MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 5th Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Chaney, King, Albritton, Brown, Browning, Burton, Butler, Carmichael, Clarke, Dawkins, Dearing, Frazier, Gollott, Harden, Hewes, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jordan, Kirby, Lee (35th), Lee (47th), Little, Mettetal, Moffatt, Morgan, Nunnelee, Pickering, Posey, Ross, Thames, Thomas, Tollison, Walls, White, Wilemon, Williamson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN MISSISSIPPI THAT WERE SERIOUSLY AFFECTED BY HURRICANE KATRINA.
WHEREAS, the public school districts located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and in the other geographical areas of the State of Mississippi declared a federal disaster area due to the unprecedented damage of Hurricane Katrina are facing an unprecedented loss of local revenue; and
WHEREAS, the enormity of the loss in local revenue due to the decrease in assessed property, ad valorem tax valuation and decreased tax receipts will affect these public school districts and negatively impact the quality of education provided to Mississippi children for several years; and
WHEREAS, it will be difficult for the state to make up this loss to the local school districts, particularly in light of continued requests to increase and maintain its contributions to public school districts through 100% funding of the adequate education program; and
WHEREAS, bankers, investors and insurance executives continue to be concerned about the ability of local governments and school districts affected by this hurricane to pay their outstanding long-term debt; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Department of Education has submitted a plan of assistance to the United States Secretary of Education and members of Congress, and the Mississippi Legislature requests that federal financial assistance be provided for a four-year period:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we respectfully request that the leadership and members of the United States Congress take whatever actions necessary to adopt measures that will provide much needed federal financial assistance to public school districts in Mississippi to offset the loss of local revenue needed to provide quality education to Mississippi children impacted by Hurricane Katrina.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to the President of the United States, the Secretary of the United States Office of Education, members of the Mississippi congressional delegation and the State Board of Education, and be make available to the Capitol Press Corps.