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NESHOBA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS – Building a strong economic foundation through fiscally conservative tax policies and improved student achievement in classrooms will lead to a positive future for Mississippi, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said today at the Neshoba County Fair.
Joined by his wife, Elee, and his daughters, Lt. Gov. Reeves pointed to the strong results from school districts of innovation like those in Corinth and Booneville, tourism growth on the Gulf Coast, and the addition of high-skilled jobs at the Raytheon Co. facility in Forest.
He recognized members of the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, known as the “Dixie Thunder,” and wore a hat with unit’s insignia.
“There are examples of growth and innovation all over our state – but that success would not be possible without strong leaders like Governor Bryant and Speaker Gunn and sharp legislators like Neshoba County’s own Senator Branning and Representative Bounds,” Lt. Gov. Reeves said. “Just as President Trump’s tax cuts are reviving Obama’s lifeless economy (just last week it was announced that GDP growth was over four percent this quarter), our policies are overcoming nearly 150 years of Democrat rule in Mississippi.”
He warned that Democrats from across the nation will focus on stopping the conservative policies at work in the state.
“They would love nothing more than to take us back to a time when government would spend your money hand over fist knowing they would just come back, raise your taxes and keep on spending,” Lt. Gov. Reeves said.
The state has a balanced budget with almost $350 million set aside for a rainy day. “We will end our eight-year run with less debt on the books than when we started,” Lt. Gov. Reeves said.
He also praised Mississippi school administrators and teachers for their work to improve student progress. Through innovative reforms and investment in the classroom, including more than $350 million more spent on teacher pay over the past four years, the state’s educational outlook is strong.
“Meaningful education outcomes that strengthen our workforce for generations don’t come easy,” Lt. Gov. Reeves said. “But by building on the achievements we’re seeing today, our people will be ready for the high-tech, high-skilled jobs of tomorrow.”
He questioned why Attorney General Jim Hood has not signed onto a letter supporting President Trump’s nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh.
“Democrats don’t like that President Trump will have the ability to appoint two Supreme Court justices – putting Mississippi even closer to our goal of being the safest place in America for an unborn child,” Lt. Gov. Reeves said.
Excerpts from his speech as prepared:
“When I first asked to be your lieutenant governor, I shared my fundamental beliefs on how to grow our economy.
“First, we must have a fiscally responsible government. Now – we have a truly balanced budget, nearly $350 million set aside for a rainy day, and we will end our eight-year run with less debt on the books than when we started.
“No is a four-letter word at the Capitol, but I’m not afraid to use it.”
“You might have heard – I’ve made a lot of people inside the Capitol mad. For far too long, special interests have been rigging the system to get more of your taxpayer money in their pockets. I’m not their guy because I’m willing to make enemies to protect the taxpayers. The first time I stood on this stage I said I’d be a watchdog for the taxpayers, and I have held true to that every day since.
“We are going to keep draining the swamp.”
“Second, we must have a tax code that is fair, one that is flat, and one that encourages economic development – not discourages it. So we passed the largest tax cut in Mississippi history – reducing taxes for all individuals and for job creators. Because I believe that you know how to spend your money better than any bureaucrat in Jackson ever will.
“Third, for us to see incredible economic growth in our state, we must raise the educational attainment level of our citizens. We needed to get more diplomas in the hands of our high school seniors, and high school graduation rates are up from 70.5 percent to over 82 percent.
“We needed to get literacy rates up amongst our little ones. And our early childhood initiative has been called a national model while our fourth grade NAEP scores show our kids’ 10-year growth numbers beat 48 other states.”
“Now you won’t hear about these good things if you just listen to the status-quo Democrats in Jackson. Because just as we’re making progress balancing the budget, lowering taxes and seeing real education reforms making a difference in kids lives, liberals want to let off the gas.
“They’re calling on their friends from Hollywood to Washington to help them stop our progress with the same passion they’re using to fight President Trump.
“And make no mistake, the national Democrats from both coasts are answering the call. They are pouring money into Mississippi this year and will continue to do so in 2019 to fight our conservative accomplishments.”
