Governor Haley Barbour today named members of a public-private commission who will study Mississippi’s tax system on a comprehensive basis, including how federal and local tax structures affect Mississippi citizens and businesses.
“These individuals represent a wide range of expertise in this important subject matter; they come from business, legal, academic and legislative backgrounds. They also share a common bond in that they are all Mississippi taxpayers. I appreciate their voluntary service on this commission and know they will do an excellent and thorough job in carrying out this study,” Governor Barbour said.
Governor Barbour said the commission will provide a report of its findings by August 31, 2008 – after completion of Fiscal Year 2008 – to the Governor, the Mississippi Legislature and the public on recommendations for any adjustments. In addition, the staff of the Mississippi State Tax Commission will be asked to provide information requested by the commission, and the Legislature will be asked for a small, one-time appropriation to pay for support of the commission.
As announced earlier, Leland Speed, a Jackson businessman and former executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, will chair the commission. Other members of the commission include:
Tony Adams-CPA
Ron Aldridge-National Federation of Independent Businesses Manley Barton-Jackson County Supervisor Mike Bemis-Business Leader Joe Blount-Chairman, State Tax Commission Paul Breazeale-CPA Tom Butchart-CPA Alveno N. Castilla-Attorney Buck Clarke-State Senator, Hollandale Cobie Collins-Yazoo County Supervisor Toni Cooley-Business Leader Socrates Garrett-Business Leader Karen Green-Professor Craig Hitt-Lauderdale County Supervisor Delbert Hosemann-Secretary of State Terri Hudson-CPA Paul Johnson-CPA Dean Kirby-State Senator, Pearl; Chairman, Senate Finance Committee Bill Lampton-Business leader Gene McGee-Mayor of Ridgeland Sonny Meredith-Former Lawmaker Jay Moon-Mississippi Manufacturers Association Carl Nicholson-CPA Aubrey Patterson-Business leader Tate Reeves-State Treasurer Tommy Robertson-Former Lawmaker Bill Rutledge-Mayor of Pontotoc Robert Smith-Mayor of Columbus Mike Summerford-Business Leader Troy Stovall-Administrator Gray Swoope-Mississippi Development Authority Forest Thigpen-Mississippi Center for Public Policy Anthony Topazi-Chairman, Momentum Mississippi David Waide-Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Percy Watson-Lawmaker; Chairman, House Ways and Means Committee Charlie Williams-Former Lawmaker, Department of Public Safety Blake Wilson-Mississippi Economic Council
Governor Haley Barbour Press Release
1/22/8
Magnolia Tribune
