Gov. Tate Reeves said Tuesday he would not rule out calling a special legislative session to approve a teacher pay raise and expand school choice, calling both priorities as the regular session continues.
“I think thats something that they deserve, and I think its something that we will be successful getting that across the finish line sooner rather than later I hope,” Reeves said at the end of a press conference. He said he has not traditionally used special-session powers “very often,” but added, “Im in year seven. I dont have much time left.”
Reeves said there is still time in the session and that “nothing is dead in the Capitol until it is ‘dead, dead, dead.'” He suggested the teacher pay issue and expanded school choice “should be tied together,” saying, “We should give teachers a pay raise, and we should also give parents and kids more options to give every child in our state an opportunity for success.”
On the state Public Employees Retirement System, Reeves said changes are needed to correct decisions from 1999 that boosted benefits without creating a funding source, producing what he called a projected $26 billion shortfall. He told reporters that changes made by the Legislature last year “are showing improvements.”
Reeves suggested multiple steps may be required to address the shortfall, including a dedicated state contribution and new revenue sources, possibly a state lottery or mobile sports betting. “I personally think that future employees should have the option of having a 100% defined contribution plan. Thats what virtually everybody in the private sector has right now,” he said, and added that the move to a hybrid program last year was “a step in the right direction.” He also said continued talks with first responders are needed over concerns related to the new Tier 5 changes to PERS.
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
