During his second State of the State Address, Governor Tate Reeves says Mississippi is still facing significant hurdles caused by the coronavirus pandemic. He says the state must continue to move forward away from government restrictions and economic strain. Reeves once again calls for the removal of state income tax. “We can do it in a smart way, recognizing that it will take a few years to phase it out, but we can change a generation of lives here by attracting the jobs and the wages we deserve. I am ready and committed to work with legislators on this, and I know that there is an appetite for this type of boldness.”
Mississippi schools were allowed to choose if and when to reopen during the pandemic, and Reeves says he’s glad students can get in-person education. He says teachers have been working with an “incredible effort” to ensure students get the education they need and will sign any teacher pay raise that comes to his desk. “We need to keep fighting for every child to have access to the education that they deserve. We need to ensure that parents have the choice to save their child from a district that lets them down. And we need to reward our teachers for the exceptional work that they do.”
Reeves says after a year of crisis and confusion, Mississippians need to work together and have empathy for one another. “For me, that means looking out for those who need extra help. It means being honest with people, admitting what I don’t know, and working to be better. It means diligently working to make Mississippi an even more welcoming, prosperous state.”
Reeves says Mississippi is in a position to be better than any year prior and wants to compete with other states like Florida, Tennessee and Texas.
