Bigger Pie Forum

BPF researches and shares educational information encouraging Mississippi’s Economic Freedom while discouraging Crony Capitalism to increase Mississippi’s Economic Growth. BPF focuses on Constitutional Foundations, Education, Energy, Environment, Health Care, Federal Government & Agencies, Mississippi State Government & Agencies and Regulatory Abuses & Reforms.

Featured Work

State Agency and Program Provider Waste, Fraud and Abuse — More Change Is Needed

by The BPF Editorial Board

Published October 18, 2021

In the endless debate over the amount of government assistance given to the poor, one factor that is not frequently discussed is the waste, fraud and other abuse that is perpetrated by providers of these programs - and sometimes by the agencies that fund them.

Natural Gas Rocks the World

by Ashby Foote

Published October 18, 2021

Price discovery is a critical component of free market economies. It is how entrepreneurs, businesses and investors identify risks and opportunities as they allocate capital to both avoid pitfalls and exploit new developments across the economy. Some price changes are transitory, others are secular. And at rare times, price moves can indicate disruptive innovation. In the commodities market, wise analysis of price signals can be the difference between success and failure.

Some Supply Chain Tales

by Kelley Williams

Published October 1, 2021

Water, water everywhere, and all the boards did shrink; water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink. Carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide everywhere, and all the packing houses did close; carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide everywhere, nor any meat was froze.

Grand Gulf Report Card for Affordable and Reliable Electricity — F

by The BPF Editorial Board

Published September 30, 2021

Grand Gulf receives a failing grade if affordable and reliable electricity for its customers is the goal. It’s supposed to be the goal of the public service commission who regulates the utility monopoly. This structure seems to have room for improvement as evidenced by these legal complaints. Seems a proactive structure in place of a reactive one would better serve the customers’ interests.

Stopping Our Revolving Prison Door

by The BPF Editorial Board

Published September 24, 2021

In an unusual move, four legislative committees, two in the House and two in the Senate, are jointly holding a series of hearings to explore ways to reduce recidivism, which is the return to prison by former inmates due to their committing another crime or violating the terms of their release.

Recent Commentary

MDE’s Emergency Procurements Spell Mishandling and Mismanagement

By The BPF Editorial Board | September 20, 2021

The State Board of Education (SBE) voted recently to allow the State Superintendent of Education to declare an emergency in order to expedite the process of awarding contracts involving up to $231 million of these COVID-19 relief funds.

Eliminating Mississippi’s Personal Income Tax

By The BPF Editorial Board | September 14, 2021

The Mississippi Legislature is pondering eliminating the state’s personal income tax to help supercharge Mississippi’s economy. The theory is that such a move would entice businesses to move to Mississippi or to stay here.

A Tale of Two Electricities

By Ashby Foote | September 10, 2021

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…” A revolution is underway in the land and life as we know and enjoy it is at stake. Why? Because the market in electricity generation is being divided between good fuels and bad fuels. Bad fuels emit CO2 while good fuels do not. But rearranging fuel types is no small matter, it requires large capital investment and makes electricity generation more expensive, more complicated and it turns out less reliable.

The Strange Case of Two State Agencies’ Revolving Door Policies

By The BPF Editorial Board | August 18, 2021

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.

Suffering Fools Gladly

By Kelley Williams | August 3, 2021

Our Governor said the Center for Disease Control’s recently reinstated mask guidelines are foolish. The reporter who covered his Neshoba County Fair speech noted he said this despite “rocketing numbers of COVID-19 cases in the state according to WAPT”. Did the Mississippi State Department of Health fall in line with the Governor? No. It parroted the CDC. Why? Because, you know, more cases, and The Science, and the narrative. Also, the arrogant guild of unelected bureaucrats and their agencies aren’t responsible to the voters.

Opportune Time for PERS and the Legislature To Strike a Grand Bargain

By The BPF Editorial Board | August 2, 2021

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.