It's a beautiful time in County, Mississippi. The sun is shining bright and it feels like the perfect day to go out and enjoy the outdoors. Hope you get a chance to soak up some of that lovely sunshine like my son, Rodney "Tripp" is this week. 

I recently introduced House Bill 1272, the Hometown Heroes Home Loan Guaranty Program, in the Mississippi Legislature.

This initiative provides loan guarantees for firefighters, law enforcement officers, nurses, and teachers, enabling them to obtain conventional financing for residential property purchases without a down payment. Inspired by the dedication of these community servants, the program mirrors the VA Home Loan model and aims to remove financial barriers to homeownership. A lot of our local heroes can't buy homes in the communities they serve - this legislation changes this without costing our taxpayers.

Read more about this legislation via Desoto County News: Hall introduces Hometown Heroes Home Loan Guaranty Program

I recently visited with our Desoto County realtors in Jackson. I am truly inspired by their unwavering commitment to helping our citizens achieve the American dream.

These dedicated professionals stand at the frontline, working tirelessly to make homeownership a reality for countless families. Their hard work and perseverance serve as a shining example of what's possible when we set our sights on a goal and work together to achieve it. I am grateful for their service, and I know that Desoto County is a better place because of their efforts. Let's continue to support and celebrate our realtors as they help us build stronger, more vibrant communities for all.

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Capitol with Farm Bureau where I met with Murry Haslip, from Desoto County. It was great to learn more about the challenges and opportunities farmers face in Mississippi. Farming remains one of the noblest professions in our state, and it continues to be the backbone of our economy.

As someone who cares deeply about supporting our local and state farmers, I am excited about the work that Farm Bureau is doing to advocate for their interests. From promoting sustainable agriculture practices to ensuring farmers have access to the resources they need to succeed, Farm Bureau is making a real difference in our farming communities.

I am grateful for the opportunity to see my friend Murry and learn more about the vital work farmers do daily to feed our state and our country. I look forward to continuing to support them in any way that I can.

I had the honor of speaking in support of CSM Sylvester Tatum's confirmation hearing to the Mississippi Veteran Affairs Board. CSM Tatum hails from north Mississippi and has dedicated his life to defending our freedoms in uniform with over 40 years of service.

I have had the privilege of working with CSM Tatum at multiple stages of my career - he was my CSM while I was a Lieutenant in the 1-155 Infantry Regiment (Mississippi Rifles), when I was a commander in the 155ABCT (Dixie Thunder Brigade), and most recently as the State Senior Enlisted Advisor of the entire MS National Guard. CSM Tatum is a true MS hero who has always placed the needs of his soldiers above his own. I am happy to have played a small part in his confirmation and look forward to working with him on behalf of all our veterans as Vice-Chairman of the House Military Affairs Committee.

During a recent meeting, I had the privilege of speaking with Mrs. Gallagher from Southaven. She is a strong advocate for the Susan G. Komen organization.

We discussed various ways to support the fight against cancer, especially breast cancer. The main goal of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is to eliminate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by focusing on research, education, screening, and treatment.

As someone who has had family members affected by breast cancer, I am deeply inspired by the bravery and strength of these women in their battle against this disease. I am committed to supporting them and working towards finding a cure for breast cancer.

Every week, I travel across the state to visit defense-based businesses across Mississippi, looking for opportunities for economic development. I strongly believe that our local businesses should be empowered to succeed and thrive. This is how we create real and lasting economic opportunities for all our citizens. 

Recently, I visited LCI-Hazlehurst, a company that provides meaningful employment opportunities for people who are blind. LCI creates many defense products, including water jugs, paper, and plastic utensils. What's even more remarkable is that all their employees are blind, and they have three facilities spread throughout the state. LCI is a perfect example of how we can create a more inclusive and equitable society by providing our citizens with an opportunity to achieve independence as part of a team.

LCI also produces many products sold locally and globally, including the Cellulose Mop sold in Walmart. I encourage you to visit the MS Makers Challenge and cast your vote for LCI's mop - they are a great company with an even better mission. The nominations round is closed, but the Top 16 voting opens on March 4. Even if the mop did not make it to the next round, you can still follow the competition and stay informed about the innovative projects and ideas emerging from Mississippi.

MS Makers Challenge: https://msmakerschallenge.com/