Mississippi initiative proposal, minus abortion, in limbo

Mississippi Senate leaders are not saying whether they will support a new initiative process that would allow voters to put proposed state laws — but nothing dealing with abortion — on the ballot. Senators face a Thursday deadline. They could accept a House proposal to create a new process, which appears unlikely. They could seek final negotiations. Or they could let the issue die. On Wednesday, Republican Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and a key senator would not tell reporters whether they will keep the issue alive. Sen. John Polk says he agrees with a House proposal to ban initiatives dealing with abortion. But he wants a big increase in signatures required to put issues on the ballot.