Although the legislative session will not reconvene April 1, representatives continue to work from their home districts to make things move as quickly as possible when they return to Jackson. The legislature originally recessed March 18 due to the Covid-19 pandemic with the goal of returning April 1; however, House Speaker Phillip Gunn and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann announced Thursday the recess would be extended.
Rep. Randy Rushing, R-Decatur, who represents parts of Newton, Scott and Leake Counties in District 78, said he wasn’t surprised when the announcement came.
“Our goal date was April 1, but I think we all knew that was a very positive goal,” he said. “I personally didn’t expect to go back so soon. That was totally expected.”
As far as the timing of the recess, Rushing said it came at a convenient time in the legislative process.
“We were at the center point of our session,” he said. “The deadline had just passed.”
Rushing said the recess came just as the House was sending bills to the Senate and vice versa, but neither body had really started digging into the bills yet. Coming when it did, he said the recess will cause minimal disruption to the legislative process.
“The timing was really good,” he said.
While legislators are not heading to the capitol, Rushing said he is still working hard to prepare for when the legislative session does resume. Speaker Gunn, he said, asked all committee chairmen to review the bills in their committees and get everything in order to move quickly once the recess ends.
“We’re going to hit the ground running,” he said.
Taking the time now to set up legislation will mean fewer days are needed to get business done once the legislature reconvenes, which will not only help keep the state’s government on track but also save the taxpayers’ money.
And with the legislature expecting to see revenues decline as businesses close due to Covid-19 outbreak, Rushing said saving money is a very good thing.
The downside of an expedited session, Rushing said, is that some bills may get left behind. HB 741, which Rushing introduced to give counties and municipalities the option of using the internet use tax they began receiving earlier this year to issue bonds, had passed the House and had been referred to the Senate Finance Committee prior to the recess being called. While he said he didn’t know how his own bill would fair, Rushing said it could be good pieces of legislation that would benefit Mississippians will fall through the cracks.
“This may be the demise of a lot of good legislation,” he said.
As he and his fellow legislators wait to be recalled to the capitol, Rushing said he is trying to set an example for his constituents by practicing social distancing, staying home when possible and making sure to purchase only what he needs so others have a chance to buy supplies as well.
As the state grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic, Rushing urged his constituents to stay calm and follow the guidelines from Mississippi Department of Public Health.
“I feel like once we get this virus under control Newton, Leake and Scott counties, Mississippi and America will bounce back like we have before,” he said.
As more information and guidance becomes available, Rushing said he is trying to keep the public updated by posting the daily update he receives from Speaker Gunn on Facebook. He said everyone in his district is welcome to follow his page and stay up-to-date on the legislature’s movements.
