Jackson Jambalaya

In politics, nothing moves unless it’s pushed. Change doesn’t happen because of empty platitudes—it happens because principled conservatives like you step up to demand principled policies.

  At the Mississippi Center for Public Policy (MCPP), we’ve been pushing hard this legislative session for four flagship conservative priorities.  With just three weeks left, here’s where we stand—and how your support is making a difference.

  1. School Choice

For years, no bill allowing even basic public-to-public school choice had been granted a floor vote. This session, we saw progress: a bill passed the House with a strong majority, only to be stalled in the Senate Education Committee under Chairman Dennis DeBar.

Sadly, this proposal appears dead for now—a frustrating outcome when every neighboring state offers universal school choice, and President Trump himself champions this policy. But the opposition’s grip may be weakening. Killing bills in committee no longer comes cost free for left leaning Senators, as it did for years. If principled conservatives keep shining a light on who’s blocking progress, we will win this fight.

2. Income Tax Elimination

Governor Tate Reeves has made income tax elimination a priority, and the House agreed, passing Speaker Jason White and Rep. Trey Lamar’s HB1 bill early in the session.  

Now, the Senate’s liberal leadership is stalling, with a critical deadline looming this Tuesday. If HB1 fails, it will be a deliberate choice by Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann, whose stance aligns more with liberals than with conservative taxpayers. We can’t waver. We must rally behind leaders like the Governor and Speaker who take bold conservative stands—and call out those who don’t. To achieve change, conservative organizations must not equivocate.   

  3. Outlawing DEI

When State Auditor Shad White exposed how Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in higher education were costing taxpayers millions, some at the Capitol scoffed. For years, they buried anti-DEI bills.

  But the truth is out: DEI has been rampant, and Shad White was right. Now, an anti-DEI bill banning these wasteful, divisive practices is finally nearing the Governor’s desk. This is what

happens when principled conservatives push forward. You’ve helped make this possible—thank you.

  4. Removing Red Tape 

In healthcare, excessive regulations stifle progress and hurt our economy. Two steadfast conservatives, Rep. Zuber and Rep. Creekmore, have worked tirelessly to cut this red tape. Their bill is on the cusp of becoming law—a testament to what principled leadership can achieve.

What’s Next?

  The final weeks of the session could bring surprises. The Senate might dig in, forcing a special session, or conservative Senators could step up, demanding action on income tax elimination, anti-DEI measures, and red tape reduction—policies voters like you support. As Barry Goldwater famously said, “Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in pursuit of justice is no virtue.” Your commitment to these principles is driving change in Mississippi.

Douglas Carswell is the President and CEO of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy. MCPP sponsored this post.