A collection of spending bills have been signed totaling investments of around $3 billion to update, repair, and improve infrastructure across Mississippi. Among the bills includes a nearly $1.5 billion investment for roads and bridges through the Department of Transportation and a $300 million appropriation for rural water infrastructure.
“Every one of these dollars symbolizes the potential to start and finish new projects that Mississippians know are needed in their communities,” says Governor Tate Reeves. He continued, saying these investments will go where the state needs them most. “Today we take another step towards ensuring that these resources are in the shape we need them to be. We’ll accept nothing less than continued improvements and top-notch infrastructure.
The governor also issued several line-item vetoes, including funding for a public pool, improvements to some municipal buildings and repairs to Jackson’s Planetarium. Governor Reeves says he also vetoed a line item for a $13.5 million improvement project at Lefleur's Bluff State Park. While Reeves says there’s value in most of the improvements, he objects to the inclusion of a top-of-the-line golf course.
Reeves says “Unfortunately it is a single line item in the bill. It was for the entirety of the $13.5 million. Having said that, this is not a slam the door shut on the improvements to that area. There are other pieces of the project that we hope to have robust conversations with the supporters in the coming weeks and months.”
Reeves says the state should be moving away from the golf course industry, and says he would prefer funding be spent on greater police presence in the state capital.
