In the State of the State address, Governor Tate Reeves discussed topics ranging from teacher pay, criminal justice reform, and the state’s economy. He also shared his support for the removal of the state income tax. Speaker of the House Phillip Gunn spearheaded an effort to pass a bill early in the session that would eliminate this tax. He says this policy would open doors for Mississippi businesses, as well as workers.
Speaker Gunn says “When you allow them to keep more of their hard-earned money, they are better able to provide for themselves, provide for their families, give more to their church. Those economic dollars begin to turn over in the community and puts us on a more competitive stage with our neighbors.”
Speaker Gunn says the governor addressed a number of items that align with the legislature’s priorities, including teacher pay. Democratic Senator David Jordan of Greenwood says overall he enjoyed the speech, although he did have concerns with the governor’s stance on critical race theory. But as a former teacher, Senator Jordan says he does agree that teachers need to have better salaries and says the education system is essential to building a better state.
Senator Jordan says “They have never been paid enough. Make teachers enjoy coming to school. And students, discipline and control is certainly important. I don’t mean in terms of abuse, but teaching them what is right and what is just.”
Senator Jordan was among 14 lawmakers who protested a vote on an anti-critical race theory bill last week.
