With another major deadline looming this week, legislators will take up controversial bills on tort reform and a $3 million pay-raise plan for statewide elected officials, state agency directors and judges.

Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee gave its OK to two bills that could pave the way for reform of Mississippi's civil justice system. The bills now sit on the Senate calendar. Thursday is the deadline for floor action on bills and constitutional amendments originating in the Senate or House.

Lawmakers say they expect the blitz of TV ads and wave of e-mails, phone calls and faxes from both sides to keep coming.

"The groups on all sides are as resolute as I have ever seen them," said Rep. John Reeves, R-Jackson, a member of the House Judiciary A Committee. "The civil justice reform issue will not go away."

Senate Bill 2342 says that in major medical malpractice cases, lawyers can draw jury pools from the county where an accident occurred and pull people from surrounding counties. Generally, a jury pool is drawn only from the county where the action occurred.

"It's a good first step, but it's not meaningful tort reform," said Sen. Mike Chaney, R-Vicksburg. "It's window dressing."

Senate Bill 2654 would extend the statute of limitations on cases involving nursing homes to seven years, the same as hospitals.

The pay-raise bill also made headlines last week. Some lawmakers and others question why fatter paychecks are urgent now during tough economic times.

"It's not very prudent at the moment," said Mary Coleman, who heads the political science department at Jackson State University. "People are not as likely to raise questions when economic growth is favorable," she said.

Senate Fees, Salaries and Administration Chairman Billy Thames, D-Mize, has said the goal of the legislation is to attract and retain top managers. Also, Thames has said there's never a perfect time to give such raises.

State officials, agency heads and others "probably do need a raise, but we picked the wrong time," said Sen. Gloria Williamson, D-Philadelphia. "Boy, have we picked the wrong time."

Other lawmakers say they are hearing from constituents upset over Senate Bill 3064.

The pay-raise plan also opens the door for legislators to vote themselves raises.

Mississippi is grappling with a $148 million state Medicaid budget shortfall and public schools are bracing for cuts of about $52 million before the fiscal year ends June 30.

Gov. Ronnie Musgrove is expected to announce more budget cuts as early as today to add fuel to arguments against pay raises.

"After hearing so many comments from House colleagues expressing shock, really, that this salary measure even popped up at the last minute, I believe I can reasonably predict if the Senate passes the bill (for state officials and others) it's d. o. a. (dead on arrival) here," said Reeves, House Fees and Salaries Committee chairman.

Other bills on the House calendar include House Bill 241 to allow state universities and two-year colleges to teach gaming management, slot machine maintenance and other courses to assist the gaming industry.

House members will consider further action on a proposed $3. 6 billion "Vision 21" road-building program to construct highways in gaming areas and other heavily traveled sections of the state after the year 2005.