The Issues

A State Leader for Education

Supporting public education is the best investment Mississippi can make in its future. As Vice Chairman of the Education Committee, Senator Blount is a leader for quality public education in Mississippi. He helped write and pass the largest teacher pay raise in state history and the Winter-Reed teacher loan repayment program to help new teachers pay off their college loans. He helped fully fund Mississippi's new school funding formula and voted to increase support and accountability to improve reading in the state -- sparking historic improvements that have drawn national acclaim.  As past Chairman of the Public Property Committee, he helped pass legislation to redevelop closed school buildings and to ensure that the facilities needs of universities and community colleges are met for current and future students.

Protecting & Expanding the Right to Vote

David is the lead author of the Mississippi Armed Forces Absentee Voting Act, signed into law by Gov. Haley Barbour in 2010. He has served on the Elections & Redistricting Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures and as one of two legislators in the nation on the advisory board of the federal Election Assistance Commission.  He has sponsored legislation to increase voter registration, allow early voting, and streamline the absentee voting process for college students.  

Improving Infrastructure

Seniority has enable David to deliver for District 29.  He helped obtain funding for four-laning of I-55 South in South Jackson and Byram.  Other accomplishments include: more than $3 million for Byram infrastructure projects (Terry/Siwell intersection improvements, bridges, drainage and flood prevention), state funding for new library, City Hall, and community center in Terry, rebuilding Elton Road off I-55 in South Jackson, additional funding for infrastructure around Jackson State University, and drainage problems in Fondren and Belhaven.