PHILADELPHIA, Miss.–Cutting your taxes was a recurring theme at Thursday morning’s political speaking at the Neshoba County Fair.
Both the state income and grocery taxes are potential targets in the upcoming legislative session that begins in January, according to Mississippi Speaker of the House Jason White, who represents parts of Central Mississippi at the Capitol.
“The House is looking for ways to actually cut taxes, to actually reward work, not tax it,” said White. He said to that effect a select committee is working on how that might be done, while preserving revenue for the state to operate.
“This select committee will look at our grocery tax…and figure out a path forward to at least cut it in half.”
Gov. Tate Reeves also spoke extensively on the possibility of cutting both taxes.
“I believe that you know better how to spend your money than any governmental entity ever will,” said Reeves.
Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson, a former legislator, also mentioned what he believes is the importance of cutting taxes, but also spoke for several minutes about making sure Mississippians are getting “back to work” rather than receiving government assistance.
“The very best welfare program is a job,” he said, quoting Ronald Reagan. Gipson offered no data to show how many people may be receiving government assistance who are able to work, but did acknowledge the need for safety net programs.
He repeatedly praised farmers and the ag business.
“:ast year despite a record-breaking drought, despite record-breaking inflation and interest rates, our farmers persevered and produced the second-highest dollar value crop production in the history of Mississippi, 8.7 billion [dollars].”
But, Gipson said the federal government and increasing regulations are the enemy of agriculture.
“I’ve been having to fight OSHA. They want to send somebody out to every farm in Mississippi and tell you how to run your farm, how to run your business and get a union labor [sic] to do it for ’em. We need to stop that in Mississippi. Amen?”
Thursday was the final day for political speaking at the Fair.
