• 39°
franklin county times

Mississippi House passes arts center bill

By By Ben Alexander/The Meridian Star
March 1, 2001
An amended bill designating Meridian as the site for the Southern Arts and Entertainment Center passed the Mississippi House of Representatives on Wednesday.
The bill was amended to give the direction and administration of the center to the state Department of Finance and Administration. The original Senate version of the bill gave the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries the authority to operate the facility.
State Sen. Terry Burton, D-Newton, said he would have preferred the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries maintain control over the facility.
The amended version of the bill also forbids the use of state funds to construct and operate the facility, unless special authorization is given by lawmakers.
Local leaders have promoted the idea that private funds could be used to construct the facility, but Burton said if private money is used on the construction of the center he doesn't believe the Finance and Administration Department should play a role in its operation.
Overall, Burton said it was a positive step for Meridian to be named as the site for the center despite the changes in language.
Because the House amended the original Senate version of the bill, the Senate must once again vote to accept the changes before it can be sent to the governor's office for approval.
Ben Alexander is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at balexander@themeridianstar.com.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x