Flood Them in February!

 A group of concerned voters from north Mississippi met today and drafted the following letter. Please share widely among your networks.

Thanks,
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Dear Mississippians:

The 2017 legislative session is in recess, and the legislature has yet to decide on an educational funding formula for Mississippi schools.  The likely next step is for the Governor to call a Special Session of the legislature, which under the rules of a Special Session, would allow the Governor and Speaker of the House to bypass all rules, regulations and deadlines in the legislature.  

For those concerned that all Mississippi schools and students receive adequate educational funding, please write postcards to your State legislators.  Let’s Flood them in February! Postcards work best when they are respectful, short and state that you live in their district.  Important points to cover:

1. The Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) is not flawed; it has been fully funded only twice (e.g. 2002 and 2007) since its passage.  
2. Urge your legislator to advocate for total transparency about the funding debate.  
3. Last year the Educational Enhancement Fund allocated $36 million dollars for classroom supplies, but only $12 million dollars reached classrooms.  

This is step one in an what is likely to require ongoing action steps. You may choose to write to one or all three points, but above all personalize your message to maximize the impact of your note.  To be successful, send your postcards by February 28th.

We recommend you direct one note to Senator Tollison as Chairman of the Senate Education Committee.  Then, let your legislators know how you feel,  and let your friends know how they can help.

Most sincerely,

Fund Education First!

Legislative Contacts

Senator Gray Tollison  

Chair, Senate Education Committee

Room: 404-A

P.O. Box 1018

Jackson, MS 39215

(601) 359-2395

District 8

Representative Trey Lamar

Room: 201

P.O. Box 1018

Jackson, MS 39215

(601) 359-3343

District 10

Representative Nolan Mettetal

Room: 205-A

P.O. Box 1018

Jackson, MS 39215

(601) 359-3331

District 12

Representative Jay Hughes

Room: 400-F

P.O. Box 1018

Jackson, MS 39215

(601) 359-3339

District 13

Representative Steve Massengill

Capitol:

Room: 400-E

P.O. Box 1018
Jackson, MS 39215

(601) 359-3353

District 23

Representative Jim Beckett

Room 205-C

P.O. Box 1018

Jackson, MS 39215

(601) 359-3335

If your Representative is not listed above, visit: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/members/h_roster.pdf

House Education Committee:

   John L. Moore, Chairman; Rob Roberson, Vice-Chairman

     Members: Toby Barker; Richard Bennett; Joel Bomgar; Randy P. Boyd; Charles Busby; Credell Calhoun; Gary Chism; Alyce G. Clarke; Carolyn Crawford; Dana Criswell; Becky Currie; Scott DeLano; Jarvis Dortch; Bob Evans; Mark Formby; Jeffrey S. Guice; Ashley Henley; Gregory Holloway, Sr.; Steve Hopkins; Chris Johnson; Vince Mangold; Carl Mickens; Orlando Paden; Rufus Straughter; Sara R. Thomas; Brad Touchstone; Kenneth Walker; Sonya Williams-Barnes; Cory Wilson

The full Senate roster can be found at: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/members/s_roster.pdf

Senate Education Committee:

   Gray Tollison, Chairman; Chris Caughman, Vice-Chairman

     Members: Kevin Blackwell; David Blount; Terry C. Burton; Eugene S. Clarke; Angela Burks Hill; W. Briggs Hopson III; Billy Hudson; David Jordan; Chris Massey; Sollie B. Norwood; John A. Polk; Brice Wiggins; J. P. Wilemon, Jr.