For at least an hour Thursday afternoon, people will be able to orally address lawmakers about possible changes to the state method of funding public schools.
However, while lawmakers are encouraging written comments, it is unclear if people will get another chance to speak to lawmakers.
“This is in an effort to continue the open dialogue with the public regarding the Legislature’s examination of the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) formula,” Speaker Philip Gunn and Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said in a release.
Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and House Speaker Philip Gunn on Monday announced that people will be allowed to speak for up to three minutes apiece at the state Capitol starting at 4 p.m.
Opponents of changes say the compressed hearing further proves the legislative process is sham.
Speakers can sign up by emailing schoolfinance@ls.ms.gov, or at the meeting. Spokeswomen for Gunn and Reeves say they don’t know who will choose speakers if more than 20 come.
The current formula divides $2.2 billion among Mississippi’s public schools. The legislature recently hired EdBuild to look at and recommend suggestions for revamping the formula.
