On The Issues: Family First 

Strong Law Enforcement
Protecting our families comes first. Senator Blount wrote the law to define the crime of home invasion and provide new tougher penalties. He also wrote “Miss Breland’s Law,” which strengthens penalties for identity theft resulting from violent crime and the "social host" law to hold adults responsible if they provide alcohol to chilren.

Senator Blount has written and helped pass laws to protect victims of domestic violence. The new laws prohibit insurance companies from using domestic violence as a pre-existing condition (as has happened in other states), add children to the state’s domestic violence statute and impose tougher penalties, and completely re-write Mississippi’s stalking laws.

"Senator David Blount has proven to be a strong voice against the epidemic of domestic violence in our communities. [We are] especially pleased to recognize Senator Blount as a champion for the citizens of our State who are impacted by domestic violence." -- Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence executive director Anna Walker Crump

David authored a key amendment to the state’s strong new copper theft law. A Jackson Police Department Lieutenant said: "Copper theft in Jackson is now virtually nonexistent. The law took away the market. … It was the right legislation at the right time."

He served on the state task force studying DNA evidence and the state crime lab and authored Mississippi’s new DNA law. David has been endorsed by the Mississippi Police Benevolent Association and has worked hard to support law enforcement officers, especially the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office and the Jackson Police Department.

A State Leader for Education
Supporting education is the best investment Mississippi can make in our future. As a member of the Education Committee and of the Appropriations subcommittee for K-12 education, Senator Blount is a leader for quality public education in Mississippi. He is working closely with Mississippi education leaders to protect our schools in tough economic times.

Angel Skinner, Hinds County School Board Member, says: "Senator David Blount has been a friend to education and schools in Mississippi, specifically in Hinds County. His main concern is the students of our school district, not a political agenda."

David is a strong advocate for early childhood education and teachers. He was appointed by Lt. Governor Phil Bryant to serve on the state Commission for Early Childhood Learning. He is a strong supporter of Hinds Community College as an educational and economic engine for central Mississippi.

David was the lead author of legislation to require suicide prevention training for Mississippi teachers and principals. The effort was prompted by Ms. Teresa Mosley of Clinton and has been recognized by the Jason Foundation, which raises national awareness of this important issue.

Safeguarding Retirement
The Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) provides a secure retirement for state, county, and city employees, including teachers, law enforcement officers, and fire fighters. These employees contribute to the retirement plan every pay period. The average annual payment to a retiree is about $18,000 and is based on length of service and how much the employee earned during their work years.

David believes we must protect the integrity of our retirement system and honor the commitments we have made. This promise includes protecting the cost of living adjustments that are needed. David opposes the idea, backed by some, to shift our stable retirement system to a 401-k style system that ties benefits to risky investment decisions and the ups and down of the stock market.

Protect Your Right to Bear Arms and Honor Our Military
Hunting and fishing are part of our Mississippi tradition. David has received an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association and was one of the first Senators to receive the NRA endorsement in 2011. He is a member of Mississippi Legislature Sportsman’s Caucus.

David is the lead author of two important laws to help our military personnel: the Armed Forces Absentee Voting law to help military personnel vote more easily from overseas; and a measure to clarify income tax deductions for National Guard personnel.

The Armed Forces Absentee Voting law will make it easier for military personnel serving overseas to vote by absentee ballot. Soldiers in Afghanistan or Iraq must have their right to vote protected.

Michael Gilpin, Executive Assistant to the state Adjutant General, wrote: "Congratulations on the passage [of Senate Bill No. 2014 – 2009 Legislative Session]. It will resolve many issues for tax professionals, the state tax commission, auditors, and Guardsmen."

Protect Medicaid and Health Care
Senator Blount is a leader in the fight to preserve access to health care for our children and our elderly. He was the lead sponsor of legislation to raise Mississippi’s low cigarette tax to help support Medicaid.

David earned the Horizon Award from the Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities for his advocacy on behalf of Mississippians with disabilities.

David was named “Legislator of the Year” by the Mississippi chapter of the Association of Education and Rehabilitation for the Blind and Visually Impaired in 2010.

Government Accountability
Senator Blount received the President’s Award from the Mississippi Press Association for his work on behalf of open government in our state. He authored the new law that reduces the waiting time for citizens to obtain public records – basic information on your government. He was appointed by Lt. Governor Phil Bryant as a member of the Senate subcommittee on Efficiencies in Government.

In the protracted legislative session on the budget in 2009, David donated his special session salary to schools and law enforcement in Hinds County. In 2010 regular session, he did not accept extra special session pay, returning it to the state treasury.