Mar 31, 2016: Jackson Free Press: Mississippi House Leaders Mull Sales Tax Increase for Roads
Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Willie Simmons says Busby told him the House plan would remove the current 18-cent tax on fuel and replace it with a 10 percent sales tax. The fuel tax would have 20-cent floor and 30-cent ceiling.
Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Willie Simmons says Busby told him the House plan would remove the current 18-cent tax on fuel and replace it with a 10 percent sales tax. The fuel tax would have 20-cent floor and 30-cent ceiling.
Mar 15, 2016: NewsMs: Increased gas tax could mean better roads
Senator Willie Simmons is behind this proposal and says raising gas tax 8 percent, and increasing the cost of car tags will generate enough money to fix roads and bridges in Mississippi.
Senator Willie Simmons is behind this proposal and says raising gas tax 8 percent, and increasing the cost of car tags will generate enough money to fix roads and bridges in Mississippi.
Mar 14, 2016: WLOX: Gas tax hike still an option for Mississippi lawmakers
"We cannot afford to kick this can down the road again," explained Senator Willie Simmons. "Have to do something."
"We cannot afford to kick this can down the road again," explained Senator Willie Simmons. "Have to do something."
Mar 10, 2016: MBJ: New poll shows Mississippi voters back higher gas taxes for roads, bridges
Sen. Willie Simmons, a Cleveland Democrat and Chairman of the Transportation Committee, said Tuesday he will write the bill and introduce it by early next week. He faces a deadline of Wednesday for gaining Senate approval of the bill.
Sen. Willie Simmons, a Cleveland Democrat and Chairman of the Transportation Committee, said Tuesday he will write the bill and introduce it by early next week. He faces a deadline of Wednesday for gaining Senate approval of the bill.
Feb 25, 2016: Sun Herald: Legislators talk gas tax increase to repair roads, bridges
Committee Chairmen Willie Simmons of Cleveland and Charles Busby of Pascagoula say that a small tax increase outweighs the costs of doing nothing to repair the roads.
Committee Chairmen Willie Simmons of Cleveland and Charles Busby of Pascagoula say that a small tax increase outweighs the costs of doing nothing to repair the roads.
Jan 4, 2016: MBJ: Mississippi leaders insist on tying tax cuts to new roads, bridge taxes
Fillingane said he expects some adding or subtracting could be done with the funding sources recommended by the task force. Sen. Willie Simmons, chairman of the Transportation Committee, shares that expectation.
Fillingane said he expects some adding or subtracting could be done with the funding sources recommended by the task force. Sen. Willie Simmons, chairman of the Transportation Committee, shares that expectation.
Sept 24, 2015: Clarion Ledger: State health department has $18.5 million deficit
However, state Sen. Willie Simmons, D-Cleveland, said he isn’t generally in favor of state agencies coming from under state Personal Board rules and regulations. The department is looking at decreasing local clinic capacity and staffing to better match available resources.
However, state Sen. Willie Simmons, D-Cleveland, said he isn’t generally in favor of state agencies coming from under state Personal Board rules and regulations. The department is looking at decreasing local clinic capacity and staffing to better match available resources.
May 28, 2015: WXVT: The King of Blues returns home
A homecoming celebration was held at The Senator's Place restaurant in Cleveland, owned by Sen. Willie Simmons.
A homecoming celebration was held at The Senator's Place restaurant in Cleveland, owned by Sen. Willie Simmons.
Mar 9, 2015: Clarion Ledger: Texting ban headed to governor
"This will bring Mississippi into the 21st century," said Senate Transportation Chairman Willie Simmons, D-Cleveland. "... This is about public safety."
"This will bring Mississippi into the 21st century," said Senate Transportation Chairman Willie Simmons, D-Cleveland. "... This is about public safety."
Feb 11, 2015: Sun Herald: Mississippi Senate backs convention to mandate federal balanced budget
"If it was not for our big brother known as the federal government, Mississippi would be in trouble," said Sen. Willie Simmons, D-Cleveland. "We'd either be paying triple what we currently pay in taxes or we'd be providing fewer services."
"If it was not for our big brother known as the federal government, Mississippi would be in trouble," said Sen. Willie Simmons, D-Cleveland. "We'd either be paying triple what we currently pay in taxes or we'd be providing fewer services."
Feb 3, 2015: Clarion Ledger: Legislature passes first 'killing deadline'
DEAD. Uber bills. SB 2564, by Sen. Willie Simmons, D-Cleveland, and HB 1211 by Rep. Robert L. Johnson III, D-Natchez, would have aided ride sharing networks such as Uber in Mississippi, and regulated them, including auto insurance requirements and background checks for drivers.
DEAD. Uber bills. SB 2564, by Sen. Willie Simmons, D-Cleveland, and HB 1211 by Rep. Robert L. Johnson III, D-Natchez, would have aided ride sharing networks such as Uber in Mississippi, and regulated them, including auto insurance requirements and background checks for drivers.
Dec 5, 2014: BuzzFeed: The Prison Reform Blues
Willie Simmons, who later became a state senator, worked at Parchman’s job training program in the 1980s, and remembers Epps as quiet and focused during work hours. “Low-key,” Simmons said. “Not as outgoing as some of the other young guys. Wasn’t one of those social, party-types.” “Watching him,” Simmons added, “you could tell he was one of those people who wasn’t satisfied with being a security officer. He had aspirations to grow in the system.”
Willie Simmons, who later became a state senator, worked at Parchman’s job training program in the 1980s, and remembers Epps as quiet and focused during work hours. “Low-key,” Simmons said. “Not as outgoing as some of the other young guys. Wasn’t one of those social, party-types.” “Watching him,” Simmons added, “you could tell he was one of those people who wasn’t satisfied with being a security officer. He had aspirations to grow in the system.”
July 22, 2014: WLBT: Public, lawmakers express concerns about TANF drug testing law
Rep. Sherra Lane told those in attendance that she's skeptical about the 2 month treatment rule. She says that it defies the logic that the law would provide a cure for drug problems.
May 8, 2014: Clarion Ledger: Senator: More money for state highways, bridges
However, state Sen. Willie Simmons said a couple billion of dollars are needed for transportation infrastructure improvements in the state. "MDOT has 1,054 bridges that are posted or closed," Simmons said. "Based on testimonies during our hearings, it was estimated that MDOT needs $2 billion to replace bridges annually and $4 billion to repair roads annually."
Rep. Sherra Lane told those in attendance that she's skeptical about the 2 month treatment rule. She says that it defies the logic that the law would provide a cure for drug problems.
May 8, 2014: Clarion Ledger: Senator: More money for state highways, bridges
However, state Sen. Willie Simmons said a couple billion of dollars are needed for transportation infrastructure improvements in the state. "MDOT has 1,054 bridges that are posted or closed," Simmons said. "Based on testimonies during our hearings, it was estimated that MDOT needs $2 billion to replace bridges annually and $4 billion to repair roads annually."
Apr 20, 2014: Mississippi Association of Educators: Simmons touts success of legislative session
Sen. Willie Simmons said Mississippi has made some positive changes during this fiscal year and he is pleased to have aided in the process.
Sen. Willie Simmons said Mississippi has made some positive changes during this fiscal year and he is pleased to have aided in the process.
Feb 12, 2014: Mississippi PEP: Senate passes bill prohibiting appearances in publicly-funded ads during general election
But Sen. Willie Simmons, D-Cleveland, said one of his concerns was that the legislation could restrict the governor from working with the Mississippi Development Authority to promote the state.
Nov 26, 2013: Gulf Live: Mississippi road builders keep up push for state money
In August, Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Willie Simmons, D-Cleveland, proposed as much as $700 million a year in new taxes. His proposals were criticized by some business groups and lawmakers who oppose more taxes.
But Sen. Willie Simmons, D-Cleveland, said one of his concerns was that the legislation could restrict the governor from working with the Mississippi Development Authority to promote the state.
Nov 26, 2013: Gulf Live: Mississippi road builders keep up push for state money
In August, Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Willie Simmons, D-Cleveland, proposed as much as $700 million a year in new taxes. His proposals were criticized by some business groups and lawmakers who oppose more taxes.
Sept 19, 2013: Gulf Live: State economist Darrin Webb tells lawmakers Mississippi seeing modest growth (updated)
State economist Darrin Webb told the Joint Legislative Budget Committee that Mississippi had 1.9 percent growth in its gross domestic product in the first half of 2013 and he expects the rate to be 1.8 percent by year's end. He said the national economy is growing 1.6 percent.
Aug 28, 2013: Mississippi Link: Leader of road study group proposes $700M in taxes
Sen. Willie Simmons, D-Cleveland, said the proposal, which would be the largest state tax increase in more than 20 years, is only a starting point for discussion, and invited alternate proposals.
State economist Darrin Webb told the Joint Legislative Budget Committee that Mississippi had 1.9 percent growth in its gross domestic product in the first half of 2013 and he expects the rate to be 1.8 percent by year's end. He said the national economy is growing 1.6 percent.
Aug 28, 2013: Mississippi Link: Leader of road study group proposes $700M in taxes
Sen. Willie Simmons, D-Cleveland, said the proposal, which would be the largest state tax increase in more than 20 years, is only a starting point for discussion, and invited alternate proposals.
June 6, 2012: Majority In Mississippi: New Senate Committee Chairs Are Released
As for Clarke, who just won a hard fought re-election is a Democratic district, this is a nice get for him- and for the Delta. He will be the highest-ranking member from that region, but fellow Delta Senator, Willie Simmons of Cleveland, got the Transportation chair. Simmons and Hob Bryan (Jud B) got the top jobs for Democrats in the Senate Nov 13, 2011: Daily Kos: Republican MS State Senate
SD-11 Willie Lee Simmons (D-Cleveland) The 11th is a black majority Mississippi River district. Most of the area is currently represented by Sen. Robert Jackson. However, Sen. Jackson gets drawn into the new black majority 10th district while Sen. Simmons of the current 13th is drawn into the 11th. At 79% Obama, it is quite Safe D. |
Mar 13, 2008: Youtube: Mississippi State Senator Willie Simmons Introduces Clinton
Mississippi State Senator Willie Simmons Introduces Hillary Clinton at Mississippi's Jefferson Jackson Hamer Dinner in Canton, Mississippi. 3/6/2008
Mississippi State Senator Willie Simmons Introduces Hillary Clinton at Mississippi's Jefferson Jackson Hamer Dinner in Canton, Mississippi. 3/6/2008