Lawmakers Working to Push Through bills

Mark Formby, R-Picayune, speaking on the House floor

Mississippi lawmakers are working on clearing the legislative calendar before taking a month-long break. MPB’s Stephen Koranda reports.

Legislators passed dozens of bills yesterday. The measures had completed the negotiations process and most met little debate. A bill aimed at allowing some first time, non-violent offenders to clear their records did result in heated words on the house floor. Representative Mark Formby of Picayune argued the legislation could result in employers not getting the full story on applicants’ criminal records.

“What we’re doing is giving them permission to say ‘I was never convicted of anything, ever.’ Even though they we’re convicted, they did get sentenced, they did do time, and now they’re going to sit in front of you and check ‘no.’”

Multiple lawmakers cited scripture and the importance of forgiveness when promoting the bill, Including Representative Edward Blackmon of Canton.

“There are young boys and young girls that deserve our forgiveness. We’re not asking you to forgive people who committed violent crimes. We’re not asking you got forgive people who’ve have taken other peoples’ money. We’re asking you to forgive those, that small group of people who committed some offense on our laws, that deserve a second chance.”

The bill passed the House, but was later withheld for more negotiations. Lawmakers also passed a bill to allow some areas in dry counties to vote on serving liquor.