During three long days of negotiations in a special session called by the governor, the Senate passed a nearly $6 billion budget that ensures no state workers will lose their jobs and critical services will continue.

The Senate fully funded education in the 2010 fiscal year and passed Senate Bill 2001 that placed $27 million into the motor vehicle ad valorem tax reduction fund to keep car tags at or close to their current cost.

The Senate approved a Medicaid bill that authorizes a managed care program, which could help Medicaid recipients by ensuring they get the proper medication and medical attention required on the front end to keep existing medical conditions from worsening. This could reduce the need for emergency medical treatment and hospital visits for many Mississippians by providing pro-active care.

Under the plan hospitals will be assessed $60 million annually for the first two years and they will pay in $90 million during the third year. Hospitals benefit by receiving numerous federal reimbursements for the money they spend.

The Senate fully funded the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, the National Board Certification program for teachers and other components of education, including needed upgrades at our colleges and universities. Senators also increased by $3.7 million the amount of money available for student financial aid.

The Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 2049 will allow the Department of Agriculture and Commerce to place more food inspectors at a Delta rice production facility so that it can expand its production and hire additional workers in an area of the state that desperately needs jobs.

Senators also passed House Bill 45 that cuts the Senate budget by 6 percent.

The Senate passed a 25-cent per pack tax increase on certain brands of cigarettes that is estimated to raise $8.8 million in additional general fund revenues. Some of that money can be used to supplement Medicaid which provides healthcare coverage for children, the elderly and others who cannot afford private healthcare coverage. One in four Mississippians receive healthcare coverage under the plan.

Senate Bill 2001 also contained legislation that empowers law enforcement to arrest cigarette smugglers and seize illegal shipments of cigarettes valued at $15,000 and above. It empowers the Tax Commission to resell seized cigarettes and place the proceeds into the state budget.

In keeping government open to the public, the Senate also passed Senate Bill 2043 that provides money needed by the Secretary of State’s office to maintain a searchable online database that allows citizens to review campaign finance reports.

Sen. Bob Dearing is represents Adams County.