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Mississippi Economic Council MEC Snapshot
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Sen. Burton, Rep. Staples to Speak
at Scrambler on Energy March 12
Special Remarks by Patrick Sullivan, President, Mississippi Energy Institute
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Burton
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Staples
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The Mississippi Economic Council will host its Legislative Scrambler focusing on Energy on Wednesday, March 12 at the Mississippi Museum of Art. The breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m., and attendees will hear from Senator Terry Burton, Chair, Senate Energy Committee, Representative Gary Staples, Vice-Chair, House Energy Committee and Patrick Sullivan, President, Mississippi Energy Institute.
MEC's Legislative Scrambler focusing on Energy is sponsored by
Cornerstone Government Affairs.
You can attend in person or dial in by calling 800-771-7943.
MEC's Legislative Scramblers are a great way to have a voice at the Capitol without ever leaving your desk.
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More than 80 Attend Legislative Scrambler Focusing on Economic Development
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Attending the MEC Legislative Scrambler focusing on Economic Development were Rep. Donnie Bell; Amy Tate, Manager, Valley Relations for TVA; Rep. Brad Mayo, Bert Robinson, Director, District, State & Local Government Relations, TVA and Sen. Joey Fillingane.
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The Mississippi Economic Council hosted its Legislative Scrambler focusing on Economic Development on Wednesday, March 5 at the Mississippi Museum of Art. Attendees heard from Senator Joey Fillingane, Chair, Senate Finance Committee, Representative Donnie Bell, Chair, House Workforce Development Committee and Representative Brad Mayo, Member, House Ways and Means Committee.
MEC's Legislative Scrambler focusing on Economic Development was sponsored by TVA.
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Mississippi Taxpayer Fairness Act Tops
MEC's Priority 2014 Legislative Issues
MEC priority issues on creating fairness for Mississippi taxpayers and ensuring that the state's educational standards align with other states continue to move forward heading into the final weeks of the 2014 Legislative Session.
The leadership of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Joey Fillingane and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jeff Smith have provided an opportunity for meaningful reform in tax administration in Mississippi. The bills are designed to create a level playing field so there is fairness in the appeals process. This provides certainty for taxpayers, which is vital for Mississippi's competitiveness.
Both chairmen continue to lead discussions on current tax issues that threaten Mississippi's business-friendly reputation. The bills provide solutions that protect the rights of taxpayers, yet preserve the state's ability to address abusive and unique situations.
Specifically, this important legislation standardizes the Department of Revenue's (DOR) apportionment procedures, removing uncertainty by providing reliable guidelines for all taxpayers. The party requesting deviation from these guidelines would bear the burden of proof to justify the change.
The legislation also increases taxpayer's access to an independent on-the-record appeal by removing the current "pay-to-play" restriction. This burden has affected all taxpayers - businesses and individuals alike - when dealing with tax audit appeals. These changes remove the current "guilty-until-proven-innocent" approach that impedes Mississippi's economic development efforts.
The bills also:
- Set clear best-business practices for the DOR's notification process
- Align Mississippi tax interest rates with today's market rates
- Clarify penalties and provide uniform language among statutes
Both bills have passed key hurdles in the legislative process. In the next couple of weeks the differences in the bills are expected to be worked out in conference committee. MEC will continue to work with this legislation and push for a solution once the conference process begins.
Clear Commitment to Common Core Continues
Common Core State Standards align Mississippi with other states and ensure academic requirements will meet expectations of higher education institutions and the needs of employers competing in the global economy.
MEC strongly supports the Department of Education's decision to adopt these college and career readiness standards and commends the strong legislative leadership of Senate Education Committee Chairman, Gray Tollison, and House Education Committee Chairman, John Moore, for stopping several bills introduced to overturn the adoption of Common Core.
Senate Adopts Measure for Appointed Superintendents, But House Does Not Act
A bill aimed at strengthening leadership in education through the transition to all appointed superintendents passed out of the Senate, but was not brought out of the House Education committee. MEC will continue its commitment to allow every school district access to the most qualified candidates through appointed superintendents.
MEC Policy Supports Non-Discrimination
Changes to The Religious Freedom Restoration Act now align with MEC's policy against any type of discrimination. SB2681 as amended provides both positive clarification and focused direction so that the bill addresses only actions by government, not private businesses or individuals.
MEC appreciates the hard work by Chairmen Rep. Andy Gipson and Rep. Joey Hood on working to find language that aligns the bill with MEC policy. MEC also appreciates the strong cooperation received from Senator Phillip Gandy.
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MEC Completes Blueprint Mississippi Pathway to Progress Tour
MEC completed the Blueprint Mississippi Pathway to Progress Tour on Tuesday, March 4 with a final tour stop in Laurel. The tour visited a total of 19 cities across the state, beginning in Columbus on Nov. 19 before concluding in Laurel. There were five meetings held in December, seven meetings in January and five meetings in February.
Throughout the tour, attendees were informed about Mississippi's progress and were polled throughout the tour on topics such as industry, education, transportation and economic growth.
Education was a hot topic, with voters naming it their top priority among Blueprint Goals. Transportation Infrastructure was rated highly, with 87% of attendees ranking it as very important to economic development, with West Point voters ranking it at a Tour-high 92.45%. The majority of voters on the tour had a positive outlook for Mississippi's future, with 60% voting that it would be a hot economic development location 10 years from now.
The MEC Pathway to Progress Tour focused on ways Mississippi can sharpen its competitive edge by implementing the goals and recommendations of Blueprint Mississippi.
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Tyson Listed Among Fortune's "Most Admired" Food Production Companies
Fortune magazine has named Tyson Foods, Inc. as one of "America's Most Admired Companies." The magazine compiles a list of top companies each year. Tyson Foods was one of six companies to make the most admired list in the Food Production category and the only meat company among them.
"To receive this type of recognition is very humbling," said Donnie Smith, president and CEO of Tyson Foods. "It serves as a reminder to the hard working Tyson team members that they're doing important work each day - helping to bring families together around their tables with safe, affordable, quality foods."
Fortune is the second major financial magazine to recognize Tyson Foods in recent weeks. In its December/January edition, Institutional Investor named Smith and Tyson Chief Financial Officer Dennis Leatherby to its "2014 All-American Executive Team" within the food category.
Tyson Foods is an MEC member.
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Delta Furniture Creates 50 Jobs in Pontotoc
Upholstered living room furniture manufacturer Delta Furniture Company announces the company is expanding operations at its Pontotoc facility to accommodate an increase in production. The project represents a $520,000 corporate investment and will create 50 new jobs.
"This year marks Delta Furniture's fifth year of successful operations in Pontotoc, and this is the company's second expansion in such a short amount of time. That speaks volumes about the strong business environment and workforce in Mississippi," Gov. Phil Bryant said. "I appreciate the Delta Furniture team for demonstrating to the country and the world that great, quality-made products come from Mississippi, and I wish the company many more years of success in Pontotoc."
Delta Furniture Company is an MEC member.
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Positioned for Progress Conference Set for April 29-30 in Jackson
Strengthening Mississippi's Charitable and Creative Economies
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SAVE THE DATE!
April 29-30, 2014
Jackson Convention Center
Jackson, Mississippi
Positioned for Progress is a statewide conference focused on aligning the work of the volunteer, nonprofit, corporate, and government sectors to maximize the social, health, and economic well-being of all Mississippians. The conference is focused on identifying, promoting, and recognizing collaborative efforts that better the lives of Mississippi citizens.
Through plenary sessions, interactive workshops, exhibits, networking, and more, you will learn about and participate in efforts to leverage Mississippi's POWER FOR GOOD, and strengthen your ability to be part of Mississippi's Charitable and Creative Economies. By attending the Positioned for Progress Conference, you will learn how to leverage multiple resources - financial, personal and intellectual - to build a better, stronger Mississippi TOGETHER!
Click Here for More Information
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MEC to Celebrate Mississippi's Creative Economy at 65th Annual Meeting
Author, Entrepreneur Peter Sims to Focus on Opportunities for Mississippi
At this year's Annual Meeting, MEC will pay homage to Mississippi's Creative Economy, bringing together thousands of leaders from across our state to the Jackson Convention Complex in celebration of the economic driver that is the creative economy.
Peter Sims, award-winning author and entrepreneur focused on the creative economy, will be our keynote speaker during the Annual Meeting luncheon, and will also host a breakout morning session. His latest book, Little Bets: How Breakthrough Ideas Emerge from Small Discoveries, is available now.
In addition, MEC will celebrate Mississippi's scholastic achievements through the Education Celebration and Salute to Mississippi Scholars events, held in conjunction with MEC's Annual Meeting.
Keep the Faith,
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You are receiving this newsletter because of your past involvement with the Mississippi Economic Council. For more information about MEC, please visit our website at www.msmec.com.
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ABOUT US
The Mississippi Economic Council has been the voice of Mississippi business since 1949. MEC deals with broad issues that relate to businesses through advocacy, research, resources and leadership. MEC has 8,600 members from 1,100 member firms in 2,400 locations throughout Mississippi.
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Mississippi Economic Council - The State Chamber of Commerce
248 E. Capitol Street, Suite 940 - Jackson, Mississippi 39201
P.O. Box 23276 - Jackson, Mississippi 39225-3276
Phone: 601-969-0022 - 1-800-748-7626
Fax: 601-353-0247 - 1-888-717-2809
Click Here for MEC Web Site
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