Live Evening Updates: Meridian Special Election and Budget Negotiations

From Jackson:

10 p.m.: The Medicaid agreement clears the Senate and is now on the governor’s desk, reports the Clarion-Ledger.

8:30 p.m.: I am following Natalie Chandler and Rep. Greg Snowden on Twitter for the latest updates. Earlier, Democrats Steve Holland and George Flaggs decided to read the Medicaid compromise; essentially a delay tactic. The bill did clear the House and is now headed to the Senate.

From Meridian:

9:00 p.m.: Jones is declared the winner of the special election. Democrats hold the seat.

8:30 p.m.: With two-thirds of the precincts reporting, Wilbert Jones is leading Bill Marcy by a 66 to 34 margin. As expected turnout is low, but it looks like the Democrat will pick up about the same percentage that Charles Young received in his last election, and prevent the Republicans from picking up their 50th seat in the House.

You can see my previous posts on the special election here.