Courtney Ann Jackson

2 weeks ago | wlbt.com | Courtney Ann Jackson

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - The president thinks FEMA and its structure needs reviewing. And Former Governor Phil Bryant is among those charged with the task. It comes just as Mississippi is awaiting a federal disaster declaration. An executive order from January outlines the scope of what President Trump wants to see from the FEMA Review Council.

2 weeks ago | wlbt.com | Courtney Ann Jackson

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Legislative approval isn’t the last step in a bill becoming law. Governor Tate Reeves vetoed a handful of bills last week. Here is the background on some of those. A bill to create a stand-alone Department of Tourism will have to wait another year since lawmakers left without a budget. It’s currently housed within the Mississippi Development Authority. “I think that the general idea was economic development and tourism can be two completely different things,” explained Sen.

2 weeks ago | wlbt.com | Courtney Ann Jackson

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - A bill signed into law by the Governor will make it illegal to camp on public property unless it’s been specifically designated for that purpose by the local government. “There’s no one bill that’s going to be able to fix homelessness, and I never touted this bill as being something that would do that,” explained bill author Rep. Shanda Yates. Rep. Shanda Yates says House Bill 1203 is instead rooted in an attempt to address blight.

2 weeks ago | wlbt.com | Courtney Ann Jackson

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Independent pharmacists have been lobbying lawmakers for the last few months. But education is their latest step forward. Pharmacists like Gaston Box at Saver Express Pharmacy in Ridgeland found themselves outside their comfort zone this legislative session. Their pleas are all centered around a call for PBM reform. Pharmacy Benefit Managers are described as the middleman between the pharmacy and your insurance.

3 weeks ago | wlox.com | Courtney Ann Jackson

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - WLBT is asking lawmakers about the latest with the state budget negotiations. “I think 80% of the work that needed to be done had been done before we left,” said Rep. Robert Johnson, House Minority Leader. “Generally, the biggest items are at the end of the budget process,” noted Sen. Brice Wiggins. “So you know, I think that’s what things need to be hashed out. But I personally haven’t heard a timeline or anything like that.”The Governor will determine that timeline.