Senators ready to restore lower college rates
Senators are ready to offer students a better deal on their college loans this fall, but future classes could see higher interest rates.
Chism: Legislators will address consolidation in both ’14 and ’15 sessions
State Rep. Gary Chism, R-Columbus, said lawmakers are expected to use legislative sessions in both 2014 and 2015 to address Oktibbeha County school consolidation issues.
Republicans to tackle cuts in food stamp program
WASHINGTON — House approval of a scaled-back farm bill is setting up what could be an even bigger fight over food stamps and the role
Immigration, student loan top congressional agenda
Republicans and Democrats will put good will to the test when Congress returns this week to potentially incendiary fights over nominations, unresolved disputes over student loans and the farm bill, and the uncertainty of whether lawmakers have the political will to rewrite the nation’s immigration laws.
House takes up own immigration fix, no citizenship
WASHINGTON — The Republican chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said Sunday that any attempt at comprehensive immigration legislation cannot offer a “special pathway to
Immigration focus on House now
Attention is shifting to the House and its conservative majority after the Senate passed a landmark immigration bill opening the door to U.S. citizenship to millions while pouring billions of dollars into securing the border with Mexico.
Senate on verge of historic immigration vote
WASHINGTON — The Senate is on the cusp of approving historic immigration legislation offering citizenship to millions in the U.S. illegally and spending billions of
Boehner dances between parties on immigration
The immigration protesters advanced on the news conference, poking signs that read “Do Not Reward Criminals” and “No Amnesty!” over the heads of Republicans who had just finished speaking about finding a civilized tone in the year’s most difficult debate.
House will vote on cuts to crop insurance
WASHINGTON — The House will vote Thursday on whether to cut federally-subsidized crop insurance that helps farmers when they lose crops or revenue. The amendment
Budget office report says Senate immigration bill would boost economy
Supporters of a far-reaching immigration bill in the Senate see fresh momentum from a report by the Congressional Budget Office that says the measure would boost the economy and reduce federal deficits by billions of dollars.
House takes up far-reaching anti-abortion bill
WASHINGTON — The abortion wars return to Congress in a big way with House legislation to ban almost all abortions after a fetus reaches the
House considers jail term for military sex assault
The House is heading toward passage of a sweeping defense bill that reflects the outrage among lawmakers over the growing number of sexual assaults in the military.
Attention turns to vote-counting on immigration
Backers of far-reaching immigration legislation are turning their attention to courting support and counting votes after the Senate pushed the contentious bill over early procedural hurdles.
House panel to address sexual assaults
Lawmakers outraged by sexual assaults in the military are moving swiftly to address the problem, tackling legislation that would strip commanders of their authority to overturn convictions in rape and assault cases.
Teen charged after crashing stolen car into house
A Columbus teen was charged with felony fleeing of a motor vehicle after he crashed a stolen vehicle into a home Thursday morning.
Many Golden Triangle districts eligible for charter schools
Charter schools could begin showing up in area school districts as early as next year, pending Gov. Phil Bryant’s signature on House Bill 369, which passed the Senate last week 34-18. The governor has said he will sign the bill, opening the door for up to 15 charter schools per year to open in struggling and failing school districts across the state.
Analysis: 2013 session mixes substance, silliness
Mississippi lawmakers approved substantial public policy changes during their 2013 session, with an emphasis on trying new approaches to public education.
House adopts school merger bills for Oktibbeha, Clay
State Rep. Gary Chism, R-Columbus, confirmed Wednesday the House adopted two separate conference reports for Golden Triangle school consolidation.
Charter school bill passes
Charter schools have cleared their most difficult remaining legislative hurdle in Mississippi.
House members voted 62-56 Tuesday with no debate to approve a House-Senate agreement on House Bill 369.
Miss. Medicaid vote may prompt special session
JACKSON — The Mississippi House on Monday failed for the second time to adopt the Medicaid budget, making a special session highly likely before the