Grover in Mississippi for the Tax Summit By: Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger
Mississippi Speaker of the House, Jason White, organized a highly anticipated Tax Policy Summit to capitalize on the admirable conservative vision for economic growth in Mississippi. The summit had a powerful lineup of speakers attracting over 500 people from different geographic and ideological backgrounds. President of Americans for Tax Reform, Grover Norquist, provided insights based on his record and experience as a tax reform advocate. As Mississippi navigates unprecedented economic opportunities, the focus of the summit was clear: further reductions in the personal income tax and strategic cuts to other taxes could unlock even greater prosperity for the state.
The summit speakers focused on addressing the myths that have been raised about tax reform, using facts to explain tax cuts will not hinder vital public services like education and community safety. During the last decade, taxes have been reduced as graduation rates in Mississippi have surged from 72.5% to nearly 90%. Governor Reeves used the positive improvements in Mississippi to explain how Republicans pioneer tax reduction in hope to improve public services and Mississippians’ individual lives.
Under the Leadership of Governor Tate Reeves, Mississippi Republicans have championed a growing economy over the past few years while simultaneously implementing reforms aimed at reducing the personal income tax. House Bill 531, enacted in 2022 provided the largest individual income tax in Mississippi’s history. The progress continued in 2023 including the elimination of the 4% tax bracket and increment reduction of the current 5% tax rate. Governor Reeves emphasized positive results of his leadership including the 54% decline since 2019 of Mississippi’s unemployment rate. The large drop in unemployment and the sharp increase in new business revenue are evidence of the positive outcomes of tax cuts. The pro-business tax environment republicans have worked hard to build in Mississippi has resulted in a $10 billion investment from Amazon resulting in thousands of stable jobs in the state.
Grover Norquist brought his national expertise to the Mississippi summit, advocating for a continued push to eliminate the personal income tax in the state. Norquist has argued repeatedly that lower taxes spur economic growth, and he now claims Mississippi as another powerful example where this holds true. He added Mississippi to an ongoing list of states that have exercised his battle cry for phasing out income tax. Despite Mississippi tax cuts, Norquist pointed out that the state’s revenue grew from $5.6 billion in 2017 to $7.7 billion in 2024, dispelling fears that tax cuts would hinder economic growth and proving the cuts by legislators did just the opposite, resulting in 36% growth. Norquist also cited Amazon’s investment in Mississippi as reinforcing the idea that new businesses are drawn in by lower taxes, directly leading to job creation and increased tax revenue without raising taxes, thus resulting in well-funded public organizations like education.
Mississippi leaders want their state to be a better and fairer place to live for their citizens, resulting in many leaders supporting cutting the 7% tax on groceries, one of the highest grocery taxes in the nation. Republican leaders joined together on committing to continue Mississippi’s economic growth through tax reduction. As Grover Norquist and Governor Reeves both pointed out, the state’s track record of job creation, increased revenue, and business investments proves that tax cuts are not only sustainable but also necessary for continued economic success. The summit echoed Mississippian’s concerns highlighting a poll showing 64% of Mississippians support phasing out income tax.
The message Americans should take from this summit are clear, tax cuts work, and we must vote for public officials who follow these truths.