Your Senate began the week by passing House Concurrent Resolution 21 that allowed a joint session of the House and Senate on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 to hear Gov. Tate Reeves’ State of the State address.
by Se. Tyler McCaughn
This year’s address included the Governor’s update on the COVID 19 healthcare response along with a challenge to continue to strengthen the workforce programs across the state. Governor Reeves continues to believe that we are headed in the right direction by bringing more workforce development programs to high schools and junior colleges. The Senate has agreed with the position in the past by supporting legislation to build the workforce programs across the state.
In other news, Senate committees moved legislation out of committee. This week was one of continued committee meetings as February 2nd is the upcoming committee deadline. Beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 3, bills will come to the floor for debate and floor votes.
Legislation of note included SB2062 which reauthorizes the Rural Firetruck Acquisition Assistance Program by adding funds back into the program. This program is crucial to rural fire departments as they strive to keep fire insurance ratings in favorable territory. In other legislation, SB2283 entitled the Freedom of Roadway Act that seeks to enforce penalties for individuals who block roadways and impede traffic.
This bill was filed in direct response to the reckless disregard for motorists on I-55 in Jackson by a group of partiers.
Their actions impeded emergency workers for nearly an hour recently.
Lastly, I still encourage those 65 and over along with those having underlying health conditions to seek out the COVID 19 vaccine.
As of Jan. 31, there have been some 6,049 deaths but the bright spot is that some 242,935 vaccinations given as reported by the Mississippi Department of Health. That is up from 179,000 last week. In District 31, Lackey Healthcare has set up a successful process to administer the vaccine.
To schedule your appointment with Lackey in Forest, call (601) 900-0672. The Mississippi Department of Health further has appointment information on the website, or you may call this number (877) 978-6453.
As the vaccinations continue to be distributed, please continue to be safe as we are still seeing lethal cases of this virus. As always, I appreciate you allowing me to serve.
Tyler McCaughn represents Newton County in Senate District 32. He can be reached at TMcCaughn@senate.ms.gov
