Jackson Free Press

After dispensing with items on the so-called non-controversial calendars, lawmakers in the Mississippi Senate and House of Representatives grappled with some of the more contentious pieces of legislation just ahead of Friday's critical deadline.

Today, bills had to be passed out of the house where the proposals originated or die. Among the proposals were a ban on most abortions 20 weeks after conception, rules tightening the regulations on labor unions, creating $6,000 vouchers for special-needs students and further restricting texting and driving for young people.

The Republican-led Senate passed three bills Thursday on mostly party-line votes. The bills now go to the House. Mississippi senators want to restrict some union organizing and picketing practices, as well as local laws that might benefit workers.

Senate Bill 2473 says that it's illegal to coerce a business into staying neutral in a union drive or allowing workers to choose union representation by signing cards instead of by secret ballot. Businesses could sue anyone who engaged in coercion.

Union supporters have been pushing Nissan Motor Co. to declare its neutrality in a push by the United Auto Workers to unionize the Japanese automaker's Canton plant. Sen. John Polk, R-Hattiesburg, said the bill wasn't specifically aimed at Nissan, but said he was opposed to pressure on companies.

"What we're trying to do is prevent that from happening and make sure everyone knows Mississippi is the right place to grow your business," said Polk, who owns a sausage company with a factory in Magee.

It's not clear what would constitute coercion. Polk said informational picketing would not. When asked if a boycott would, he said courts would have to sort that out.

Robert Shaffer, the president of the Mississippi AFL-CIO union federation, said in a phone interview that union supporters believe the bills are overly broad and would be used to illegally intimidate union supporters.

"The sheriff goes and arrests them and scares them to death," Shaffer said of one possible scenario. "We might win in federal court seven or eight years later, but the damage is done."

Another measure says workers can't engage in mass pickets that block entrances or damage property. Shaffer said National Labor Relations Board rules already say workers can't block entrances.

A third measure, Senate Bill 2797, said cities and counties can't force contractors to use union labor. Polk said that bill also bars localities from forcing contractors to pay more than the federal minimum wage.

"Mississippi's status as a right-to-work state has played large part in our economic successes landing major manufacturers over the past decade," Republican Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said after votes.

"These bills will protect Mississippi from a trend seen in other parts of the country where organized labor groups are using unfair negotiating tactics to bypass state laws and hurt job creation."

School Vouchers Salvo

Proposals to create a state voucher worth more than $6,000 for parents who withdraw their special education student from a Mississippi public school are making progress in the state House and Senate.

Senators passed Senate Bill 2325 Thursday on a 26-23 vote, while representatives passed House Bill 765 on a 61-45 vote. The chambers will exchange bills for more work.

Supporters say too many public school districts are doing a poor job educating special education students, and parents need options including private school or home tutoring.

"We have been waiting 40 years," said Sen Nancy Collins, R-Tupelo. "We can't wait any longer. We need to let out most vulnerable children go and let them have a chance."

Opponents are wary that vouchers could weaken public schools and be an opening wedge for a statewide voucher program.

"This is without question the most extreme, most radical piece of legislation that I have seen on the calendar in either house," said Sen. Hob Bryan, D-Amory. Sen. Tommy Gollott, R-Biloxi, said he favors the bill even though superintendents have been lobbying against it.

"They think they're going to lose a little money," Gollott said. The legislation would establish vouchers equal to the amount designated per student under the Mississippi Adequate Education Program plus "categorical funds" for special education.

Critics complain that a student would get a full per-student share of the Mississippi Adequate Education Program at a time when lawmakers are not fully funding that formula for public school students. Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson, also questioned whether the bill was allowable under the state Constitution's ban on religious schools.

"Just because you launder it through a fund doesn't make it legitimate," Blount said. "It's public money."

The bills cover students who are currently enrolled in public schools, or are enrolling in elementary or high school for the first time, if they have an individualized education program. In addition to students with such plans, up to 500 students protected from discrimination by federal law because of disabilities would be able to apply.

Mississippi has about 54,000 public school students with an IEP, state officials have said. Collins promised senators she'll work to make the bill more acceptable, while similar pledges were made in the House. Collins said she envisioned a $3 million appropriation that would cover up to 500 children.

"There are only 240 kids in Louisiana who are doing this, so it's not like it will be a mass exodus," she said.

Texting, Driving and Fining

Mississippi could tighten its law against sending text messages while driving.

The House passed House Bill 484 on Thursday. It would ban texting while driving for anyone 18 or younger. Current law bans it for any younger driver who has a learner's permit or intermediate license.

Senate Bill 2434 passed the Senate on Feb. 5. It says anyone caught sending a text message or checking a social media site while driving can be charged with careless driving. Conviction would carry a fine of anywhere from $5 to $50.

The two chambers will exchange bills for more debate.