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Dear Jack,
I wanted to share some exciting news with you. This week, the Washington Examiner – one of America’s leading national publications – wrote a major five-page feature on Mississippi’s economic resurgence and the policy ideas that are driving it.
The article, titled “Mississippi Turning” makes the remarkable point that Mississippi has had more growth in the past five years than over the previous fifteen.
Most importantly, the article highlights that it is the free-market reforms that many of you have helped champion that is the engine behind this turnaround.
In just the past five years, Mississippi has put in place big structural changes that are delivering results:
Labor-market freedom – Universal recognition of out-of-state occupational licenses (2021) and the removal of needless red tape that once required hundreds of hours of training for everyday jobs. This has opened the door to talent and put downward pressure on remaining in-state barriers.
Historic tax reform – A move to a 4% flat income tax and legislating to allow the complete elimination of the state income tax.
Low-cost energy – By largely resisting subsidized green mandates and keeping electricity prices among the lowest in America, Mississippi has become a magnet for energy-intensive industries like data centers and advanced manufacturing.
The result?
$42 billion of inward investment in five years, the second-fastest state GDP growth in America last quarter, rising university enrollments, and – for the first time in generations – people moving to Mississippi rather than away from it.
Policies matter: Mississippi growth is driven by free market reform
Having a respected national outlet spotlight these reforms, and give credit to the ideas many of you have supported for years, is a genuine milestone. It marks a great end to a highly productive year.
It shows that Mississippi is no longer just catching up – we’re becoming a model others are looking to follow.
Mississippi is no longer last, but leading!
Thank you, as always, for your partnership in making Mississippi a freer, more prosperous place. Moments like this don’t happen without the steady, principled work so many of you have done alongside us.
