Governor Phil Bryant’s 2019 State of the State address was included in the top 14 best state of addresses by ALEC Center for State Fiscal Reform.
The comprehensive analysis looked at the addresses given following by all 50 governors. They delivered proposals that could affect economic competitiveness between states. Many focused on tax policy, pointing to recent growth their states have experienced from tax relief and regulatory reform.
According to the analysis in total, the governors demonstrated a commitment to pro-growth tax policy by doubling down on tax cuts and announcing policy proposals designed to save taxpayers money and make their states more competitive. On the other hand, five governors shared a vision of bigger government and less individual liberty with plans for higher tax rates.
Here’s the analysis of Governor Bryant’s last address:
In his final address, Governor Phil Bryant underscored how conservative budgeting principles have turned Mississippi’s economy into one that has experienced rapid growth.ix This included balanced budgets, tax cuts in 2016 and reductions in state employee positions.
As a result, Mississippi has built a $350 million rainy day fund as revenue collections have exceeded estimates by about $90 million. Corporate income tax collections are also out-performing estimates by nearly 16 percent, primarily because of the extensive list of companies who have moved operations to the state. In the last decade, according to Gov. Bryant, Mississippi’s exports have increased by more than 259 percent. Since 2011, the median household income has risen by 8.4 percent and since 2012, the unemployment rate has fallen from 9.4 percent to 4.7 percent.
The governor also discussed the success of Mississippi’s educational reforms, such as reading proficiency requirements, which improved literacy rates and graduation rates across the state.
Gov. Bryant ended his speech with the following reflection: “Over these many years I have seen Mississippi make incredible progress. It may not have always been perfect, but the march of improvement and advancement in our people’s lives over the last 30 years is undeniable. None of us can accept credit for all of it, but we can claim the honor of toiling and striving to make our home a better place.”
His Rich States, Poor States 2019 Economic Outlook Ranking was a 19.
The lists contain summaries of the best State of the State addresses of 2019, based on the economic policy proposals on such matters as taxation (including income, property, sales, and fuel), tort reform, right-to-work, pension reform, regulatory reform, and minimum wages. The “best” addresses featured proposals proven to enhance economic competitiveness and growth and are listed below in alphabetical order by state name. Each state’s economic outlook ranking in the 12th edition of Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index (2019) is also included.
Other governors include Arkansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, South Carolina.
The ‘worst’ policy proposals included governors from Hawaii, Alabama, New Jersey, and Kansas.
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Sarah Ulmer
