After months of politicians fighting, Mississippi has joined a small club of nine other states in passing legislation eliminating the state income tax—an outcome that will benefit Mississippians and hopefully encourage other states to follow suit.
House Bill 1, also known as the "Build Up Mississippi Act," will phase out the Magnolia State's income tax. Introduced by Rep. John Thomas "Trey" Lamar (R–Senatobia), the bill was transferred to the state Senate in January and amended last month to make its offerings more affordable and thorough. The persuasions were strong enough to flip the state House's previous stance on nonpassage, allowing Gov. Tate Reeves to sign the bill into law on March 27.
"I believe in a simple idea," Gov. Reeves remarked upon signage, "that government should take less so that you can keep more." The new legislation will gradually lower Mississippi's state income tax, currently sitting at 4.4 percent, to 3 percent by 2030. Further annual cuts depend on "growth triggers" linked to state revenue. This strategy will economically empower citizens and make the state's government more responsible. Mississippi proved that ambitious reform can occur, and other states should take similar action.
