Mississippi lawmakers beginning 4-month session

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Mississippi lawmakers are beginning their four-month session, and they will spend the first few days getting organized.

This is the first year of a four-year term, and about one-fourth of the legislators are new.

The session begins at noon Tuesday and is scheduled to end in early May. Legislators will do most of their work on a more than $6 billion budget during their final weeks at the Capitol, and the new fiscal year begins July 1.

Senators are electing a new president pro tempore to succeed Republican Giles Ward of Louisville, who didn’t seek another term in the Legislature. The pro tem is the second-highest officer in the chamber.

The House is dealing with contested elections for two seats, and the Senate must resolve a contest for one seat.