JACKSON - A $3.7 million salary package for elected officials went to the governor Tuesday, despite feelings from some lawmakers that they should refrain in a tough budget year.
"How can you spend $3.7 million on salary increases when you cannot adequately fund corrections, when you can't adequately fund Medicaid, Department of Human Services … and give it to positions that are already getting a pretty doggone good salary?" said Rep. Bennett Malone, D-Carthage.
He urged House members to send the bill back to conference and take out all salaries except those increases for judges and prosecutors. "The average person out here on the street, he don't understand that and I guess I am one of them," he said.
Backers said the state is losing experienced prosecutors and judges who can make more in private law practice. They said the salaries are being increased to keep those experienced people. They said the same was true for other elective offices.
The House voted down Malone's motion and passed the bill. The Senate approved it later. The bill now goes to Gov. Ronnie Musgrove.
Salary increases for district attorneys would take effect in July. New salaries for state and district elected officials and judges would take effect in January.
The lieutenant governor, the House speaker and legislators would not receive pay increases under any current proposals.
The proposal would raise the governor's pay from $101,800 to $122,160. It says if Musgrove is re-elected, he can choose to continue at $101,800.
The compromise also retained language that would give judges - from the Supreme Court to the chancery court - extra duties to qualify them for higher salaries.
The Legislature also sent to the governor a compromise bill to add more jail time to sentences handed down to motorists who commit crimes and then try to flee law enforcement officers.
Rep. Warner McBride, D-Courtland, said the bill would add up to six months to misdemeanor convictions where the motorist tried to elude officers and up to 18 months to felony convictions.
McBride said the bill also provides for a study on police pursuits, officer training and criminal offenses.
The Commission on Police Pursuit Standards and Procedures would have 19 members, including two members of family members of victims of crimes involving police pursuits.
The commission would report to lawmakers in January on its findings and recommendations.
Lawmakers also approved Tuesday and sent to the governor compromise bills that would:
- Inform new college students about the availability of vaccinations hepatitis A and B and meningitis. Earlier versions of the bill would have required new students to be vaccinated.
The Department of Health would prepare the written materials that would be mailed out to new students with their admission packets or acceptance letters.
The bill also would allow the Health Department to draw up a vaccination program for first responders who may be exposed to infectious diseases in the event of bioterrorism or other disasters.
First responders include state and local law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and public works personnel.
- Authorize a study of the state's pre-kindergarten programs.
Rep. Eloise Scott, D-Tupelo, said the data collected would be on the number of programs and the number of students attending programs in the public and private schools, in parochial schools and Head Start.
The group conducting the study is to report back to the Legislature in January.
- Require school bus drivers to stop at railroad crossings and highway intersections, open the service door and listen for approaching trains. Violations could be fined a maximum of $250.
- Make it illegal to point a laser beam at a law enforcement officer, firefighter or emergency personnel.
Violators could be fined up to $1,000.
Copyright 2003, Associated Press. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
