Members of the Mississippi legislature come together each year to make decisions about how state funds will be spent in the upcoming fiscal year. This practice is known as the Budget appropriation Process. Six key stages of the process are… (read more)
Publications
Lack of access to healthy foods and the associated negative outcomes on the health of Mid South residents are well documented. Obesity and the lack of consumption of fresh fruit, for example are among the highest levels in the country.… (read more)
Recent calls to require drug tests for workforce supports such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Unemployment Insurance would cost the state over $4 million and subject the state to costly lawsuits. Analysis from other states also shows… (read more)
While the recession is over, its effects are still being felt by the thousands of families in the state who are still out of work and for state revenue collections that have yet to rebound. State agencies that have been… (read more)
Low-wage work and the absence of assets, in particular, play a huge role in determining which families avert financial disaster during an emergency and which families move forward through homeownership, education and entrepreneurship. MEPC in partnership with the Foundation for… (read more)
Appropriations for FY 2012 will continue to challenge state government to provide quality services. The budget hardship is coming at a time when the need for state services remains high as families struggle to make ends meet. Recovery over the… (read more)
Testimony of Ed Sivak: Hope Enterprise Corporation and Mississippi Economic Policy Center (MEPC) Before the Mississippi House of Representatives Banking and Financial Services Committee “Payday Lending Hearing”
Good afternoon Chairman Flaggs and members of the committee. Thank you for holding… (read more)
Across the state, Mississippians have access to nearly 600 sources of small loans that can be obtained at more affordable and manageable terms than payday loans. Furthermore, in states where legislative action or inaction resulted in the end of high… (read more)
Food security—access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life—is one of several conditions necessary for a population to be healthy. This month, the USDA’s Economic Research Service released its annual report measuring household… (read more)
Governor Barbour’s budget recommendation for FY 2012 released yesterday calls for more cuts in response to the ongoing budget crisis. The Governor’s budget recommendation is required by law to be submitted to the Legislature in advance of the legislative session.… (read more)
