Mississippi Economic Policy Center http://mepconline.com Mississippi Economic Policy Center news and blog Women of Mississippi Still Earn Less than Men with Similar Education http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/09/03/women-of-mississippi-still-earn-less-than-men-with-similar-education This week the Clarion-Ledger ran an article entitled “Young wome]]> Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:39:43 -0500 http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/09/03/women-of-mississippi-still-earn-less-than-men-with-similar-education Response to Wall Street Journal "Stimulus Pushers" http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=168 In an editorial ("Stimulus Pushers," Aug. 11), The Wall Street Journal quotes Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour to support opposition of the extension of federal assistance to states. ]]> Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:00:00 -0500 http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=168 5 Years Later: The Effects of Hurricane Katrina and the Recession on State Revenue http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/09/01/5-years-later-the-effects-of-hurricane-katrina-and-the-recession-on-state-revenue In the last five years, the state has endured some tough challenges, including Hurricane Katrina and the recent recession.  The effect of those events on state reven]]> Wed, 01 Sep 2010 07:41:58 -0500 http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/09/01/5-years-later-the-effects-of-hurricane-katrina-and-the-recession-on-state-revenue Jackson County supervisors rescind resolution calling for payday lending regulation http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=167 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:00:00 -0500 http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=167 10 Years of Job Growth and Job Loss in Mississippi http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/08/26/10-years-of-job-growth-and-job-loss-in-mississippi Over the past week, a significant amount of media coverage has focused on the jobs outlook in Mississippi.  From unemployment insurance extensions to the announcement of ]]> Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:04:32 -0500 http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/08/26/10-years-of-job-growth-and-job-loss-in-mississippi Unemployment Insurance Critical to Struggling Mississippians http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/08/23/unemployment-insurance-critical-to-struggling-mississippians Sunday’s Clarion-Ledger article “The Governor’s office announced Thursday that Mississippi would be applying for $98 million in Federal Funds from the recent educational stimulus package passed by Congre]]> Fri, 20 Aug 2010 02:34:36 -0500 http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/08/20/mississippi-accepts-98-million-in-federal-funding-for-education Cut to the Bone: The Impact of Budget Cuts on Mental Health in Mississippi http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/08/18/cut-to-the-bone-the-impact-of-budget-cuts-on-mental-health-in-mississippi One agency where state budget cuts may have finally cut too deep is the Mississippi Department of Mental Health.  The Department of Mental Health has already undergone ne]]> Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:31:57 -0500 http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/08/18/cut-to-the-bone-the-impact-of-budget-cuts-on-mental-health-in-mississippi Supervisors want crackdown on loans http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=164 Harrison County supervisors voted Aug. 9 to join the push for better state lending laws and Jackson County leaders voted unanimously Monday.
They are asking the Legislature to let the laws tha]]> Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:00:00 -0500 http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=164 Jackson County likely to ask state to crack down on payday lenders http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=162 District 2 Supervisor Melton Harris Jr. introduced a draft resolution]]> Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:00:00 -0500 http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=162 Medicaid and education act holds big plus for Northeast Mississippi http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=163 The recently passed Education, Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act represents good policy and an important economic opportunity for Northeast Mississippi.

In total, the legislation will bring ne]]> Sun, 15 Aug 2010 12:00:00 -0500 http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=163 A Closer Look: The Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/08/13/a-closer-look-the-education-jobs-and-medicaid-assistance-act This week, there has been considerable discussion surrounding the $249 million in federal funding that Mississippi stands to gain for education and healthcare. One of the]]> Fri, 13 Aug 2010 03:35:13 -0500 http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/08/13/a-closer-look-the-education-jobs-and-medicaid-assistance-act Impact from aid unclear for now http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=161 A spokesman for the state Department of Education said it will probably “take several weeks” to determine the impact of federal legislation passed and signed into law Tuesday to help financiall]]> Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:00:00 -0500 http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=161 Mississippi Can't Afford to Leave Nearly $250 Million on the Table http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/08/11/mississippi-cant-afford-to-leave-nearly-250-million-on-the-table The recent state fiscal relief legislation passed by the U.S. Senate provides for nearly a quarter of a billion dollars for the state budget. ]]> Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:00:00 -0500 http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=158 Recognizing Our State and Local Public Service Workers http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=156 Presently, the work environments of our state and local public service workers are being crippled by the fiscal crisis in the states.  Legislatures around the country face gaps of $260 billion in ]]> Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:00:00 -0500 http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=156 State begins its work on health care exchange http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=155 Haley Barbour has been one of the toughest critics of the nation's massive health care overhaul, even suing to keep some provisions from taking effect. But that does not mean Barbour wants to thr]]> Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:00:00 -0500 http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=155 Public service workers earn recognition http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=154 Presently, the work environments of our state and local public service workers are being crippled by the fiscal crisis in the U.S. Legislatures around the country face gaps of $260 billion in the n]]> Sun, 08 Aug 2010 12:00:00 -0500 http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=154 Higher Education Critical for Family Economic Security and State Economic Advancement http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/08/06/higher-education-critical-for-family-economic-security-and-state-economic-advancement Across Mississippi, students are returning to the classroom for the 2010-11 school year. Now more than ever, it is important that Mississippi's young adults not only grad]]> Fri, 06 Aug 2010 10:41:50 -0500 http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/08/06/higher-education-critical-for-family-economic-security-and-state-economic-advancement Health Care Reform is Good for Working Mississippians http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/08/05/health-care-reform-is-good-for-working-mississippians Yesterday, a summit was hosted on health care reform in Mississippi. While a good bit of information was shared, a couple of key points were somewhat overlooked: ]]> Thu, 05 Aug 2010 07:54:14 -0500 http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/08/05/health-care-reform-is-good-for-working-mississippians Law lets jobless continue benefits http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=153 President Barack Obama's late July signing of legislation extending the emergency unemployment compensa]]> Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:00:00 -0500 http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=153 Is Mississippi's Sales Tax Holiday Really Worth Celebrating? http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/08/02/is-mississippis-sales-tax-holiday-really-worth-celebrating Amid the revelry of Mississippi’s second Sales Tax holiday lays several important facts that call into question the wisdom of this much celebrated tax policy. <]]> Mon, 02 Aug 2010 08:57:52 -0500 http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/08/02/is-mississippis-sales-tax-holiday-really-worth-celebrating Budget Spotlight: Mississippi Department of Mental Health Budget FY 2009-FY 2011 http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/07/26/budget-spotlight-mississippi-department-of-mental-health-budget-fy-2009-fy-2011-2 Much has been discussed about the state’s successive budget cuts in total or as an ever-increasing percentage of an agency’s budget. Not muc]]> Mon, 26 Jul 2010 09:41:16 -0500 http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/07/26/budget-spotlight-mississippi-department-of-mental-health-budget-fy-2009-fy-2011-2 Unemployment Insurance Extension Benefits Mississippi's Economy http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/07/21/unemployment-insurance-extension-benefits-mississippis-economy Today, the U.S. Senate will vote on a bill to extend unemployment insurance to the long-term unemployed.  In addition to supporting families, the extensions will put much]]> Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:30:20 -0500 http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/07/21/unemployment-insurance-extension-benefits-mississippis-economy Public Sector: Workers In Public Sector Provide Services Vital to Mississippi's Economy http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/07/09/public-sector-workers-provide-services-and-are-vital-to-mississippi%e2%80%99s-economy      Not only do Mississippians who choose careers as public servants provide valuable services to our communities, they also represent the l]]> Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:44:33 -0500 http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/07/09/public-sector-workers-provide-services-and-are-vital-to-mississippi%e2%80%99s-economy Listen to MEPC Director Ed Sivak Live at 5:05 on 97.3 FM (Jackson) http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=152 Ed Sivak will be a guest on the radio show On Deadline hosted by Sid Salter tonight at 5:05 p.m.
Tune in to SuperTalk Mississippi (97.3 FM in Jackson) during your drive time to hear Ed discus]]> Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:00:00 -0500 http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=152 FY 2010 Revenue in Under Estimate, FY 2011 Appropriations Further Reduce Budget http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/07/02/fy-2010-revenue-in-under-estimate-fy-2011-appropriations-further-reduce-budget All but one month in FY 2010 saw revenue collections come in under estimate.  In total, general fund revenue came in close to $400 million under the estimate used to crea]]> Fri, 02 Jul 2010 03:04:41 -0500 http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/07/02/fy-2010-revenue-in-under-estimate-fy-2011-appropriations-further-reduce-budget Jackson among 20 cities to hold budget forum http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=151 Jackson is one of 20 cities — and the only one in the Deep South - chosen nationally to discuss the national debt during a simulcast event today linking Americans from across the country.  The ]]> Sat, 26 Jun 2010 12:00:00 -0500 http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=151 Achieving Self-Sufficiency: How Much Income Do Working Families in Mississippi Need to Meet Their Basic Expenses? http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/06/25/achieving-self-sufficiency-how-much-income-do-working-families-in-mississippi-need-to-meet-their-basic-expenses The current recession has affected many of Mississippi’s working families. Some have experienced job loss, reduced work hours, decrease]]> Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:35:53 -0500 http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/06/25/achieving-self-sufficiency-how-much-income-do-working-families-in-mississippi-need-to-meet-their-basic-expenses Mississippi's Unemployed and Public Employees Wait on Congressional Jobs Bill http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=149 The economic safety net of thousands of Mississippians lies in the hands of Congress. 4,700 Mississippians who have been drawing unemployment for nearly 18 months could soon be left to fend for the]]> Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:00:00 -0500 http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=149 Savings pushed by IDAs http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=148 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:00:00 -0500 http://mepconline.com/news/view.php?entryID=148 Lower Income Earners Pay More State and Local Taxes in Mississippi http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/06/18/lower-income-earners-pay-more-state-and-local-taxes-in-mississippi

Eighty percent of Mississippi residents earn an income of less than $70,000. While that group]]> Fri, 18 Jun 2010 01:00:29 -0500 http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/06/18/lower-income-earners-pay-more-state-and-local-taxes-in-mississippi Welcome to Policy Matters, the blog of the Mississippi Economic Policy Center (MEPC) http://mepconline.com/blog/2010/06/17/welcome-to-policy-matters-the-blog-of-the-mississippi-economic-policy