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
Governments as Venture Capitalists – From Amazon to Entergy
Governments, whether state or federal, are poor venture capitalists. Two great examples of this is the battle between cities nationwide for an Amazon headquarters and the massive solar farm being built in the Mississippi Delta.
Read More Mississippi’s Future Workforce Needs Help
Until performance improves, Mississippi will lag behind other states in economic growth as the workers of tomorrow aren't adequately prepared for the jobs of the future, especially in the STEM field. An educated workforce is key to luring new industry and convincing entrepreneurs that Mississippi is the best place to start a thriving business.
Read More Entergy’s Grand Gulf Nuclear Power Station Showing It’s Age
Entergy's Grand Gulf plant is 33 years old and is starting to show its age. For the last three years, the reactor was the lowest rated in terms of average power generation among four similar reactors at other plants nationwide. It's already been shut down 106 days so far this year.
Read More Mississippi’s Education System and the 2018 Standardized Test Report
Public education advocates have always wanted more K-12 education spending, but more spending hasn't paid off. Mississippi ACT composite scores since 2013 have either declined or remained constant, down from a high of 19 in 2015. Mississippi policymakers need to see this as a call to action to improve the results of K-12 education. If the state's education system can't create an educated workforce able to thrive in the economy of tomorrow, we'll continue to fall behind other states.
Read More UPDATE: (Rescheduled for April 2019) Entergy’s Lawsuit Finally Going to Trial
For ten years, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood's lawsuit against Entergy and its wholesale pricing practices has been in the court system. On November 5, it will finally go to trial in federal court as the AG is seeking $1.1 billion from the New Orleans-based utility with subsidiaries in four states. While the company will likely have to pay after losing a similar class action lawsuit in Louisiana, it presents an opportunity to kick-start the discussion over the regulated monopoly model for electric generation in the state.
Read More Supreme Court Case on Flooding and Property Rights
Plaintiffs in a decade-old lawsuit over Hurricane Katrina surge flooding in New Orleans are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to have another look after a federal appeals court ruled against them. The St. Bernard Parish v. United States case has implications that go far beyond the surge flooding.
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Mississippi Retired Public Employees’ Association Opposes Changes to PERS Despite Struggling Fund.
The organization said in its fall newsletter that it will not tolerate any changes to the Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi. The organization said the best way to defeat legislators who weren’t “supporters” of PERS was at the ballot box.
It’s a short-sighted viewpoint as the pension fund continues to struggle —only 61.5 percent fully funded — despite a booming stock market
Reforming PERS is the only way to save it and the only difference is doing it now, when it will be cheaper and easier, versus later, when it will be far more expensive. bit.ly/2B2BAP4