Now that the three month legislative session is over, Mississippians can expect big changes in the coming months. MPB's Jeffrey Hess reports on some of the changes coming to the state as a result of the session....
Among thousands of bills that were filled in this year's legislative session, on of the more high profile was a ban on abortions after 20-weeks of gestation.
Anti-abortion activist Terri Herring says the ban is a big improvement for the state.
"99.9% of the people, probably not just in Mississippi but more broadly would probably agree that you shouldn't be taking the life of an unborn child at 9 months," Herring said.
Two other big issues were bills intended to protect religious freedom, and broad reform of the state's corrections system.
From the outset a pay raise for teachers was a top goal.
Teachers in Mississippi will see their pay increased by 25-hundred dollars over the next two years.
Frank Yates with the Mississippi Association of Educators says this is a good first step.
"It is great and a whole lot more than nothing. And that gives some hope to teachers that 'well this happened, so maybe we might get some more'," Yates said.
Legislators also legalized a form of marijuana oil that can be used as medicine for epileptic children.
One bill that to failed to pass the legislature on the final day was a measure to provide 6-thousand dollars to parents with special needs children to help pay for private schooling or services.
Kaysha Garber, who is the parent of a 13-year old with special needs, says the bill's failure is a tragedy.
"It is difficult on middle class families who have special needs children but don't really get a lot of help from the outside to accommodate and help pay for those extra needs," Garber said.
Mississippians can continue texting and driving.
Lawmakers killed a bill that would have put a texting while driving ban in place for all drivers in the state in the final minutes of the session.
Baring an unexpected special session, lawmakers will not meet again until next year.
