Members of the House and Senate decided to save taxpayers thousands of dollars Wednesday when we adjourned the 2009 session early until more information about the federal stimulus program is received.

The session was originally scheduled to end on April 4, but with unanswered questions about the $2.8 billion the state is receiving in stimulus funds, we adjourned three days early. Leaving early will amount to quite a savings for those who pay the bills, the taxpayers of Mississippi.

Plans are to return in early May unless there is an agreement between the two chambers to return sooner or later. When we do return to the Capitol, there hopefully will also be an agreement in place on two high-profile issues: an increase in tobacco taxes and how to finance the Medicaid program. Negotiators will continue to work on reaching an agreement on those issues during the interim period.

Those two issues will have a large effect on the main purpose for returning: crafting a budget for state fiscal year 2010 beginning July 1. Without answers about the stimulus program, plus the tobacco and hospital assessments, putting together a budget is almost impossible. We expect to spend almost $5 billion of state dollars on running state government in the 2010 fiscal year.

During the last week we were in session, the House voted overwhelmingly to create an oversight committee of both House and Senate members to follow the stimulus dollars that come to the state. We felt that it is important for us lawmakers to know what was happening with those funds. However, the Senate never even considered joining us on such a panel. Rest assured that the House of Representatives will be keeping close scrutiny of the stimulus funds along with the legislative watchdog group known as the PEER Committee. The state auditor’s office also will be involved in that task.

A few of the other bills we handled during the final week were final versions of: SB 2746 allowing University Medical Center to donate surplus food to charitable groups that feed the homeless and families who have been hit hard by the recession; HB 665 to create a joint study committee to investigate children and family issues in a state that has an estimated 225,000 children living in poverty; HB 1309 to better protect consumers who purchase pre-need funeral arrangements; HB 1482 to create a new vehicle tag for supporters of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars; SB 2628 known as the “Child First Act” to bring more accountability to school districts, individual schools and to students, particularly as the “no pass, no play” requirement is concerned; and SB 2843 to require the state wind-pool insurance program to reward storm-fortified homes with a premium discount. We also reauthorized our human services agency.

A bill that died the last week was HB 619 which would have allowed the expunction of criminal conviction for certain non-violent crimes. This matter was hotly debated and was recommitted for further negotiation at least twice. Expunction would not have been automatic as some observers seemed to believe.

In fact, an offender would have had to wait until two years after completion of a sentence and then petition the courts for expunction.

It would be granted only after the court determined that the applicant offender is rehabilitated and does not present harm to the public. Persons who committed crimes of violence, crimes against children and certain drug-related crimes would not be eligible for expunction.

Angela Cockerham is a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives who represents a portion of Adams County.