As the Governor�s Commission prepares its recommendations for rebuilding south Mississippi, the quickest and easiest approach would be to come up with a laundry list of programs and projects the government could create or expand to meet all the needs in the region. After all, it�s easier for people to grasp that concept than it is to comprehend how the private sector could piece together a cohesive economy.
Since the tax base of many communities along the Coast has been severely impacted or even decimated, it�s an opportune time for public officials to re-evaluate the purpose and priorities of local government. Here are some questions to consider.
Governor Barbour and Jim Barksdale, who is the chairman of the governor's commission on rebuilding the coast, have been encouraging "big ideas" for the rebuilding effort.
With so much devastation on the Gulf Coast, it�s difficult to imagine how the homes and businesses - and lives - can be rebuilt. And while we, especially in the church, need to be sensitive to the needs of individuals, we also need to look for ways to ensure that when the Coast communities are rebuilt, the essentials of a strong community are accommodated and even promoted. (more…)
On September 30, 2005, MCPP President Forest Thigpen delivered a keynote speech at the State Policy Network (SPN) Annual Meeting. SPN is the professional service organization for America's state-based free-market think tanks. MCPP is a member of SPN. This speech describes Mississippians' response to Hurricane Katrina and offers hope for rebuilding the Coast the right way.
Natural disasters bring out the best and the worst in people, and Hurricane Katrina is no exception. The church has risen to the occasion so far, responding immediately and with great strength to provide food, water, clothing, and other products to people who needed it where they needed it. (more…)
For the first time in Mississippi history (as far as we know), the state legislature adjourned its regular session without approving a budget for the next fiscal year.
There are many reasons this occurred. Most people will say that it was because of political grandstanding. (more…)
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"State Spending Outpaces Family Income"
Family income in Mississippi has doubled over the past 20 years, with median family income growing from about $23,000 to about $46,000 per year. (more…)
Successful government reformers have discovered the necessity of determining what we call "core governing principles." Core principles are determined by a person's or a party's understanding of the primary role of government. Defining core principles is the crucial first step toward responsible governing because delivering services efficiently and effectively is irrelevant unless government knows what it is supposed to deliver and why. (more…)