Dear Friend,

Residents of Jackson have been experiencing issues with the water system for a long time, but the issue reached a critical point earlier this week as a result of flooding in central Mississippi. The recent failure has resulted in such low water pressure that essential services, like fighting fires, cannot be performed adequately. It has also resulted in a lack of water for basic necessities, such as water flow to showers and toilets. The situation has attracted national attention and is cause for great public health concern.

As someone who grew up in the metro area, I remember a time when Jackson was the “Bold New City,” but after decades of failed leadership, our capital is now failing. The latest water crisis is another in a long list of issues that is a result of an ongoing stalemate at City Hall. The problems in Jackson were many years in the making, and it will take many more years to fix them. The solutions will only be found by elected officials working together to fix the underlying issues, not playing politics or just merely throwing money at the problems and hoping that they go away.

Last night, Governor Tate Reeves took an important step when he requested a federal emergency declaration to help respond to the crisis. The declaration was approved by the White House shortly after the request was made and will provide a 75% match of federal funds to the 25% spent by the state and the local governments. 

I am working in Congress to help find solutions and to put Jackson back on a pathway to being the capital city we need and deserve, but it is going to take a combined effort from leaders at all levels.