LT. GOV. DELBERT HOSEMANN said Friday that the 2026 legislative session was “very good,” praising lawmakers for passage of measures on education, military support and retirement benefits as members departed the Capitol, at least for now.
Hosemann told reporters that he was particularly pleased with a bill unanimously approved by both chambers that reimburses active members of the Mississippi National Guard for premiums on TRICARE Reserve Select health plans. The measure, he said, is intended to enhance medical readiness and retain qualified personnel in the Guard.
On education, Hosemann highlighted a $2,000 pay raise for public school teachers and teacher assistants and said financial constraints tied to Medicaid funding prevented larger increases this year. He expressed concern about a drop in performance between third grade, where Mississippi’s scores lead the nation, and eighth grade, where the state falls near the bottom. He also praised a new requirement to teach financial literacy and supported a $5,000 pay increase for school attendance officers to address rising absenteeism, citing trouble in some districts including areas of Madison County.
Lawmakers also agreed to changes in the Public Employees’ Retirement System, Hosemann said, reducing the service requirement for full retirement from 35 years to 30 years and returning Tier 5 calculations to use an employee’s highest four years of salary instead of the highest eight years adopted last year. The measures allow retirees to return to state employment after a 30-day hiatus, a provision lawmakers said is meant to help fill gaps at agencies and school districts.
Hosemann said he was disappointed the House did not approve a change to how the SNAP error rate is calculated, warning that federal provisions could cost the state about $120 million if the issue is not addressed. He also said he had hoped for greater consolidation of state agencies; only the Department of Public Safety saw its 11 units reduced to seven. Asked why several corrections bills stalled in the Senate, Hosemann declined to press the point and noted House Corrections Committee Chair Becky Currie’s work and that Senate Corrections Committee Chair Juan Barnett was absent much of the session for medical reasons. He said lawmakers could be called back before April 15 if he and the House speaker agree or if Gov. Tate Reeves determines a special session is needed.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
