State Republican lawmaker gives preview of session

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A Republican lawmaker says economic issues, budget matters, education and human trafficking are some of the topics legislators will likely tackle during the upcoming session in Jackson.

For State Representative Randy Boyd, there are several issues he believes will be at the top of the agenda when lawmakers convene next week.

“Education will be one of the big issues, as it always is, and the budget, trying to get those things worked out, we will deal with human trafficking, the opioid crisis,” said Rep. Boyd.

The Republican lawmaker has represented District 19 for two terms now and says human trafficking and the opioid epidemic are issues that impact everyone.

“The way we address it is the way rest of nation is going about it, maybe trying to step ahead of some of those things we’ve seen in other states and maybe make ours a little bit better,”

Boyd also believes legislators will look at ways to help people suffering with mental illnesses who end up on the wrong side of the law.

“We started the drug court a few years back and it’s been very successful and trying to look at some way to have a mental health court, along the same lines as drug court, which helps people, not just locks them up and throws away the key.”

On education, Representative Boyd says a teacher pay hike is on the table, along with funds for teachers to help buy school supplies, instead of using their own money.

Also, the lawmaker from Mantachie believes priority should be given to increasing vocational educational opportunities.

“Students will be able to come out of high school with a certificate that allows them to go to work in some factories around here, we’ve got to do things a little different in Mississippi to maintain a workforce for these companies we’ve got coming in here,” said Boyd.

Boyd also believes lawmakers are likely pass legislation allowing electric cooperatives to offer high speed internet to rural areas.

Lawmakers are set to start the 2019 session January 8.