Capitol Resources Report: MCBL&F Weekly Legislative Update 6.30.25

Lawmakers Point to ‘26 Priorities.

Ten incumbents face Special Elections.

Legislative leadership is making clear their priorities heading into the 2026 Regular Session via select committees studying school choice, the state employee retirement system’s viability, strengthening Jackson and other metro areas, voting rights, and the initiative process.

Speaker Jason White said these committees are a way to make sure the House is fully prepared going into the 2026 session. The Education Freedom Committee will look at ways to offer students and families more choices. The PERS committee is tasked with helping the state deal with the long-term funding of its retirement system. The Voter Rights committee will explore restoring voting rights for certain individuals and reviving the citizen-led ballot initiative process. And the Capital and Metro Revitalization group will keep working on ideas to improve public safety, infrastructure, and economic development in Jackson.

Opioid Settlement Council Announced:

Appointments have been made to a new council that will oversee how Mississippi spends $315 million from national opioid settlement funds. The Mississippi Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Council includes 15 voting members and 22 advisory members. Their job is to review grant applications and recommend how the funds should be used to support prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction.

Lieutenant Governor Hosemann appointed Mark Stovall and Andy Taggart as voting members. Stovall is CEO of Oceans Healthcare and has deep experience in addiction services. Taggart is a longtime Mississippi attorney and advocate who has spoken out on the need for stronger addiction resources after losing his son to substance use.

Speaker White named James Moore, a Pine Belt father and addiction advocate, and Gerry Taylor, the Attala County chancery clerk, as voting members. Both have firsthand experience with the crisis and have worked to raise awareness across the state. Reeves has not yet named his appointments.

Here’s the full list of voting members appointed thus far to the Mississippi Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Council:

• Attorney General Lynn Fitch – Chair
• Dr. Daniel Edney, State Health Officer – Co-Vice Chair
• Wendy Bailey, Executive Director of the Department of Mental Health – Co-Vice Chair
• Mark Stovall, CEO of Oceans Healthcare – Appointed by Lt. Governor
• Andy Taggart, Attorney – Appointed by Lt. Governor
• James Moore, Addiction Advocate – Appointed by Speaker of the House
• Gerry Taylor, Chancery Clerk, Attala County – Appointed by Speaker of the House
• Dr. Michael K. Randolph, Chief Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court
• Kym Wiggins, MS Department of Education
• Shari Veazey, MS Municipal League
• Greg Collier, MS Association of Supervisors
• Ken Winter, MS Association of Chiefs of Police
• Sheriff Tyree Jones, Hinds County
• Two additional members to be named by Governor Tate Reeves

Governor’s Announcements and Appointments:

Governor Reeves signed most of the appropriation bills passed during the May special session, including the $7.135 billion state budget. He did veto the Medicaid Technical Amendments bill due to restrictions placed on the state’s supplemental payment plan; another bill that was not allowed to be considered under the parameters of the special session call; and he exercised his line-item veto to block payments to a rehab center (payments that had the potential of running afoul of federal Medicaid rules). 

The Governor also appointed two new judges:

• Jerry Sharp will serve as chancery judge in the 19th District, covering Jones and Wayne Counties.
• Michael Reed will serve as circuit judge in the 12th Circuit, which includes Forrest and Perry Counties.

In addition, Reeves rolled out a major new workforce initiative called the Mississippi AI Talent Accelerator Program, which includes $9.1 million in grants for colleges and universities to expand AI and machine learning training. This effort is tied to the massive investment Amazon Web Services is making in the state.

He also helped celebrate the groundbreaking of a major new private-sector project:

• Howard Industries is investing $237 million in a new facility in Quitman, creating 450 new jobs across Clarke, Jones, and Simpson Counties. Reeves called it “another big day for Mississippi” as the state continues building out its economic base and workforce pipeline.

Governor Reeves has also earned a new leadership role this summer. He was elected Chair of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) for 2025–2026. The board brings together governors, legislators, and education leaders from 16 states to improve public education at all levels. Reeves said he’s proud to serve and looks forward to building on the momentum of Mississippi’s recent gains in reading, math, and workforce readiness. “In Mississippi, we’ve seen what’s possible when we set high standards and stay committed to results, from the Mississippi Miracle to nation-leading fourth grade reading and math gains,” Reeves said. “I look forward to working with fellow governors to deliver even more opportunity to our students.”

Economic Development Highlights:

Mississippi has also been noticed nationally for its economic development efforts. The state recently won three awards from Area Development magazine, including the Gold Shovel Award for states under 3 million people.

In total, Mississippi has seen over $13 billion in new economic activity this year, with job growth across sectors like tech, manufacturing, aerospace, and logistics. Mississippi also continues to be ranked as one of the most affordable states in the country, with a strong business tax climate.

Federal Update – The Big Bill in DC:

In Washington, Congress is still debating the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” which could dramatically change how states like Mississippi handle Medicaid, provider taxes, and hospital funding. The bill has raised concerns from non-expansion states, who say they could be penalized under new formulas for supplemental payments. Senator Roger Wicker has said he is “closely watching” how the legislation evolves and wants to “make sure rural states are not left behind.” Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith has also raised concerns about the impact on hospitals in areas that already face workforce shortages and funding gaps. We are expecting more hearings in the coming weeks, and the final text may still change.

As always, we are keeping an eye on developments and will keep you posted.

Upcoming Special Elections:

Mississippians in several legislative districts will be heading to the polls for a handful of special elections. A panel of federal judges ordered new district maps for parts of the House and Senate to reflect minority voting strength better. 

Primary elections are set for August 5. If needed, runoffs will be held on September 2, and the general election will occur on November 4.

Here’s a full rundown of the races:

House Districts

• District 16 (Lee, Monroe, Chickasaw, Pontotoc): Democrat Rep. Rickey Thompson faces Brady Davis in the Democratic primary.
• District 22 (Monroe, Chickasaw, Clay): Republican Rep. Jon Lancaster is unopposed in the primary; Democrat Justin Crosby will face him in the general election.
• District 36 (Monroe, Clay, Oktibbeha, Lowndes): Democrat Rep. Karl Gibbs is unopposed.
• District 39 (Monroe, Lowndes): Republican Rep. Dana McLean is unopposed.
• District 41 (Lowndes): Democrat Rep. Kabir Karriem faces Pierre Beard Sr. in the Democratic primary.

Senate Districts

• District 1 (DeSoto, Tate): Jon Stevenson and Sen. Michael McLendon will face off in the Republican primary. The winner will meet Democrat Chris Hanna in the general election.
• District 2 (DeSoto, Tunica): Kelly Andress, Theresa Isom, and Robert Walker will compete in the Democratic primary. (Sen. David Parker chose not to seek reelection. The winner faces Republican Charlie Hoots.
• District 11 (DeSoto, Tunica, Tate, Quitman, Coahoma): Sen. Reginald Jackson and Abe Hudson Jr. are in the Democratic primary. The winner will face Republican Kendall Prewitt.
• District 19 (DeSoto): Republican Sen. Kevin Blackwell will face Democrat Dianne Black in the general election.
• District 34 (Jasper, Jones, Covington): Sen. Juan Barnett is unopposed.
• District 41 (Lamar, Covington, Marion, Walthall): Sen. Joey Fillingane is unopposed.
• District 42 (Jones, Wayne, Greene, Forrest): Sen. Robin Robinson, R.J. Robinson, and Don Hartness are in the Republican primary. The winner will take the seat.
• District 44 (Perry, Forrest, Lamar): Patrick Lott and Sen. Chris Johnson are in the Republican primary. The winner will face Democrat Shakita Taylor. (Sen. John Polk chose not to seek reelection.
• District 45 (Forrest, Lamar): Republican Anna Rush will face Democrat Johnny DuPree in the general election.  (There is no incumbent in this race.  Sen. Johnson’s district was called “Dist.. 45. Johnson and much of his former district are in what is now Dist. 44).

Another special election is expected soon for Senate District 26, which longtime Senator John Horhn will vacate following his election as Mayor of Jackson. The district includes parts of North Jackson, portions of Madison County, and stretches west toward Bolton and Edwards.

Governor Reeves will have 30 days after Horhn officially steps down on July 1 to call the election. Based on that timeline, it could take place in early September or be added to the November special election schedule. While no candidates have officially jumped in yet, several names are already being floated on the Democratic side. Given the district’s makeup, it’s expected to remain in Democratic hands.

Political Updates:

Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson is the first candidate to announce a run for governor in 2027 officially. He launched his campaign earlier this month, describing himself as a proven conservative and outlining a platform focused on agriculture, economic growth, personal freedoms, and pushing back against federal overreach.

While many others are rumored to be exploring a run, Gipson remains the only one who has made it official. With qualifying still a way off, more announcements are expected later this year and into 2026. You can read more about his announcement and rumored candidates here