When Kevin Blackwell (R-Southaven), chair of the state Senate’s Medicaid Committee, told the Mississippi Free Press this week that the state would not expand Medicaid this year, it marked the end of a period of rising hopes that such a measure would finally pass.
There is a simple way to help close the coverage gap that never seems to be addressed, raise taxes on individuals above a certain income level. Mississippi wants to compete with other states in attracting business by reducing/eliminating state income tax, that is almost a good idea. Do not tax corporations, do not tax the average wage earner, tax those that can afford it. A couple percentage points on high income earners will not chase them out of a state with one of the lowest costs of living. I believe the Governor and the legislature made a big mistake in the income tax change, I don't see how/where the revenue is going to come from to cover the operation of the state. TX and TN have it figured out, I don't think MS has it figured out for the long run. It was a "me too" statement with regard to being a no/low income tax state.
There is a simple way to help close the coverage gap that never seems to be addressed, raise taxes on individuals above a certain income level. Mississippi wants to compete with other states in attracting business by reducing/eliminating state income tax, that is almost a good idea. Do not tax corporations, do not tax the average wage earner, tax those that can afford it. A couple percentage points on high income earners will not chase them out of a state with one of the lowest costs of living. I believe the Governor and the legislature made a big mistake in the income tax change, I don't see how/where the revenue is going to come from to cover the operation of the state. TX and TN have it figured out, I don't think MS has it figured out for the long run. It was a "me too" statement with regard to being a no/low income tax state.