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Amazon has just announced another multi-billion-dollar data center project in Mississippi — the latest in a flood of inward investment now pouring into our state.

But here’s the thing worth reflecting on: even AI-related investments on this scale are only a fraction of what is flowing into data centers and AI infrastructure across the country. What is happening in AI is not just another tech cycle. It is going to be absolutely massive — and genuinely transformative in ways that will touch every kind of institution.

You would not know that from much of the media coverage. I’ve lost count of the number of articles warning about catastrophic job losses, mass unemployment, and whole industries being wiped out. The narrative has been relentlessly negative. But I think it is wrong — and I am not alone in thinking so.

Speaking at a recent event in Jackson, the author Matt Ridley explained something called the Jevons paradox. Named after the nineteenth-century economist William Stanley Jevons, the idea is counterintuitive but well-established: when something becomes cheaper or more efficient to use, people do not simply consume less of it — they consume more. Efficiency generates demand rather than redundancy.

So, too, with AI. Yes, it may make legal advice or specialist expertise far more affordable and widely available. But that does not mean lawyers and professionals will be put out of work. It means people will seek legal advice far more often than they did when access was expensive and limited. Making intelligence radically cheaper will not make smart people redundant. It will unleash more of it.

We are already beginning to see the first signs of an AI productivity boom. I am convinced that the people and organizations that embrace AI and use it effectively will not simply do the same things faster. They will become hyper-productive — able to produce, communicate, research, and act at a level that was simply not possible before. That is not a recipe for fewer jobs. It is a recipe for more output, more value, and more opportunity.

Running a think tank, I find myself thinking a great deal about what AI means for organizations like MCPP. Over the past forty years, the liberty movement in America has built an impressive infrastructure — dozens of policy institutes in Washington and one in virtually every state. That network has done enormous good. But there is a challenge that comes with maturity and growth.

As organizations get larger, productivity per person can fall. What begins as a lean, mission-driven operation can gradually become more corporate. The original focus blurs. 

Without constant effort to guard against it, there is a real danger that — rather like a rain dancer claiming credit for precipitation — organizations end up claiming agency for things that would have happened anyway.  My hunch is that some of the established donor groups are aware of all this.  

AI, I believe, is a way to reinvigorate the liberty movement in all sorts of wonderful ways. It might even, whisper it softly, be a little disruptive — in the best possible sense.

Small organizations that use AI well can now be more effective than much larger ones that do not. The capacity of a campaign group should never be measured by the size of its payroll — and AI is only going to make that point blindingly obvious. Again, I suspect donors in search of better bang for their buck will grasp this.  

Here at MCPP, we have started to use AI in lots of new and creative ways. We are working on our first animated children’s cartoon, based on our children’s book What Makes America Special. We have enormous amounts of data, and AI now allows us to use it in smarter ways to identify and reach exactly the people we need to be talking to. MCPP already has perhaps the largest owned audience of any conservative organization in this state — and AI means we are experimenting with new ways to extend our communication reach even further.

AI will never replace the personal relationships that sit at the heart of public policy work. But what it can do is free us up to spend more time on exactly those human connections — the conversations, the trust-building, and the relationships with legislators and opinion-formers that no algorithm will ever replicate. The multi-billion dollar data centers now dotted across states like Mississippi are only one of the ways in which the AI revolution is making itself felt here. The deeper transformation — the one that will reshape how organizations like ours think, communicate, and campaign — is only just beginning. We intend to be at the front of it.

Something significant is happening in America's South, and it deserves more attention.
 
While New York and California are losing residents, states like South Carolina and Alabama are gaining population at a record pace - and alongside that growth, it is southern states like ours that are generating some of the most impressive economic numbers in the country.
 
A recent JL Partners poll found that 36 percent of Americans now expect the South to lead economic growth over the next decade. That puts it well ahead of the West Coast (23 percent), the Northeast (21 percent), and the Midwest (19 percent). Young graduates are even more bullish: nearly four in ten name the South as the region most likely to grow fastest in the coming decade.
 
The data backs up the optimism.
 
Real GDP growth in 2024 tells the story clearly.  Mississippi and South Carolina grew at 4.2 percent. Alabama and Arkansas at 3.8 percent.  Tennessee at 3.0 percent. All surpassed the national rate of 2.8 percent. Between 2020 and 2024, 78 percent of all U.S. jobs added to the economy were located in the South. The region's population has grown by seven million since 2020 — and the pace appears to be accelerating.
 
Manufacturing is a key part of the picture. U.S. industrial output has roughly doubled since the Reagan era, and much of that expansion went South rather than overseas. Alabama alone has added over 50,000 auto jobs since 2000. Combined, Alabama and Mississippi now produce more vehicles annually than Italy or the United Kingdom.
 
Finance is following manufacturing. Charlotte, Dallas, Miami, and Nashville have become major financial hubs. JPMorgan Chase now employs more people in Texas - around 31,000 -  than in New York.
 
Even higher education is shifting. SEC universities have seen a 91 percent surge in out-of-state undergraduate applications between 2014 and 2023, with many of those students coming from the Northeast.
 
What explains it?
 
The answer is policy.  Southern states like Mississippi have built environments that are straightforwardly more attractive for businesses and workers alike.
 
Taxes are lower. Several southern states have no income tax — Texas, Florida, and Tennessee among them - while Mississippi and South Carolina are on a path to eliminating theirs entirely.
 
Regulatory burdens are lighter: South Carolina recently repealed a range of Certificate of Need rules that had constrained its healthcare economy, a stark contrast to California's expanding compliance requirements.
 
Labor markets are more flexible, with most southern states operating as right-to-work states. Occupational licensing restrictions are being reduced, making it easier for people to enter the workforce. And electricity costs are significantly lower, in part because the South never adopted the rigid renewable mandates that have driven up prices in the Northeast and California.
 
This is, in many ways, a natural experiment in governance. Fifty states, trying different approaches side by side - and some are producing markedly better results than others. The South appears to have found a formula that works.
 
None of these policy wins happened by accident.  They were the result of years of sustained advocacy - and you have been a vital part of that. Your support has helped make the case for lower taxes, lighter regulation, and greater economic freedom. The results speak for themselves.

We are officially in the final stretch of the legislative session.

Sine Die — the last day of the regular session — is set for April 5.

That means lawmakers have just days left to finalize remaining legislation, negotiate the state budget, and bring this year’s work to a close.

But as things stand right now, one big question remains:

Will everything actually get done before the clock runs out?

What “Sine Die” Really Means

“Sine Die” is simply the final day of the legislative session. It is the point when lawmakers adjourn and, in theory, wrap up all unfinished business.

By that deadline, the Legislature is expected to:

Once Sine Die arrives, the regular session is over.

At least, that’s how it’s supposed to work.

Why a Special Session Is on the Table

In reality, not everything always gets resolved in time.

When lawmakers are unable to reach agreement on major issues — most often the budget — the Governor can call a special session.

A special session is different from the regular session in one key way:

Only the issues identified by the Governor can be considered.

That means instead of hundreds of bills being debated at once, lawmakers are brought back to focus on a much smaller set of priorities.

Mississippi saw this just last year, when lawmakers were called back to Jackson to finalize budget negotiations after the regular session ended.

Given the ongoing tension between the House and Senate this year, the possibility of a special session is very real.

What Could Be Included

If a special session is called, the scope of what gets addressed will depend entirely on what leadership chooses to prioritize.

That could include:

In some cases, special sessions are narrowly focused. In others, they become an opportunity to revisit major policy debates that were left unfinished during the regular session.

At this point, it’s still an open question which direction things will go.

Why This Matters

The final days of session — and the potential for a special session — will shape how this legislative year is ultimately remembered.

A session that has seen several high-profile setbacks could still end with meaningful action, depending on how these final decisions are handled.

And because special sessions operate under a more limited and controlled agenda, they can sometimes move quickly once priorities are set.

Looking Ahead

The final days of session — and the potential for a special session — will shape how this legislative year is ultimately remembered.

A session that has seen several high-profile setbacks could still end with meaningful action, depending on how these final decisions are handled.

And because special sessions operate under a more limited and controlled agenda, they can sometimes move quickly once priorities are set.

Track Legislation in Real Time

If you’d like to follow along as bills move through the process, you can track key legislation throughout the session using the Mississippi Center for Public Policy’s bill tracker.

Track Bills at the Capitol Here!

After a session filled with difficult setbacks and stalled reforms, this week brought a meaningful — and important — step forward.

On March 23, HB 1622 was signed into law by the Governor, marking another shift in how Mississippi approaches healthcare regulation.

While it is not full repeal of Certificate of Need (CON) laws, it represents real progress — particularly for rural communities that have long struggled with access to care. Here’s what that means.

What HB 1622 Does

At its core, HB 1622 creates a Small Community Hospital Pilot Program, allowing certain hospitals to operate with exemptions from traditional CON requirements.

For decades, Mississippi’s CON laws have required healthcare providers to obtain government approval before expanding services, adding facilities, or making certain investments.

HB 1622 begins to loosen those restrictions — specifically for smaller and rural hospitals.

Under this new law:

These changes are targeted, but they matter — especially in parts of Mississippi where access to care is limited or declining.

Why This Matters

Mississippi faces significant challenges when it comes to healthcare access and outcomes.

In many rural areas, residents must travel long distances for specialized care, and hospital closures have left gaps that are difficult to fill.

By easing regulatory barriers — even in a limited, pilot format — HB 1622 begins to address those challenges.

This bill also takes an important step toward reducing one of the most problematic aspects of the current system: the ability for existing providers to block new competition through appeals.

Under HB 1622, if a competitor challenges a CON approval and loses, they may now be required to cover the legal costs of that challenge. That change alone could help reduce unnecessary delays and open the door for more timely healthcare expansion.

A Step — Not the Finish Line

It’s important to be clear: this is not full CON repeal.

Mississippi still maintains one of the more restrictive CON systems in the country, and meaningful reform will require continued effort.

But HB 1622 — alongside HB 3 earlier this session — shows that movement is happening.

Rather than one sweeping change, we are seeing incremental steps:

That approach may not be fast, but it is beginning to move the system in the right direction.

Learn More

If you’d like to take a deeper look at what these reforms mean for Mississippi, we’ve published a new policy paper outlining the impact of both HB 3 and HB 1622.

Read the Full Analysis Here

Looking Ahead

Healthcare reform remains one of the most important — and complex — policy challenges facing Mississippi.

Expanding access, encouraging competition, and reducing unnecessary barriers will take time, but this week’s development is a reminder that progress is possible. As always, I’ll continue tracking what’s happening at the Capitol and breaking it down in plain language.

Track Legislation in Real Time

If you’d like to follow along as bills move through the process, you can track key legislation throughout the session using the Mississippi Center for Public Policy’s bill tracker.

Track Bills at the Capitol Here

JACKSON, MS — The Mississippi Center for Public Policy (MCPP) hosted British author and science writer Matt Ridley for a special luncheon on Thursday, March 19, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, and community members for a discussion on energy, innovation, and economic growth.

Ridley delivered an optimistic, data-driven presentation highlighting the critical role of free markets, innovation, and abundant energy in advancing human prosperity.

Drawing on historical and economic insights, Ridley emphasized that prosperity is not the result of top-down government planning, but rather emerges from individuals trading, specializing, and exchanging ideas—a principle rooted in Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations.

He identified affordable, reliable energy as a central driver of economic progress, noting that cheap energy fueled the Industrial Revolution and dramatically improved living standards worldwide.

Ridley also highlighted significant global gains over recent decades. In his lifetime, he noted, extreme poverty has fallen from approximately 50 percent to just 8 percent, while child mortality has dropped from 15 percent to 3 percent. On average, global life expectancy has increased at a rate equivalent to adding roughly seven hours of life per day.

However, Ridley warned that energy policy remains a critical determinant of economic success. He pointed to the United Kingdom as a cautionary example, where energy costs are now three to four times higher than in the United States due to restrictions on oil and gas development, bans on shale gas, and a heavy reliance on intermittent renewable sources.

By contrast, Ridley praised the U.S. shale revolution, driven by private-sector innovation and entrepreneurship. The United States now produces more oil than Saudi Arabia, with abundant, affordable energy supporting growth across key sectors including manufacturing, chemicals, artificial intelligence, and data infrastructure.

Ridley also discussed the concept known as the “Jevons paradox,” explaining that as energy becomes cheaper and more efficient, its use expands—fueling further economic growth and technological advancement.

His message for policymakers was clear: maintaining access to affordable, reliable energy is essential for continued prosperity. He encouraged leaders to embrace economic freedom, reduce unnecessary regulatory barriers, and foster innovation.

“Ensuring plentiful, affordable energy is key to Mississippi’s continued economic success,” said MCPP President and CEO Douglas Carswell. “Events like this help bring important ideas and conversations to the forefront as we work to build a stronger future for our state.”

MCPP expressed its gratitude to all who attended and continues its mission to promote policies that advance freedom, prosperity, and opportunity for all Mississippians.

As the legislative session moves into its final stretch, the focus at the Capitol is beginning to shift.

Major policy bills are clearing their final hurdles, others have quietly fallen away, and attention is now turning toward the biggest issue left unresolved: the state budget.

Here’s a look at what moved last week — and what it means for Mississippi.

Modernizing Alcohol Laws: A Shift Toward Freedom and Local Control

Lawmakers advanced two notable alcohol-related measures:

While these may seem like small changes, they reflect a broader policy shift.

For years, Mississippi’s alcohol laws have been shaped by outdated restrictions and one-size-fits-all rules. These proposals move in a different direction — toward greater individual choice and local decision-making.

Instead of statewide mandates, communities would have more authority to decide what works best for them, and consumers would have more flexibility in how they purchase products.

It’s a step toward modernization — and toward trusting Mississippians to make their own decisions.

Workforce Development: Cutting Red Tape and Strengthening Opportunity

Another important development this week was the passage of legislation to create a state-run Office of Apprenticeship.

This change would shift oversight away from the federal government and place it at the state level.

Supporters argue this will:

At its core, this is about making workforce development more responsive to Mississippi’s actual economic needs — not a federal template.

As our state continues to grow and attract new investment, aligning workforce training with real-world demand will be critical.

The Biggest Issue Ahead: Budget Negotiations

With most policy deadlines now behind us, the Legislature is turning its attention to the state budget — a process that is already underway.

Lawmakers are working to finalize a $7+ billion budget, and early signs point to familiar challenges:

The budget will define the final weeks of the session — and how it’s handled matters.

A disciplined, transparent approach to spending is essential to maintaining Mississippi’s recent economic momentum.

Could a Special Session Be Ahead?

Given the dynamics already in play, there is growing discussion about the possibility of a special session if lawmakers are unable to reach agreement before adjournment.

Mississippi faced this situation just last year, when unresolved budget negotiations required lawmakers to return to Jackson to finish their work.

If that happens again, it will raise important questions about process, priorities, and how major decisions are being made.

For a deeper look at this issue, you can read Douglas Carswell’s most recent piece outlining the case for a potential special session on education reform:

The Case for a Special Session - Mississippi Center for Public Policy

Looking Ahead

The final phase of the legislative session is often where the most consequential decisions are made.

With policy debates largely settled, the focus now shifts to:

Track Legislation in Real Time

If you’d like to follow along as bills move through the process, you can track key legislation throughout the session using the Mississippi Center for Public Policy’s bill tracker.

Bill Tracker - Mississippi Center for Public Policy

Governor Tate Reeves announced that he is open to calling a special legislative session on education. He should.

Two and a half months into the session, Mississippi’s state legislature has so far accomplished remarkably little.

Senator Jeremy England’s well thought out efforts to restore the ballot initiative (SCR 518) failed. Speaker Jason White and Representative Jansen Owen’s flagship school choice bill (HB 2), a product of months of work and careful deliberation, died. So too did the House proposal on teacher pay (HB 1126). Ditto for plans to reform PERS, the Public Employee Retirement System, into which a lot of first responders and others had put enormous thought.

Having convened for more than 40 days, it is hard to think of a single significant legislative achievement this session.

That the legislature has so little to show for all those hours (and per diem payments) is not due to a lack of effort on the part of many lawmakers. There was no shortage of good proposals. The problem is that they all died in the Senate.

Governor Tate Reeves now has the power to break the logjam with a special session.

He should make it clear that he will call a special session for April, with a single education bill on the agenda, one that both raises teacher pay (modeled on HB 1126) and gives parents more power (modeled on HB 2). Any lawmaker who votes against what is put before the special session will be voting against teacher pay increases.

At the same time, our Governor should make it clear that if there is no agreement, he will call a second special session in May, then in June, July, and into the summer if that is what it takes.

In Texas, where families now control their child’s education tax dollars, that is what Governor Greg Abbott ended up having to do. Governor Reeves would be in good company.

Lawmakers are up for reelection next year. This time next year, some might face primary elections. It would be a bold move to go into a long summer, months before a potential primary election, repeatedly voting to kill teacher pay increases and parent power.

In his comments earlier this week, Governor Reeves remarked, “I do not have much time left”. With the end of his eight year term in sight, and term limited, he appears to be reflecting on his legacy. What an impressive legacy it already is.

Mississippi is on a roll economically. In 2024, we ranked second nationally in real GDP growth. Household incomes have surged. Outside investment is pouring in. After decades of decline, more people moved to Mississippi last year than left.

But for a Southern state now surrounded by neighbors that have embraced school choice, one key policy remains conspicuously absent: effective, meaningful school choice here at home.

Governor Reeves has a historic opportunity to change that by calling a special session. In doing so, he could deliver this long sought reform, cement a lasting achievement for Mississippi families, and virtually guarantee that his successor is pro parent power too. 

Yesterday marked one of the most important procedural deadlines of the legislative session.

It was the deadline for committees to report general bills and constitutional amendments originating in the other chamber.

While it may sound technical, this deadline has a very real impact on which policies still have a chance of becoming law this year.

Here’s what that deadline means — and one bill we’ve been watching closely this week.

Another Major Deadline at the Capitol

At this point in the session, bills that passed one chamber must be taken up by committees in the other chamber.

If a committee did not vote a bill out before yesterday’s deadline, that legislation is effectively dead for the year.

In other words, this moment significantly narrows the field of legislation still moving through the Capitol.

Committees decide which proposals continue forward — and which ones stop here.

Every year, this deadline quietly determines the fate of dozens of bills.

A Bill We're Watching: HB 1072 — Portable Benefits for Independent Workers

One bill we’ve been watching this week is HB 1072, the Voluntary Portable Benefit Plan Act.

The bill addresses a growing part of Mississippi’s workforce: independent contractors and gig workers.

Across many industries — from trucking and construction to healthcare and app-based services — more workers are earning income on a per-project or contract basis. But unlike traditional employees, many independent workers do not have access to benefits like retirement savings, paid leave, or health-related savings.

HB 1072 proposes allowing voluntary portable benefit accounts for these workers.

Under the bill:

Importantly, the benefits would belong to the worker — not tied to any single employer.

That portability is key for workers who earn income across multiple contracts or platforms.

Reducing Barriers for the Modern Workforce

One of the biggest barriers today is legal uncertainty.

In many cases, businesses hesitate to offer voluntary benefits to independent workers because doing so could risk triggering employment classification laws — potentially forcing those workers to be treated as employees.

HB 1072 attempts to address that problem by clarifying that voluntary benefit contributions do not automatically change a worker’s independent status.

That kind of policy clarity can reduce red tape and allow new benefit structures to develop for a workforce that doesn’t always fit traditional employment models.

What Comes Next

HB 1072 passed the House earlier this session and is now awaiting consideration in the Senate.

As with many bills at this stage of the session, its future will depend on whether Senate committees choose to move it forward as the legislative calendar continues to tighten.

We’ll continue watching how lawmakers approach this issue and what steps Mississippi may take to adapt policy for an evolving workforce.

Why These Deadlines Matter

Legislative deadlines can sometimes feel procedural, but they play a major role in shaping the outcome of a session.

Each deadline narrows the list of bills still alive — focusing attention on the proposals lawmakers ultimately decide to advance.

As the session moves forward, I’ll continue tracking the policies that survive these milestones and what they could mean for Mississippi.

Track Legislation in Real Time

If you’d like to follow along as bills move through the process, you can track key legislation throughout the session using the Mississippi Center for Public Policy’s bill tracker, linked below.

Track Bills Here

Thanks for following along as the session continues to unfold. I’ll keep monitoring what’s happening at the Capitol and sharing the developments that matter most for Mississippi.

This week at the Capitol has been quieter on major headline legislation, but that doesn’t mean meaningful policy conversations aren’t happening.

One bill worth highlighting right now is HB 1944 — a proposal that focuses on strengthening private support for Mississippi families and nonprofit organizations serving vulnerable communities. Here’s what it does — and why it matters.

What HB 1944 Would Do

HB 1944 proposes expanding Mississippi’s existing tax credit structure for certain charitable contributions.

In simple terms, the bill would increase the amount of tax credits available to businesses that contribute to qualifying nonprofit organizations — including those that provide services for children in foster care and other educational or support programs.

Rather than expanding government programs, this approach encourages private investment in community-based organizations that are already doing critical work across our state. It’s a policy model rooted in a simple principle: when the private sector and nonprofit community are empowered, families benefit.

Why This Matters

Mississippi has no shortage of organizations stepping in to serve children, support struggling families, and strengthen communities. Many of these groups operate on tight budgets and rely heavily on private donations.

By expanding tax incentives for charitable giving, HB 1944 aims to:

It’s not a sweeping reform bill — but it reflects an important policy approach: supporting solutions that flow through civil society rather than exclusively through government expansion.

What Comes Next

HB 1944 is currently moving through the legislative process and will continue to be evaluated in committee.

As with any tax policy change, lawmakers will weigh its fiscal impact alongside its potential community benefit. We’ll continue monitoring its progress and evaluating how it fits within broader conversations about tax policy, charitable giving, and support for Mississippi families.

Looking Ahead

Not every week at the Capitol is defined by high-profile floor fights. Sometimes progress shows up in targeted policy adjustments that strengthen institutions outside of government.

As always, I’ll keep breaking down what’s moving — and what’s not — in plain language. If you’d like to follow legislation in real time, you can track bills throughout the session using the Mississippi Center for Public Policy’s bill tracker.

Track Bills Here

Thanks for staying engaged and informed. I’ll continue tracking these developments and keeping you updated as reform moves forward.

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