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Several licensing boards ask lawmakers for modest pay increases and restored operating funds
Summary
Representatives from multiple state licensing boards told the Appropriations subcommittee they need modest salary progressions, restored contractual funding and level appropriations; most boards said fees fund operations and they are not seeking fee increases.
Representatives from several professional licensing boards appeared before the Appropriations subcommittee to present FY26 requests that largely focus on personnel pay adjustments, contractual costs and modest operating increases.
The Mississippi State Board of Contractors requested $4.4 million for FY26 and asked the committee to approve salary progressions and contractual increases to help retain staff amid a 32% workload increase over five years. Executive Director Stephanie Lam said salary progressions would total approximately $80,474 spread across 17 employees; the board also requested a contractual increase (about $79,228) for advertising, lease and IT costs. Lam emphasized the board is funded entirely from licensure fees and has no general‑fund revenues.
John Cothern, executive director of the State Board of Architecture,…
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