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No Flag, No Tax Exemptions For Mississippi Universities Says SB 2509
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Senate Bill 2509 passed through the Mississippi House of Representatives by a slim 57-56 margin earlier today in Jackson. The bill originally set out to provide tax exemptions on new dorms at Mississippi State University and the University of Southern Mississippi, but an amendment was added to deny the tax break to schools who don’t fly the state flag.
“In order for the tax exemptions provided in this section to take effect and be operable, such university must prominently display and fly the state flag each day of the year.” the amendment reads.
None of the eight public universities in Mississippi currently fly the flag on campus. Ole Miss was the first to remove the flag after the well-publicized events from the fall of 2015. Mississippi’s current flag design, which has flown since 1894, is the only state flag remaining in the U.S. that depicts the Confederate emblem.
The amendment to SB 2509 was added by William Shirley, a Republican from Quitman. While the bill passed through the House of Representatives, it will now go to conference committee, where Oxford representative (D) Jay Hughes is confident that the bill will go no further.
“The chairman has pledged that either the amendment will be stripped or he will simply kill the entire bill,” Hughes said.
This bill isn’t the first to address the state flag issue during this legislative session. Three now dead bills have been brought forth during the session. HB 280 attempted to remove accreditation from K-12 schools who chose not to fly the flag. HB 1275 would’ve added the Magnolia design alongside the current flag, and SB 2081 would’ve replaced the current design with the Magnolia design.
Magnolia Flag – Photo courtesy of Facebook/Mississippians for the Magnolia Flag
Hughes noted that it would behoove legislatures to spend their time on more pressing matters rather than rehashing the same issues.
[SB 2509] actually passed through the house after 30 minutes of gamesmanship,” Hughes said. “I am disappointed that this is what the taxpayers are paying legislators to do, at a time when we cannot fund our schools, mental health, roads and bridges and the schools for the blind and deaf. I take my responsibility more seriously than just putting up political red meat bills when our citizens are truly suffering.”
Hughes voted against the bill while Oxford area representatives Nolan Mettetal (R) of Sardis and Steve Massengill (R) of Hickory Flat voted in favor of the amended bill. No specific date is set for the bill to go before the conference committee.
For the full breakdown of the vote, click here.
Steven Gagliano is a writer for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at steven.gagliano@hottytoddy.com.
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| Sat, Nov 30 |  | vs Mississippi State | 2:30 PM ABC |
Debbie Crenshaw
March 9, 2017 at 9:42 am
Yes, we do want to remember those who fought valiantly in the war of 1861-1865. However, as a native Mississippian, I do not believe that the current state flag represents all of its citizenry. I would think that any state institution whose conscience is violated by having such a flag on its flagpole, would have a right to not display it.
We all need to be united and move forward, learning from the past to have a better and more caring society.
Yogi (Ole Miss 89)
March 9, 2017 at 9:46 am
It’s a travesty that Ole Miss won’t fly the flag of her state. FLY THE FLAG AND PLAY SLOW DIXIE! This is Mississippi, not Minnesota!
delta
March 9, 2017 at 10:27 am
FLY THE FLAG. As a state supported university Ole Miss and all state universities should be required by law to proudly fly its state flag. And yes, I’m in favor of changing the flag if the citizens of the state so desire. But do it lawfully. What we’re teaching our students is ‘if you don’t like the law, you don’t have to follow it’. That’s the west coast thinking…not Mississippi. I, for one, am a proud college-educated Mississippian who prefers law and order above anarchy. The answer is change it to a less offensive image. The fact is that no matter what happens, the haters are continually going to find some reason to criticize Mississippi.
Chester Drawers
March 9, 2017 at 1:54 pm
Delta…good point but wrong… your quote…”if you don’t like the law, you don’t have to follow it”…
They are following the law because there is NO LAW that require state building to fly the flag.
So, the students are learning the law. I would bet the vast majority agree with this non law “law”.
Mort
March 9, 2017 at 3:09 pm
Build a wall around Oxford! Keep us safe!