This letter is to commend Sen. Briggs Hopson, R-Vicksburg, for his courageous vote on March 16 when he voted in favor of the amendment of Sen. Hob Bryan, D-Amory, to House Bill 1622 to restore full funding to the public school districts of the state against the strong objections of Sen. Alan Nunnelee, R-Tupelo, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant.

By casting this vote, Hopson assured the taxpayers of Warren County that a total of $1,281,066 would stay in the public school coffers. By not allowing the lieutenant governor and Nunnelee to institute more than $77 million in cuts to public school funding, Hopson saved many jobs of people associated with the schools. Additionally, he helped local officials avoid raising local taxes to make up the difference. Bryan’s forward-thinking amendment even provides for full funding for board certified teachers.

Please take the time to thank Hopson for this very important and brave vote. It is hard to buck leadership in the legislative arena, yet Hopson cast his vote in favor of the Warren County taxpayers, teachers and our future. Too often our elected leaders hear only criticism, and now is our chance to give Sen. Hopson a well-deserved pat on the back.

Terry R. Cassreino

Madison