BROOKHAVEN — Squatted trucks are in the rearview mirror for Sen. Jason Barrett when he returns to Jackson in January 2025 when the Mississippi State Legislature reconvenes. He gave an indepth preview to what will be the hot button issues in Jackson this year to the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 11. 

“When I left Brookhaven last year I was adamantly opposed to squatted vehicles,” Barrett said. “This year I’m really concerned about crime. We are all subject to the laws on the books. We need to do what we can to help our law enforcement.”

As usual, Barrett opened up the forum with Rep. Becky Currie speaking second and Rep. Vince Mangold wrapping everything up. Barrett is a lawyer, Currie is a nurse and Mangold is a farmer and together they work well. 

Redistricting and crime

District 5 Supervisor Doug Falvey thanked the legislators for meeting with them before Barrett stepped up to speak. 

“Thank you for having us here.I think most importantly it is our duty to be a voice for the county. Obviously you represent the county and we need to have an open line of communication with you all,” Barrett said. “Going forward in session, there will be a lot of hot topics, legislative redistricting will be one of them. The federal court ruled the last redistricting we had was done so improperly, they felt there were some districts which were not drawn up as they should have been. Eighteen districts could be redistricted on the senate side.”

Barrett noted to the supervisors that would be about a third of the senate seats. He added redistricting would also impact judge districts which could in turn impact Lincoln County.

“We all see the crime not just here but all over Mississippi. The judges play an important role in that. 

Our judges district will have a tremendous impact on how we move forward. Judge Taylor and Strong do a great job.”

Barrett said he personally would work to do away with the 2014 House Bill 585. His issue with the bill is it requires a violent criminal to only serve 50 percent of their sentence and a non violent criminal serve 25 percent of their sentence. He said crime should be punished accordingly and fairly and that should be done by truth in sentencing. 

Medicaid expansion could be an issue again. Barrett said he is not opposed to an expansion, a similar answer to what he gave last year. He explained he believes they should help those in need. Barrett’s concern last year with the medicaid bills is it included a work requirement which would not have survived the Biden administration. 

He said last year and this year he would not vote on an 800 page bill handed to him an hour before a vote which is not enough time to read the bill. 

“It isn’t wise or prudent to vote on something like that just because someone in leadership without reading it,” Barrett said. “That is the general picture of the legislature.”

Local focus

Barrett said he does intend to file locally focused bills along with his colleagues. He added he is not sure if there will be a bond bill this year. 

Furthermore, he acknowledged the anticipated discussion of cutting taxes. Supervisors expressed concern about tax cuts because it could have an impact on funding for County roads and bridges. 

“We still have an estimated $465 million of tax cuts we have not realized yet,” Barrett said. “We need to realize we need to stop cutting taxes and start thinking about using our tax funds more efficiently.”

District 4 Supervisor Eli Ferguson said his concern is Lincoln County will still need as much money as ever. He and Barrett seemed to agree in rationale that tax cuts sound great but have an impact locally. 

“If we cut the grocery tax that is great but you would hurt the local government. We can’t afford to maintain roads. It is an ebb and flow,” Ferguson said. 

Gas taxes could affect asphalt prices too. 

“It is easier to say we will cut income taxes but you usually raise another tax because you have to be able to operate,” Barrett said. “We need to move forward cautiously. Someone will pay for it at the end of the day.”

Barrett said he believes PERS, the state retirement system, will be a hot issue in the legislature this year too. Last year, legislators made an attempt to change the board for PERS. Barrett explained he believes if you contract someone for services and benefits they should get them. 

He further stated that asking the local government to pay higher funds into the system is not the solution.