The Legislature adjourned the 2025 sessions without doing two things it usually does: approving the state budget and a bill to fund local projects.
It’s up to Gov. Tate Reeves to call a special session before July 1 so the Legislature can work out the $7 billion budget for the coming fiscal year and avoid a government shutdown.
That’s likely to happen.
Whether there’s a bill that sets funding for projects that municipalities and counties hope to get done is another matter.
The Governor sets the agenda for a special session and the Legislature can only take up what is on the agenda, a measure that’s in place to prevent a session from going on and on without an end in sight.
“A special session is called at the total whim and pleasure of the governor,” said Sen. Walter Michel, who represents District 25 that includes Hinds and Madison counties.
“It’s been the history for the governor to be quite succinct at what we cover.”
Exactly how the agenda will be worded remains to be seen.
Michel speculated that the Governor could list all 100 budget proposals and that’s what the Legislature’s focus would be.
At this point, it’s in the Governor‘s hands whether the Legislature takes up a capital expense bill or a special projects bill, he said.
A capital expense bill usually provides funding for the maintenance of state office buildings, state parks and mental health facilities, for example, and road projects.
A funding bill for local projects is usually hammered the last weekend the Legislature is in town, but the House adjourned without the usual Saturday workday during what’s known as conference weekend when budget negotiations between the House and Senate have taken place.
“It’s the first time ever that has happened in my 23 years in the Legislature,” Michel said.
The Legislature didn’t get the opportunity to fund road capacity projects, which are major projects, Michel said.
He would like to see the funds appropriated for the Mississippi Department of Transportation to widen I-55 North from two lanes to three lanes from the Madison interchange to the Gluckstadt interchange and for putting in the entrance and exit ramps at what
will be the Reunion Parkway interchange.
Gerald Steen, president of the Madison County Board of Supervisors, hopes funding for widening I-55 and Weisenberger Road comes through during the special session. Both projects would help lessen traffic congestion, he said.
The city of Ridgeland sought funding for a performing arts center, which it would like to build near the City Hall, a connector road that would be off I-55. Those projects are not under way, so the lack of additional funding is really not slowing them down, said Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee.
The city of Jackson compiled a long list of requests from the Legislature during its 2025 session.
The city’s legislative agenda included asking for $1 million to purchase 20 police vehicles and $20,000 to purchase 30 license plate readers, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The city’s request also included $2.8 million to purchase two ladder trucks for the Jackson Fire Department, $2.4 million for three rescue trucks and $3.2 million for four fire engines, $5.5 million to rebuild Fire Station No. 5 at 1810 N. State Street and $420,000 for uniforms and supplies the fire department needs.
The city’s request are also included this:
- Under the public works category, there is a $1.5 million request for widening, grading and paving at the Northwest Industrial Park.
- Under information technology, there is a request for $380,000 for cybersecurity that would protect the systems, network and data from digital attacks, theft and damage.
- Under human and cultural services, there is a request for $6.4 million for Phase II renovations to Thalia Mara Hall in downtown Jackson, including additions and renovations to address ADA access to restrooms and elevators and upgrading the stage support, rigging repairs and the fire curtain.
- Under parks and recreation, there is a request for $100,000 to provide security at city parks; $500,000 to provide for removal of dead trees due to infestation of pine beetles; $1.87 million for renovations at Buddy Butts Park, including bridge replacement over Baker’s Creek ($1 million), restoration of the Mississippi River Basin Model ($825,000) and a motor cross track ($50,000); $2 million for Peter Brown Golf Course to remodel the clubhouse, make course improvements and provide proper facilities to house equipment and personnel; and $650,000 to remodel and improve Battlefield Park Community Center, the Medgar Evers Community Center and the Westbrook House at Mynelle Gardens.
- Under planning and development, there is an ask for $2 million for parking lot renovations across from the convention center in downtown Jackosn.
Michel speculated that there might not be bill funding local projects, given the Legislature passed a tax cut.
In recent years, the American Rescue Plan Act put money in state bank accounts and some of that was passed on to cities and counties, he said. So much so, there was no need for a bond bill to fund improvements, he said.
Marty Wiseman, Ph.D., emeritus professor of political science and emeritus director of the John C. Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development at Mississippi State University, said he doesn’t know of a single city or county that would turn down funds. “I’m sure they want what money the Legislature will give them,” he said.
He doubts most citizens can name the funding sources for projects where they live.
“Your average Joe would say, ‘We have a nice park. The streets are paved,’” he said. “He wouldn’t know if a special appropriation paid for it and would probably just blame it on the city if something was wrong.”
