Across Mississippi thousands of adults work hard each day to support their families and the communities in which they live. The determination and commitment of these adults is one of the state’s greatest assets. However, many of these adults, particularly… (read more)
Publications
In 2009, Mississippi’s poverty rate was 23.1 percent, a statistically significant increase from the 2008 rate of 18.1 percent. The poverty rate for Mississippi’s children rose to 31.9%. Approximately 250,000 children living in households with incomes below the federal poverty… (read more)
The Census Bureau estimates that 502,000 people in Mississippi were without health insurance in 2009. Of this number, 85,000 children were without health insurance. Over the past decade, the percent of Mississippians covered by private insurance declined substantially. The large… (read more)
While the recession of 2007 is technically over, its effects remain in Mississippi. In June of 2010, over 145,000 Mississippians were unemployed.1 While the unemployment rate has declined moderately in recent months, it has steadily risen since the start of… (read more)
Over the last 17 months, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has played a vital role in the stabilization of families and local communities moving through the recession in Mississippi. From projects supporting roads and bridges to keeping teachers in… (read more)
Government has provided a temporary increase in the amount of assistance to states to fund their Medicaid programs (referred to as enhanced FMAP). This program is scheduled to end in December 2010. Its temporary extension is vital to Mississippi’s economic… (read more)
Since the start of the 2007 Recession, Mississippi has lost over 72,000 jobs. The magnitude of the job loss has been much more severe than in any other recession over the last 30 years. Given the job loss experienced by… (read more)
Due to reductions in the revenue estimate for FY 2011, Governor Barbour announced a reduced executive budget recommendation in advance of the legislature’s adoption of appropriations for FY 2011.
These proposed reductions are in addition to the multiple budget cuts… (read more)
Updated revenue estimates for FY 2010 ending June 30, 2010 now project a total deficit of $499.1 million in state funds for the year. In response to the updated revenue projections, Governor Barbour announced a fifth round of budget cuts… (read more)
Revised revenue estimates project additional declines in tax collections for the remainder of this budget year and into next year. Responding to economic realities, the current year general fund revenue estimate was adjusted downward by $119.4 million and the estimate… (read more)
