Amendment added to bill to require flying state flag on campuses

The issue of flying the state flag reignited in the House on Wednesday when a lawmaker filed an amendment on a student housing bill for Mississippi State University and the University of Southern Mississippi to require the universities to fly the state flag or the Magnolia flag if they receive state funds.

Rep. William Shirley, R-Quitman, added the amendment, saying it doesn't change any flag.

The House voted 57-56 to approve the amendment, but House Ways and Means Chairman Jeff Smith is vowing to have the amendment removed from Senate Bill 2509 when it goes to a House and Senate conference committee.

Passage of the amendment led to black lawmakers requesting that bills be read by the chipmunk-sounding reading machine on a deadline day to pass general bills and constitutional amendments originating in the other chamber. The request to read bills is often viewing as a means of filibustering.

Read more: http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2017/03/08/amendment-added-bill-require-flying-state-flag-campuses/98905340/