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2015 State of the State
Governor Phil Bryant Champions
$50 Million Investment in Workforce Training
Governor Credits MEC's Blueprint Mississippi
Economic Competitiveness Study
 Gov. Phil Bryant said Mississippi is in position to make a real difference when it comes to workforce development.
The creation of the Keep Mississippi Working Fund was among Gov. Bryant's top priorities during his fourth State of the State address. The Keep Mississippi Working Fund would be a $50 million investment in workforce training over the next two years. The MEC Blueprint Mississippi Economic Competitiveness Study shows workforce is No. 1 issue for companies considering new locations or expansions. Other major proposals include an income tax cut for working Mississippians and putting more money into the classroom. Gov. Bryant highlighted the growing strength of Mississippi's economy, as indicated by a decrease in the unemployment rate, an increase in job creation and a projected increase in personal income. "In the three years that have passed, we have achieved remarkable things together," Gov. Bryant said. "We have created one of the most job-friendly states in America...For the third year in a row, we have been awarded a Silver Shovel...and The American Economic Development Institute also ranks our Mississippi Development Authority as number nine in the nation among state economic development entities."
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Establishing Strategic Workforce Fund
MEC Priority in 2015 Legislative Session
Creating a $50 million workforce training fund over the next two years is among MEC's top legislative priorities this year. MEC members have spoken and have consistently said lack of a skilled workforce is the biggest roadblock to economic competitiveness. Gov. Phil Bryant listed this as one of his key issues during his State of the State address - calling for the establishment of the Keep Mississippi Working fund.
Assuring the state's workforce development program is ready to train workers to meet the current needs of businesses is vital and will provide long-term benefits to companies across Mississippi. It will also make our state much more competitive for major economic development projects.
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Lt. Governor Reeves Releases 2015 Agenda
Effective Education Spending, Increasing Access
to Doctors Among Top Priorities
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Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves recently released a legislative plan to reform state contracting laws, increase government transparency, effectively spend classroom dollars and improve medical care.
"We've gotten our fiscal house in order by balancing the budget, saving for a rainy day and ending the long-time shell game of spending one-time money on recurring expenses over the past three years," Lt. Gov. Reeves said. "However, I believe we're not finished weeding out wasteful spending and streamlining government programs."
Lt. Gov. Reeves agenda includes reforms to the state's contracting laws to make it harder for individuals to defraud taxpayers and easier for Mississippians to see who has state contracts.
Learn More
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Keep Mississippi Working Fund Vital for State's Workforce Training; Priority Issue for MEC
Greetings! Building a stronger workforce in Mississippi is among the top priorities Governor Phil Bryant outlined in his State of the State address on Wednesday.
We applaud the governor for this vision because MEC members have consistently said during our Regional RoundUps that workforce is the No. 1 issue.
Gov. Bryant stressed the importance of establishing the Keep Mississippi Working Fund, which is designed to put $50 million toward workforce training over a two-year period. The Governor truly understands the importance of establishing a fund that will take a strategic approach to workforce development.
The initiative aligns with the recommendations of the Blueprint Mississippi Economic Competitiveness Study, which shows workforce is the first priority for companies when selecting a site for a new location or determining whether it will expand existing locations. The study also pointed out that Mississippi puts considerably less resources into workforce development than our competing states and that Mississippi fails to have a single point of contact for coordinating training.
Throughout MEC's Regional Roundups, business and community leaders have consistently listed the lack of a skilled workforce as the biggest roadblock in moving Mississippi forward. Over 50 percent of the participants in the 15 Roundups held thus far list workforce development as the top issue, while 90 percent say career and technical curriculum in high school is very important.
The Keep Mississippi Working Fund will be created by taking money already being paid by employers and dedicating it to training over the next two years. This is possible because Mississippi has one of the strongest trust funds in the country, and the current projections show there are plenty of dollars available to make this happen.
Because this money is coming from taxes already being paid by Mississippi businesses, no money will be taken away from any existing program.
This plan will dedicate $20 million to $25 million per year for the fund to raise a total of $50 million over the next two years. Creating this fund will provide Mississippi a laser-focus approach to workforce training and put us on a level playing field with states we compete against for major economic development projects.
This fund will allow our community colleges to be at the ready to provide additional training opportunities. It also addresses another key recommendation of the economic competitiveness study by creating a "one-stop-shop" through the State Workforce Investment Board for businesses to utilize when addressing workforce development needs.
This initiative puts Mississippi in the Place of Greatest Opportunity by assuring the state's workforce development program is equipped to train workers. This training will provide long-term benefits to all Mississippi companies.
Most importantly, a strategic workforce training fund guarantees Mississippi's citizens an avenue to gain the skills needed for today's workforce.
The Keep Mississippi Working Fund is an important step in helping focus on the need for career and technical training in our state.
Keep the faith,
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Ingalls Shipbuilding Donates More Than $102,000 in
STEM Grants
Huntington Ingalls Industries announced recently that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has awarded more than $102,000 in grants for 28 projects at schools and educational organizations in Mississippi and Alabama. The grants, which were requested by the organizations, will be used for projects associated with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
This is the seventh year for Ingalls' STEM program. The company has awarded more than $609,000 for STEM-related projects during that period.
Learn More
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Nearly 100 Attend First Legislative Scrambler
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Attending the Legislative Scrambler on Appropriations were Ashley Thompson, Rep. Herb Frierson, Dennis Miller, Tommy Shepherd, Sen. Buck Clarke and Susan King.
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Nearly 100 business leaders and elected officials attended MEC's first Legislative Scrambler on Jan. 21 with a focus on Appropriations.
The breakfast meeting, held at the Mississippi Museum of Art, featured Senator Buck Clarke, Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee and Representative Herb Frierson, Chair, House Appropriations Committee.
MEC's first Legislative Scrambler was sponsored by Jones Walker LLP.
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Second MEC Legislative Scrambler Set for Wednesday, Feb. 4
Meeting to Focus on Transportation
MEC will hold its second Legislative Scrambler on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at the Mississippi Museum of Art. The meeting will focus on Transportation, and will feature Sen. Willie Simmons, Chair of the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee and Rep. Robert L. Johnson III, Chair of the House Transportation Committee.
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.
MEC's Second Legislative Scrambler is Sponsored By:
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Mississippi Press Association
Gov. William Winter Jan. 29
 | | Winter |
The state press association will roast one of Mississippi's most respected public servants at a January benefit for the MPA Education Foundation.
Former Gov. William Winter will be the guest of honor for the Jan. 29 event at the Hilton Jackson. Proceeds from the roast are used to underwrite the scholarship and internship programs of MPAEF.
Winter served as Mississippi's 57th chief executive from 1980-1984. He is special counsel in the Jones Walker Law Firm Government Relations Practice Group.
The 25th annual Roast will be held in conjunction with MPA's annual Mid-Winter Conference. A reception will be held at 6 p.m.; dinner begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $75 each or a table of eight is $600.
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What's Happening at the Capitol
Education Standards, budgets dominate discussions in opening weeks of 2015 Legislature
The 2015 legislative session has gotten off to a fast start as the deadline to introduce general bills was this past Monday, January 19, and more than 1,500 bills have been assigned to committees.
Again this session, legislation calling for all superintendents of education in Mississippi to be appointed has been introduced and referred to the Education Committee in both the house and the senate. MEC has long supported this legislation as transitioning to all-appointed superintendents will ensure all districts have the ability to select the best possible candidate.
Educational standards will be a major topic of discussion throughout the session. Bills have been filed that would provide for unified testing and the removal of references to the Common Core Standards and renames them as the Mississippi College and Career Readiness Standards. MEC will continue to work with legislative leadership to ensure the standards will remain high so our students are well-prepared to compete with those in other states.
In other areas, House and Senate Appropriations Committees are hearing budget requests from state agencies and have pledged to continue to fund reoccurring expenses with reoccurring revenue.
MEC will provide updates throughout the legislative session on the key issues of economic development, workforce training and Education.
Issues that impact businesses across Mississippi.
Stay up-to-date at mec.ms
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MEC's Regional Round-Ups
Continue in DeSoto County
MEC's Regional Round-Ups will continue this week in DeSoto County.
During the Regional Round-Ups, which are sponsored by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of MS, MEC will travel to approximately 28 communities throughout the state, discussing opportunities for those regions to help grow Mississippi's economic competitiveness.
DeSoto County
Friday, January 23, 2015 - 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Landers Center
There is no cost to attend the meetings thanks to a generous sponsorship
from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi, but pre-registration is required.
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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 approximately 10,000 members from 1,100 member firms in 2,400 locations throughout Mississippi.
Greetings! 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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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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