While working hard, many of Mississippi’s families fall short of economic security. According to an analysis of data from the U.S. Census, approximately 39% of Mississippi’s working families are low-income.Despite an improving national economy, far too many Mississippi residents are struggling to achieve financial security. A new report from the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED) reveals that most families are living on the brink of a financial disaster. In… (read more)
Policy Areas
Budget & Tax |
 Budget decisions directly influence the quality of education that our children receive, the condition of the roads that we travel, the safety of our communities and the level of trust we can place in professionals such as doctors, dentists, pharmacists and nurses. Strong fiscal systems are needed to ensure that the funds are available – in a good economic times and in bad economic times – to cover the costs services that Mississippians depend on everyday. |
Asset Development and Protection |
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Income & Working Families |
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The resources below examine ways to improve the economic opportunities of Mississippi’s working families. |
All Reports & Facts Sheets
Mississippi families are struggling to make ends meet despite working hard and playing by the rules. The federal Earned Income Tax CreditThe Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal tax credit for low- and moderate-income working people. It is… (read more)
Mississippi families who are struggling to make ends meet are paying more of their income in state and local taxes than wealthy Mississippians. Tax reform efforts should aim to improve our tax system for these families. A state Earned Income… (read more)
As legislators convene, they will begin to tackle education funding, tax reform, and many other issues that affect Mississippi’s working families. Below are some things to look out for during the session. You can track these issues by using MEPC’s… (read more)
Last week, we posted a summary of the Joint Legislative Budget CommitteeThe Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) is composed of 14 legislators, half from the Senate and half from the House of Representatives. The Committee is chaired by either the… (read more)
The Joint Legislative Budget CommitteeThe Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) is composed of 14 legislators, half from the Senate and half from the House of Representatives. The Committee is chaired by either the Lieutenant Governor or by the Speaker of… (read more)
Scorecard: College Attainment a Major Barrier in Mississippi
This month, the Mississippi Economic Policy Center (MEPC) explores the topic of education in the state – a topic that not only benefits individuals, but also their families and communities alike. For… (read more)
As state revenueThe state’s income from any source. Mississippi revenue includes: tax collections, fees, and intergovernmental grants. has returned to pre-recession levels, lawmakers have begun to talk about tax cuts as a way to make the state more economically competitive… (read more)
New MEPC Director, Dr. Corey Wiggins, was recently quoted in an article from the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal on July 22, 2014. The story is below:
Despite making gains in health and education, Mississippi fell back into the bottom spot… (read more)
With the upcoming primary runoff, much attention has been paid recently to the amount of federal fundsFederal Funds are earmarked by the U.S. government for specific state programs. They are appropriated annually by the Mississippi Legislature, but must be spent… (read more)
