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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MS Legislative Session
State Procurement Laws Need Rigorous Reform
Back in 2017, the MS Office of the State Auditor criticized some of the Mississippi Department of Education’s procurement practices that could lead to corruption. So did the Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review with another report.
Mississippi Legislature Borrowing for Public University Projects
This year, Mississippi is scheduled to borrow $86 million for brick and mortar projects at the state’s eight public universities in the midst of a game-changing pandemic.
Office of the State Auditor Plans Audit of CARES Funding
The state auditor’s office has released its plan on how it plans to audit the $1.25 billion in federal funds sent to Mississippi. The department has already created a new website to allow citizens to track the spending of each dollar.
Broadband COVID-19 Grant Program Fund
Fifteen non-profit power associations, two rural water associations and two existing broadband providers will receive more than $66 million from a $75 million emergency broadband grant program using COVID-19 relief funds.
Cutting Occupational Licensing Red Tape
Bills that give high school students the ability to earn credit for apprenticeships and another that gives the state’s Occupational Licensing Review Commission (OLRC) backward-looking review power were signed into law by Gov. Tate Reeves. The governor also approved another bill that makes it easier for military members or their spouses to earn occupational licenses.
Watch Out for Earmarks
Legislators and taxpayers should watch out for earmarks, misplaced priorities, and general mischief that is appearing in legislation to spend almost $1 billion in federal funds that are supposed to address the costs of dealing with COVID-19.