Jackson Free Press

Germany borders Switzerland to the north, France is to its west and Italy to its south. Switzerland, therefore, recognizes four official languages—German, French, Italian and Romansh. In fact, Switzerland is not a nation but officially a confederation that famously remains neutral in international wars.

In that way, Switzerland is an interesting and perhaps even apt choice for state Rep. Cecil Brown to vacation with his family before the notoriously divided Mississippi Legislature commences its 2014 legislative session.

Just as Switzerland hasn't always practiced neutrality, Brown, a north Jackson Democrat since 2000, says the Legislature hasn't always been as polarized as it is now.

"Debates changed," Brown, 69, told the Jackson Free Press recently.

Before 2011, Brown's Democratic Party held power in the House of Representatives, and Republicans controlled every other branch of state government. Nevertheless, the parties had spirited exchanges over the big questions they faced about public education, health care and the budget before striking a compromise.

Under the leadership of Speaker Philip Gunn, Brown not only lost his chairmanship but Gunn kicked him off the House Education Committee all together. Beyond asking questions and pushing for floor debate, Democrats know they can't provide education funding increases.

"We're just trying to keep them from killing public education," Brown said.

A Meridian native, Brown received a bachelor's degree from the University of Mississippi, and a master's in public accountancy from the University of Texas and moved to Jackson in 1967. Before he retired in 2013, Brown spent 47 years working as a Certified Public Accountant and investment adviser, and he served as chief of staff to Gov. Ray Mabus, a Democrat.

Brown long had an interest in education issues, but his marriage to Nancy Haas, a teacher who worked in four Jackson public high schools before working at Northwest Rankin High School, helped him take up the mantel when he won election to the Legislature in 1999. In that time, Brown has come to know more about the economics of public education than just about any other lawmaker. The battle of wills over education and other key issues is now underway at the state capitol. Brown said this session Democrats will attempt to drum up more public involvement in debates over education as well as Medicaid expansion, which is expected to be a hot-button issue once again in 2014. Brown points to two key reports published in recent years showing numerous health benefits and millions of dollars in potential economic activity from expanding Medicaid.

"I'm hoping they come to their senses," Brown said.