Mississippi Legislature ends session after approving $7.4 billion budget, teacher raises

Mississippi legislators ended their three-month regular session this week after approving a $7.4 billion state budget, a $2,000 pay raise for teachers and a bill to fund $253 million in local projects, Mississippi Today reported.

The House and Senate set a $7.4 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, about a 3 percent increase over the current year, Mississippi Today reported.

Lawmakers voted to give teachers a $2,000 pay raise and approved a so-called “Christmas tree” bill to finance $253 million in projects for local districts, Mississippi Today reported.

Mississippi Today’s photo gallery captured lawmakers at the Capitol in Jackson on April 1, 2026, including Sen. Theresa Gillespie-Isom, Sen. David Blount and House Speaker Jason White. Photos in the gallery are by Eric Shelton and Vickie D. King of Mississippi Today.

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