Mississippi State Government & Agencies
BPF strives to inform citizens and elected officials on its views regarding public policies that benefit or cause hard to Mississippi's economic condition. Bigger Pie believes sound public policy grounded in fiscal responsibility is a cornerstone to successful communities.
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PERS
Legislative Session 2018
Is PERS Fair to Current State Employees? Part 2
A critical question for current and future PERS retirees and the state of Mississippi is this: Can PERS continue to pay its retiree obligations, its generous and growing COLA (13thcheck) and also rebuild its corpus to be there for the current employees who will be retiring in the decades to come?
PERS Investment Manager Fees Part 1
Like most pension funds, the PERS plan pays a fee to investment managers to help the plan realize maximum earnings potential. Since 2009, PERS has paid more than $647 million in fees to outside money managers. Comparing PERS of Mississippi with three of its neighbors, the amount paid to the plan’s money managers has been on the increase over the decade.
The Mississippi Lottery
When Mississippi finally enacted a lottery in August 2018, the reason that lawmakers went along with the controversial proposal was to generate revenue to help deal with the state’s infrastructure.
Government Transparency? Be Prepared To Fight for FOIA Records
Transparency is the hallmark of a government that is for the people and by the people. The best way for citizens (not just media) to take a look beneath the hood to see the inner workings of government is the Freedom of Information Act request under the Mississippi Public Records Act — but keeping a check on government requires vigilance.
Mississippi’s Infrastructure Needs and the Gasoline Tax — Gubernatorial Candidates Weigh In
Mississippi’s infrastructure issues have led to some gubernatorial candidates to call for an increase in the state’s gasoline tax.
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 principles.