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134th YEAR ISSUE 40
FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2019
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884
Bill proposes one percent sales tax increase on Starkville hotels, restaurants KATIE POE
NEWS EDITOR
A bipartisan bill increasing the sales tax of hotels and restaurants in Starkville by one percent passed in the Mississippi House of Representatives with a vote of 100-4. The bill, which would raise funds for a new Starkville sports
complex, awaits a Senate vote; if it passes the Senate, it will head to the governor’s office. House Bill 1565 would authorize the city to levy an additional one percent on the gross sales of room rentals in hotels and motels. This increase would also apply to the gross proceeds of restaurant sales, which includes the sale of food and
drinks, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic. If the Bill passes, it would not only provide funds for a new tournament sports complex on the west side of Starkville, but it would also allow current sporting facilities to be updated. The Bill is “for the purpose of providing funds to acquire real property and constructing, equipping,
owning, operating, leasing, furnishing, maintaining and marketing new and existing sports tournament and recreational facilities.” Gerry Logan, the executive director of the Starkville Parks and Recreation Department, said he is excited about the possibility of creating more recreational opportunities for residents. TAX, 2
Justin Truss | The Reflector
Hotels like Hotel Chester, located in downtown Starkville, could see a one percent tax increase.
Student voices heard on the Drill Field Mississippi filmmaker Gracie Byrne | The Reflector
The Young Americans for Freedom chapter at Mississippi State University set up a table and sign Wednesday on the Drill Field. The campus organization, which promotes conservative values, put up a sign stating “Build the Wall.” The group encouraged passersby to open dialogues about immigration. Katie Poe | The Reflector
Ada Ginger, a senior psychology major at Mississippi State University, holds a sign that states, “Immigrants are welcome here Fascists are not.” Ginger stood on the Drill Field Wednesday afternoon and said she decided to hold the sign in protest to the “Build the Wall“ message shown by the Young Americans for Freedom.
College Republicans to host Mississippi GOP governor debate STAFF REPORT
The College Republicans at Mississippi State University will host a Republican primary debate in conjunction with the MSU Department of Political Science and Public Administration. The debate will take place at 6:30 p.m. April 2 in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium on MSU’s campus. Governor candidates Bill Waller Jr., former Chief Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court, and State Representative Robert Foster have agreed to
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participate in the debate. Lt. Governor Tate Reeves declined to participate due to a scheduling conflict. Adam Sabes, chairman of the College Republicans at MSU, said he and the others planning the debate reached out to Reeves’ , but were unable to agree on a date. “We understand that Lt. Governor Reeves has a very busy schedule,” Sabes said. “We have done everything in our power to schedule an event that he would be able to attend.” Jonathan Bailey, chairman of the debate committee, described the organization’s purpose in hosting the debate.
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DEBATE, 2
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receives grant to film in West Point
HANNAH BLANKENSHIP
grants from the Mississippi Arts Commission represent some of the most gifted individuals in their respective fields,” White said. “These outstanding artists carry on Mississippi’s legacy of artistic excellence, and MAC is proud to support those who enliven and enrich their communities with the creative spirit.” T h e M A C , f u n d e d by the Mississippi Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as several other organizations, seeks to promote the arts in Mississippi through various private grants and educational programs. According to Williams, the freedom MAC gives the artists in determining how to use the grant is immensely helpful.
STAFF WRITER
While one may think of Los Angeles, Hollywood or New York in association with the moviemaking industry, local filmmaker Michael Williams looks no further than his hometown of West Point, Mississippi, to pursue the cinematic arts. Williams recently received a $5,000 grant from the Mississippi A r t s Commission to help fund his newest feature film, “Rosemary,” which he intends to shoot primarily in West Point. Receiving the fellowship is a high honor, said MAC executive director Malcom White in a press release about the grant. “Artists who receive
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25 years of WMSV: Community station evolves over time
ELLIE BURSON
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
91.1 WMSV, Mississippi State University’s radio station, celebrated a significant anniversary on March 21. WMSV is 25 years old, and to celebrate those cherished years of broadcasting, the station has planned something big for the fall of 2019: a festival and concert. In the meantime, WMSV will sell shirts in the Colvard Student Union, holding live streams and covering the Old Main Music Fest this semester. RADIO, 2
Gracie Byrne | The Reflector
Computer science senior and on-air radio personality Michael Garlotte broadcasts to local listeners from the 91.1 WMSV radio station.
FORECAST: Friday and Saturday will get the weekend off to a good start with sunny skies and temperatures in the high 60s. However, rain showers will start to move in Sunday morning.
Courtesy of Accuweather
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