House Bill 1152 Charter Schools

Senate takes another swing at charter schools
The Lieutenant Governor just issued the following press release:

JACKSON – The Mississippi State Senate today approved much-needed education reform by passing legislation to allow public charter schools to operate in the state, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves announced.

The Senate amended House Bill 1152 to allow public charter schools to open in Mississippi with approval from a newly created independent commission. The bill, which passed 31-19, heads to the Mississippi House.

Public charter schools will be funded with existing dollars from the federal, state and local levels. The funds within the current Mississippi Adequate Education Program will follow a student to their school of choice.

“It’s time to change the status quo and give parents a choice in their children’s education,” Lt. Gov. Reeves said. “For far too long, we have had students trapped in failing districts with no options for a better education. This legislation can change that.”

Public charter schools could be allowed in any district in the state. However, the local school boards of districts rated as “star” or “high performing” by the state Department of Education also would have to give a stamp of approval to any charter school seeking to open within those top districts. The bill is similar to a plan approved by the Senate in February. However, this version allows school boards of districts rated as “successful” also to approve charter schools over the next four academic years.

Charter schools are public schools that operate under a contract that allows administrative freedom and flexibility in exchange for exceptional levels of results-driven accountability. Students attending public charter schools must comply with provisions of the Mississippi compulsory school attendance law, meet health and safety standards, and adhere to state testing model. This legislation does not require charter schools; it simply gives a community the option to support a public charter school to enter into their district.

The newly created commission will be comprised of appointees from the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and the Superintendent of Education. The commission will consider applications from charter school providers with a proven track record of success.

CofCC meeting

Next Great Southern CofCC Meeting

Thursday April 26, 2012

6pm to eat and 7pm to meet

Penn’s Fish House – Lakeland Drive – Flowood, MS.

HB 488 Illegal Enforcement Bill

The Mississippi Tea Party

Late last night, HB 488 (the Illegal Immigration Enforcement Bill) was brought out for a vote and PASSED 70-47 with bipartisan Republican and Democrat support.

Action to Take: Encourage individual senators, the leadership, and Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves to bring the bill out of Senate Judiciary A Committee for a floor vote. The taxpaying citizens of this state deserve nothing less.

Lt. Gov. Reeves’ phone is (601) 359-3200.

Thank you,

The Mississippi Tea Party

Visit The Mississippi Tea Party at: http://msteaparty.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

MS TEA PARTY RALLY

Meeting Reminder & Correction
Don’t forget to add centralmsteaparty@gmail.com to your address book so we’ll be sure to land in your inbox!

Let’s Turn Out in Numbers for our Governor!

Thursday, March 15 General Meeting
Governor Phil Bryant Speaks

Our next general meeting will be a very special event as we give over our program to a man we like to call “the first Tea Party governor” in Mississippi! We are thrilled that we have a governor who is open and interested in our initiatives and our input. Now, we want to hear from him as he updates CMTP on the status of his legislative initiatives and the state of the State. Please come out in support of our governor and bring a friend!

Because the second Tuesday this month is primary election day, our Central MS Tea Party meeting is moving to Thursday this month only. Our location will change as well. Please note:

Date: Thursday, March 15
Time: Doors open at 5:30 – Governor’s talk begins at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Farmers’ Market, 929 High Street, Jackson, MS

Calendar of Events

For your planning, please note . . .

NOTE THE DATE CORRECTION – March 24 – General Meeting – How you can get involved in the political process through Republican caucuses in April. Guest speakers will be county chairmen Mary McLaurin (Madison), Pete Perry (Hinds), and Ross Aldridge (Rankin).

April 10 – General Meeting – Special guest speaker will be Ron Aldridge, former State senator, attorney, and State Director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses in Mississippi.

April 23 – Town Hall Meeting with Congressman Gregg Harper.

For More about the Central Mississippi Tea Party at www.centralmsteaparty.com.

about The Mississippi Tea Party at www.msteaparty.ning.com.
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GAY Marriage Poll

Vote in poll (Should Mississippi allow Gay marriage?)
After clicking on link strll down the page and look to the middle for poll question. Cut and paste the link in your internet address box and go to the bottom of the page to vote.

http://www.wapt.com/index.html

Immigrant Enforcement Bill Your Support Needed

A message to all members, this is a reminder to join The Mississippi Tea Party tomorrow (Wed.) at 1:30 PM in the state capitol building – rotunda – to show your support for the MS illegal immigration enforcement bill.

There will be a joint press conference with Gov. Bryant, the MS Tea Party, and MFIRE in support of proposed immigration legislation (HB 488).

Tea Party endorsed Governor Bryant will speak in support of the legislation which was introduced by Representative Becky Currie and is styled after the Alabama illegal immigration legislation with special provisions to strengthen Mississippi’s current E-Verify law.

Let’s send a strong unified message. Hope to see you there.

Florida Welfare Reform

Just in from a member…

To Everybody!

HOORAY FOR FLORIDA !

I-95 will be jammed for the next month or so……..Druggies and deadbeats Heading North out of Florida . Florida is the first state requiring drug testing to receive welfare! In signing the new law, Gov. Rick Scott said, “If Floridians want welfare, they better make sure they are drug-free. Applicants who test positive for illicit substances won’t be eligible for the funds for a year, or until they undergo treatment. Those who fail a second time would be banned from receiving funds for three years! ” Naturally, a few people are crying this is unconstitutional. How is this unconstitutional? It’s completely legal that every other working people have to pass drug tests in order to get a J-O-B which supports those on welfare!Forward if you agree!! Let’s get Welfare back to the ones who NEED it, not those who WON’T get a JOB…..I AGREE!!! 100%.