JACKSON -- The Mississippi Legislature will get down to the business of legislating next week.

House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, will make his committee assignments by the end of this week. Gov. Phil Bryant will give his state of the state speech on Tuesday -- outside on the podium constructed for his inauguration, but not used because of rain.

That will end the period of pomp and circumstance and organizational delays that mark the first year of the new term.

Then, no doubt,  committees will begin meeting soon after the state of state to consider legislation.