From the Mississippi Democratic Trust:
Friend,
Unless you follow things really closely, you may be the slightest bit confused as to why the Mississippi Legislature was called to session in late June. Bear with me while I try to talk it through.
You don’t have to follow things really closely to know this: Legislative Republicans really mucked up our state budget.
And now, after 5 years of legislative control from Tate Reeves and Philip Gunn, our budget is in a real crisis. In between all of the hateful legislation and corporate handouts, Republican leaders forgot to do the simple math, and now Mississippi taxpayers are taking the hit.
Reeves and Gunn will tell you that thanks to their leadership, we have a rainy day fund to support this mistake. But they are poised to completely free up that money for Governor Bryant’s discretion — a man I wouldn’t trust to buy me a coke from the machine.
So, the Speaker and Lieutenant Governor will hand over our taxes to put a bandaid where we need a tourniquet.
By the end of this week. our rainy day fund may very well be close to total depletion, as if our economic outlook is anything other than stormy. Next year, we face even more speed bumps toward state growth; they’ve already painted themselves into a $57 million deficit due to a “mistake.”
If I sound gloom and doom, then you’re catching my proper tone.
But I’m also here to tell you it doesn’t have to be this way. Our legislative Democrats are fighting with all of their might to make sure our funding sticks with mental health, public schools, and roads and bridges, not more handouts for folks who already have plenty of incentives. Replacing these leaders and their lieutenants is a top priority for the Mississippi Democratic Trust. And we need your help right now, to keep gas in the tank to find the next great candidate, and to provide structural support for Democrats in the House and Senate.
Democratically,
David McDowell
Executive Director
Mississippi Democratic Trust
PS: As I write this from the gallery, Speaker Gunn decided to adjourn until 9:00 am tomorrow, costing the taxpayers a whole extra day of work. It’s 2:16 on a Tuesday. Let’s get rid of leaders like that.
6/28/16
Magnolia Tribune
