Legislative roundup

Week of Feb. 17-21, 2025

From staff reports

Not a lot happened around the Capitol this week as both chambers returned to committee work after last week’s deadline, though the Senate did move forward with its version of a tax reform bill. We’ll see what each chamber prioritizes moving through quickly in the coming days.

Taxes

In a press conference last week, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann announced the Senate’s tax plans without presenting any actual legislation. On Feb. 20, he announced that the Senate Finance Committee had passed SB 3905, aimed at lowering grocery and income taxes. Hosemann noted that the next stop is the Senate floor. As a reminder, the Senate tax plan would reduce the income tax to 2.99% within four years. The Senate will also reduce the grocery tax from 7% to 5% by July 2026 and raise the gas tax by 3 cents per year over three years to help pay for critically-needed roads and bridges upkeep.

In the meantime, Gov. Reeves has continued to voice his opposition to any plan that doesn’t eliminate the personal income tax altogether and Speaker Jason White continues to post a series of endorsements from business leaders in favor of the House’s 10-year elimination plan. What happens next is anyone’s guess but don’t expect this fight to be quick or painless. It’s almost certain to be a doozie.

Wine

Yes, you read that correctly. This header could’ve been labeled commerce but let’s get right to the point: Mississippians will finally be able to have wine shipped to their homes – pending the governor’s signature. And while SB 2145 may not be the most critical piece of legislation passed this session, it does have the potential to make the actions and inactions of the Legislature far more palatable once signed into law.