♪♪ >>> HELLO.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M WILSON STRIBLING.

WELCOME TO ANOTHER EDITION OF "AT ISSUE" WHERE WE DISCUSS AND DEBATE THE ISSUES FACING MISSISSIPPI AND HOW THESE ISSUES IMPACT YOU.

ONE OF THE BILLS MAKING IT TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK IS A MEASURE DESIGNED TO KEEP TRANSGENDER PEOPLE FROM COMPETING IN WOMEN'S SPORTS.

LAWMAKERS IN THE HOUSE PASSED SENATE BILL 2336 BY A VOTE OF 81-28.

ALSO CALLED THE MISSISSIPPI FAIRNESS ACT, IT WOULD REQUIRE K-12 SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO DESIGNATE SCHOOL TEAMS BY BIOLOGICAL SEX.

IT WOULD PREVENT TRANSGENDER STUDENTS FROM JOINING TEAMS BASED ON HOW THEY IDENTIFY.

A REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE REFUSED TO TAKE QUESTIONS FROM THE WELL OF THE HOUSE AFTER BRIEFLY EXPLAINING THE BILL.

>> GIRLS DESERVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPERIENCE THE THRILL OF VICTORY.

ALLOWING MALES TO COMPETE IN GIRLS' SPORTS PLACE THEM AT DISAD DISADVANTAGE.

GIRLS SHOULDN'T BE SPECTATORS IN THEIR OWN SPORTS.

WOMEN FOUGHT LONG AND HARD FOR ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITIES.

TITLE 9 WAS DESIGNED TO CREATE EQUAL ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN, ALLOWING MALES TO COMPETE IN GIRLS' SPORTS REVERSES 50 YES OF ADVANCES FOR WOMEN.

THE MESSAGE IS -- YOU DESERVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EXCEPT IN SPORTS UNLESS WE PASS THIS BILL.

NOW, EVERYBODY IN HERE KNOWS HOW THEY'LL VOTE ON THIS BILL.

I'M NOT GOING TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

I'M NOT INTERESTED IN GETTING INTO AN ARGUMENT WITH YOU ON WHO IS BOYS AND WHO IS GIRLS AND WHO THINKS THEY ARE WHAT.

IN THE AGE OF MR. AND MRS.

POTATO HEAD AREN'T POLITICALLY CORRECT, I'M NOT GOING DOWN THAT ROAD.

EVERYONE IN HERE KNOWS HOW HE OR SHE IS GOING TO VOTE ON THIS BILL.

>> NO REPUBLICAN IN THE HOUSE OR SENATE VOTED AGAINST THE PROPOSAL.

HOWEVER, DEMOCRATS IN BOTH CHAMBERS WERE SPLIT.

MEMBERS VOTED NO, DID NOT VOTE AT ALL OR VOTED PRESENT ON THE ISSUE.

CHRIS BELL OF JACKSON SAID THE MISSISSIPPI ACT COULD LEAD MISSISSIPPI DOWN THE PATH OF LAWSUITS.

>> THIS TRANSGENDER BILL THAT BASICALLY STATES THAT TEAM SPORTS HAVE TO IDENTIFY AS MALE OR FEMALE, I MEAN, IT IS A DISRESPECT OF ONE'S OWN CHOICE.

IT OPENS THE STATE UP FOR POTENTIAL LAWSUITS.

IT DEFINITELY DISRESPECTS THE INDIVIDUALS' CHOICE.

IT PUTS THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI IN A BAD LIGHT AS WE CHANGED THE FLAG.

NOW WE COME BACK WITH THINGS TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST INDIVIDUALS.

I THINK IT IS A TERRIBLE BILL.

>> ROB HILL IS CHAIR OF THE MISSISSIPPI HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN.

HE SAYS VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST TRANSGENDER PEOPLE IS AT A RECORD HIGH ACROSS THE NATION.

IF THE SENATE BILL BECOMES LAW THIS SESSION, HE BELIEVES IT WOULD PUT TRANSGENDER YOUTH AT A GREATER RISK OF BULLYING AND EXCLUSION.

>> THIS IS A BILL THAT IS A SOLUTION LOOKING FOR A PROBLEM THAT DOES NOT EXIST.

THE ONLY THING THIS WILL CAUSE IS MORE BULLYING AGAINST TRANSGENDER STUDENTS AROUND OUR STATE WHO ARE ALREADY VULNERABLE BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH IN ADOLESCENCE.

IT IS HARD ENOUGH TO BE A TEENAGER.

IT IS EXTREMELY HARD IF YOU ARE A TRANS TEENAGER.

THIS BILL, THERE IS NO -- THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT MEN ARE -- OR BOYS THAT ARE TRANSITIONING ARE AT AN ADVANTAGE.

THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT TRANSGENDER ATHLETES POSE AN ADVANTAGE.

YOU HAVE HEARD ARGUMENTS THAT SAY THIS IS ABOUT FAIRNESS FOR WOMEN.

ALL OF THAT IS NOT TRUE.

WE HAVE SEEN ANY TIME THERE HAS BEEN PROGRESS IN OUR COUNTRY AS IT RELATES TO, PARTICULARLY AROUND LGBTQ RIGHTS, WE HAVE SEEN A BACKLASH.

WE SAW IT IN 2016 AFTER THE MARRIAGE EQUALITY DECISION, WE SAW EFFORTS TO ROLL BACK RIGHTS THERE.

THIS PAST YEAR THE SUPREME COURT RULED ON THE BOSTIC DECISION.

THAT DECISION SAID SEX UNDER TITLE 7 OF THE 1964 CIVIL RIGHTS ACT INCLUDES GENDER IDENTITY AS IT RELATES TO EMPLOYMENT PROTECTIONS.

WE KNEW THERE WOULD BE A BACKLASH.

THIS IS ANOTHER ITERATION OF OUR RIGHT OR EXTREMIST GROUPS TRYING TO ROLL BACK RIGHTS OF LGBTQ COMMUNITY.

THIS BILL IS TO FURTHER DISENFRANCHISE THE WHOLE OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR TEY REEVES SAYS HE'LL SIGN THE BILL.

>>> A LONG PROMISED TEACHER PAY RAISE IS ALIVE.

MEMBERS ADVANCED A STAND-ALONE BILL IN THE FINAL HOURS OF DEADLINE DAY.

THE SENATE'S ORIGINAL BILL WHICH INCLUDED A $1,000 RAISE WAS NOT TAKEN UP AND DIED.

THE SENATOR IS THE EDUCATION CHAIRMAN.

>> EVERYBODY SUPPORTS A TEACHER PAY RAISE.

FOR WHATEVER REASON, DID NOT SURVIVE IN THE HOUSE.

THEREFORE, WE ARE GOING TO ENSURE -- WE PUT TEACHERS OVER POLITICS.

WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT THE LOBBIHOOD OF OUR EDUCATORS ARE NOT TOILED WITH.

AND THAT WE AS THE SENATE ENSURE OUR EDUCATORS ARE COMPENSATED FOR -- WELL FOR THE WORK THEY DO, ESPECIALLY DURING THE TRYING TIMES WE ARE IN.

AS CHRISTY PASSES THIS OUT, AS I SAID, YOU KNOW THIS BILL WELL, IT PROVIDES $1,000 OPAY RISE FOR TEACHERS AND TEACHERS ASSISTANTS.

IT RAISES THE STARTING SALARY FOR TEACHERS FROM 0-3 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE TO $37,000 WHICH EQUATES TO A $1,110 PAY RAISE.

THE COST OF THIS WHICH SENATOR HOBSON HAS ALREADY DETERMINED AND SET ASIDE IS ROUGHLY 51.5 MILLION DOLLARS.

>> THE HOUSE TIED A POTENTIAL PAY RAISE TO ITS TAX REFORM PLAN, A PLAN UNDER MUCH SCRUTINY IN THE SENATE.

THE POLITICKING HAS SOME EDUCATION ADVOCATES CONCERNED OVER THE FUTURE OF TEACHER PAY RAISES IN A STATE PAYING TEACHERS BELOW THE SOUTHEASTERN AVERAGE.

KELLY RILEY IS DIRECTOR OF MISSISSIPPI PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS.

SHE SAYS TEACHERS ARE SADDENED TO SEE THE ISSUE HANDLED IN THIS MANNER.

>> IT IS DISAPPOINTING THAT AN ISSUE THAT IS SO IMPORTANT TO THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION IN MISSISSIPPI AND THAT WE ARE ABLE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN QUALITY TEACHERS AND PROVIDE THEM A LIVABLE AND COMPETITIVE WAGE IN RETURN FOR THEIR SERVICES, IT IS SAD TO SEE THAT THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE APPEARS TO BE FIGHTING IT.

WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT AND THE LEADERSHIP THE SENATE HAS PROVEN AND PROVIDED, NOT ONLY THIS YEAR BUT LAST YEAR AS YOU MENTIONED.

YOU KNOW, IT IS POLITICS.

EVERYTHING IN THE CAPITOL IS POLITICS.

I DON'T THINK OUR TEACHERS PARTICULARLY AFTER THE PAST 12 MONTHS THAT THEY HAVE WORKED SO DILIGENTLY AND GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR STUDENTS, YOU KNOW, IT IS SAD TO SEE THEM TREATED IN THIS MANNER.

>> THE SENATE CONVENED YESTERDAY AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED THE STAND-ALONE TEACHER PAY PLAN.

IT RETURNS TO THE HOUSE FOR FURTHER REVIEW.

HOUSE MEMBERS CAN REJECT IT OR SEEK NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE SENATE.

GOVERNOR REEVES SAYS HE'LL SIGN ANY TEACHER PAY RAISE LEGISLATORS COME UP WITH.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS INTRODUCED THE MISSISSIPPI TAX FREEDOM ACT, IT IS A COMPREHENSIVE TAX REFORM PLAN THAT ADVOCATES SAY WILL ATTRACT NEW BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES.

DURING A PRESS FORUM, THE REPUBLICAN SAID IT IS NOT CLEAR WHETHER THE BILL WILL MAKE IT THROUGH THE SENATE.

AS THE 2020 SESSION NEARS ITS WEEKS, THERE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH TIME TO EVALUATE THE PLAN AND ITS PROJECTIONS.

>> I HAVE GOTTEN THROUGH MOST OF IT.

I HAVE ASKED CPAS AND OTHERS TO START THEIR PROJECTIONS.

HOW QUICKLY WE GET THOSE, THE BILL AS WRITTEN HAS MANY ISSUES.

I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT RAISING ANYBODY'S TAXES.

THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT THINGS TO DISCUSS HERE.

DO YOU REFORM ONE WAY OR ANOTHER -- THOSE ISSUES I'LL GET TO AS FAST AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE AS THOSE WORKING WITH ME WILL DO AND THE SENATE WILL DO.

WHAT THE RESULT WILL BE, I CAN'T TELL YOU.

THERE ARE ISSUES ABOUT ADVANTAGE JOB CREDITS, WE ARE HEARING ORGANIZATIONS LIKE FARM BUREAU COME OUT AGAINST THIS.

SEVERAL OTHER ONES AE MEETING THIS WEEK TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY ARE FOR OR AGAINST THIS BILKS -- BILL, YOU CAN'T COVER EVERYONE.

THE MORE EYES YOU HAVE ON A PROJECT LIKE THIS, THE BETTER OFF WE ARE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE RESULT IS GOING TO BE.

THE SENATE WILL BE HERE THIS AFTERNOON.

THEY'LL BE TALKING ABOUT THIS.

BUT SOME TIME, I THINK WE HAVE TWO WEEKS, SOMETIME IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS YOU'LL SEE SOME MORE IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION.

IT IS DIFFICULT TO DO THIS AMOUNT OF WORK THIS QUICKLY.

AS I MENTIONED TO YOU BEFORE, WE DON'T ADOPT IT AND FIND OUT WHAT WILL BE IN IT, OUR PEOPLE WILL WANT TO READ IT AND GET INPUT FROM ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF GROUPS.

>> ALSO ON DEADLINE DAY, MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REJECTED A PLAN FROM THE SENATE TO CHANGE THE WAY THE STATE SPENDS ITS LOTTERY MONEY.

STATE LAW SAYS THE FIRST $80 MILLION EACH YEAR MUST GO TO STATE HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES.

THE SENATE VOTED TO DIVERT THAT MONEY TO LOCAL ROADS AND BRIDGES UNTIL JUNE 2024.

THE HOUSE COMMITTEE REJECTED THAT PROPOSAL.

>>> TODAY THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS REPORTING 591 NEW CASES OF THE CORONAVIRUS AND 19 ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

THAT BRINGS THE TOTALS IN MISSISSIPPI TO NEARLY 300,000 CASES AND ALMOST 6800 DEATHS SINCE MARCH 2020.

MISSIPPIANS ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS IN PUBLIC UNLESS LOCAL ORDERS SAY OTHERWISE.

DURING A PRESS EVENT, THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE LIFTING OF STATE MANDATES DESIGNED TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS.

REEVES SAID IT WAS BASED OBJECT PROGRESS AND THAT HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY.

IN THE GOVERNOR'S NEW ORDER BARS ACROSS THE STATE CAN REMAIN OPEN AFTER 11:00 P.M. AND RESTAURANTS CAN FILL THEIR DINING AREAS TO MAXIMUM CAPACITY.

>> MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURIVE BLACK CAUCUS ARE OPPOSED TO THE LIFTING OF COVID RESTRICTIONS.

ON THE SOUTH STEPS OF THE CAPITOL, LAWMAKERS MET TO ENCOURAGE MISSIPPIANS TO ENCOURAGE -- CONTINUE WEARING MASKS.

LEADER OF THE CAUCUS TELLS "AT ISSUE" PRODUCER SHE BELIEVES THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION IS PREMATURE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE THREAT OF NEW STRAINS OF THE VIRUS IN MISSISSIPPI.

>> I THINK I HEARD A MONTH AGO THERE WAS A PREDICTION THE STRAIN WOULD MAKE IT TO MISSISSIPPI IN MARCH.

HERE WE ARE.

I DON'T THINK BASED ON WHAT I HAVE SEEN, IT DOESN'T TAKE A LONG TIME FOR THE SITUATION TO GET OUT OF CONTROL.

ONE OR TWO GATHERINGS WHERE PEOPLE ARE INFECTED AND THERE IS A SNOWBALL EFFECT.

WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT THOSE TYPES OF CIRCUMSTANCES.

THE BEST WAY TO CONTROL IT IS TO KIND OF JUST MAINTAIN THE SOCIAL DISTANCING, ALLOW THE VACCINE TO CONTINUE TO BE ROLLED OUT, JUST REMAIN CAUTIOUS.

>> AS A LEADER OF THE LEGISLATURIVE BLACK CAUCUS, THIS VIRUS HAS DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BLACK PEOPLE, HAVE YOU HEARD FROM CONSTITUENTS?

WHAT IS YOUR CONCERN FOR YOUR CONSTITUENTS WHO MAY BE TRAUMATIZED AT THIS PANDEMIC AND WE ARE STARTING TO ROLL BACK AND TRY TO GET BACK TO NORMAL?

>> I THINK IT IS GOING TO CREATE ANXIETY.

I HAVE IT.

I'M CAUTIOUS -- I'M NOT SITTING DOWN AND EATING IN INDOOR ESTABLISHMENTS.

IF I HAVE TO GET A CARRYOUT ORDER, I'M LOOKING AROUND AND I'M TRYING TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE NOT GETTING TOO CLOSE.

THAT IS EVEN HERE AT THE CAPITOL.

THAT IS HAVING BEEN VACCINATED.

IF A PERSON HASN'T BEEN VACCINATED, IF THEY ARE STILL STRUGGLING WITH THAT DECISION, I THINK WE OUGHT TO ALLOW THEM TIME TO PROCESS THAT.

IT IS FOR THE BEST, THE SAFETY OF ALL OF US WE CONTINUE TO BE VIGILANT AND FOLLOW CDC PROTOCOLS.

>>> MISSIPPIANS 50 AND OLDER ARE ELIGIBLE TO GET VACCINES.

HE IS URGING TO REACH OUT TO HOSPITALS AND PHARMACIES FOR APPOINTMENTS.

HE SAID SLOTS AT THE STATE DRIVE-THRU SPOTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR BOOKING ONLINE.

>>> LET'S GET STRAIGHT TO THE POINT, VIEWS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

BRAND -- BRANDON JONES IS AN ATTORNEY GOOD TO HAVE YOU BOTH WITH US ON "AT ISSUE."

LET'S START WITH THE COVID RESTRICTIONS.

THE GOVERNOR MADE NATIONAL NEWS ALONG WITH THE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS IN PULLING BACK ON THESE RESTRICTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PLACED FOR SO LONG NOW.

BRANDON, I CAN PREDICT YOUR ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION.

IS THE GOVERNOR GETTING OUT IN FRONT OF A GOOD THING OR IS HE MAKING MISSISSIPPI A LAUGHING STOCK?

>> I DON'T LIKE TO BE THAT PREDICTABLE.

I THINK THERE IS SOME PANDERING GOING ON HERE.

THIS IS AGAINST WHAT THE CDC ADVISES.

THERE IS NO DOCTOR INCLUDING DR. DOB THAT IS HAS PUBLICLY SUPPORTED THIS.

THIS IS A LITTLE BIT OF POLITICS WORKING ITS WAY INTO THE COVID CONVERSATION.

I WILL SAY THIS, WE ALSO HEARD ABOUT THE VACCINATIONS AND HOW THOSE ARE BEING DISBURSED IN A GOOD MANNER.

NOW THE LEVEL IS DOWN TO 50.

AS WE HAVE SAID BEFORE, IT HAS BEEN A MIXED BAG.

I THINK THAT THE GOVERNOR IS IN A DIFFICULT POLITICAL POSITION.

I THINK A LOT OF HIS BASE HAS BEEN CLAMORING TO TAKE MASKS OFF FOR A LONG TIME.

UNFORTUNATELY, HE IS GIVING INTO THAT WHEN WE ARE CLOSE TO HAVING VACCINES ALL THROUGHOUT OUR STATE.

>> I DISAGREE.

THE ONE THING HE HAS SAID, YOU CAN STILL WEAR A MASK.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO INTO THAT RESTAURANT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO INTO THAT STORE.

IT IS THE RIGHT OF A BUSINESS OWNER TO SAY, YOU HAVE TO TWAER -- WEAR A MASK.

I'M A BELIEVER IN THE FREE MARKET AND LETTING THESE BUSINESS OWNERS MAKE THOSE DECISIONS.

I'M HAPPY THE GOVERNOR MADE THIS DECISION.

I STILL FIND MYSELF WEARING A MASK IN PLACES.

I LIVE IN JACKSON.

I THINK THERE IS A MASK MANDATE IN JACKSON.

IF I GO TO MADISON, I HAVE DIFFERENT RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES THERE.

I'M GLAD HE DID IT.

THESE SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE SUFFERED.

MANY OF THEM DON'T EXIST ANYMORE.

THEY NEED THE RELIEF ESPECIALLY IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

I'M HOPING THIS WORKS AND OUR NUMBERS DON'T SPIKE.

YOU CAN STILL WEAR A MASK IF YOU WANT TO.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO INTO THAT BUSINESS.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT ANOTHER ISSUE THAT IS A BIG ISSUE IN JACKSON WHICH YOU MENTIONED RIGHT NOW.

THAT IS WATER.

IT IS HARD TO GET CLEAN DRINKING THE WATER IN JACKSON.

YOU CAN'T GET IT UNDER TAP BECAUSE THE CITY IS UNDER A BOIL WATER NOTICE, EVER SINCE THE WINTER STORM THAT HAS EXPOSED A LOT OF THE LONG SEEDED PROBLEMS IN THE JACKSON INFRASTRUCTURE.

AUSTIN, DO YOU THINK THE STATE SHOULD HELP THE CAPITOL CITY IN TERMS OF MONETARMONETARILY?

>> SOMETHING BIG AND BOLD HAS TO BE DONE HERE.

THIS IS NOT MAYOR LOMBOBA'S FAULT.

HE HASN'T BEEN MAYOR FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS, 20 YEARS, 50 YEARS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE UNDERNEATH THE STREETS THAT HAS BROKEN.

HE DESERVES, YOU KNOW, FAULT OF HIS OWN FOR HE AND THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THEIR ADMINISTRATION, THEY HAVE NOT DONE EVERYTHING, YOU KNOW, IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY.

PLENTY OF BLAME TO GO AROUND.

WHAT FRUSTRATES ME THE MOST -- I LIVE IN JACKSON.

WE HAVE WATER BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A LOW LYING AREA.

THERE ARE TONS OF PEOPLE, BOTH BLACK, WHITE, BROWN, RICH AND POOR, BUT PARTICULARLY THE POOR PEOPLE, THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY OR THE RESOURCES TO GO BUY BOTTLED WATER.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO GO FIND WATER THAT THEY CAN FLUSH THEIR TOILET OR BRUSH THEIR TEETH OR TAKE A BATH.

IT JUST MAKES ME ANGRY WE ARE 17 DAYS INTO THIS AND PEOPLE ARE STILL IN THIS SITUATION.

THANKFULLY I DID SEE -- I THINK THE "TODAY" SHOW DID IT ON NBC RECENTLY, SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.

I DO THINK THE STATE IS GOING TO HAVE TO COME IN IN SOME CAPACITY, WITH A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THAT STRINGS WILL BE ATTACHED ABOUT HOW THIS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AND MANAGED.

SOMETHING SERIOUS AND BOLD HAS TO BE DONE FOR THE CAPITOL CITY.

>> I WOULD AGREE.

THERE IS NO QUESTION THE STATE SHOULD TAKE ACTION.

I THINK WHAT WE -- SOME OF US HAVE OBSERVED IF THIS WERE A DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHIC, THIS ISSUE WOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED A LONG TIME AGO.

UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO FOUND EXCUSES, AUSTIN, NOT TO HELP JACKSON.

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER, I DON'T CARE WHO IS ON THE CITY COUNCIL, THESE ARE MISSIPPIANS.

THIS IS A BIG MISSISSIPPI METRO THAT SHOULD BE A PRIORITY OF THE STATE.

I THINK IT IS A SIGN OF MISSED PRIORITIES.

IF CIRCUMSTANCES WERE DIFFERENT, IT WOULD BE.

I'LL SAY THIS FOR THE MAYOR -- THEY RELEASED A QUANTIFIED STATEMENT OF WHAT THEY THOUGHT NEEDED TO BE DONE IN THE SHORT TERM AND IN THE LONG TERM.

THEY PUT A NUMBER ON IT.

THAT'S AS CLOSE AS YOU GET TO A CITY TRYING TO BE COOPERATIVE.

I'M NOT HERE TO STAY THAT LOCAL POLITICS IS EASY.

WHERE IS IT EASY?

IT IS ONLY IN JACKSON WHERE WE USE THAT AS AN EXCUSE.

WE HELP CITIES ALL THE TIME WITH DYSFUN DYSFUNCTIONAL SITUATIONS POLITICALLY.

I THINK HERE WE HAVE TO JUST GET OVER IT AND DECIDE WE WANT JACKSON TO BE THE BEST IT CAN BE.

>> LESS THAN 30 SECONDS.

I TOTALLY AGREE.

WE HAVE TO GET OVER IT.

THERE IS AN ABUN DANCY, I THINK THE FEDS HAVE TO COME IN AND HELP.

THERE HAS TO BE STRINGS ATTACHED TO SAY WE'LL WORK WITH YOU TO MAKE SURE THIS PROBLEM GETS DONE BUT YOU WON'T JUST GET A BLANK CHECK AND YOU FIGURE OUT HOW TO SUCCESS OR FAIL WITH THAT.

CAN'T DO THAT.

>> WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME LAST WEEK TALKING ABOUT THIS MASSIVE TAX REFORM BILL.

AUSTIN, HAS THAT LOST SOME MOMENTUM?

ARE WE LOOKING TOWARDS SOME BIT OF TAX REFORM OUT OF THIS?

>> I THINK SO.

I DO.

I HAVE LISTENED CLOSELY TO WHAT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS SAID.

I HAVE READ HIS WRITTEN WORDSER ON THIS AS WELL.

I THINK HE -- THERE IS NO QUESTION REPUBLICANS, WHETHER YOU ARE TATE REEVES OR PHILLIP, YOU WANT TAX REFORM, YOU WANT TO REDUCE THE TAX BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYERS.

IT IS HOW DO YOU WANT TO DO IT?

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IS SAYING, I'M TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT.

HE IS A SMART GUY, HE IS TRYING TO STUDY IT.

WILL HE TAKE EVERYTHING THE HOUSE SENT OVER THERE?

I DOUBT THAT.

IS HE CONSIDERING WHAT THEY SENT?

I BELIEVE THAT HE IS.

WILL HE DO SOMETHING?

WE'LL SEE.

IT IS PROBABLY -- I BET THE SENATE DOES SOMETHING.

THIS IS JUST MY GUT, MY THEORY ON THIS.

IT IS PROBABLY AN ISSUE THAT WILL END UP IN CONFERENCE, AS BRANDON KNOWS THAT SYSTEM WELL.

WE'LL SEE WHAT COMES OUT.

I BELIEVE HIM WHEN HE SAYS THAT HE IS SERIOUSLY LOOKING AT THIS AND THAT, YOU KNOW, IT WILL PROBABLY GO DOWN TO THE DEADLINE BEFORE THEY BRING SOMETHING OUT.

THAT'S HOW THIS PROCESS WORKS.

>> HE SAID IN THAT SAME INTERVIEW NO SENATOR HAS ASKED HIM TO BRING IT OUT.

I THINK THAT IS JUST EXCEPTIONALLY TELLING.

I THINK IT IS PROBABLY HEADING FOR A STUDY COMMITTEE OR SOMETHING THAT KICKS THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD A BIT.

THIS IS SUCH A BIG ISSUE.

WHEN YOU READ THROUGH THE 308 PAGES, WE HAVE ALL HAD THE TIME TO DIGEST IT.

THIS TOUCHES EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE.

YOU HAVE INCREASES, YOU HAVE CUTS, YOU HAVE SHIFTS.

I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE WAY TO DO THIS TYPE OF POLICY.

I NOTICED THAT AN ALMOST IDENTICAL BILL HAS BEEN FILED IN WEST VIRGINIA.

LAST WEEK WE KIND OF WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS AS IF IT WAS SOME KIND OF NOVEL -- WE MAY HAVE TO REVISIT THAT QUESTION.

NOW THAT WE HAVE IT POPPING UP, I'M CURIOUS.

I'LL SAY THIS, AUSTIN, SO IT IS SAID, THIS REGRESSIVE STRUCTURE IS NOT GOOD FOR MISSISSIPPI.

I'LL TAKE A POSITION ON IT.

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS, WHEN YOU RAISE THE SALES TAX, AND THAT'S HOW YOU TRY TO GENERATE MOST OF YOUR REVENUE, THAT'S WHAT IS THE STATE TRYING TO BALANCE THE BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE LEAST ABLE TO TAKE ON THAT BURDEN.

IT IS BAD POLICY FOR MISSISSIPPI.

>> I THINK THE WEST VIRGINIA FOLKS ARE VIEWING SOMETHING AS POSITIVE FROM MISSISSIPPI.

I BELIEVE IT IS PROBABLY MORE OF WHAT THAT IS VERSUS SOME KIND OF EFFORT TO DO THIS.

I COULD BE WRONG.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE TRANSGENDER ATHLETE BILL.

TO UNDERSTAND IT BETTER, THIS IS ESSENTIALLY PARENTS -- WELL, IT WOULD PROTECT PARENTS THAT ARE CONCERNED THEIR DAUGHTERS PLAYING ON A TEAM WON'T BE DOMINATED BY A PLAYER WHO WAS BORN MALE BUT NOW IDENTIFIES AS FEMALE AND MIGHT NATURALLY BE STRONGER AND BE ABLE TO OUTPERFORM THEM?

IS THAT WHAT THIS BILL IS TRYING TO TARGET?

>> THAT'S WHAT YOU HEARD.

THERE WAS NOT A CRY FOR THIS BILL.

THERE WEREN'T MISSISSIPPI PARENTS CALLING AND DEMANDING.

THIS IS A POLITICAL INVENTION.

ANGELA HILL WHEN SHE PRESENTED IT SAID THERE IS A LAWSUIT IN IDAHO, IT WOULD HELP FOR MORE STATES TO GET IN ON THIS.

THERE IS NO EXAMPLE OF THIS TAKING PLACE IN MISSISSIPPI, THERE IS NO EXAMPLE OF SOMEONE BEING ANGRY AS A STUDENT OR PARENT.

FOR ME, I LOVE SPORTS.

SPORTS IS WHERE YOU LEARN TEAMWORK, SPORTS IS WHERE YOU LEARN LIFE LESSONS.

THE IDEA WE WOULD TAKE THOSE CHANCES AWAY FROM STUDENTS ON THE MARGINS OF SOCIETY ALREADY FROM STUDENTS ALREADY SUBJECT TO DISCRIMINATION IS A BAD IDEA.

RIGHT HERE IN JACKSON, RIGHT WHERE WE ARE, ON JANUARY 25, DOMINIC SK JACKSON WAS KILLED, THAT IS A TRANS WOMAN.

I DON'T HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF A TEAM LEFT OUT IN THE COLD BECAUSE OF FOLKS TRYING TO INFILTRATE THE TEAM.

WHEN ROB HILL SAYS THIS LEADS TO FURTHER DISCRIMINATION AND DANGEROUSES INSTANCES AGAINST HUMAN BEINGS, HE IS RIGHT.

THAT IS MORE LIKELY THAN ALL THE FLUFF REASONS WE WERE GIVEN THIS WEEK TO DO A DISCRIMINATORY ACT.

>> I DON'T -- LISTEN, AS A FATHER OF A DAUGHTER WHO PLAYS SPORTS, I WANT HER TO PLAY AGAINST GIRLS.

I ALSO DON'T WANT ANY CHILD, BOY, GIRL, TRANSGENDER TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH SOMETHING THAT IS BULLYING.

IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE, I WOULD HAVE VOTED FOR THIS BILL.

I DO AGREE WITH BRANDON THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE THAT IS A PROBLEM IN MISSISSIPPI RIGHT NOW.

WILL IT BE AN ISSUE IN FIVE YEARS?

I DON'T KNOW.

IT IS NOT AN ISSUE NOW.

AGAIN, IF I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE I WOULD HAVE VOTED IN FAVOR OF IT.

>> IT IS ON ITS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN WATCH THIS PROGRAM ONLINE OR LISTEN TO THE PODCAST AT MPBONLINE.

FOLLOW MPB ON TWITTER.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON "AT ISSUE."

HAVE A GOOD EVENING.

♪♪