Public Schools May Be Fully Funded with New Ballot Initiative

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – Mississippi voters may soon have the chance decide whether or not the state will be required to fully fund public schools. Ballot Initiative 42 would require the state to fully fund the Mississippi Adequate Education Program. The program determines how much funding each school district receives. MAEP has traditionally been underfunded, including a $250 million dollar short fall this session. If the Initiative is passed by voters, at least 25 percent of general fund revenue into MAEP over time. A new tax is not required but over 100 thousand signatures are needed for the initiative to placed on the 2015 ballot.