Some Mississippi legislators say they’re glad to hear Governor State Reeves speak with enthusiasm about the state’s future. He praised Mississippians for their resilience in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, the state’s response and expanding vaccine distribution. Democratic Representative Jeramey Anderson of Moss Point, is pleased about expanding vaccine access but concerned about reaching all Mississippians.
“When he said he wanted to speed up the distribution but as we speed up I hope that we’re also increasing accessibility to the vaccine in these communities that don’t have let’s say a health department because not every county has a health department,” said Anderson.
Anderson also says COVID 19 has spotlighted healthcare disparities, an issue Reeves didn’t mention. The governor discussed phasing out the state income tax. Republican Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann says he’d like to talk with Reeves about that.
“You know to eliminate the income tax is about $2 billion out of a $5.5 billion dollar budget, 35 percent or so. So we have some struggles making that up. You can’t make that up with a wish that we grow into it. You have to make it up with some hard decisions,” said Hosemann.
Hosemann also says he’s glad Reeves supports the teacher pay raise bill passed by the Senate. Republican Senator Rita Parks of Corinth, says she’s excited the governor supports more workforce development.
“Being chairman of universities and colleges I was especially glad to hear him comment on that investment, so I look forward to what we’re going to do this year. There are some bill in my committee and also in the workforce training committee,” said Parks.
Parks adds enhancing workforce development will help Mississippi grow.
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