Mississippi State Government
The Strange Case of Two State Agencies’ Revolving Door Policies
It is common for states to prohibit government employees from leaving a regulating agency to go to work for a company their agency regulated. Such “revolving door” restrictions are intended to prevent the temptation for the employee to treat a company favorably in order to gain a position with that company later.
Read MoreOpportune Time for PERS and the Legislature To Strike a Grand Bargain
Mississippi’s defined benefit pension system had a banner year for its investments in fiscal 2021 and the financial breathing room could be a springboard for real reform that ensures its long-term viability.
Read MoreCutting Red Tape for Occupational License Holders Moving To Mississippi
A bill approved by Gov. Tate Reeves that recently became law on July 1 will help cut red tape for those moving to Mississippi who possess an occupational license from another state.
Read MorePERS of Mississippi in for Tough Decisions According to Latest PEER Report
The Mississippi Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review issues an annual report on the state’s defined benefit pension system. Normally, the PEER report tends to be moderate in its analysis of PERS, but this one released on May 11 admits that demographics, lower than expected wage inflation by contributing members and lower than expected investment returns are combining to scuttle the plan’s bottom line.
Read MoreBPF Legislative Review 2021
The final deadline has now passed for Governor Reeves to sign or veto bills approved by the Legislature in the session that officially ended April 4. Of the 2,623 bills that legislators introduced, only 13% made it to his desk.
Read MoreIncumbent Protection Proposal Making Its Way Through MS Legislature
In Washington DC, Congress is working to pass a bill that would dramatically change election laws in the country. It appears that the Mississippi Legislature is attempting to do the same.
Read MoreUtilities Could Be Allowed Entrance Into the Broadband Business
The Mississippi Legislature could be allowing the state’s two investor-owned utilities to get into the broadband business in a way that might serve both broadband customers and electricity ratepayers.
Read MoreRegulatory Reform is High on the Legislative Action List
The Mississippi legislature is nearing the halfway point of its 2021 Regular Session, which is expected to adjourn at the end of March. There are some bad bills that might be acted on this week, but overall, the session has produced fairly positive results. The House has passed several major reforms designed to repeal or relieve unnecessary regulatory burdens on small businesses.
Read MoreMississippi’s Certificate of Need Program
Mississippi is one of 35 states that require a Certificate of Need (CON) for healthcare providers. They must receive approval from the state Department of Health to build a new facility, add beds or diagnostic equipment to an existing facility, or even when a capital project goes over budget.
Read MorePERS — Retirees vs. Workers?
The time for can-kicking is past when it comes to fixing Mississippi’s defined benefit pension system. The Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi could soon ask taxpayers to increase their contribution to the pensions of state and local employees for the second time in two years.
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