Reynolds Starts 11th Term As Representative

 

When we gaveled in on January 8, I took the oath of office to represent the good people of District 33 for the 11th time.  It has been my honor to serve for the past 40 years, and I look forward to doing my best for our district and Mississippi in the coming term.  While a lot has changed since I first sat in the House chamber, many things remain the same – most importantly, the need for cooperation and understanding among the members as we work for the good of all Mississippians.

To kick off the season, we re-elected Rep. Phillip Gunn as Speaker of the House and Rep. Jason White to serve as Speaker Pro Tem.  Our first order of business was to pass House Bill 1, which addresses the funding shortage for teachers resulting from an agency error in counting the number of teachers to receive last year’s pay raise.  

The Senate later concurred.  I am pleased to hear that further pay raises for our teachers are on the front burner for action during the season.

Although we have yet to receive the full slate of committee appointments, I am gratified to once again serve on the House Ways and Means Committee.  This committee serves as the gateway for determining how our state government will be paid for and has been the origin of funding for such items as our rural fire truck programs.

Among the first two weeks’ activities, we hosted the swearing in of our state-wide elected officials as well as the inauguration ceremony for our 65th governor of Mississippi, Tate Reeves.

We welcomed National Guard officials for an update on our forces.  County and municipal officials also came to the Capitol.  It is always good to hear from the leaders who are close to the ground as their perspective is the most important when it comes to local government.

The Department of Corrections crisis has been at the forefront of our concerns.  There is no doubt that underfunding has contributed to the shortage of corrections officers as well as the dangerous conditions of our prison facilities.  Tallahatchie County is home to a prison that is administered by a private corporation, and it was able to receive some of our state inmates who could no longer be safely housed at Parchman Prison.  These matters deserve serious and strategic decisions to address the many problems plaguing our prison system, not the least of which is the understaffing that puts our state in jeopardy.

It is encouraging that Governor Reeves has appointed a task force to seek the best possible Commissioner of Corrections to lead the overhauling of the system.

My colleagues and I are looking forward to working collaboratively on this and other important issues as the season progresses.

I am grateful to you for granting me the honor of representing you at our State Capitol.  As always, I am available to hear your concerns and ideas.

If I can be of assistance to you, please contact me.  My email address is thomasureynolds@bellsouth.net.  My residential address is 1720 North Main Street, Water Valley, MS 38965, and my office address is P.O. Box 280, Charleston, MS 38921.  My office phone number is 662-647-3203.