The signing last week of the new first responders law designed to help pay to treat occupational cancer was a ceremony, but it belied the battle it took to get there led by the bill’s author, Sen. Joel Carter.
“This bill was dead at least seven times,” he said. “The stress was immense. Because I’m one of those guys, I’m a fighter, and when I want to get something done, I’m going to do whatever it takes to get it done. And not passing this bill was not an option.”
The bill had to make it out alive from two Senate committees and two House committees.
“Normally when that happens, your bill is dead,” he said. “It’s impossible to get your bill out of two committees by deadline and get it out on the floor.”
It took Biloxi Fire Chief Joe Boney by surprise.
“I really didn’t think it was going to pass this year,” he said. “But we were happy that it got in front of the Senate and the House to let them understand what we were trying to do.”
Boney knows the battle continues.