Budget Fight Looms In Legislature

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Members of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus say they will oppose any effort by Republicans to push tax cuts during the 2016 session.

Republican Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves has long said he wants to phase out the corporate franchise tax.

But, caucus members said Wednesday that with current state tax collections falling short of projections, Mississippi can’t afford to make changes that might further reduce revenue.

Democratic Rep. Omeria Scott of Laurel says eliminating the franchise tax would help big corporations but do nothing for average families.

Republican Gov. Phil Bryant and top legislative budget writers met Monday and reduced the estimate of how much money state government will have available to spend this budget year and next. The change was based on the state’s slower than expected economic growth.