Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann addressed various key legislative issues during a recent Rotary Club of Oxford lunch meeting where he was the guest speaker.

He explained what a lieutenant governor and his staff do each day with duties including researching and developing major policy priorities, appointing chairs, assigning bills to committees, supporting chairs in conducting meetings, helping to manage floor debate and appointing individuals to boards and commissions.

Hosemann highlighted the state’s accomplishments in areas ranging from government reorganization and economic development to education, infrastructure, and healthcare.

He discussed the state’s $7.03 billion budget, reflecting a 2% increase. He noted that salary increases for state agencies, universities, and community colleges were selectively implemented, with discretion given to agency heads. The Lt. Governor emphasized the state’s efforts in streamlining government, citing a 10% reduction in state employment through attrition and reorganization.

Hosemann spoke about the allocation of American Rescue Plan funds, with $380 million earmarked for roads and bridges. Significant funds have also been allocated for infrastructure improvements, $10 million for ports, airports and rail improvements; $250 million for large-scale capacity highway projects, that includes the Highway 7 widening project; $30 million for the emergency road and bridge fund and $40 million for federal matching funds.

The Lt. Governor celebrated Mississippi’s economic development achievements, highlighting major projects in Marshall, Columbus and Madison counties. These included a large-scale electronic battery facility, a state-of-the-art aluminum mill, and Amazon’s significant investment in Madison County, positioning Mississippi as a leader in AI infrastructure.

These developments, according to Hosemann, are critical for the state’s future economic growth.

A significant portion of Hosemann’s address focused on education. He detailed a new funding formula that brings additional resources to school districts. Hosemann reiterated the state’s commitment to improving education outcomes, with a recent focus on career coaching. Mississippi will have 200 career coaches to guide students toward specific career paths, aiming to create a more skilled workforce. Additionally, he praised initiatives like the state-wide teacher pay raise and the expansion of early education programs.

The Lt. Governor underscored the administration’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, having reduced state taxes by nearly $1 billion and paid off approximately $2 billion in state debt. He also mentioned a proposed 2% reduction in the state grocery tax, aiming to further ease the tax burden on residents.

The Rotary Club of Oxford every Tuesday at noon at the Courtyard Marriott. For more information on the club, visit their Facebook page.