BPF researches and shares educational information encouraging Mississippi’s Economic Freedom while discouraging Crony Capitalism to increase Mississippi’s Economic Growth. BPF focuses on Education, Energy, Environment, Health Care, Federal Government & Agencies, Mississippi State Government & Agencies and Regulatory Abuses & Reforms.
Recent Commentary
Charter Schools in Jackson
A case before the Mississippi Supreme Court brought by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) in 2014 could determine whether public charter schools can continue to survive.
Amtrak on the Gulf Coast
Mississippi could soon be getting a passenger rail route between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, with most of the stops in the Magnolia State. The downside is taxpayers, at both the state and federal levels, will heavily subsidize the Amtrak route.
BPF Book Review – “In Defense of Troublemakers”
If you have watched the HBO mini-series CHERNOBYL, you’ve seen by way of docu-drama an extreme example of the catastrophic consequences of groupthink and suppression of any dissent. But make no mistake, groupthink and suppression of different opinions is not limited to totalitarian dictatorships. Any organization – big, small, public, private or even a school...
BPF’s View on the Yazoo Backwater Pumps
The Pumps will pour water out of the Delta’s boot over the levee at Vicksburg onto people below. They will make flooding higher and longer inside the levee. Landowners in the Delta outside the levee will benefit. Landowners inside the levee will suffer. The pumps won’t increase the discharge to the Gulf. They just pass...
Federal Aid Dependency
Mississippi has been called the “moocher state” because it takes in more federal aid than it sends back to Washington, D.C. in taxes. The non-partisan Tax Foundation ranked Mississippi as the state most dependent on federal funds as a percentage of its revenues, with Louisiana second.
State Agency Waste
When legislative leaders makes decisions on how they’re going to spend our tax dollars, they usually seek the counsel of agency executive directors. Often, the agency heads will ask for more money, but rarely for less. And, of course, legislative leaders don’t have to listen to the advice they’re given, but this example defies the ruling party’s...
The (MDEQ) Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality’s Permit Board has approved the air pollution permit for Enviva.
The Maryland-based company plans to build the world’s largest wood pellet mill in Lucedale with a generous helping of state and local incentives. When economic development projects hang in the balance, the permit process is usually a fait accompli.
Mississippi taxpayers will provide $4 million in grant funds, with $1.4 million for a water well and a water tank, while the other $2.5 million is for other infrastructure needs and site work.
George County averages about $8 million annually in ad valorem tax revenue. Granting $13 million in tax breaks over the next ten years is a very generous give away. Is this fair to the current tax paying businesses in George County?
Enviva's Environmental and Taxpayer Concerns – Bigger Pie Forum
The (MDEQ) Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality’s Permit Board has approved the air pollution permit for Enviva. Maryland-based company plans to build the world’s largest wood pellet mi...