Governor Tate Reeves, legislators, business leaders and tax experts will explore ways to reduce the tax burden on Mississippians.
Speaker Jason White (R) announced his 2024 Policy Summit on Tuesday, where he will take an in-depth look at Mississippi’s prospects for tax reform.
White said tax reform experts and lawmakers will look for solutions as the House of Representatives examines Mississippi’s current tax law and seeks ways to reduce the tax burden on Mississippians.
“After the conclusion of the 2024 legislative session, I announced the Special Committee on Tax Reform, co-chaired by Trey Lamar and Scott Bounds. This summer, the committee began evaluating and examining our state’s tax law,” Speaker White said in a statement. “This Policy Summit is another step in the House’s commitment to building Mississippi into a state with the most attractive tax structure in the country.”
White said the vision of the Mississippi House of Representatives is to accelerate the process of completely abolishing the income tax “so that we reward the hard work of Mississippians, not tax them.”
Completely abolishing the state income tax is a top priority of Governor Tate Reeves (R), who will speak at White’s Policy Summit.
Committee examines impact of income and sales tax reform
In addition, White said, the special committee is reviewing the state’s sales tax on groceries with the goal of “providing relief to Mississippians as they pay the bills to support their families.”
Efforts to reduce or eliminate the sales tax on groceries are complicated by the fact that many of the state’s cities and towns rely heavily on that revenue. Speaker White has recognized this and expressed his willingness to discuss ways to reduce the impact on local governments.
White said attendees will hear from him and Governor Reeves, as well as Select Committee Co-Chairs Bounds (R) and Lamar (R), State Senator Jeremy England (R) and State Senator Josh Harkins (R). There will be a panel discussion with national fiscal expert Grover Norquist and representatives from the Mississippi Municipal League, Mississippi Manufacturers Association and BIPEC. Another panel discussion on infrastructure funding is planned with MDOT Director Brad White and Mississippi Transportation Commission Chairman Willie Simmons (D).
White also noted in his announcement at the Policy Summit that Cygnal will present the survey results while Les Eaves, chairman of the Arkansas House Committee on Revenue and Taxation, will present his thoughts on significantly reducing income taxes in his state.
Further speakers will be announced shortly.
“It is exciting to convene this Policy Summit, which is free to the public, to encourage participation from all interested parties so that legislators, tax professionals and all Mississippians can participate in intensive conversations that will lead to a better, happier Mississippi,” said Speaker White.
The Policy Summit, which is free to the public, will take place on Tuesday, September 24, at the Sheraton Refuge in Flowood, Mississippi.
— Article courtesy of Frank Corder of the Magnolia Tribune —
