(John Ransom, Headline USA) The Mississippi Legislature passed the largest tax cut in history of the state, which is expected to be signed into law by the governor.
Today the House and Senate conferees signed a conference report that represents the largest tax cut in Mississippi history and puts us on the path to personal income tax elimination. It’s a great first step and a huge win for our state. pic.twitter.com/dsG730gzl1
— Philip Gunn (@PhilipGunnMS) March 26, 2022
Republican Gov. Tate Reeves is expected to sign the bill reluctantly said Mississippi Today, not because he’s against tax cuts but because he wanted a total elimination of the Mississippi income tax, not just a reduction as the bill now stands.
“Moving to a flat four percent income tax puts more than $500 million in recurring dollars back in taxpayers’ pockets and makes Mississippi one of the most competitive in the nation in terms of income tax rates,” said Republican Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, according to Mississippi Today.
Other Republicans were just as effusive in their praise of the tax cut.
“This affects every Mississippian that gets up and goes to work,” Senate Finance Committee Chairman Josh Harkins, a Republican from Flowood, said Sunday, according to the Associated Press.
“This tax cut will make Mississippi one of the most work-friendly states in the nation,” said Republican House Speaker Philip Gunn, also via the Associated Press.
Gunn said that the tax cuts are just one step in the eventual elimination of Mississippi’s income tax, according to the Clarion–Ledger.
The Clarion–Ledger said that the measure passed the Senate 39 to 10, with five Democrats joining the Republicans.
In the Mississippi House, the tally was 92 to 23, with seven Democrat abstentions—of the 42 Democrat members of the House—and three independent “yes” votes, according to the Clarion–Ledger.
That left 12 “yes” votes for the Democrats in the House, which the Clarion–Ledger, didn’t care to calculate for its readers.
“It’s a sad situation that we’re here having this debate and not focusing on the critical needs the state has,” said Democrat Sen. Hob Bryan about the tax cut, according to the Mississippi Free Press.
“I’ve not mentioned all of them, but you know what they are,” Bryan said.
“Just think about your folks back home,” he continued. “Are they clamoring for a tax cut, or are they clamoring for roads, water and sewer and schools and broadband?”
