Sen. Walter Michel

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates approximately $11 million from state funds to cover the operating expenses of the Mississippi Gaming Commission for the 2025 fiscal year. The funding supports a permanent staff of 120 employees and includes specific rules to prevent salary increases for current workers, ensuring that new hires do not displace existing positions. Additionally, the legislation directs $75,000 to the Mississippi Council on Compulsive Gambling and establishes performance targets for regulating riverboat casinos and charitable bingo halls. The bill also mandates that the agency give preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when purchasing goods and services.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $5,374,870 in state funding to cover the operating expenses of the Mississippi State Personnel Board for fiscal year 2025. The legislation authorizes the hiring of 46 permanent staff members and establishes strict rules to ensure that these funds are used only to fill vacant positions rather than for salary increases, promotions, or title changes for current employees. It also mandates that the Board publish projected payroll costs and requires written approval from the Department of Finance and Administration before any salary escalations can occur. Additionally, the bill includes a preference for purchasing goods from the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when bids are equal and requires the agency to maintain detailed financial records.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates state funds to cover the operating expenses of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services and the Wireless Communication Commission for the 2025 fiscal year. It authorizes the hiring of 132 permanent staff positions for the IT department and 10 for the Wireless Communication Commission, while establishing strict rules to prevent using these funds for salary increases or promotions of existing employees. The legislation also permits a limited transfer of up to $750,000 to help manage cash flow within the IT department's revolving fund and requires that all contracts follow state procurement laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $662,799 from the State General Fund to cover the operating expenses of the Mississippi Board of Tax Appeals for the fiscal year 2025. The funding supports a permanent staff of six employees and includes strict rules to prevent salary increases for current workers while allowing new hires only when essential. Additionally, the legislation requires the agency to maintain detailed financial records, gives purchasing preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind, and mandates that no funds be used to replace withdrawn federal money.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the City of Ridgeland to levy a special tax on restaurants and hotels to fund improvements for Freedom Ridge Park. Restaurants with annual sales of at least $100,000 would pay a 1% tax on their gross sales, while hotels and motels would pay a 2% tax on room rentals. Before the tax takes effect, the city must hold a public election where at least 60% of voters must approve the measure. The collected funds would be kept in a separate account, audited annually, and used exclusively for capital projects at the park until the improvements are complete.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $6.66 million to cover the operating expenses of the Mississippi State Treasurer's Office for the 2025 fiscal year, including funding for 37 permanent staff positions. It establishes strict rules to prevent salary increases for current employees and mandates that any new hires be essential, while also requiring detailed financial record-keeping for future budget reviews. Additionally, the legislation allocates specific funds for prepaid college tuition programs and grants a purchasing preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when bids are equal. The bill also includes standard provisions prohibiting the use of funds for attorney fees or payments to relatives of state officials.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates over $180 million in state funds to cover the general expenses and operations of the Mississippi National Guard for fiscal year 2025. The legislation authorizes the hiring of specific permanent and time-limited positions while prohibiting the use of general funds to replace federal salary support. Additionally, the bill directs money toward specific programs and facilities, including support for the Youth Challenge Program, the Armed Forces Military Museum, and renovations at the Southaven Armory and Youth Challenge Academy. It also establishes procedures for transferring funds to meet federal grant requirements and mandates a preference for purchasing goods from Mississippi Industries for the Blind when bids are equal.