JACKSON, Miss.–Gov. Tate Reeves wants Mississippi to be a leader in providing energy, not only in the southeast, but across the country. Thursday he announced what he calls “Mississippi’s Power PLay”, which he says will make Mississippi a model for how to get it done.
“I want to see faster permitting, reduced financial risk and strategic investment,” said Reeves, in a press conference after spending the day meeting with energy leaders from across the state and country.
Reeves said he believes the state will do a better job at providing energy for our businesses which are here already and those to come, with sound private investment.
He said cutting red tape is one way to help get that done.
While at the podium, Reeves also said that no deal has been worked out between the House and Senate on a state budget.
Lawmakers left Jackson at the beginning of April with no deal to fund state government through the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. Reeves is expected to call a special session for lawmakers to come back, at taxpayer expense, to pass a budget.
“I met with the legislative leadership about three weeks ago and I strongly encouraged them to have an agreement on the operating budget by the end of April. That didn’t happen and that’s disappointing to me,” he said.
Reeves said lawmakers have been haggling over special projects and what projects will be funded, rather than their prime directive, which is to make sure state agencies have the money they need to operate.
