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What a win! This week, Mississippi made history as the first state in the U.S.—aside from oil-rich Alaska—to pass legislation eliminating the income tax. While nine other states have never had an income tax, Mississippi is blazing a trail by actively dismantling it.
“So what?”, you might say. “Why does this matter if full elimination is still a decade away?” The answer is simple: it’s already transforming our state for the better. Eliminating the income tax makes Mississippi a magnet for growth. Look at Texas, Florida, and Tennessee—three southern states without income taxes that are booming. Even Arkansas recently lowered its rate to stay competitive with us!
Since we began reducing our rate to a flat 4% in 2022, the Mississippi Development Agency reports an extraordinary $25 billion in inward investment. Businesses are flocking here, confident that the payroll tax burden is fading away. This victory isn’t just about economics—it’s a triumph for conservative reform.
Around the Governor’s desk on Thursday evening, we saw bold leadership from Speaker Jason White, Rep. Trey Lamar, and a few dedicated others who fought for this change. We should not forget the role of former Speaker, Philip Gunn, either. Mississippi is, as you know, full of southern charm. One consequence of this is that each time a significant reform passes in the state legislature, there is a tendency to pretend that the change came about because of some kind of kumbaya consensus.
This win came from grit, not just goodwill. Days ago, some were still resisting real elimination. Minds moved because of determined advocacy. This success proves that the roadblocks to reform can be overcome with bold, principled leadership.
There might be a consensus about income tax elimination now, but it is a new consensus, won by bold conservative leaders fighting for it. We salute those that put principle on the line and fought for change!
Douglas Carswell is the President and CEO of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy.
MageeNews.com is the online news source for Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi
