Sunday, February 28, 2021

Bill Crawford: Ignoring Crises for Tax Cuts

 Faced with one crisis after another, Mississippi’s Governor and Legislature rise to the challenge with one consistent solution – cut budgets to cut taxes.

Where to start?

The antique condition of so many municipal and rural water systems, the federal court takeover of our mental health system, the continuing crisis in our prisons, child welfare litigation, the neverending story of our crumbling road and bridge infrastructure, our struggling healthcare systems, small business closures from the COVID-19 pandemic, the growing PERS unfunded retirement liability, inadequate flood control systems, the list goes and on and on.

Consider the first three.

The winter storm again highlighted problems with municipal and rural water systems. As this was written last week some areas remained without water or under boil water notices. Underlying conditions don’t look to improve soon.

“Much of the state’s current drinking water infrastructure is beyond or nearing the end of its design life, with older systems losing as much as 30-50% of their treated water to leaks and breaks,” states the latest report on Mississippi drinking water issued by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The report estimated it would take nearly $5 billion over 20 years to fix antiquated systems.

Current funding systems used by Mississippi – federal matching funds, federal regional commission grants and loans, and disaster loans and grants – fall far short of the amount needed. Plus, the Legislature has a spotty record of providing the matching funds needed to maximize federal funding. Unsurprisingly, the Department of Health, which manages federally funded revolving loans and grants to municipal and rural water systems faces a budget cut.

In 2019 Federal Judge Carlton Reeves found Mississippi’s mental health system in violation of the American with Disabilities Act and ordered substantial changes in the way services are delivered. News reports say the state is nearing a settlement. How much implementation of the settlement and required programs may cost is unknown. But, already depleted by multiple budget cuts, the Department of Mental Health faces another budget cut of $4.5 million. The Department of Finance and Administration, which may have to hire staff to oversee settlement implementation, faces a cut of $450,000.

Pending criminal justice reforms may ease prison crowding over time, but will not remedy facility defects and inadequate staffing. “State leaders and lawmakers oversaw the gutting of the Mississippi Department of Corrections’ budget by $215 million over the past six years.” the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting revealed a year ago. The pending budget for the department is down another $9.1 million.

Nearly every agency budget pending before the Legislature received a cut by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee so they would fit within the revenue projection. That projection was set low due to feared impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The good news is actual revenue collections, so far, are coming above projections.

The unsettling news is state leaders’ fervor to use these extra funds for tax cuts rather than restoring excessive budget cuts and targeting funds to address the crises debilitating our state. As Proverbs 22:3 warns us, “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.”

Crawford is a syndicated columnist from Jackson


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tate! Stop the brain drain! Our young people are never going to come back unless you fix this issue!

Anonymous said...

Let's face it -- Mississippi's Legislature is filled with too many wannabes who couldn't run a two-car funeral. We have very little real leadership. And we are seeing an increased number of agency corruption scandals. Tax cuts are wonderful, but a tax cut at the expense of providing essential government services is a disaster. There are plenty of places to cut in various agencies that provide less than essential services. But government must filter out the noise and focus on those essentials.

The sales tax and other user-tax hikes are a step back and just one example of why we need reform. I am not sure there is an answer in tour two-party system,, but the republicans ae playing it disaster if they don't get Gunn under control.



Anonymous said...

According to the Gulf Coast Business Council and the Coast Tourism Partnership 2020 was the best year ever. #1 in the country. That equates to over $100B in revenue if we did better than FL, CA, TX and others. With all of that revenue our problems should be solved. The article is on WLOX.com.

Anonymous said...

Way too many pet agencies and brother-in-law appointments in the hierarchy of all agencies. When the conversation turns to cutting non-essential services and duplication, all they think about is reducing the number of pin numbers at the entry level.

Start at the top, for once. Multiple directors, assistant directors, deputy directors, department heads, assistant department heads, administrative assistants, specialists.

Here's the starting point: Give me a list of your staffing pattern, by name and job title pay grade and pay level as well as a list of non-status appointments and contract workers by pay grade, position and whether or not retired from a state agency.

Anonymous said...

Tate! Stop the brain drain! Our young people are never going to come back unless you fix this issue!

What is the issue?

Anonymous said...

< I am not sure there is an answer in tour two-party system,, but the republicans ae playing it disaster if they don't get Gunn under control.

Gunn is out of control? You're not credible.

Anonymous said...

Ok @ 6:07.. MS has no S&P 500 companies...none .. zero.. thanks Tate.

Anonymous said...

12:44 - The coast took in 100B in revenues? How so?

Anonymous said...

“While COVID-19 hit our tourism industry hard, the downturn has not been as severe as expected. Coast tourism is performing among the best in the nation.
That’s according to the latest tourism research released Thursday morning by Coastal Mississippi CEO Milton Segarra at a meeting with the Gulf Coast Business Council.
Segarra says South Mississippi tourism has seen success and growth in the past year, thanks in part to the the $3.4 million the Coast was awarded from the Tourism Recovery Fund.
Mississippi was the top travel spending market in the U.S. last year, with the Gulf Coast accounting for one-third of all the activity regarding tourism.”

This is a transformational and resilient ranking to be in the highest in the US.

Anonymous said...

Ok @ 6:07.. MS has no S&P 500 companies...none .. zero.. thanks Tate.

Another non-credible opinion.


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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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