New laws, plainly
What Passed
The new laws that matter most to Jackson, explained so a seventh grader could follow them: what each does, why it happened, what it costs, and what changes for you.
11 laws explained so far, with more on the way. Each entry is built from the bill's summary and history, the Legislature's cost estimate when the Wire can find one, and news reports; the reporting note at the end of each entry says what was and was not read.
3 laws in Taxes and budget. Show everything
In effect now
HB 4073 · In effect since July 1, 2026
New state workers can retire after 30 years again, and retirees can come back sooner
The law softens last year’s pension cuts for new hires, lets retirees return to state jobs after 30 days at 80% pay, and creates a state-run retirement account.
SB 2103 · In effect since July 1, 2026
Teachers get a $2,000 raise, and schools get a new attendance law
Every public school teacher’s minimum salary rises by $2,000 this school year, special education teachers get $4,000, and the same law rewrites the rules on absences.
SB 2917 · In effect since April 13, 2026
The state is putting $100 million into a new cancer center in Jackson
A budget-transfer law sets aside $100 million for UMMC’s planned cancer center on State Street, plus $253 million for lawmakers’ local projects and $150 million for highways.
How this section is made
The Wire reads the bill's summary and history, the Legislature's cost estimate when it can find one, the votes, and the reporting around it, then writes the result in plain words. We say what the law does, who wanted it and who fought it, what it costs and who pays, and what changes for an ordinary household. Where the Wire adds its own reading, the sentence begins “The Wire's read:” Spot an error? Write to capitolmain42@gmail.com.