Healthcare hot topic at Chamber’s annual Legislative Breakfast

The Natchez Democrat

A standing-room-only crowd greeted Natchez’s representatives in the state House and Senate at the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Legislative Breakfast Monday morning. State Sen. Melanie Sojourner, R-Natchez, State Rep. Sam Mims, R-McComb, State Rep. Robert Johnson III, D-Natchez and State Sen. Kelvin Butler, D-Magnolia, each spoke about what they see as priorities for the legislature, which is about three weeks into its 90-day session in January. Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson welcomed the legislators, as did Adams County Board of Supervisors President Warren Gaines. Gibson and Gaines laid out a list of projects important to Natchez to which the city would look to the legislators for support, like drainage issues, continued improvements to rail and air service in the county and the creation of a liquid loading dock at the Natchez-Adams County Port. Gibson urged the legislators to continue support of movie tax credits, which he said have been responsible for creating numerous jobs and tax dollars into the Natchez and Adams County economy. Gibson also urged legislators to throw their support toward expanding Medicaid in Mississippi, which he said has been “proven to work in so many states. Let’s look at the states where Medicaid expansion has been successful and follow their example.”    

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