Politicians draw crowd at chamber luncheon

VICKSBURG, Miss.(VDN) —The Vicksburg Warren Partnership‘s October Chamber Luncheon drew a large crowd of local business leaders to hear from state politicians.

At the October luncheon held Wednesday, Oct. 15 at the Vicksburg Convention Center, Mississippi State Sen. Briggs Hopson and Rep. Kevin Ford both addressed the gathering. The top remarks from each gentlemen called for further conversations to be had concerning PERS, Mississippi’s Public Employees’ Retirement System. Hopson and Ford expressed the need for further action in order to fully fund the program, although neither leader suggested a clear cut plan on what the solution would be.

Additionally, both members of Mississippi’s legislative branch suggested a need to continue to move forward in regards to public education.

“We were ranked 49^th and 50^th in the nation in education, now we are 16^th,” said Hopson.

A prevailing issue, according to the senator, is truancy. Hopson said there needs to be more attention and possible pay increases for teachers in order to resolve the issue.

Rep. Ford commented on increasing economic development and how this would help bolster Mississippi’s economic health overall.

Additionally, both men spoke of eliminating the Mississippi State Income Tax. Although the legislation has already moved through and passed both chamber’s of the state’s legislative branch, more discussions are needed in order to clarify the understanding and timeline of the law.

State Farm Insurance Agent Robyn Lea sponsored the event.