Every year, the Mississippi Legislature convenes to make important decisions that affect the quality of life of the state’s 2.9 million residents and its diverse communities. These decisions, such as the amount of state revenue that should be budgeted for public schools, whether the state accepts federal funding to help provide affordable healthcare coverage to residents, the creation of new policies to help reduce mass incarceration, or whether the state can adequately fund key services and programs after tax cuts are enacted, determine the strength of our communities. Therefore, these decisions should be people-centered and community-focused.
For instance, the decision-making process begins with people through the election of representatives and continues beyond. Once the people elect representatives, those elected officials should consult residents and consider their input about the issues impacting their community. Then, elected officials should engage and inform their constituents about the decisions made during the legislative session―always keeping people and their communities in mind.
But far too often, we see policymakers make―or prohibit laws from passing―that go against the will and better interest of the people and communities they serve. Last year alone, the state passed the largest tax cut for the wealthy in the state’s history, failed to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage to mothers, continued to dilute black voter strength by not redrawing legislative districts representative of the state’s population, and more. This is on top of the years of legislative actions that have stripped key resources from communities, sustained poverty, widened wealth, race, and gender disparities, and neglected the needs of working families across the state.
One Voice believes that by building community awareness and increasing the capacity of communities, local organizations and leaders are empowered and provided opportunities to engage in the formation of public policy that affects their lives. Accordingly, this guide provides policy recommendations and context—always keeping in mind progress towards equity and poverty reduction—that will help local communities assess One Voice’s legislative priorities and connect local community action to policy, thereby raising collective consciousness through community power. Overall, to ensure communities thrive, One Voice’s legislative priorities include the following
Improving the state’s budget and tax systems to help strengthen local communities
Reforming the state’s criminal justice system to reduce disparities and help support safe communities
Advancing educational opportunities that ensure every child in Mississippi thrives, regardless of where they grow up
Ensuring that all voters have an equal opportunity to participate in the political process
Improving the lives of working families
Our mission is to ensure an equal voice for traditionally silenced communities. When One Voice’s work is done, we envision a Mississippi with a healthy vibrant thriving neighborhoods, schools, economy, and most importantly families.
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