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Lt. Gov. Reeves Announces
Plan to Eliminate Franchise Tax,
A Long-Held MEC Position
Proposal Known as "Taxpayer Pay Raise Act" Includes Cuts
for Small Business Owners & an Individual Income Tax Reduction
 Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves unveiled his Taxpayer Pay Raise Act of 2015 Tuesday, and a key component of the plan is to phase out the franchise tax. MEC has long supported the elimination of the franchise tax, which is imposed on companies based on their capital investment.
In the recent Blueprint Mississippi competitiveness study the franchise tax was listed as one of the roadblocks Mississippi faces in economic development. Under the proposal, the franchise tax would be phased out over 10 years. Lt. Governor Reeves' Taxpayer Pay Raise Act also includes reducing the overall tax burden on small business owners, and eliminates the 3 percent tax bracket levied on individual income. The total plan calls for $400 million in tax relief to be phased in during the 10-year time frame, and will provide a "taxpayer pay raise" for 1 million Mississippians, Reeves said.
"In the last three years, two out of every three state employees received a pay increase," Lt. Gov. Reeves said. "Now is the time for taxpayers to get a pay raise, too."
Eliminating the franchise tax will allow Mississippi businesses to invest and grow whether through new products or more jobs. "Our state's franchise tax is a penalty that discourages businesses from growing and investing in Mississippi," said Hu Meena, president and CEO of C Spire. "The Lieutenant Governor's proposal would eliminate that penalty and is an important first step in transforming Mississippi from the nation's branch office to a place where businesses are born, mature and grow."
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Join Lt. Gov. Reeves on a Conference Call
for Details of the Taxpayer Pay Raise Act
MEC Connects You With Lt. Governor Tate Reeves Without Leaving Your Desk
 Lt. Governor Tate Reeves outlined his Taxpayer Pay Raise Act of 2015 Tuesday. This is your chance to connect with him and learn more about this plan, which includes a plan to phase out the franchise tax and improve Mississippi's economic competitiveness.
Please join Lt. Gov. Reeves via conference call as he details the proposal to eliminate the tax companies pay to improve capital and property, and how it can mean additional investments into Mississippi's communities and create new jobs.
Friday, Feb. 13
11-11:30 a.m.
Dial 800-732-6870 to join!
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Plan to Create $50 Million Workforce Training Fund Advances; MEC Members Respond
Symbolic Ribbon of Red Tape Taller than Capitol Dome
 The Mississippi Legislature on Tuesday advanced important workforce training bills aimed at streamlining and better funding our workforce system. HB 911 and SB 2457 - different bills working toward implementing Gov. Phil Bryant's Keep Mississippi Working plan - passed out of each Chamber, which is another important step. But because the bills differ in approach - there is still a lot of ground to cover over the next few weeks as the Legislature further considers this issue and works toward a solution. (By the end of session there must be one bill with one focus that can be passed by each House and signed by the Governor). This is why we need your continued help in responding with the message: "Workforce Training is #1" by clicking here. MEC particularly appreciates the leadership of Governor Bryant in proposing the program and the hard work of sponsors Senator Joey Fillingane and Representative Jeff Smith and House Workforce Chair Donnie Bell.
The bills are being advanced in response to the findings of Blueprint Mississippi's competitiveness study, conducted with the cooperation of the Mississippi Economic Development Council (local and state economic developers). The research shows our state needs to streamline our system and better fund it to compete with states such as Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. The proposed bills reallocate existing surplus revenues in the State's Unemployment Compensation Fund to create a $50 million fund over two years - and then provide streamlined workforce training to meet critical targeted needs.
 This is why we need to continue to voice our encouragement for their efforts and continue to communicate the important message: Workforce Training is #1. By clicking here, in less than 30 seconds your message can be received by MEC so that we can carry it along with scores of others assembled in bound volumes to the Capitol. To further demonstrate your interest we are also printing the responses on red paper to form a "Ribbon of Red Tape" that symbolizes the need for streamlining our system of strategically targeting workforce training resources. With scores of responses, the "Ribbon of Red Tape" already stretches taller than the Capitol Dome and the high-rise Sillers Building as well!
As the process moves forward, we hope to ceremonially cut the ribbon of red tape as a means of celebrating the progress we are making of improving Mississippi's competitive position and congratulating the hard work by the Governor and Legislature in pushing toward a solution. At the same time demonstrating just how important this is to businesses and community leaders who believe "Workforce Training is #1."
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 Listen to Gov. Phil Bryant Discuss the Importance of creating a $50 Million Strategic Workforce Training Fund during a recent MEC Connect Conference Call
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Golden Moon Hotel & Casino Opens as Part of
$70M Renovation at Pearl River Resort
 Pearl River Resort recently held a grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration for the renovation of Golden Moon Hotel & Casino, the first of a series of new updates included in a $70 million renovation.
The grand opening celebration started Friday, January 30 with a party for casino VIP guests being the first to explore and enjoy all that the renovation has to offer. Tribal Chief, Phyliss J. Anderson and President and CEO of Pearl River Resort Holly Gagnon cut the official grand opening ribbon Saturday, January 31 marking the opening of the renovated Golden Moon Hotel & Casino to the general public.
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MEC Provides Numerous
Opportunities
to Participate
Without Leaving
Your Desk
I know how busy you are. That is why MEC's vision is to provide you a meaningful voice at the Capitol without having to leave your desk. Our commitment to educating and involving our members across the state in issues that will move Mississippi forward has never been more evident than right now.
This edition of Snapshot outlines two important legislative issues that could make a difference to your business and the state. Governor Bryant directly addressed members about a week ago and we have provided a tool with which you can easily - in less than 30 seconds - join with other individuals and businesses in supporting the Strategic Workforce Training Program.
Lt. Governor Tate Reeves is scheduled to speak via conference call with MEC members this Friday on his Taxpayer Pay Raise Act. This is another opportunity for you to participate without leaving your desk.
Additionally, on February 18, we will continue our Legislative Scrambler series by featuring Senate Education Chair Gray Tollison and House Education Chair John Moore. If you can't join us in person, please plan to dial in and hear first hand -- right from your desk -- about the efforts in the education committees.
These are just three ways that you can participate - conveniently from your own office! The work that we do becomes more effective with the involvement of our members from around the state. I hope that you will participate in these opportunities to learn about important issues and to have your voice heard at the Mississippi Capitol. Together, we can grow our competitiveness and help put Mississippi in the place of greatest opportunity.
Keep the faith,
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 Third MEC Legislative Scrambler Set for Feb. 18
Meeting to Focus on Education
MEC will hold its third Legislative Scrambler on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the Mississippi Museum of Art. The meeting will focus on Education, and will feature Sen. Gray Tollison, Chair of the Senate Education Committee and Rep. John L. Moore, Chair of the House Education 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 Third Legislative Scrambler is Sponsored By:
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Over 75 Gather to Discuss Transportation at
Second Legislative Scrambler
Over 75 attended MEC's second Legislative Scrambler of 2015 focusing on transportation on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at the Mississippi Museum of Art. Attendees heard from Senator Willie Simmons, Chair, Senate Transportation Committee and Representative Robert Johnson III, Chair, House Transportation Committee.
MEC's Second Legislative Scrambler was Sponsored By the Mississippi Roadbuilders' Association.
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Calling All Former STAR Students and STAR Teachers!
2015 marks the 50th Anniversary of the M. B. Swayze Foundation Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program!
In celebration of this great milestone, MEC and the STAR Program are looking for all former STAR Students and Teachers in an effort to find out "Where Are They Now?"
MEC and the STAR Program will hold the 2015 Education Celebration in conjunction with MEC Advantage - the 66th MEC Annual Meeting. The Education Celebration will be held at the Jackson Convention Complex on April 30, 2015.
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MEC's Regional Round-Ups
Continue in East Mississippi Region
MEC's Regional Round-Ups will continue THIS WEEK in the East Mississippi Region.
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.
Forest
Wednesday, February 11, 2015 - 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Forest Community Center
Louisville
Wednesday, February 18, 2015 - 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Lake Tiak-O-Khata
Philadelphia
Thursday, February 19, 2015 - 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Philadelphia Train Depot
Meridian
Thursday, February 26, 2015 - 8:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Mississippi State University Riley 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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