01/15/2024
The 2024 Mississippi State Legislative session began on January 2nd, and the House of Representatives took an oath of office on that day. Representative Jason White (R-West) was elected as the new Speaker of the House, replacing Philip Gunn. Speaker White previously held the position of House Speaker Pro Tempore. Gunn was elected House Speaker in 2012, becoming the first Republican to serve as Speaker of the House in Mississippi since 1876. Representative Manley Barton (R-Moss Point) was selected as the new House Speaker Pro Tempore.
The 2024 legislative session is the first session of the new four-year term. As such, the 2024 session is scheduled to last 125 days, as opposed to the typical 90-day session. The longer schedule allows for the selection of new committee members, etc. One major change that Speaker White implemented is adding four additional committees that fall under the Appropriations Committee. These four committees will each be responsible for a portion of the state’s budget. The Appropriations Chairman will serve as a member of the four new Appropriations committees. Also, Speaker White announced that there will be two additional new committees this session: a Business and Commerce Committee and a Housing and State Affairs Committee.
I want to again take the time to thank everyone who supported me in my first run for a public office. I had never considered running for office previously, but felt that this was a good opportunity to help contribute to the many positive things that are happening in our great state and happening locally. I know that my 35 years of business experience will be put to good use as we seek to improve education, lower state taxes and improve workforce development both here on the Coast and in our state.
