Democrats try to find voice in Republican-controlled Legislature

Democrats in the Mississippi House and Senate filed 1,151 bills last year and 36 passed. Most of those were local and private bills for a specific cause in a lawmaker’s district.

This year, Democrats expect to file a similar number of bills. Of the roughly 565 bills already filed as of Friday, Democratic lawmakers have filed 275, according to statistics by Mississippi StateWatch, the legislative information service. The figures don't include resolutions.

Republicans took control of the House in the 2011 election. They've controlled the Senate since 2003.

When asked how Democrats try to get things accomplished in the Republican-controlled Legislature, newly elected Democratic Caucus chairman Sen. Derrick Simmons said, "being an underdog, we know you have to fight."

Read more: http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2018/01/05/democrats-try-find-voice-republican-controlled-legislature/1008023001/