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What a win! This week, Mississippi made history as the first state in the U.S.—aside from oil-rich Alaska—to pass legislation eliminating the income tax. While nine other states have never had an income tax, Mississippi is blazing a trail by actively dismantling it.
“So what?”, you might say. “Why does this matter if full elimination is still a decade away?” The answer is simple: it’s already transforming our state for the better. Eliminating the income tax makes Mississippi a magnet for growth. Look at Texas, Florida, and Tennessee—three southern states without income taxes that are booming. Even Arkansas recently lowered its rate to stay competitive with us!
Since we began reducing our rate to a flat 4% in 2022, the Mississippi Development Agency reports an extraordinary $25 billion in inward investment. Businesses are flocking here, confident that the payroll tax burden is fading away. This victory isn’t just about economics—it’s a triumph for conservative reform.
Around the Governor’s desk on Thursday evening, we saw bold leadership from Speaker Jason White, Rep. Trey Lamar, and a few dedicated others who fought for this change. We should not forget the role of former Speaker, Philip Gunn, either. Mississippi is, as you know, full of southern charm. One consequence of this is that each time a significant reform passes in the state legislature, there is a tendency to pretend that the change came about because of some kind of kumbaya consensus.
This win came from grit, not just goodwill. Days ago, some were still resisting real elimination. Minds moved because of determined advocacy. This success proves that the roadblocks to reform can be overcome with bold, principled leadership.
There might be a consensus about income tax elimination now, but it is a new consensus, won by bold conservative leaders fighting for it. We salute those that put principle on the line and fought for change!
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Mississippi has made history as the first state in the U.S.—aside from oil-rich Alaska—to pass legislation aimed at phasing out its income tax.
This monumental achievement, spearheaded by Governor Tate Reeves and House Speaker Jason White, marks a significant victory for the state. The newly passed bill outlines a plan to eliminate the income tax over the next decade, starting with incremental cuts and followed by a series of budget-driven "triggers."
Beginning next year, Mississippi’s income tax rate will drop in 0.25 percent increments, sliding from 4 percent to 3 percent by 2030. After that, further reductions will hinge on the state’s budget surplus. Given Mississippi’s recent track record of substantial surpluses, the income tax could vanish entirely by the mid-2030s.
So, how did Mississippi become such a trailblazer? It very nearly did not happen.
The push to eliminate the income tax has been a cornerstone of Governor Reeves’ agenda, with serious legislative efforts kicking off in 2022 under then-House Speaker Philip Gunn.
Gunn’s genius was to simplifying the state’s variable tax rates into a flat 4 percent on income above $10,000. While this didn’t eliminate the tax outright, it leveled the playing field for Mississippi households, setting the stage for broader support of full elimination.
Fast forward to this year, when Speaker Jason White and Representative Trey Lamar introduced a plan to phase out the income tax by 2037. Their initial proposal included a partial tax swap, offset by modest increases in gas and sales taxes.
What happened next was both fascinating – and, if you support income tax elimination, rather fortuitous.
The Mississippi Senate has been a constant drag on conservative reform. They have either opposed, or come to grudgingly accept, almost every conservative policy proposal over the past few years, from school choice to red tape reduction. So, too, with income tax elimination.
The Senate, reluctant to fully embrace income tax elimination, opted for a cautious approach. They amended the bill with a "trigger" mechanism, tying future tax cuts to significant revenue growth outpacing spending increases. Some in the Senate perhaps saw this as a clever stall tactic—until a fortunate blunder turned the tables.
The Senate miscalculated the formula, placing a decimal point in the wrong place. Math matters. Something the Senate design as a brake on tax cuts turned out to be an accelerator.
Unless the state government runs a deficit, future surpluses will likely drive steady cuts, and Mississippi – despite the Senate leaderships best efforts – will be as competitive in tax terms as Tennessee and Texas.
Set aside the soap opera, this is great news for our state. Already there is evidence that in 2024, by some measures, Mississippi performed well economically, and may have been one of the fastest growing states in America that year. This tax reform will only add to this Mississippi momentum.
Perhaps what the Senators math missteps shows is that Mississippi now needs to turn its attention to education reforms? If the Senators stopped blocking school choice the way they tried to block income tax elimination, maybe math standards might be better both inside and outside the legislature.
In politics, nothing moves unless it’s pushed. Change doesn’t happen because of empty platitudes—it happens because principled conservatives like you step up to demand principled policies.
At the Mississippi Center for Public Policy (MCPP), we’ve been pushing hard this legislative session for four flagship conservative priorities. With just three weeks left, here’s where we stand—and how your support is making a difference.
1. School Choice
For years, no bill allowing even basic public-to-public school choice had been granted a floor vote. This session, we saw progress: a bill passed the House with a strong majority, only to be stalled in the Senate Education Committee under Chairman Dennis DeBar.
Sadly, this proposal appears dead for now—a frustrating outcome when every neighboring state offers universal school choice, and President Trump himself champions this policy. But the opposition’s grip may be weakening. Killing bills in committee no longer comes cost free for left leaning Senators, as it did for years. If principled conservatives keep shining a light on who’s blocking progress, we will win this fight.
2. Income Tax Elimination
Governor Tate Reeves has made income tax elimination a priority, and the House agreed, passing Speaker Jason White and Rep. Trey Lamar’s HB1 bill early in the session.
Now, the Senate’s liberal leadership is stalling, with a critical deadline looming this Tuesday. If HB1 fails, it will be a deliberate choice by Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann, whose stance aligns more with liberals than with conservative taxpayers. We can’t waver. We must rally behind leaders like the Governor and Speaker who take bold conservative stands—and call out those who don’t. To achieve change, conservative organizations must not equivocate.
3. Outlawing DEI
When State Auditor Shad White exposed how Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in higher education were costing taxpayers millions, some at the Capitol scoffed. For years, they buried anti-DEI bills.
But the truth is out: DEI has been rampant, and Shad White was right. Now, an anti-DEI bill banning these wasteful, divisive practices is finally nearing the Governor’s desk. This is what happens when principled conservatives push forward. You’ve helped make this possible—thank you.
4. Removing Red Tape
In healthcare, excessive regulations stifle progress and hurt our economy. Two steadfast conservatives, Rep. Zuber and Rep. Creekmore, have worked tirelessly to cut this red tape. Their bill is on the cusp of becoming law—a testament to what principled leadership can achieve.
What’s Next?
The final weeks of the session could bring surprises. The Senate might dig in, forcing a special session, or conservative Senators could step up, demanding action on income tax elimination, anti-DEI measures, and red tape reduction—policies voters like you support. As Barry Goldwater famously said, “Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Your commitment to these principles is driving change in Mississippi.
The Mississippi legislature has a clear conservative mandate yet sometimes struggles to get things done. Why?
State Governor Tate Reeves clearly has a vision for Mississippi. He wants to promote economic growth and eliminate the state income tax. He’s also pretty big on law & order, efforts to improve the education system and work force development. Agree with him or not, it’s undeniable that he has a plan for our state.
So, too, does the Speaker of the House, Jason White. He’s made an income tax elimination bill his number one goal for this session. Under Speaker White’s leadership the House has also passed bills to extend school choice and reduce the red tape that restricts healthcare. The House is moving forward with purpose.
But what about the Senate? What’s their plan? Two months into a three-month session, it remains a mystery. Instead, the Senate leadership has spent much of the session saying “no” to nearly every proposal on the table. School choice? (Almost) killed in committee. Restoring the ballot initiative? Denied. Income tax elimination? Don’t hold your breath.
The Senate leadership has blocked conservative reforms at every turn—without offering any ideas of their own. This is baffling. Mississippians have overwhelmingly elected conservative leaders to every statewide office. Yet here we are, watching the Senate leadership stall policies that align with the values voters supported, all while failing to present an alternative path forward.
Normally at this stage of a session, if the House and Senate were gridlocked, you would expect a negotiation. How can the House negotiate with a Senate leadership that struggles to even articulate what it wants?
This isn’t a one-off. We’re seeing a pattern emerge.
First, the House signals its intent for reform—think Speaker White’s focus on income tax elimination and school choice this year, or school funding reform last year. Then, the Senate responds with silence—no counterproposals, no vision. Finally, when the House sends its bills over, Senate leadership works to kill them, often without a serious alternative. Is this really the best we can do
Contrast this with Washington. In just over a month since President Trump began his second term, we’ve seen a flurry of bold initiatives. He’s accomplished more in weeks than some Mississippi leaders have in years.
Our taxpayers deserve better than a legislature that can’t agree on basic conservative priorities like empowering parents in education or cutting taxes. For too long, the process in Jackson has been shrouded in mystery. Bills “die in committee” with no explanation, no accountability, and no recorded votes. We’re told the support isn’t there—yet no one sees the tally. It’s time for transparency.
That’s why the Mississippi Center for Public Policy (MCPP) is stepping up. We have four clear goals for this session: Public-to-public school choice, Income tax elimination, Anti-DEI legislation and Certificate of Need repeal.
Bills addressing each of these priorities have been drafted. By session’s end, every lawmaker will have had the chance to support them. Soon, we’ll launch an online tool for our 80,000 subscribers statewide, showing which Senators, Representatives, and statewide officials earn a “Trump approval”—and which one’s side with the progressive agenda. Mississippians deserve to know who’s delivering and who’s dodging.
The roadblocks to good conservative policy must be exposed. With your support, we’re shining a spotlight on the legislature and holding our leaders accountable.
You have a chance to help us move Mississippi closer to School Choice.
Right now, a critical bill — HB1435 — is hanging in the balance. This legislation, which has already passed the House, would give parents the power to choose the best public school for their kids, no matter their zip code (provided there was capacity).
But here’s the urgency: it’s stuck in the Senate Education Committee, and unless they vote to approve it by Tuesday, this opportunity will slip away. Please help us to make sure that does not happen!
Mississippi stands at a crossroads. All around us—Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana—parents already enjoy the freedom of School Choice. HB1435 is a vital next step: public-to-public school choice.
Just last week, President Trump himself called on states like ours to rise up and pass laws like this. He’s counting on us. Our kids are counting on us. And I’m counting on YOU.
Here’s what I need you to do before Tuesday:
- Click the map below to find your State Senator.
2. Send them a short email. Tell them: “I’m a Mississippi voter, and I expect you to APPROVE HB1435!”
3. Share this mission with a friend—let’s build a wave of voices they can’t ignore.
If we all act, our lawmakers will have to listen!
You’re not just sending an email—you’re lighting a spark for change!
Thank you for standing with me in this fight. Start your week knowing you've made a difference—if you haven't taken action yet, now is the perfect time!
The Mississippi Center for Public Policy was honored to welcome members of the Mississippi Federation of Women’s Clubs (MFWC) Juniorettes for a special visit to its headquarters.
During their visit, the Juniorettes engaged in discussions about the principles of limited government, free enterprise, and individual liberty. MCPP’s President and CEO, Douglas Carswell, shared insights on current legislative initiatives and the impact of policy decisions on communities across the state. The students also had the opportunity to ask questions, participate in interactive discussions, and gain a deeper understanding of how public policy affects everyday life.
MCPP is committed to fostering informed discussions on public policy and welcomes opportunities to engage with students, educators, and community organizations. The organization looks forward to continuing to support young leaders as they develop their knowledge and passion for civic engagement.