Natchez residents have an opportunity Monday to hear directly from our area’s state legislators about what is going on during the current legislative session and where they stand on issues.

Despite being an election year, when politicians typically shy away from taking sides on anything they think could rankle voters, this session could turn out to be an exception.

As of earlier this week, state legislators had filed 1,745 bills on a myriad of issues, ranging from aiming to protect Mississippi gun owners from any federal laws regulating guns and ammunition to a proposed 3-percent raise for Mississippi Highway Patrol and drivers’ license office workers.

The Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2015 legislative breakfast from 7:30 to 9 a.m. on Monday at the Natchez Grand Hotel. Cost to attend is $10 at the door.

State senators Kelvin E. Butler and Melanie Sojourner and state representatives Angela Cockerham, Robert L. Johnson III, America Chuck Middleton and Sam C. Mims V have been invited to attend.

During this session, which ends April 4, legislators are also expected to continue debate on public school funding and continuation of funding of teacher pay raises, debate a proposed tax cut by Gov. Phil Bryant, consider drastically increasing funding for the Mississippi Department of Transportation for road improvements, consider a physician-backed statewide smoking ban and a proposal by Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves to do away with vehicle inspection stickers.

The legislative breakfast is your opportunity to hear first-hand your legislators’ opinions on these and other issues. Don’t miss your chance to share your own views with those who are tasked to represent us.