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Mississippi Senate News Release
Monday, March 3, 2025
Senator Derrick T. Simmons, Senate Minority Leader from Greenville, Mississippi, has expressed opposition to certain aspects of the recent tax cut proposals in the state legislature. His concerns primarily focus on the potential impact of these measures on working-class Mississippians and state revenues.
Opposition to Gasoline Tax Increase
Senator Simmons has voiced objections to the proposed increase in the gasoline tax included in the Senate’s tax cut bill, Senate Bill 3095. The bill aims to reduce the state income tax from 4% to 2.99% by 2030 and cut the sales tax on groceries from 7% to 5% starting in July 2026. To offset these cuts, the bill proposes increasing the gasoline tax by nine cents per gallon over three years to fund road and bridge maintenance. Senator Simmons argues that raising the gasoline tax would disproportionately affect rural Mississippians and believes that lawmakers should focus on making necessary investments in infrastructure without further reducing state revenues. He stated that the appropriate way to address infrastructure needs is by being good stewards of taxpayer dollars and adequately funding essential government functions, including healthcare, education, the state retirement system, and infrastructure.
Advocacy for Eliminating the Grocery Tax
In addition to his concerns about the gasoline tax increase, Senator Simmons has advocated for the complete elimination of the state’s grocery tax. Mississippi currently has the highest grocery tax in the nation among the 12 states that tax groceries. Senator Simmons proposed an amendment to fully eliminate the grocery tax, arguing that such a move would benefit all Mississippians and align the state with the 33 other states and Washington, D.C., that do not tax groceries. He suggested adjusting tax diversions to municipalities to avoid any loss to cities, emphasizing that reducing the grocery tax to zero would allow Mississippians to purchase necessary food items for their families without the added tax burden.
Concerns About Previous Tax Cuts
Senator Simmons has also highlighted the cumulative impact of previous tax cuts on the state’s general fund. He noted that within the last decade, Mississippi has enacted approximately $1 billion in tax cuts, which has reduced the funds available for essential government services. This context underscores his caution regarding additional tax reductions without ensuring that critical areas such as infrastructure, healthcare, retirement, and education are adequately funded.
In summary, Senator Derrick Simmons opposes certain elements of the proposed tax cuts in Mississippi, particularly the increase in the gasoline tax and the partial reduction of the grocery tax. He advocates for a more comprehensive approach that includes the complete elimination of the grocery tax and careful consideration of the state’s revenue needs to ensure the proper funding of essential services.
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