoes prepared by students in the school’s Culinary Arts program in the Culinary Arts Cafe’.

In his opening remarks, Baggett noted the program has provided mentors for 2,000 younger students over the past five years. He also credited Julie Milanese for implementing the program at OSHS and Bruno Milanese for his continued financial support.

“Julie not only came with a plan, she came with funding,” Baggett said.

Bruno Milanese called the students’ year as mentors a “journey,” and encouraged them to continue to give of their time and energy.

“Never stop giving back, because you never know when you might be on the receiving end,” he said.

Coleman-Potter, noting graduation for the seniors is May 28, told the students to continue to be “good citizens” and that she looked forward to seeing them on the “other side of the stage” on the 28th.

Zuber, himself a graduate of OSHS, said the school district did not have a mentoring program during his time there.

“I think it would have made a difference for a lot of my friends and people I grew up with,” Zuber said.

“It’s about doing the right thing, making the right choices,” said Moran, who also urged the students register to vote, drawing chuckles from the audience. Moran is up for re-election in June.

Waters said most of the mentors likely realize now they gained more from the program than they gave.

“You’ve probably gotten back more than you’ve given,” Waters said, “but you’ve made a difference. You’ve made a mark.” He went on to tell the students to “choose wisely” those who will be their mentors as they go off to college or begin careers.

Reeves summed up his feelings succinctly.

“I believe in you and I believe in this program.”

After the remarks, the audience was shown a video presentation of the Ambassador Mentor program, with photos of the mentors and their “littles” set to music. The well-done video by the school’s broadcast journalism department did include the somewhat questionable selection of the disco-era anthem “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor, which brought laughter from the room.

Via GulfLive.com

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“In this difficult and fragile national economy, creating an environment that encourages job creation has been our No. 1 priority,” Lt. Gov. Reeves said. “Gov. Bryant and our team at MDA have worked closely with us throughout this competitive process, and I anticipate the Senate will be eager to pass the proposed incentives. I fully support the project.”

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Jackson - A plan outlined by Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves to enhance school safety through increased security at campuses passed the Senate and House today. Senate Bill 2659 heads to Gov. Phil Bryant for consideration.

The bill creates a fund to assist schools that hire certified law enforcement officers on campuses. The plan was supported by the National Rifle Association. Lt. Gov. Reeves’ initiative was presented in response to the Dec. 14 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., which left 20 children and six adults dead.

“I appreciate the hard work of the Senate and House to adopt a school safety plan to protect students,” Lt. Gov. Reeves said. “The MCOPS program allows communities the option to participate and keep students safe with properly trained officers.”

The Mississippi Community Oriented Policing Services program will establish a $5.5 million grant program at the Mississippi Department of Education that will provide up to $10,000 to pay for a certified law enforcement officer at a public school. The local community will fund the remaining costs. Law enforcement officers will be required to train in the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training program at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers’ Training Academy, which is used by law enforcement nationwide to train officers on responding to shooting incidents. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Gray Tollison, R-Oxford.

Lt. Gov. Reeves’ other school safety measure became law earlier this month. Gov. Bryant signed Senate Bill 2647, which required Mississippi courts to report findings of mental incompetence to the FBI’s background check system to ensure individuals with a history of mental illness cannot purchase firearms in accordance with federal law. Sen. Briggs Hopson, R-Vicksburg, sponsored the bill. Mississippi courts will report findings of mental incompetence, institutional commitment and pleadings or judgments to crimes using the insanity defense to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System, or NICS. Sixteen states require courts to provide mental health information to NICS, including Alabama, Georgia and Texas.

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Of the new measures enacted, key items include legislation allowing a grant program to help schools hire trained law enforcement officers, increased funding for all levels of education and protection of Mississippians’ Second Amendment Rights.

“During the 2013 session, the Senate addressed issues that will have an impact on the state for many years to come, and I appreciate each member of the Senate who worked hard to ensure Mississippi stays on the road to economic recovery and continues to encourage the creation of better, higher-paying jobs,” Lt. Gov. Reeves said. “I appreciate working with Speaker Gunn to enact strong, conservative policies to push Mississippi forward.”

Key notes from the 2013 legislative session include:

Improving public education

The 2013 session will be remembered for the successful efforts to reform education and raise academic achievement for every student. The first steps toward school choice were made with the creation of public charter schools and legislation to end social promotion of students who cannot read at grade level.

“Mississippi students will rise up to meet these new standards for academic achievement, and parents will respond by demanding better from principals and teachers, many of whom work hard for public education every day,” Lt. Gov. Reeves said. “A quality education provides a stronger foundation for a well-trained workforce to grow Mississippi. We need graduates who are ready for highly skilled careers that pay well and will keep our children and grandchildren in Mississippi.”

The Legislature approved House Bill 369 creating public charter schools in D- and F-rated school districts with approval from a state authorizing board. School boards in districts rated as A, B or C can veto a public charter school application and deny giving parents educational choice. While Lt. Gov. Reeves pushed for a stronger public charter school law, he believes the new law will help foster demand for school choice across Mississippi.

Other measures passed include Senate Bill 2347, a “Third-Grade Gate” that measures literacy skills for students in Kindergarten through third grade, provides intervention programs for students needing assistance and requires third-grade students to meet reading standards before moving to the fourth grade. Gov. Phil Bryant’s Education Works package, Senate Bill 2658, established a $15,000 scholarship for students who score at least a 28 on the ACT and a 3.5 GPA and plan to enroll in a teacher education program. It also requires high schools with graduation rates lower than 80 percent to submit an improvement plan to the state Department of Education.

Senate Bill 2395 provides matching funds to local early childhood education programs through school districts, private and parochial schools, private childcare centers, and Head Start. Communities that have participated in programs like Excel by 5, Mississippi Building Blocks, and other proven education programs will be given special consideration to receive state funds. Individuals and companies also may donate to local programs.

Reducing debt, controlling spending

The Legislature adopted a $5.7 billion budget that prioritized public schools and higher education while keeping spending low. The budget for Fiscal Year 2014, which begins July 1, spends about 2 percent over the current fiscal year and sets aside almost $250 million in the state’s savings account.

The budget added $48.6 million to public education and a total of $53.6 million more to community colleges and universities. The Legislature will spend nearly $35 million on building repairs and technology upgrades rather than issuing debt to cover these expenses, as it has done in previous years.

The state will repeal more than $220 million in unissued bonds and is scheduled to pay off roughly $240 million worth of debt this fiscal year. The $199 million bond package includes the new medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, the nursing school at the University of Southern Mississippi and economic development projects.

The budget included:

• $2.32 billion for the Department of Education, a $48 million increase over the current year. The Mississippi Adequate Education Program Formula will receive $2.06 billion.
• $246.9 million for Community and Junior Colleges, $9.5 million more than the current year.
• $713.9 million for the Institutions for Higher Learning, a $44 million increase over this year. Student Financial Aid received $36.2 million, or $6.7 million more than this year.
• $72.8 million for the Department of Public Safety, a $3.4 million increase over this year. The budget provides raises for the Highway Patrol.
• $840 million for the Division of Medicaid, an increase of $18.4 million over the current year. Legislators expect to reauthorize the agency before the fiscal year ends.
• $337 million for the Department of Corrections, which is $26 million more than this year.

Improving safety in community, schools

The Legislature passed several measures to improve public safety and add protection for Mississippi students.

The legislature created the offense of attempted murder, which is a new offense in Mississippi. Under House Bill 28, those who are convicted of planning or unsuccessfully attempting to commit murder will receive a sentence of 20 years to life in prison. Current law was ambiguous and those who attempted murder often faced a wide range of charges and sentences that, many times, did not fit the crime. This new law rectifies the situation and ensures that these offenders receive the sentence they deserve.

Senate Bill 2732, known as Lenora’s Law named in honor of the late Lenora Edhegard, allows the Department of Corrections to track sex offenders who are released early using GPS monitoring devices. These devices allow the Department of Corrections to constantly monitor the offenders throughout the remainder of their sentence.

Lt. Gov. Reeves’ Mississippi Community Oriented Policing Services program will establish a $5.5 million grant program at the Mississippi Department of Education that will provide up to $10,000 to pay for a certified law enforcement officer at a public school. The local community will fund the remaining costs. Law enforcement officers will be required to train in the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training program, which is used by law enforcement nationwide to train officers on responding to shooting incidents.

Lt. Gov. Reeves’ other school safety measure became law earlier this month. Gov. Bryant signed Senate Bill 2647, which required Mississippi courts to report findings of mental incompetence to the FBI’s background check system to ensure individuals with a history of mental illness cannot purchase firearms in accordance with federal law. Sixteen states require courts to provide mental health information to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System, including Alabama, Georgia and Texas.

Protecting Second Amendment Rights

The Legislature passed several bills supported by the National Rifle Association. House Bill 485 ensures information related to concealed carry permit holders is exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act. Law enforcement will be allowed to share information regarding applicants and permit holders to determine eligibility to have a concealed carry permit. House Bill 2 clarifies state laws allowing Mississippians to carry concealed weapons. Senate Bill 2048 expands the opportunities for hunters to use crossbows in archery and primitive weapons seasons regardless of physical ability.

Strengthening Mississippi values

Several measures also help support Mississippi families, prayer and women’s health. For families who want to open their home to adopted children, the adoption process will be more affordable. Senate Bill 2833 allows families to claim a tax credit for adoption expenses the same year the child is claimed as an exemption.

The Mississippi Student Religious Liberties Act ensures students can express their faith in school, gives them the ability to organize faith-based activities and groups, and allows students to express religious viewpoints in their assignments.

The Women’s Health Defense Act regulates the use of abortion inducing drugs and requires that they be administered in the presence of a physician, as the Food and Drug Administration recommends. The bill also outlaws “telemed” abortions, in which abortion-inducing drugs are dispensed by a doctor who is present only through the use of technology such as video conferencing. Some could use this as a new avenue for abortions, especially now as the status of Mississippi’s only abortion clinic is in question, but this bill makes the procedure illegal.

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“Though we hoped for a bill that would not send the message that ‘C’ was ok in Mississippi, we agreed to compromise to give 125,000 Mississippi children an opportunity for success,” Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said. “Public charter schools give students another avenue for academic success, and the Legislature will continue to look for innovative ways to raise the level of achievement for students.”

The bill allows public charter schools to open in D- and F-rated school districts with only approval from the state authorizing board. School boards in districts rated as A, B or C can veto a public charter school application and deny giving parents educational choice.

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“This agreement keeps spending low as Mississippi’s economy slowly recovers from the recession while dedicating more funds for priorities like strengthening the quality of education in Mississippi,” Lt. Gov. Reeves said. “Chairman Clarke did an outstanding job drafting a conservative budget that adequately funds state agencies while rebuilding our Rainy Day Fund. In fact, this budget sets aside almost $250 million in our savings account.”

FY 2014 budget spends about 2 percent over the current fiscal year. The budget added $48.6 million to public education and a total of $53.6 million more to community colleges and universities. The Legislature will spend nearly $35 million on building repairs and technology upgrades rather than issue debt to cover these expenses as it has done in previous years.

“In the past, the Legislature has issued debt for roof repairs and new paint, which means taxpayers were paying interest over 20 years for building repairs that lasted less than a decade,” Lt. Gov. Reeves said. “The state needs to reduce its reliance on debt for routine maintenance, and this budget is a good first step.”

Also, the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means leadership also agreed to repeal more than $220 million in unissued bonds, and the state is scheduled to pay off roughly $240 million worth of debt this fiscal year. The two chambers agreed on a bond package worth $199 million, which includes the new medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, the nursing school at the University of Southern Mississippi and economic development projects.

“I commend Chairman Fillingane for his hard work on a reasonable, rationale bond bill,” Lt. Gov. Reeves said. “This year’s plan will help reduce the state’s overall debt burden by more than $250 million.”

Due to the Board of the Public Employees’ Retirement System raising the taxpayer’s portion of funding state workers’ retirement, the FY 2014 budget had to include $55 million to cover the increase.

Highlights of this budget include:

• $2.32 billion for the Department of Education, a $48 million increase over the current year. The Mississippi Adequate Education Program Formula will receive $2.06 billion.
• $246.9 million for Community and Junior Colleges, $9.5 million more than the current year.
• $713.9 million for the Institutions for Higher Learning, a $44 million increase over this year. Student Financial Aid received $36.2 million, or $6.7 million more than this year.
• $72.8 million for the Department of Public Safety, a $3.4 million increase over this year. The budget provides raises for the Highway Patrol.
• $840 million for the Division of Medicaid, an increase of $18.4 million over the current year. Legislators expect to reauthorize the agency before the fiscal year ends.
• $337 million for the Department of Corrections, which is $26 million more than this year.

The budget also funds several education reform initiatives pending before the Legislature, including money to improve the reading skills of kindergarten through third-grade students and a MCOPS grant program at the Mississippi Department of Education that would provide up to $10,000 to pay for a certified law enforcement officer at a public school.

The budget also gives money to support existing early childhood education programs, an initiative announced by Lt. Gov. Reeves and Speaker Philip Gunn in January. If approved by the Legislature, the program would provide matching funds to local early childhood education programs through school districts, private and parochial schools, private childcare centers, and Head Start. Communities that have participated in programs like Excel by 5, Mississippi Building Blocks, and other proven education programs will be given special consideration to receive state funds. Individuals and companies also may donate to local programs.

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“I look forward to helping elect more strong conservative leaders to lieutenant governor offices around the country,” Lt. Gov. Reeves said. “I appreciate the support from my fellow Republican lieutenant governors, who are working to adopt sound policies to grow our nation’s economy, create jobs and eliminate wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars.”

The organization elected Nevada Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki to lead the RLGA as chairman.

“I’d like to thank RLGA Chairman Lieutenant Governor Brian Krolicki of Nevada and Vice-Chairman Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves of Mississippi along with their board for their commitment to serve,” said RLGA President Chris Jankowski. “Our 30 Republican lieutenant governors are strong partners who work with their governors and legislatures to balance budgets, increase job opportunities and support economic growth within their states. We look forward to continuing to support the important work of Republican lieutenant governors in bringing the principles of smaller government, lower taxes and increased freedom to their states.”

The RLGA is the only national organization committed to raising money and assisting Republicans in their campaigns for Lieutenant Governor, an office that has served as a springboard to elected positions such as Governor, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, or appointments to the President’s Cabinet. The RLGA currently claims 30 of the 45 Lieutenant Governor offices nationwide, a record number for the organization. Republicans currently hold 15 of the 19 independently-elected positions and 15 of the 26 team-elected/appointed seats.

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