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State Treasurer Lynn Fitch to Run on Record of Accomplishment
Jackson –
Mississippi State Treasurer Lynn Fitch today announced her candidacy for reelection.
“I am excited and eager to begin my campaign based on a record of fiscal conservatism and accomplishments,” stated Treasurer Fitch. “It has been an honor to serve our state, and I am proud of my record as State Treasurer.”
Early in Treasurer Fitch’s term, her office refinanced state debt and saved Mississippi taxpayers $33 Million. “Just this week, we will close on another state bond sale that includes a refinancing deal that will save taxpayers another $36.3 million,” Fitch added. “Those savings—over $69 million now—reflect a consistent effort to manage our long-term debt proactively based on a career spent in public finance. That approach also led to preparation of the state’s first Debt Affordability Study.”
During Treasurer Fitch’s term, over $38 million has been returned to Mississippians through the Unclaimed Property division. Under Fitch’s leadership, the office has cut the claims backlog from over 1500 to fewer than 200 pending claims.
“We are also changing Mississippi’s financial culture through the Treasurer’s Education About Money (TEAM) initiative. Mississippi ranks as the least financially capable state, and I decided to do something about it. Improving our financial literacy will strengthen our workforce, our economy, and our state bond rating.” TEAM is in its second semester of implementation, with metrics showing more than 18,000 high school students in over 100 high schools participating in personal finance lessons.
Beginning October 1, 2014, the College Savings Plans of Mississippi Board of Directors, which Treasurer Fitch chairs, reopened the Mississippi Prepaid Affordable College Tuition (MPACT) Program. Enrollment in the program was deferred in 2012 until an evaluation of the program could be conducted. New MPACT contracts will be offered with certain program adjustments aimed at preventing future funding shortfalls, making the program cost-neutral to taxpayers. “The decisions I make affect the long-term fiscal health of the state, and I will continue to make fiscally conservative decisions on behalf of Mississippians.”
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